10 Places To Get Your Sandwich Fix since Mitchell's Closed
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The Ham & Havarti Croissant at Jessie's Bakery and Cafe
The sudden 2025 closure of Mitchell's Cafe left a Sunshine Bread-sized hole in all of Fort McMurray. And while I'd do almost anything for one more Sweet Heat sandwich - we all must move on and fortunately there are several great spots to get your quick sandwich fix in Fort McMurray. Read on…..
Jessie's Bakery & Cafe
Unit 106, 9902 Franklin Ave
Probably the closest (in distance and vibe) to Mitchell's, Jessie's Bakery & Cafe is tucked away in behind the old KSB building. Park at the City Centre Car Wash and walk in to grab your sandwich, soup and baked goods. The coffee is always strong too. While they lack dine-in seating and the menu is limited to only a few choices every day - every sandwich I've had has knocked it out of the park and the soup is also excellent.
Mike's Pick : Ham & Havarti Croissant
Pocket Heart Cafe
Bay 3 10015 Centennial drive
Almost didn't want to post this one because I'm worried I'm giving away one of Fort McMurray's best kept secrets. Tucked away in a strip mall across from the Food Bank is this delightful little spot known for it's soup and baked goods. But you can also grab a Roast Beef, Egg Salad or ham sandwich. Generally only open Wednesday through Sunday for limited hours - it's a great place to sit down for a few minutes and escape the winter blues.
Mike's Pick: Chicken Coconut Curry Soup
The Chopped Leaf
347 Powder Drive / MacDonald Island Park
Who says Fast Food has to be unhealthy? The Chopped Leaf (now with two locations in town) is an excellent locally - ran chain that features great feel-good food. The staff are friendly and attentive and unless you hit a line you're usually getting your food within about five minutes. The soup, sandwiches and wraps are all good - and you can download an App to earn reward points and occasionally discounts. You even get a free wrap just for signing up.
Mike's Pick : Bold Buffalo Wrap w/ Shrimp
Tavern On Main
9708 Main Street
By night, the scene of some of my most-treasured Fort McMurray memories. By day, however, this is one of my favourite spots for a lunch meeting. The atmosphere is lively but rarely too crowded at lunch time and the servers are attentive and friendly. Although they've always done a few things very good, Tavern have really stepped up their food game in the last five years and it's about as consistent as you will find outside of a chain restaurant. Sure, it's not quite as fast as Mitchell's (although you can order ahead for Takeout), but you'll be in and out within your lunch hour (unless you get distracted of course). Known for their pub food and burgers - the sandwiches are all excellent with a hearty Clubhouse, legendary Beef Dip and my personal favourite…
Mike's Pick : The Naanwich
Juice and Coffee Cafe
8706 Franklin Avenue
Solid spot to sit and sip a coffee or smoothie - they also have sandwiches available inside their cozy modern atmosphere. The lighting, decor and personalities are all bright bringing some much-needed sunshine on gloomy winter days. They also maintain a really local vibe with plenty of upcoming local events plastered in the entrance.
Mike's Pick : Turkey Ham Avocado Wrap with Americano
Avenue and Eatery Cafe
8102 Fraser Ave Bay 5
More of a sit down place in my eyes than a take out - this one works best as a meeting. If it's a morning meeting, their Eggs Benedict selection is a highlight of their Breakfast menu but since we're taking sandwiches, they've got plenty along that vibe too. This place feels lively almost all day with plenty of meetings happening or people working away on their laptops. The coffee is also excellent & it's another great place to promtoe your local event by hanging a poster at the front entrance.
Mike's Pick: Smoked Salmon Egg Salad Croissant
PHO MAC Restaurant
9925 Biggs Ave #104
As the name suggests, this local favourite is best known for their Pho - but they also do a number of other things well. They have the perfect atmosphere and wine selection for a romantic date night - but if we're talking daytime you can not go wrong with their traditional Vietnamese Bánh Mì. If you have a few minutes, pair it with their Vietnamese coffee served with a traditional drip filter. It will give you the extra kick the rest of your day just might need.
Mike's Pick : Grilled Pork Bánh Mì
The Canadian Brewhouse
Stoneycreek Village
Admittedly, probably not somewhere you think of for lunch - but they have excellent deals during the day and are one of the few spots in town you can take advantage of underground parking on those blizzardy days. Every Monday to Friday from opening to 2:00 pm, take advantage of their Express Lunch guarantee featuring nearly a dozen items served within 15 minutes, or it's FREE! Express Lunch items include the Roasted Turkey Half Club with Soup, Brewhouse Half Dip and Steakhouse Sandwich.
Mike's Pick: Roasted Turkey Half Club for lunch. Brisket Grilled Cheese sandwich for the Oilers game
Blackhorse Pub
700 Signal Rd
How could I write any Fort McMurray article without mentioning the Blackhorse Pub? Serving Fort McMurray for over 30 years, the Horse is perfect for almost any occasion. 5:00 happy hour beers, 10 pm dance floor rip ups or that 1 am game of pool when every other bar is closed. But it's also an excellent spot for lunch. The service is quick and attentive with some of the best servers in town and there's an excellent selection of sandwiches, soups and burgers - with a different Soup & Sandwich combo every day. Just be careful you don't get "sucked in" or your lunch meeting might roll INTO happy hour….
Mike's Pick : Clubhouse Sandwich
Elements Cafeteria (operated by Wildrose Catering)
Keyano College
Normally the phrase "school cafeteria" conjures up images of Doris the lunch lady plopping last Tuesday's reheated sloppy joe on a piece of half-toasted bread, but that is not the case at Keyano College. Of course there's the usual hot and ready favourites like chicken fingers & pizza to help students make it through the day without starving. But my favourite part has to be the build your own sandwich deli. Long ago (like five years ago), you used to be able to go to a Safeway deli and have your own custom sandwich made right in front of you. If you try to do that now at most grocery stores - they'll scoff at you and point at yesterday's tuna salad sandwiches sitting next to the Coca-Cola. Here at Keyano, you pick your own bread, cheese, veggies, sauce and proteins. And the student friendly pricing won't hurt your wallet either. Huge line up? Check out King's Lounge just down the hall from the bookstore or the Dish and Plate Cafe inside the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre
Mike's Pick: Turkey & Havarti on Ciabatta
Did I miss any? Send me an e-mail at mike@ymmonline.ca
About the author
Mike Jones
Mike has called Fort McMurray home since 2013. A true man about town, Mike loves supporting local artists and small businesses by using his platform to promote them however he can. In his spare time, you can find Mike checking out new music, drinking craft beer or managing his fantasy football team!
Mike strives to live life to its fullest and adopts a glass half full perspective. He is a constant promoter of all things positive in Fort McMurray and can’t wait to help share the Good News with you!