Gasparro's Meats Market

Vince Gasparro’s Quality Meats has been a fixture in the Bloor and Ossington locale since 1960. Owner Vince lost no time in setting up shop when he emigrated from Italy to Toronto in 1959. His homeland was still struggling after World War II so Vince joined throngs of his compatriots and left Italy in search of better opportunities. He opened his butcher’s store the following year upholding a tradition that had, at that point, been in the family for more than half a century. His father and grandfather before him had run a butcher shop in Italy where young Vince learned the trade.

Nowadays, several busy butchers work away behind the counter and, if you’re lucky, it will be the maestro himself who serves you. It's mostly sons Pat and Nick who will pack up your beef or give you tips on how to cook a prime cut. They’re butchers extraordinaire in their own rights having worked next to their dad while growing up. "All of our meat is the highest quality and our chicken is especially sought after because it's naturally raised," says Pat.