TheBulletin.ca Journal of Downtown Toronto
City hall finally gets its act somewhat together and tentatively offers a smattering of spice on sidewalks to somewhat match the greatness of Toronto’s restaurants
By Frank Touby —
Jerk Chicken joins Kim Chee, Souvlaki, Injera and other ethnic fare on our sidewalks.
Say goodbye to Toronto’s strictly tube-steak sidewalk cart vendors. Hot dogs will be joined by some ethnic offerings that, while far short of the sidewalk fare offered in most big North American cities, still brings some of Toronto’s fabulous resto scene to curbside. The bureaucrats and city councillors have at long last come up with a small smattering of non-hot-dog fare for our fair city’s al fresco diners.
Vendor Seemab Ahmad, who immigrated to Toronto from Pakistan in 2006, plans to bring the Central Asian rice dish Biryani to customers at Nathan Phillips Square. “When I heard about this program, I decided to apply because it posed such a delicate blend of challenges for a chef,” said Ahmad.
“I thought my ethnic background, culinary skills, and restaurant experience could make a small contribution to this endeavour which will add variety to the street food currently available.
The new vendors will be at the following locations:
Location Ethnic Origin of Food Sample Menu Item
Mel Lastman Square Thai Pad Thai with fresh rolls
Metro Hall Afghani/Central Asian Chapli kebabs
Nathan Phillips Square Central Asian/Persian Biryani
Nathan Philips Square Greek Souvlaki
Queen*s Park Middle Eastern Chicken/beef kebab wraps
Roundhouse Park Eritrean Injera
Yonge and Eglinton Korean Bulgogi with seasonal kimchi
Yonge and St. Clair Carib fusion Jerk chicken
