From Insurance to Iced Lattes (The Story of Dudu’s Café)
In the heart of Bloor West Village, a cozy little café named Dudu’s has quietly become a neighborhood favorite. It serves more than just coffee and bubble tea — it offers warmth, familiarity, and a dash of Filipino charm. Before it became Dudu’s Café, the space was a Timothy’s World of Coffee. When the previous owner moved to […]
From Corner Store to Cheers – The Story of JC Tambayan
When JC and Karen opened JC Tambayan in Scarborough, they weren’t flush with capital or experience. What they had was a dream: to open a cozy Filipino bar that felt like home. Long before they had wings and loaded fries as bestsellers, they were just friends trying to figure out how to turn a dream […]
Asadong Matua and the Taste of Home: Crave and Company at Bale Kapampangan
In this episode of Crave and Company, host Kyle links up with Mark from Lumikha Media for a cozy food trip to Bale Kapampangan, a fine-casual Filipino restaurant tucked in North York. From the outside, the place might look like fine dining—with its elegant plating and well-lit interiors—but once inside, the atmosphere is warm, familiar, and family-friendly. Balik Kapampangan was designed for moments […]
R&B Bread and Noodles: Taste of Ilocos, Heart of Ajax
At the heart of Ajax, Ontario, tucked between suburban streets and local shops, sits a humble Filipino restaurant with a bold spirit. It’s called R&B Bread and Noodles, and for many in the community, it’s more than just a food spot—it’s a taste of home. Founded by Rena, a former caregiver turned realtor turned restaurateur, R&B […]
Why “Lovely Pau”? A Story of Siopao, Survival, and Serendipity
“Who’s Lovely?” That’s the first thing many customers ask when they walk into LovelyPau. The answer? There’s no one named Lovely behind the counter. Lovely, it turns out, is the siopao. What started as a humble recipe shared between cousins has grown into one of the most loved siopao spots in Toronto. But this isn’t […]
Bangku: From Sandwich Struggles to Sisig Stardom
Before Bangku became known for sizzling sisig and hot-off-the-pan silog, its story began far from home—in the back kitchen of a sandwich shop in Australia. “I didn’t even know what Swiss cheese was,” the owner laughs, remembering his first job abroad in 1999. With no culinary background from the Philippines, he started from scratch—literally. From learning the difference between breads […]
CRISPY, JUICY, UNHINGED: My Obsession with Mom’s Pan-Fried Buns in Toronto’s Chinatown
By Anne Wong Look, there’s this sizzle I can’t get outta my head. It’s like the soundtrack to my cravings. I’m talking about that glorious, golden crackle from Mom’s Pan Fried Bun on Spadina. The place is tiny, but honestly, it’s where dough gets a PhD in delicious. Every bite? Like being bear-hugged by your […]
From Apartment Stove to Toronto’s Favorite Chicharon: The Mang Mars Story
Before the storefront, before the frying stations and the delivery trucks, there was just a man in his apartment kitchen—frying pork rinds and peanuts, one batch at a time. Mang Mars (Mar Pablo Mallari) came to Toronto in 2008. A Kapampangan-Bisaya from Guagua, Pampanga, he never planned to become a food entrepreneur. His life revolved […]
Bella’s Inasal: Where Family, Flavor, and Filipino Roots Meet
In the heart of Mississauga, there’s a restaurant that isn’t just serving food—it’s serving family history, tradition, and heart. Bella’s Inasal, featured in the show Katas ng Kusina, is more than a neighborhood eatery. It’s the story of Joyce Inero, an Ilonggo father, husband, and chef, who built something out of necessity—and turned it into a community […]
A Taste of Chiang Mai in the Heart of Toronto
In this episode of Crave & Company, Cherie and her husband Mike take us on a flavorful escape to Thailand—without ever leaving Toronto. Their destination? Chiang Mai Restaurant at York Mills, a cozy and vibrant Thai spot known for rich curries, warm hospitality, and dishes that tell stories. As they settle into the patio, surrounded by […]
