Yueh Tung: 126 Elizabeth St. (2nd floor)

Yueh Tung is a downtown Chinese Food institution. I've been going there for at least 20 years myself. It's the go to lunch place for City Hall staff, lawyers from Osgoode Hall, Cops, journalists covering the courts or city hall and students.

Although open for dinner, it's primarily a lunchtime spot. Its drawing cards are cheap and plentiful chinese food (a huge plate of chili chicken on rice for 1 person runs about $8) and extremely quick service . Yeuh Tung is usually lined up out the door at noon, but the line moves quick (quicker if you're willing to sit at a communal table with 8 strangers. Known for its tangy sweet and sour soup and chili chicken (photo 1 above). Other recommendations are the beef in black bean sauce (photo 2) and the chicken with cashew nuts.

Yueh Tung, 126 Elizabeth Street (upstairs on second floor)



View Larger Map

Kuni Sushi Ya: 20 Baldwin St.

Forgot my lunch from home so decided to join Mrs. Biter for lunch at Kuni Sushi Ya on Baldwin Street.

They have lots of lunch specials in the $8 to $12 range. Ordered the Kuni Sushi Sashimi Special (six california rolls, 2 tuna, 2 salmon, 2 halibut, 1 red snapper) for $11.99.

Mrs. Biter is not into the whole raw fish thing, so she chose from their cooked menu...teryaki Bento box for $10.99 (teryaki chicken, salad, tempura shrimp and veggies, and some super good fried tofu). Oh Yeah all entrees come with a nice miso soup and complimentary green tea. Everything served hot (except the sashmi)...especially the tea, which requires either a high tolerance for pain or a pair of asbestos lined gloves to drink since it comes in the traditional handle-less mugs

Place has been renovated lately...soyonara 80's peach walls...replaced with tasteful brown tones, dark wood and comfy seating

Apparently Samuel L. Jackson came here too...check out his autograph on the wall (do all celebs walk around with Sharpies for just such occassions?) There may be better sushi in the city, but for the price, you'd be hard pressed to find it. NOTE*** Check out Yung Sing Pastry next door to Kuni Sush Ya for outstanding meat filled buns at very cheap prices.

Kuni Sushi Ya, 20 Baldwin Street, Toronto


View Larger Map

Mothers Dumplings: 79 Huron St.

Was in Chinatown with Mrs. Biter and was in the mood for dumplings. Years ago I used to go to the Dumpling House on Spadina, but ever since the rat incident I haven't gone back (go figure). Instead, wandered over to Huron street to check out the always reliable Xianmao Dumplings...but it's closed.

Third choice turns out to be the charm...Mother's Dumplings 79 Huron Street.

To say this place is small is an understatement. The 5 tables in the main room are full, so we're seated in the backroom by a very nice waitress who speaks no English. Backroom is pretty much the kitchen (you're separated from the cooks by a bamboo screen). It's cool though watching them making and cooking the dumplings right in front of you.

They have a pretty big menu of dumplings, done lots of different ways: fried, steamed, boiled. Ordered the steamed pork buns (excellent), some boiled shrimp with greens (greens a bit bitter for my taste) and some boiled pork dumplings which were really good. Also ordered an egg pancake that was fried and served piping hot, and some baby bok choy. This meal could have easily feed 4 people (we took the leftovers to go).

Total cost for the meal was about $20. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

View Larger Map

Johnny's Hot Dogs: Queen @ Bay

I like a good hot dog from time to time, but try to keep my habit to a mimimum...1) because they're full of fat and chemicals (mmmmmm, nitrates) and (2) some of the people manning the hot dog carts look like they just escaped from an episode of Survivor. Not so with this lady.

Johnny's Hot Dogs at the corner of Queen St. West and Bay St. is my go to hot dog cart. The lady manning the grill is super friendly, wears a crazy hat with a bun on top and always gives me something extra...usually a hunk of Polish sausage added to my hot dog.

She keeps her cart super clean and never uses the same hand that she handles money with to handle your dog (very important).

I've been going to this cart for years. I think her husband (Johnny?) ran it but then passed away and she took it over. Regardless she's a class act and Toronto should be proud to have her as a vendor

View Larger Map