April 14, 2008
Snappy Answers: Cause You Gotta Eat
Snappy Answers runs every Saturday afternoon. Send your questions, be they tough or trivial, to snappyanswers@torontoist.com.
Snappy Answers, as you may have noticed, is a couple days late this time around. Sorry. That's what happens when you outsource to China. We'll be back to the regular schedule next week.
Where in Toronto, preferably near University of Toronto, can I get my hands on large quantities of tasty, tasty naan bread? Going to Jodhpore Club's lunch buffet every week takes more money than I have to give, so I'm hoping there's a good Indian bakery somewhere downtown.
—Jeff
Forget anywhere near campus: if you're going to eat "large quantities of tasty, tasty naan bread," boy, you better walk. That stuff would give Atkins a heart attack. Burn off the we're-scared-to-check-how-many calories by hiking (or biking) down to Rasoee Indian Kitchen (140 Spadina Avenue), where you get a lot of dough for a little ($1.75, to be exact). They also have multigrain naan, which, when eaten with creamy coriander chutney ($1.00), redefines delicious. (Plus, you can almost make-believe it's healthy.)
Also, we know you're end-of-year broke, but if you're splurging on a sit-down dinner soon, you have to hit Indus Junction (811 Queen Street West). The last time we were there, our friends ate so much melt-in-your-mouth naan, they could barely squeeze in the lovely shared plates of tandoori lamb chops and sweet-and-sour aubergine.
Why is there absolutely no good Mexican food in Toronto?
—Someone Etc.
Umm, you meant to write, "Where can I find good Mexican food in Toronto," right?
In that case, funny you should ask! We recently discovered Tacos El Asador (690 Bloor Street West, at Clinton), a tiny indoor-picnic joint that's always queued up to the door. The eats are cheap but not greasy (and we mean cheap: a sumo wrestler could eat here for under ten, tip included) and speedy but not sloppy, making for unbeatable big-night-in takeout. Enchiladas are fresh and wholesome, nachos rich in mouthwatering guacamole and loads of toppings, and vegetarian options (like sweet tamales and spicy black bean soup) just as addictively yummy as the beef, chicken, pork and chorizo options. Go once, and you'll be lining up on the weekly.
Which bars/restaurants around Toronto would you recommend that serve hookahs? Are there any reputable retailers of hookahs and shisha that don't charge overwhelming markups?
—Stephan
We had no idea how to even begin answering this question, so we texted the first Jewish person in our address book. She says: "You can't serve a hookah, you can use a hookah to smoke nagilla. FYI. And no, not unless places in Tel Aviv count, or my basement in Winnipeg."
Commenters, feel free to share your hookah hookups.
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For à la carte naan close to U of T, I highly recommend Exotic Tandoori at 11 Charles Street West and King Palace at 820 Church Street (near the Reference Library). Both are Pakistani places that primarily offer takeout but nevertheless have ample seating.
And while Tacos El Asador is pretty good, it should be noted that Now describes the grub as an "El Salvadoran interpretation of Mexican street food." I wouldn't know the difference, nor would most people, I'm sure, but to those who really care about this sort of thing, I imagine that could be a dealbreaker.
Yeah, I'm Mexican. It's good food, but it is not exactly what people eat in Mexico.
If you really want to get what folks in Mexico City eat go to El Trompo, in Kensington Market.
Quesada is good if you want a big fat burrito. i can't comment on anything else there, i've only had the burritos thus far, but i'd be willing to bet their quesadillas and tacos are equally satisfying.
Except burritos are not really Mexican, theyr're southern US food (nothing against them, I looooove them, it's just that they're Tex-Mex).
And let's not forget Sneaky Dees. :)
Best naan I know of downtown is Indian Biryani House on Dundas near the greyhound station. They only put it in the tandoor when you order it, so it shows up 5 minutes after you sit down to eat, and takes another few minutes to cool down enough to touch.
I suppose the reason there isn't much good Mexican food in Toronto to speak of is that it's relatively far to Mexico, and there isn't a large Mexican immigrant population in Toronto. My friend from LA savors every trip home for a good Mexican dinner fix, where there is both proximity and a local clientele in the know.
Cheers,
Tuds
Who is worried about getting quality Japanese food when he moves back to Toronto.
There's plenty of good Mexican food in Toronto - it's just that most of it isn't in the downtown core. You have your pick of decent Mexican hole-in-the-wall places all along St. Clair west of Christie, there are one or two on the Danforth, there's a good Mexican place on Bathurst just north of Dupont, and of course there's that market in Kensington whose name I forget, and Tacos El Asador is decent.
in response to the last question, as far as reputable dealers without markup, not so much, but a quick quest along yonge near dundas street should turn some easy result.
and as for hookah bars there are definitely a few around.
a quick google search has yielded the following results for toronto:
Aladdin's Palace Restaurant
3560 Victoria Park Avenue
Café Tabac
357 Bay Street
Layal El Shark
1883 Lawrence Ave. E.
Oasis Juice Bar
1961 Lawrence Avenue East
OM Kalthoum Café
2175 Lawrence Ave. E.
Paaeez
569 College Street
Speaking of, what the hell is with Chipolte opening at Toronto Life Square? And Johnny Rockets? That building is too rapidly turning into a tacky American suburban plaza. Or a Vaughn Mills Mall.
Chipolte. Johnny Rockets. Good God.
No love for Vaughn, Jenelle?
Sneaky Dee's? Oh dear!
Oh, and #7? I presume you are talking about Perola's? They have the ingredients, but you gotta cook yourself. Though I believe they recently started selling tamales or something? It used to be Pupusas (which are Salvadorean, and I never even know existed until I moved to Toronto).
Clearly, gentle readers, you've not had a decent pollo con diablo,
chile rellenos or achiote rubbed snapper among you. Sopa de Ajo? Cactus salad? Ceviche?
I'm not just rhyming off exotic dishes here, but listing off some of the choices seen in Mexican restos elsewhere.
Someone Etc. had it right the first time: for a city that prides itself in having some of the greatest food from around the planet, it's embarrassing how narrow and bland the Mexican offerings are here.
Anytime you see a sign with "authentic Mexican cuisine", just start running.
That said, there's a little Latin grocer on Augusta in Kensington market (oneor 2 shops south of Jumbo Empanada) that serves some decent chile rellenos, . It's the closest thing this town has to a taqueria.
new york and toronto have no good mexican food. period. end of sentence.
however, chicago and los angeles do.
so, like, yeah.
and fuck the shift key
Hey, I think #7 meant El Trompo in Kensington, which is a 'taqueria' and really good. I also agree with St. Clair West -- there are a bunch of Mexican and other Latino mom and pop shops. El Rincon Mexican is great (St. Clair and Christie). And what about Mexitaco at Bloor and Shaw? To the naysayers, try heading to some of these low-key neighbourhood places and you might be surprised...
Also, thee is good naan at the Indian place on Baldwin Street. I think it's called Jodphur club. Also not too far from U of T.
That Toronto Life square news is a shame! But I guess those new places will keep the Hard Rock Cafe in good company.
Cheap cheap Naan at Exotic Tandoor located at 11 Charles St.
Mmmmmm and for meat lovers, the Sikh Kebabs are superb!
Oh and for Mexican, Bandido's at 371 King St. West is pretty good. Good food, nice atmosphere, and well priced.
Mmmmmmm...I'm getting hungry
Oh, I just saw that Jodhpore Club is too pricey... what about heading to Little India (Gerrard & Coxwell)? There's gotta be somewhere there you can stock up on naan.
All my Jewish friends reference Paaeez whenever hookah is mentioned but it doesn't seem to be particularly amazing from what I gather.
I do know some friends that wanted to smoke "peace pipes" in response to issues concerning the Middle East on campus.
Yeah... someone mentioned El Trompo within 30 seconds of reading the post!
Can't you get a hookah during summertime in the Distillery District?
Also.. someone mentioned ceviche? Go to Foxley on Ossington, they have 3 types on the menu and all are increeeeeedible.
Banu, an Iranian Vodka Bar at 777 Queen W. has hookahs. Plus tasty dom balan...
Don't forget El Sol on Danforth, just east of Greenwood. Great food.
But set aside lots of time - they don't call it El Slow for nothing.