Here's the deal. I have been writing the odd piece for the National Post in the Toronto section under the banner Urban Scrawl. They are sort of strange, slightly funny things that have to have a "Toronto" slant. So here' something I've been noodling around with.
What food says Toronto?
When you think of Montreal you think Bagels and Smoked Meat. Calgary says Steak, Winnipeg is famous for a fish called Goldeye, Vancouver has great Salmon, Chinese and Japanese food and of course down East you think Lobster, Dulce (seaweed) and Screech.
But what about us? What food means Toronto and or what's your favourite place to get it. This is the type of thing I used to do on my radio show called a "phoner" but until that's possible again, this Boggy thing will have to do.
I think Toronto is a gastronomic melting pot-so many to choose from that maybe our eating identity is multi-cultural as the people who live here.
For me, my favourite food in the city is Chinese, dim sum especially and I love to eat it at The Pearl at Harbor Front or Summit Gardens in Oakville. But I also love Sushi at Take Sushi next to the Hockey Hall of Fame and Lebanese food at Falafel World in the west end.
Let me know what says Toronto to your stomach and I'll include the results of my little poll (not that little poll) if the Post editor likes the idea. Even if he doesn't I'll jot down some of your suggestions and thoughts anyway.
Category: Articles
Comments
I actually wrote about this very topic recently. It is the street vendor hot dog and sausage that defines us as a people. It is our beacon of light that guides us, protects us and shows us the way.
Posted by: Mike Boon | September 20, 2006 / 16:01
It probably killed you not to say the Mandarin was your favourite place for Chinese...
Posted by: Stephanie | September 20, 2006 / 20:56
It is quite funny that I am reading the blog and thinking hot dog vendor. I do not even live in Toronto anymore and can say that. Then I look under comments and Mike boon has already beaten me to it about the hot dog vendor. They seem to be on every street corner. There are too many choices in Toronto from fast food to fine dining but the one thing that always sticks out in people's mind is the hot dog vendor. It is not a bad thing to say about Toronto's food either. Even when you are watching the news or much music you always see a vendor. When you are getting out of a sporting event and walking up the street to catch the go transit there he is waiting for your business. And even when you try to walk by without getting anything the smell over takes you and you must have one.
Posted by: Stacy | September 21, 2006 / 00:54
Yes, I love the Mandarin, but that's for Bulk Chinese food! That and the fact that I can heap as many wontons as I want into a bowl as many times as I like. Now that I think of it, maybe I should apply for a job there!
Posted by: Howard | September 21, 2006 / 08:02
Hot dog vendors was the first thing that popped in to my head too, along with fresh cut fries.
Posted by: MacKnife | September 21, 2006 / 15:35
I just read the National Post article that Mike Boon had sort of talked about. Funny that Mike and Howard were both mentioned in that particular article as well as this very 'comment' section. It never occurred to me (up there) that when I said the Mandarin for Chinese food was figured as being MY contribution to the exercise. I can't stand Chinese food. Big box Mandarin or tiny Dim Sum... I just don't like it. I was thinking of all those times Howard would let the listeners know where he had lunched the day before. I think I would probably choose the hot dog vendor. I'd have to say there isn't much better than grabbing a dog outside the Dome before a game... That's Toronto to me.
Posted by: Stephanie | September 22, 2006 / 17:36
Hi Howard,
For dimsum you can't go wrong at the Emerald Chinese Resteraunt, Mississauga Hwy10 and Eglington. Expect great food but don't go to the bathroom there :) I would recommend getting there before noon though as it gets quite packed. Oh, and for the record.... summit garden (also a great place) is not actually in Oakville. It's in Mississauga :) PPS Not too far away from Summit is a smaller place called The Perfect Kitchen (near costco) No dim sum but the food is some of the best around !
Bon Appetite!
Posted by: Mike | October 23, 2006 / 02:15