Claire’s Kakanin Opens a New Home on Wilson Avenue
For many Filipinos in Toronto, Claire’s Kakanin isn’t just dessert — it’s nostalgia wrapped in banana leaves and coconut oil. Known for its soft kutsinta with yema sauce, Claire’s has become a staple at Filipino gatherings, from birthdays to weddings, and now it’s entering a new chapter with its bigger, brighter store at 878 Wilson Avenue. Claire’s story […]
From Kitchen Dreams to Kitchener Success: The Story of Lutong Ilocano Lechon
What began as a small lutong bahay venture during the pandemic has become one of Kitchener’s favorite Filipino food spots, Lutong Ilocano Lechon. Back then, the couple behind the kitchen both worked full-time at Toyota, cooking Ilocano dishes only as a side hustle. But when orders kept pouring in, they made a big decision — one of […]
Marcelina’s: The Heart of Filipino Home Cooking in Toronto
When you step inside Marcelina’s on Wilson Avenue, it feels less like a restaurant and more like home. The tables are simple, the space cozy, and the welcome always warm. But behind every plate of pancit and every smile that greets you is a story of family, faith, and Filipino pride. The restaurant began as Aristocrat in the mid-1990s, […]
Islas BBQ: A Taste of Home in Toronto
It all started with a trip back home. While vacationing in the Philippines, Richard found himself on a food adventure with his future wife, Marielle—going from island to island, tasting local favorites, and soaking in the energy of every eatery they visited. “Toronto needs this kind of food experience,” he thought. It was just an […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
