With a new food venture seemingly popping up every day, from homemade cookies to flaky pastries, multi-course dinners and frozen dumplings, Toronto has witnessed an influx of eager food entrepreneurs and chefs launch their passion projects this past year. What COVID has taken away from us, such as dining out in our favourite haunts, it seems to have inspired young and talented minds in the industry to pursue the food they genuinely want to cook.
With so many pop-ups to choose from, we have rounded up a list of some of the city's most popular pop-ups. Expect waitlists and sold-out offerings but we promise the effort is worth it. Here are 10 of the most popular pop-ups in Toronto right now.
10
A lesser-known but equally delicious pop-up is lead by SARA restaurant's sous chef Keanu Francisco and honours female cooks and chefs. Rooted in the flavours and techniques of Filipino cuisine, each dish is influenced by a female figure in Francisco's life. The last pop-up featured a Kamayan feast with a Sapin Sapin Cheesecake for dessert. Preorders are available through Instagram for all future pop-ups.
9
This barbecue-centric pop-up is slinging out slowly smoked brisket sandwiches, sides and S'mores desserts. Brought to you from the guys behind Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken, the concept for this venture harps back to nostalgic themes from camp. Operating out of Freeplay Arcade, it is advisable to preorder as supplies usually sells out on the weekends.
8
Co-founded by Julian Policarpio, Mike Sala and Jennifer Di Paolo Sala, La Pecora is offering Torontonians authentic and traditional Abruzzese food. The pop-up sells hand-made fresh pasta, sauces, kits, porchetta and more! Available for both delivery and in-store pickup from Twist Art Gallery.
7
This bagel pop-up helmed by Jesse Labovitz whips up Montreal-style bagels with a twist that results in the slightly dense and sweet distinction of a Montreal bagel with a hint of extra softness and chew in the middle. Bagels are being produced in small batches and typically sell out within minutes, which has inspired Labovitz to plan his expansion earlier than expected.
6
This new pop-up located in Wallace Emerson slings out, what some are claiming to be, the best NY-style pizza available in Toronto -- but be warned, quantity is extremely limited. Selling out every week, founder Josh McIlwaine has quite the experience cooking in restaurants across the city, with North of Brooklyn Pizzeria being one establishment that he built up his pizza-making craft. Available on the menu are five varieties -- classic margherita, cheese, pepperoni, a spicy bacon pie make with smoked cheddar, jalapeños and onion and a white pie topped with mushrooms and drizzled with honey.
5
This one-woman-bakery operating out of White Squirrel Coffee Shop touts itself as a modern micro-bakery servicing Torontonians with cakes, crullers, cookies, scones and more. Typically selling out of their baked goods selection, it is recommended to preorder well in advance.
4
Arguably one of the most difficult pies to get your hands on in the city, Sohmers Pizza began as a quarantine side project for owner Daniel Sohmer. Combining the two distinct styles of Grandma pizza and Detroit-style, Sohmers is unlike any other offering available in Toronto.
3
This once-a-week drop is doling out stacked-high lasagnas with one too many layers to count and typically sells out within minutes. Chef Basilio Pesce runs Porzia's out of Osteria Rialto on Bloor but has plans to one day, expand his current one-man operation.
2
From executive chef David Schwartz and sous chefs Braden Chong and Keith Siu, Sunny's Chinese habitually sells out within minutes of releasing their pre-set meals of Cantonese-inspired dishes and Sichuan fare. Check out their website and sign-up for their newsletter; new pop-up dates are announced there first. Expect spicy dan dan noodles, pork filled dumplings, cheung fun rice noodle rolls, char siu and bolo bao.
1
Chef Ryan Campbell of Il Covo launched Gertie's Peanut Butter Pies earlier this year as a way to cope with the current limitations on the hospitality industry. The pies became an overnight sensation and are available in several grocers and specialty shops in the GTA and beyond. The pies are based on his mother's old recipe and made with graham wheat and peanut crust, softly whipped mascarpone cream with a splash of fresh lemon, all-natural peanut butter mousse, then topped with honey-roasted peanut and filled with peanut caramel.
With a new food venture seemingly popping up every day, from homemade cookies to flaky pastries, multi-course dinners and frozen dumplings, Toronto has witnessed an influx of eager food entrepreneurs and chefs launch their passion projects this past year. What COVID has taken away from us, such as dining out in our favourite haunts, it seems to have inspired young and talented minds in the industry to pursue the food they genuinely want to cook.
With so many pop-ups to choose from, we have rounded up a list of some of the city's most popular pop-ups. Expect waitlists and sold-out offerings but we promise the effort is worth it. Here are 10 of the most popular pop-ups in Toronto right now.
10
Kusinera
A lesser-known but equally delicious pop-up is lead by SARA restaurant's sous chef Keanu Francisco and honours female cooks and chefs. Rooted in the flavours and techniques of Filipino cuisine, each dish is influenced by a female figure in Francisco's life. The last pop-up featured a Kamayan feast with a Sapin Sapin Cheesecake for dessert. Preorders are available through Instagram for all future pop-ups.
9
Camp Smokehouse
This barbecue-centric pop-up is slinging out slowly smoked brisket sandwiches, sides and S'mores desserts. Brought to you from the guys behind Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken, the concept for this venture harps back to nostalgic themes from camp. Operating out of Freeplay Arcade, it is advisable to preorder as supplies usually sells out on the weekends.
8
La Pecora
Co-founded by Julian Policarpio, Mike Sala and Jennifer Di Paolo Sala, La Pecora is offering Torontonians authentic and traditional Abruzzese food. The pop-up sells hand-made fresh pasta, sauces, kits, porchetta and more! Available for both delivery and in-store pickup from Twist Art Gallery.
7
Sherm's Bagels
This bagel pop-up helmed by Jesse Labovitz whips up Montreal-style bagels with a twist that results in the slightly dense and sweet distinction of a Montreal bagel with a hint of extra softness and chew in the middle. Bagels are being produced in small batches and typically sell out within minutes, which has inspired Labovitz to plan his expansion earlier than expected.
6
Mac’s Pizza
This new pop-up located in Wallace Emerson slings out, what some are claiming to be, the best NY-style pizza available in Toronto -- but be warned, quantity is extremely limited. Selling out every week, founder Josh McIlwaine has quite the experience cooking in restaurants across the city, with North of Brooklyn Pizzeria being one establishment that he built up his pizza-making craft. Available on the menu are five varieties -- classic margherita, cheese, pepperoni, a spicy bacon pie make with smoked cheddar, jalapeños and onion and a white pie topped with mushrooms and drizzled with honey.
5
Breadhead Bakery
This one-woman-bakery operating out of White Squirrel Coffee Shop touts itself as a modern micro-bakery servicing Torontonians with cakes, crullers, cookies, scones and more. Typically selling out of their baked goods selection, it is recommended to preorder well in advance.
4
Sohmers Pizza
Arguably one of the most difficult pies to get your hands on in the city, Sohmers Pizza began as a quarantine side project for owner Daniel Sohmer. Combining the two distinct styles of Grandma pizza and Detroit-style, Sohmers is unlike any other offering available in Toronto.
3
Porzias Lasagne
This once-a-week drop is doling out stacked-high lasagnas with one too many layers to count and typically sells out within minutes. Chef Basilio Pesce runs Porzia's out of Osteria Rialto on Bloor but has plans to one day, expand his current one-man operation.
2
Sunny's Chinese
From executive chef David Schwartz and sous chefs Braden Chong and Keith Siu, Sunny's Chinese habitually sells out within minutes of releasing their pre-set meals of Cantonese-inspired dishes and Sichuan fare. Check out their website and sign-up for their newsletter; new pop-up dates are announced there first. Expect spicy dan dan noodles, pork filled dumplings, cheung fun rice noodle rolls, char siu and bolo bao.
1
Gertie's
Chef Ryan Campbell of Il Covo launched Gertie's Peanut Butter Pies earlier this year as a way to cope with the current limitations on the hospitality industry. The pies became an overnight sensation and are available in several grocers and specialty shops in the GTA and beyond. The pies are based on his mother's old recipe and made with graham wheat and peanut crust, softly whipped mascarpone cream with a splash of fresh lemon, all-natural peanut butter mousse, then topped with honey-roasted peanut and filled with peanut caramel.
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