The Tacos are Coming

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a small infatuation with tacos.  OK...maybe not so much an infatuation, but rather an outright obsession.  I can't help it.  And I'm not talking Old El Paso or Taco Bell here...I'm taking handmade soft corn tortillas, fresh ingredients and traditional flavours.

My problem started years ago with travel through California and Mexico.  I was introduced to what tacos REALLY should taste like, and since then I've been ruined.  Whether it's LA style carnitas, Baja fish tacos or even the pork brain tacos of the Mercado Hidalgo in Tijuana...it's all beautiful and delicious.  After my last trip to Southern California I came home and immediately bought a tortilla press.  It's taken several failed attempts and endless nights slaving over a hot stove, but I think I've finally gotten the hang of the tortilla.  Since then I've been putting basically anything I can into a tortilla and subjecting close friends to "taco parties" against their free will.

Taco time @ home

Up until recently, there were few worthwhile taco options in Ottawa.  But that all seems to be changing now.  We've got a long way to go to catch up to other large cities, but that's typical for our local food scene.  So, for now let's just enjoy what we have and support our local "Taquerias"!

Here's where you can find some of Ottawa's best tacos;

The Piggy Market is a craft butcher and gourmet food store in Ottawa's Westboro neighborhood.  They have a daily lunch counter which offers tacos every Thursday. The handmade tortillas and succulent local meats make for one of my favorite stops through town.

Piggy Market's Cochinita Pibil Taco

Stone Soup Foodworks, Ottawa's lone gourmet food truck does Taco Tuesday every week.  Situated on  Marie Curie Dr on the University of Ottawa Campus Monday through Friday lunch, this truck has become a hotspot for streetfood loving students and professionals seeking fresh and healthy alternatives to fast food.

Stone Soup's Beef Tacos

The Whalesbone offers fish tacos during their famous "Brown Bag Lunch" every Tuesday to Saturday 11-2pm at their Kent St retail location.  This local institution in sustainable fish supply is the place to go if you love seafood in your tortillas!

Whalesbone's Octopus Tacos

TacoLot is the newest kid on the scene and on their first day last week they were already sold out by 1:30pm.  Although they have yet to set up a website or social media accounts, they can be found in on Wellington St in Hintonburg, right beside Suzy Q Doughnuts (which makes for a very tasty combination).  Hours are12-9pm, however since they are just getting started it is likely that for the time being those hours are no guarantee.

TacoLot's pork tacos

Los Tacos de Mauro is a hidden gem at 349 Dalhousie St. in the Byward Market. Sharing space with a Latin Discoteka, they are open 11-9pm Tuesday to Friday.  Here Mauro Rosario's tacos are served along side other traditional favorites like chile rellenos, tamales and tortas. 

Lamb, Chicharrón, and Chicken tacos.

Mercado Latino on Montreal Rd in Vanier is a specialty grocery store that cooks up tacos every Saturday from 12-2pm.  Don't be shy to ask about the tacos, they aren't advertized anywhere.  There is likely only one meat option available, so just tell the store clerk how many you want and she will head to the back to whip them up.  There is a small table located in the front where you can sit and enjoy lunch, or they will pack it up for take out as well.  It's deliciously messy and the most authentic street tacos you can get in Ottawa.

Mercado's Tacos de Pollo

So there you have it. There are a couple other restaurants with tacos on their menu, but in my humble opinion these are the most worth your while.  It's a pretty good start for our to city really embrace the taco, and I'm glad I am no longer alone in my obsession.

And as the back of my card says;

The Streets of New York - Part 2: Red Hook Ball Fields

Every weekend in the summer (since 1974) in the small community of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the local soccer fields have played host to a gathering of the Latin-American community.  It began with a few families setting up food stalls to serve their friends between games and has turned into a well known hot spot to find authentic street food. What was refreshing to me was that there appeared to be only a few other tourists there, which helps maintain that feeling that you have stepped onto a street in Central America.

Previously food stalls, all vendors are now running out of trucks that line the streets around the soccer field.

After seeing the ball fields on an episode of Bizarre Foods, my first stop was to try the shrimp ceviche.  This simple dish served in a plastic cup turned out to be the freshest, most unbelievable ceviche I have eaten to this day. 

I dream about this magical cup.

At Antojitos Chapines, a Guatemalan cart, I had the "rellenitos".  It consists of plantain filled with sweet black beans, deep fried and sprinkled with sugar.

Solber Pupusas, the winner of the top Vendy Award is also Red Hook vendor and was proudly showing off his trophy from the day before. 

I'm a happy food truck geek.

I later enjoyed some pupusas from one of the other Colombian trucks.  While sitting down to eat I met a couple of people whom had also attended the Vendy's that weekend.  The local New Yorkers were stunned to hear of the struggles our street food/food truck scene in Canada is experiencing.  

My favorite accompaniments, chicarrones and lots of hot sauce.

After filling my belly with more treats, including horchata and roasted corn, I eventually made my way to the airport and home from another street food adventure.  Looking forward to heading back to New York this summer for some more food truck fare...and another date with that ceviche cup.

Looking back across the park at the vendors.

The Streets of New York - Part 1: Manhattan

Back in September I spent a food truck filled weekend in NYC, highlighted by the Vendy Awards.  With the long cold Ottawa winter taking it's toll on me, I figured what better time to indulge myself (and anyone who cares to read) on some of my other New York City street food memories.

Let's start off with a late evening stroll through the East Village...

People's Pops is a seasonal street vendor with 3 fixed locations throughout the city as well as several mobile units which attend various flea markets and festivals.

 

Being that I am literally a "big gay food blogger", I was very excited for my next stop.  Unfortunately the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck wasn't on the road that night, so I had to "settle" for a visit to their brand new brick and mortar location.  Pictured above is a traditional vanilla cone, topped with the very nontraditional topping of crushed wasabi pea dust. 

The next morning I ventured out in the rain and hit up Chelsea Market.  (Home of the Food Network!!).  Although it is entirely indoor and some wouldn't necessarily consider it street food, I like to mention local markets as well because there are undoubtedly some amazing vendors to be found.  My highlights included beautiful fresh seafood at The Lobster Place, cookies and espresso at Jacques Torres Chocolates, and bacon salt AND beer "growler" refills at The Filling Station.

My next adventure took me out on the soggy streets in search of the Schnitzel and Things truck were I enjoyed the veal platter.  The guys at the truck were exceptionally friendly and felt very bad that I was waiting in the pouring rain, so they hooked me up with their entire selection of condiments and a couple extra sides.

Following a brief nap back at the hotel and much needed change into dry clothes, I set out to find the Madison Square Eats street food festival.  I enjoyed a few different dinner bites, including an awesome clam chowder and some local craft beer from the Red Hook Lobster Pound, but being the taco fiend that I am, Calexico was my favorite...

Awesome staff pic!!

 

 

 

The biggest taco....ever.

 

 

 

 

At some point during the weekend I also stumbled upon a couple traditional taco trucks, enjoying some chorizo and oreja tacos. Loved the menu at this truck...their wide variety of meats reminded me of the trucks in Southern California.

 There was one last truck in Manhattan that left it's mark on me.  Wafels and Dinges.  The evening after the Vendy Awards, I somehow found room in my stomach for more food truck fare, and I was not disappointed.  I located this Belgian truck on a street corner in the trendy West Village.  As per usual with the street vendors I have met, they were super fun and excited to share and talk about their food. 

Liege wafel, spekuloos, whipped cream

I had to order the "Throwdown Wafel" because it was on Bobby Flay's show Throwdown that I first learned about this truck.  It was simple and decadent.  I also couldn't help but buy a jar of the spekuloos spread that they use on many of their items.  Sadly, I later forgot this item was in my carry-on at the airport and it did not make the trip home to Canada.

...Stay tuned for Part 2 of my NYC adventure...the Red Hook Ball Fields!

  

Best of 2011: Food Trucks, Craft Beer and Other Random Bites

The past 7 months for me have been a whirlwind of travel, food trucks and the occasional pint of beer.  Beginning with a chance meeting with a member of the "Eat St" web team in Vancouver in June, I was encouraged to share my street food adventures with more than just my poor overburdened Facebook friends.  So, as the year has come to an end I have decided to sum up my calorie filled 2011 with a few "best of" lists.

BEST FOOD TRUCKS/STREET FOOD
1. Maximus Minimus - Seattle
2. Tacofino - Tofino
3. El Gastronomo Vagabundo - Niagara/Toronto
4. Wafels and Dinges - NYC
5. Stone Soup Foodworks - Ottawa

Special mention goes to taco pop-up La Carnita in Toronto.  Finding others so close to home that share my love for street tacos has been both heartwarming and inspirational!!  (...and their art is pretty cool too)

Buy art...receive tacos.

2011 also brought the beginning of the Food Truck Eats events as well as the Toronto Underground Market, a monthly food event featuring dishes from both home cooks and professional chefs.  I'm excited to see what 2012 will bring for both of these fantastic organizations.

BEST CANADIAN CRAFT BEER
1. King Heffy - Howe Sound Brewery (Squamish)
2. Rosee d'Hibiscus - Brasserie Dieu du Ciel! (Montreal)
3. Long Shot White - Broadhead Brewing Co. (Ottawa)
4. Nickel Brook Ale - Better Bitters Brewing Co. (Burlington)
5. Smoked Oatmeal Stout - Trafalgar Ales & Meads (Oakville)

My picks for favourite seasonal brews are; Muskoka Brewery's Summer Wiesse and my hometown favorite, The Clocktower Brewpub's Pumpkin Ale. 

3 of the many pumpkin ales I got my hands on this fall.

 RESTAURANT/MEAL OF THE YEAR - The Black Hoof (Toronto)

Just prior to eating at The Black Hoof, my friend asked me about my most memorable restaurant meals of all time.  I genuinely couldn't come up with a legitimate answer.  A couple minutes later we got a call that our table was ready. Well, wonder no more...  After consuming a selection of charcuterie, beef tongue on brioche, fried sweetbreads and a blood custard for dessert, I can honestly say that no other meal has ever had the same impact on me than this experience. 

So as 2012 revs up, I'm looking forward to the warmer months and the continuation of my street food adventures.  I'll be heading down to California in May for another west coast tour which will bring me back to the origins of my love for Latin American cuisine and gourmet food trucks.  Also, I'm hoping to work with friends to expand the food truck world here in Ottawa, where there is currently a very sad state of street food.

Halloween 2011

Eat St. Blog - Meet the Blue Donkey Streatery

Check out Mississauga's first food truck!

http://eatst.foodnetwork.ca/blog/eat-st-silver-spoon-report-blue-donkey-streetery.html

BlogTO Article: Where to Get Arepas in Toronto

My article published by BlogTO can be read here.  However I thought I would share the original version....with more pics, without all the additions (that I wasn't too impressed with) and including a couple paragraphs that were cut.  Specifically, one unfortunate areperia that I included in my report.

As noted in the published post, the "Arepa Market" in Kensington appears to have shut down operation, however fresh stuffed arepas are still available at the same location, under the El Gordo name.


Cheers!


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My love affair with South American cuisine started many years ago while travelling throughout southern California. Taco trucks abound, I was inspired by fresh ingredients and the joyful spirit of the working class Latinos. Upon my return home I began experimenting with different forms of corn flour and soon became obsessed with making the perfect corn tortilla. Throughout my research I stumbled upon a recipe for arepas, and it was not long until I left the tortilla press behind for these handmade corn cakes.

The best arepas in Toronto are as diverse a group as the many cultural populations that make up this beautiful city. The arepa, a national dish of both Venezuela and Colombia is commonly sold in restaurants called areperías. They can be eaten as a side dish, used as a base for other ingredients or as it is more typically recognized; the “arepa rellena” is opened (like a pita) and can be stuffed with everything from chicken and avocado to cheese, pork, egg and vegetables. There is even a sweeter dessert-type arepa sold at a couple spots around town!

Here are Toronto's arepa options;

El Arriero

This quaint Colombian restaurant at the south end of Jane St. was a very pleasant surprise. The walls are adorned with traditional artwork and crafts, and the picnic table style seating is cozy and inviting. Here the arepas are listed as “appetizers” and range from $4 - $10, however one could argue that items such as the larger meat stuffed Arepa con Carne is a meal in itself. I enjoyed an order of Chicharon Con Arepa and a bottle of Colombiana soda. Looking forward to return for a full meal in the near future

Rica Arepa

Rica Arepa located on Eglinton West (at Dufferin) offers take out and catering, along with dining in. Their atmosphere is akin to a fast food joint, as opposed to a traditional dining room. The Arepa Rellenas go for $5, while the Arepa Zuiliana are $8. I tried an arepa stuffed with chorizo, chicken and avocado and was not disappointed. This family run business appears to be relatively unknown and there is little to no information available online. However, I think with a little boost in advertizing they have the potential to be a well recognized (and appreciated) lunch stop. 

Colombus Bakery 

Colombus Bakery is quickly becoming known as a great spot to grab fresh baked traditional pastries, as well as other South American delicacies. When I visited at mid-afternoon, their seating area was full with dining customers, while several others waited in line at the counter. Arepas here are mainly offered as a side dish to their prepared foods, but what I really came for was the dessert like“arepa de chocolo” for $2 that is made with sweet corn and farmers white cheese. If you order this golden fried arepa ,you can expect intense corn flavour, with whole smashed kernels making up this sweet treat.

Arepa Café 

Possibly the most well known areperia in Toronto, Arepa Cafe has been thriving in the ever trendy area of Queen West since 2009. As it was for myself, Arepa Cafe is often a Torontonian's first introduction to this versatile little corncake. Their arepa menu is comprised solely of the stuffed version of this dish and there is an impressive 21 options! Expect prices to be a little higher than other arepas in town, however they all remain under $10. 

Arepiando 

Located almost across the street from the Colombus Bakery on Dufferin, Arepiando offers a several original variations (such as “Hawaiian'...ham and pineapple) along side the traditional arepas. Their logo is bright and noticeable and the motto of “Colombia is our passion” is fitting for this popular fast food restaurant. In addition to their menu, Arepiando conveniently sells frozen Arepas made on site for you to enjoy at home. Prices vary from $2 for the Arepa Con Queso (cheese only) to $7 for the “Arepiando Arepa” which is stuffed with virtually everything on their menu and topped off with a hard boiled quail egg. 

Arepa Market 
Kensington's only arepa stop, the Arepa Market is tucked away in the back area of El Gordo Fine Foods. Their menu is simple and the prices are reasonable; $3 for plain cheese and $5 for the stuffed version. Nothing fancy here, just good old fashioned arepas and relatively small selection of fillings. With prepared take-away food options continuing to grow in Kensington, the Arepa Market is one of several traditional Latin American spots that cannot be skipped. 

Mi Tierra 

Mi Tierra is likely the largest authentic Colombian restaurant in the GTA. Located on St, Clair West, this traditional dining room offers a lengthy Latin American menu and with regular nightly entertainment. Here there are 2 arepa options; a $4 arepa served with your choice of topping (egg, avocado, bacon or Colombian sausage) or the $9 Arepa Con Carne or Con Pollo, which consisted of a large arepa topped with with a striploin steak or chicken, along with tomatoes and onions. Although the steak on my Con Carne came a little overdone, the meal and surroundings were second to none.

Sazon del Pacifico

I stumbled across this Colombian restaurant on my way to Arepiando on Dufferin. Inside, a television was blasting and the whole place overwhelmingly smelled of fish. Unfortunately the staff did little to acknowledge my presence, let alone offer me a seat, so I did not stay for a meal. Although I left unimpressed, I grabbed a menu on my way out and will likely to return in the future to sample their food. Everyone deserves a second chance.

The Great NY Pumpkin Race

I was in New York City a couple weeks ago for the Vendy's, but that wasn't the only foodie event in town at the time...It was also Craft Beer Week!!  My timing couldn't have been more perfect.  Prior to my trip I did a little research on local beers, Micro Breweries and Brew Pubs in and around Manhattan, which quickly made me realize that I was going to be completely overwhelmed by the variety.  So, I made a decision...I would have to focus on one type of beer.  And, well...'tis the season for PUMPKIN!!

Over a 4 day trip I managed to try 9 different pumpkin beers.  And there were at least 5 others I couldn't track down.  A far cry from the 2 or 3 that are (maybe) available up here in Ontario.  Now, I'm not going to go into every detail about the flavour and food pairings for each pumpkin beer...I'm not an expert.  But I do know that I love beer and I love pumpkin...and for the most part these beers all rocked!

Basically they can be broken down into 2 types... Let's start with the your basic pumpkin ale.  These beers generally have 5% alc and have a smooth, subtle pumpkin spice flavour.

Blue Moon is based in Denver, CO and and Saranac in New York State.

Although I wish I could have brought all 9 pumpkin beers home, my travel arrangements didn't allow for any hoarding, so I was happy to grab a couple six packs to take home.  They were dispensed of shortly after my arrival back in Canada...

For those cross border shoppers, it appears these are two of the most common pumpkin beers available in stores in upstate New York.

Others I tried include, River Horse Hipp 'O Lantern Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Lambertville, NJ. And Brooklyn Brewery Post Road Pumpkin Ale.  Brooklyn, NY

Next stop was New York City's own Heartland Brewery.  I spent an evening at one of their local brew pubs in Manhattan, and not only did this place comfort me with it's similarities to my local favourite, the Mill St. Brew Pub, it also had a selection of 3 options for pumpkin beer!

The Smiling Pumpkin Ale not only has a hilarious logo, but tastes great too. 

They also offer a beer called "Stumpkin"...a mix of the Smiling Pumpkin Ale and their Farmer John's Oatmeal Stout.  Unfortuntely I did not get a chance to try out this medley.  I did however, try their stronger Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which was very similar to the others I will describe below.  But don't order a pint of this beer, because they only serve it in goblets...how fancy!? 

So that brings us to the list strong ales...general 7-9% alc with a very pronounced, sweet pumpkin aroma.  I would compare the flavour of these strong pumpkin ales to a Hefeweizen, with it's distinctive banana and clove notes derived from the specific hefe yeast. 

Southern Tier's label offers a great (and hilarious) description of their potent ale.  Their brewery is located in Lakewood, NY.

And the final 2...

Hoppin' Frog Frog's Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale. Akron, OH.

 

Heavy Seas (Mutiny Fleet) The Great Pumpkin, Imperial Pumpkin Ale.  Halethorpe, MD

So, that's it.  I drank more pumpkin beer in one long weekend than is probably recommended, however it was totally worth it.  Now I'm left to scavenge the local LCBO's for our embarrassing selection of pumpkin ales.