I was wrong… Franky Johnny makes a delicious sandwich!

Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by Pamela MacNaughtan

The first time I tried a sandwich from Franky Johnny, I ordered through a food delivery app. My kitchen was bare and I was craving sandwiches. I could have taken a bus to the grocery store and bought ingredients to make some at home, but my laziness won.

I don’t remember which sandwich I ordered, but I remember feeling meh about it, and I have lamented many times since Quebec City needs a really good sandwich shop. Oh, the things I would do for an Italian sandwich shop that rivals Montreal hot spots like Bossa (I crave the eggplant parm sandwich here) and Ciccio’s (all of them, literally, but especially the turkey one). I don’t think that will happen; unless some of Montreal’s large Italian community decides to move to Quebec City.

Franky Johnny started with a small shop in the neighbourhood of Saint-Sauveur; sharing the space with Borderon et fils boulangerie, and quickly becoming a neighbourhood favourite. In November 2024, a second location opened in Limoilou; partnering with Borderon et fils, and Cantook Café.

A delicious trifecta: Franky Johnny, Cantook Café, and Borderon et fils

l walked in the door with the intention of buying a chocolat chaud from Cantook Café and settling into a cozy corner to write. I had visited two other cafés, but between uncomfortable chairs and a bad wifi connection, I was desparate for a place to relax and work.

As lunchtime approached, the large space started filling up with couples, friends, and moms with newborns; many enjoying big juicy sandwiches wrapped in brown paper bags. When my stomach grumbled, I sauntered to the sandwich counter to ordered an Italian 2.0.

Italian 2.0: Mortadella, prosciutto, artichoke spread, Pecorino cheese, marinated vegetables, lettuce, honey, and mayonnaise (14.75 CAD).

The sandwich, served in freshly baked focaccia, is a messy two-hand job; the brown paper bag catching whatever slips out of the sandwich. Something I’m grateful for as I almost always end up with a spot of something on my clothing.

Tilting my head like I was eating an overstuffed taco, I tore into Franky Johnny’s Italian 2.0; surprised by how much I like the crunch of the pickled green beans, and the slight sweetness of the honey. Every flavour married well, and I ate slowly to savour every bite.

Before I was finished, I was looking towards the sandwich counter along the back wall debating about which sandwich I would try on my next visit; cursing myself for not bringing a friend so we could share and try two sandwiches in one sitting.

It’s more than food, it’s a space for community

I spent a few hours at Franky Johnny in Limoilou; enjoying a chocolat chaud and bostock with chocolate and orange from Cantook; debating as to whether I need a baguette from Borderon et fils. To be honest, I always need a baguette, but I had a full day of bopping around Limoilou before dinner at ARVI.

I watched young families stop for a snack, and mom’s showing off their newborns; friends meeting for lunch, meetings between colleagues, and people stopping to buy freshly baked bread. Tables and chairs were moved and during the lunchtime rush it was standing room only.

As someone who lives on the edge of Old Quebec, it was glorious to sit back and watch the local community gather and connect. More so than any other café or food space I’ve visited recently in Quebec City.

I don’t have a photo of the space full of people, I was too busy enjoying the local atmosphere and thinking about future visits.

Go to Franky Johnny