5 Neighbourhood & What Food Is Missing in Each

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Published November 13, 2015 at 4:15 pm

missing

A few short years ago, I was talking to some wonderful Toronto people about food and restaurants. My eastern companions, well meaning though they were, irked me when they sadly remarked that it was unfortunate that I lived in a barren, bland city full of “white people and chain restaurants.” 

Although Sauga has a lot of chain restaurants (like a lot), I would put its food scene up against almost anyone else’s in Canada. It’s diverse and full of affordable takeout places, authentic ethnic restos and top-notch fine dining joints.

You can eat almost anything here and you can eat it pretty much any time. That said, certain neighbourhoods could use a few different cuisines. 

Here’s a list of five neighbourhoods that need a little something tasty in their midst. 

5) City Centre

While there’s pho in the Grand Park plaza, the area right around Square One could use an affordable and authentic Thai or Vietnamese resto. Pho is cheap and delicious and absolutely perfect for hungry Sheridan students looking for something a little more comforting in the dead of winter. If there was a pho place in my neighbourhood, I would be super bloated from all that salty broth and I would be proud of my rotundity. 

Food that is needed: Pho 

4) Streetsville

For all of Streetsville’s charm, its restaurant scene is slightly — slightly! — underwhelming. It has some awesome shawarma joints and boasts Saucy and Goodfellas, but it could use a place that people will travel to Streetsville for from other parts of Sauga…outside of the box. My recommendation? A Japanese tapas joint — otherwise known as an izakaya restaurant. An izakaya restaurant is a little different from a traditional Japanese eatery in the sense that drinking is strongly encouraged (as is excited yelling) and a chicer, more communal design is used. If you still aren’t sure what I’m talking about, try to visit one or two Guu locations in Toronto at some point. A unique tapas place would be funky and inviting and would make the area even more of a destination hotspot.

Food that is needed:  Izakaya Place 

3) Cooksville 

Cooksville is perfect for the more adventurous diner, as it boasts restos that represent almost every culture and country in the world. That said, it’s missing one truly memorable (and delicious) dining experience — an Ethiopian one. Ethiopian food is rich and unique. It’s basically a platter of delectably seasoned meats and flavourful vegetable purees served with spongy, savory pancakes (injera). It’s an experience in itself and it’s a shame that one of the city’s most diverse neighbourhoods isn’t offering it yet.

Food that is needed: Ethiopian Restaurant 

2) Clarkson

Port Credit boasts a ton of dessert places because it’s scenic, walkable and sits along a vast and beautiful waterfront. While Clarkson doesn’t quite have the same prestige, it’s also stunning and could use its very own funky, landmark ice cream place. Think something like Toronto’s Sweet Jesus, an amusingly named soft serve resto that will coat your generous serving of ice cream with Cinnamon Toast Crunch bits. While winter is coming, the warmer months would be even better for Clarkson residents and visitors if they could grab some creative treats before strolling along the lake. 

Food that is needed: Funky Ice Cream Joint 

1)    Port Credit 

In terms of culinary offerings, Port Credit is top notch. It offers Mississauga residents some of the chicest and hottest bars and restaurants and that deserves praise. While it’s perfect for a gourmet burger or ultra-hip southern meal, it could use a few more late night places and a shawarma joint would hit the spot. Nothing tops off a night of drinking better than a garlicky, savory falafel wrap. 

Food that is needed: Shawarma

 

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