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)



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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.

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