Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News January 14-20, 2021

🕒 8 min read

On Tuesday, Premier Ford announced a state of emergency and stay at home order for the province of Ontario, effective today until at least February 11.

A few things to know:

1. Bars, restaurants, and other food and drink establishments are exempt from this order. Thus, they are allowed to remain open for takeout, delivery, and drive-thru. Please support them as often as you’re able.

2. All this being at home (if you weren’t already, ensconced in a semi-permanent blanket-work-fort of some kind) means you’re going to need some stellar fare at your side. Lucky for you, this week’s 17 arrivals have got you covered.

And though it doesn’t happen often, every once in awhile certain foods dominate my weekly findings. My current discoveries are an avalanche of pretty much just fried chicken, burgers and dumplings. Which is actually pretty great. I mean, is there a more fitting combo for the middle of January when we’re stuck indoors for the foreseeable future? Didn’t think so.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Mi Taco Taqueria’s new onsite concept, Bubba’s Crispy Fried Chicken (247 Queen St W. and 521 Bloor St W.) features the usual suspects, but keeps it original with a chocolate and mango selection (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and crunchy vegan sarnie featuring housemade seitan.

Thai eatery Chiang Mai (171 E Liberty St. , Unit 141) touched down in Liberty Village a few months back, but you can still enjoy 20 per cent off takeout orders. Cool fact: Heading up the kitchen: the chef of Markham’s Chiang Rai Thai Kitchen & Bar, est. fall 2019.

Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport (31 Carlson Crt.) is back after $20M renos. In addition to 528 redesigned rooms (half of which boast king size beds and walk-in showers), Chef Tony Fernandes of The Cannery Kitchen & Social updated menus to “reflect a fresh and healthy take on Canadian food favourites.”

The first international Dave's Hot Chicken has arrived, thanks to Toronto hotshot owner John Bitove (Founder of NBA’s Toronto Raptors) and daughter Blair. Find the famous Nashville Hot Chicken in Parkdale at Queen and Sorauren where Pete's Corner Grill (1582 Queen St. W.) stood until recently. Grand opening festivities kick off tomorrow at 11am.

Work your way through Gladiator Burger & Steak’s extensive menu - 20 varieties of burgers and five steak sandos, alongside sides, drinks, and extras - one juicy bite at a time at their newest eatery in Mississauga (5165 Dixie Rd.) .

Despite its name, Grandone Chicken (16 Mallard Rd.) in North York, offers more than fried chicken. Notably, selections of fried seafood: fish, shrimp, and squid.

Eva's Original Chimneys has entered the popular vegan taco game with Happy Taco, available at both their Toronto (454 Bloor St. W.) and Port Credit (53 Lakeshore Rd. E.) shops.

Cute name? Check. Adorable digs? Check! The city’s newest food truck, Home Appliances Food Co., specializes in all your stay-at-home essentials: burgers, fried chicken, and donuts. Grand opening celebrations took place Boxing Day.

When the first Canadian outpost of Jollibee arrived in April 2018 at Scarborough’s Kennedy Commons, the lineups were insane. And the frenzied excitement lasted for months. Since then, the fervor has died down only slightly, as six locations - make that seven (334 Yonge St., Yonge & Dundas) as of December 13 - have cropped up across the GTA, making it easier to get your hands on their Crispy Chicken, sweet Jolly Spaghetti, Palabok Fiesta, and notorious Peach Mango Pie.

Maeli Market (18 William Sylvester Dr.) in North York solely sells Taiwanese products, including freshly cooked fare.

Dim sum, Cantonese stir fries, seafood – what’s not to love? Moon Palace Cantonese Cuisine (40 Dundas St. W.) replaced Spring Rolls at the Atrium at Dundas and Bay. (Tip: enter through the mall if you’re going in person.)

With the arrival of so many fried chicken joints this week (I’ve already lost count), how does Rowdy Bird Juicy Chicken stand out from the crowd? Two words: Halal chicken. Their latest spot in Scarborough at Kennedy and Sheppard (4053 Sheppard Ave. E.) debuted Boxing Day.

Keep the new year celebrations going: Burger joint Rudy debuted their fifth location (1466 The Queensway) Monday.

Shinyi Handmade Dumplings (641 Yonge St.) took over where famed Roberts Gallery stood for almost 60 years. How fitting then, that they form dumplings in every colour in the rainbow by hand.

Tsuchi Café (688 College St.) in Little Italy may still be in soft opening, but they’ve already stocked an impressive array of housemade plant-based to-go items, including: Rum Raisin Cheesecake ($7.80), Mmm.. Matcha Tiramisu ($8), Sobu Choco Granola ($18), Chef’s Mabo Tofu ($10), Demi-Glace “Hamburger Steak” ($12), and “Oyster” Sauce ($10).

CLOSED

Everest (642 Danforth Ave.) arrived at Pape and Danforth summer of ’19.

NEWS

Asokan Rasiah, chef and owner of Peartree Restaurant in Cabbagetown, has passed away.

RIP Mashud Siddique, owner of Vena’s Roti in Bloordale.

A man tried to break into Trecce on the Danforth, but was confronted by three sisters who own the joint. Guess who won?!

Yang’s Sushi says DoorDash owes them $67K.

You can help Sweaty Betty’s from closing forever.

AMPM, the folks behind one of city’s top noodle bars, Maggie Chu’s, are raising money for one of their hardest workers, MAMA.

The Ace has new owners. Welcome to Roncy, Maggie and Rafael Stackpole.

ICYMI

Donna’s Nuka Batsaikhan recently came round on a certain gumbo ingredient, got hooked on a popular quarantine pastime, and has a family member to thank for his career choice. Discover this and much more in this week’s At The Pass.

If you haven’t already subscribed to the newsletter, now’s the time. Get The Tip Off, a sneak peek at the upcoming Open/Closed (because who doesn’t want to be the first to know?), and fab deals and special offers from restaurants and local businesses (because who doesn’t want to save money?), all exclusive to subscribers.

____

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the Open/Closed.

Things change quickly these days. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Need help to spread the word about your business without spending $$$? Get in touch.