Ellevan Food Tour

Ellevan
Ellevan
Nov 3 · 6 min read

Toronto ( Downtown )

Ellevan has no technical qualifications to be your food guide, other than being an opinionated culinary beast himself, who happens to smoke more weed than Snoop Dogg. He’s roamed the streets of Toronto for years and knows the highest to the lowest of the foodie gems in the Downtown experience of the 6ix. *420 Bonus - each place comes with a strain suggestion.

That first sip [Sam James Queen st W)

First Stop: Sam James Coffee

Location: Queen Street W (right across from Trinity Bellwoods Park)

This cappuccino is my personal top-ranked coffee from homeland or anywhere I’ve travelled. The beans (which they also sell in-store) make for a velvety smooth caffeine hit. The way they do my almond milk cappuccino tho? I don’t understand the science of how they make it so fluffy. Usually with almond milk capp’s I find myself forcing down half a cup of cold, liquidy sharp-toned garbage, but these guys deliver, every. single. time. If you’re having a day where you just need a proper coffee and can’t fuck around and risk that. Go here.

Strain Pairing: Cherry Pie [indica dominant hybrid]

ps: while we’re on coffee; the close second for a marvellous cappuccino is few blocks south at Buca Bar Cafe. [portland st.]

#PerfectCoffee #Cappuccino #SamJamesCoffee #TorontoCoffee #Cappuccino #CappuccinoCulture #CoffeeCulture

Triple Threat [see what I mean about the perfect fluff?]

Second Stop: Bahn-Mi Boys

Location: (Queen Street W at Spadina)

Whenever I get home from tour or any trip, I go DIRECTLY here. I want it. I need it. I think about it sometimes…

The squid taco is unlike anything you’ll ever get anywhere. It’s a perfect sandwich to me. If you don’t like seafood (aka you’re American and wanna stick as close to ‘safe and solid’ as possible?) The Fried Chicken Bao is literally everything you wished a McChicken was and you knew it could be but it took asian culture of the Bao bun to make it perfect.

AND don’t get my ‘secret-fat-kid-inside’ going on these kimchi fries! It changed poutine for me. If you think you know about fries as an American thing, wait ‘till you try this fresh and UNCTUOUS asian spin on them. You’ll be dreaming about them. Promise.

Strain Pairing: Blue Dream [sativa dominant hybrid]

Personal Story: During my days of busking, I would make this place my reward for any day I rapped for more than 3 hours. So I went everyday, for pretty much an entire summer. The staff got to know me and it really felt like a home vibe during a memorable time for me. They play Hip Hop. Loudly. I’m grateful.

#FusionFood #TorontoFoodGuide #Korean #American #Toronto #Eleven #Bao #AsianCulture #AsianFood #ThatFreestyleGuy

Third Stop: PG Clucks

Location: College St. W (standing room only aka take out or order it)

You: More fried chicken!?

Me: I’m a stoner who lives part time in the US. what did you expect?

Okay. Perfect seasoning. Absurdly fresh chicken. Really fast service. Also the bonus of having an array of fit sides to go with the chicken. This place blows my mind everytime I have it. It’s like I forget how good it was. But I think that’s something you’ll have to do too. Or else you’d eat it all the time. And if you did that, you’d cut 40 years off your life. That is literally the only downside. The taste is like a game day for our brain. Dopamine shots shooting off by the milli-second. I always want this again right after I’ve eaten it.

Strain Pairing: UK Cheese [Indica Dominant Hybrid]

#friedChicken #TorontoFood #PGClucks #Cannabis #Tour #EllevanGuide

Fourth Stop: Fresh

Location: Spadina (south of Queen St W)

If you got a couple bucks and an afternoon to give yourself a date and enjoy your life, go here. You deserve it. Fresh has everything you could ask for, as a foodie who tries to retain ab’s. Wether it’s a fresh smoothie you crave or a house made kombucha you want, to balance those insides, this place has everything. Even CRAZY good gluten-free donuts (that are HUGE).

Meals? Take it easy. This food is more dense than the crap you’re used to eating. Start with the Quinao Onion Rings (DON’T FORGET THE GARLIC MAYO DIP) then maybe move onto the Buffalo Cauliflower (the way you wished it was done — promise) and if you’re sharing -or- you’re able to really indulge that day, finish the full production with a protein bowl or salad. Just dive in. Choose something. You can’t lose. Also* the staff here are always on-brand to the culture. So go with a chill attitude or expect the servers to be like gentle breezes of wind on a flower in spring (and totally fucking ignore you) lol. Be nice.

Strain Pairing: Jack Herer [Sativa]

#FreshRestaurants #HealthFood #Salads #Bowls #TorontoFresh #HealthAddict #OnionRings #JackHerer

Fifth Stop: WVRST

Location: King St W (just west of Portland)

Unique. Fun. Open. Social. Tasty AF. A modern version of the Beer Fest vibe! With crazy good delicious ‘hot dogs’. Which is like the most hood way to put it. But at the end of the day it IS sausages and buns. So in the absolute best way you could imagine; there are meat sandwiches.

A variety of mustards sprinkle every picnic bench table in the place. Theres only 4 long-ass tables for this huge event sized space. So expect to make friends! All the sausages are made fresh and with types of meat you wouldn’t expect to find this far south of farm land. Although there are the common styles, you’ll probably find yourself intrigued by something different than the norm. Especially once you take a peak at their open glass deli-style fridge of meats. Also, get the fuckin’ duck fat fries! Don’t hesitate. Get them. Sorry in advance to every other meal you eat with fries.

Like beer? These guys not only have some of the freshest beer to market, but they let you sample them before diving in with a full glass! Every style fits it’s glass and is poured with loving care. You can tell these people know their stuff. Which always add’s value to an experience. I feel like I learn something every time I go. Thanks WVRST!

Strain Pairing: Sour Deisel [Sativa] — also remember if you’re new to cannabis, don’t mix drinking and smoking quite yet.

#TorontoBeer #Meat #TorontoEats #WVRST #KingStreetWest #EllevanFoodTour #HotDogs #Fries #Beer #Beerfest

Sixth Stop: Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

Location: Liberty Village

You could sit at the bar, look over and see your favourite hockey player or sit in a stylish ass booth and meet your new favourite couple, before I mentioned how mind blowing the food is I had to draw a feeling of just what is happening in the experience of this place. Its like if heaven had a hotel, this is the brunch restaurant in the lobby. Its bright. It’s bustling. It’s colourful. Then. You. Order. MyGod.

Remember pancakes? Ya, take that image and put it on the ground near the door like you’re donating it later. The blueberry pancakes are the version of pancakes that you expect Beyonce and Jay Z to have. Only the finest. By the grace of this restaurant us mere’ mortals can enjoy a slice of heaven. But if that’s not enough. (and it shouldn’t be, we’re unlimited beings, let’s be kind to ourselves) AND if you’re okay for pork (sorry homies) get the rosemary bacon. and add syrup. it’s all anything should ever taste like. ever.

If pancakes and bacon aren’t your jam. The options are wonderful and fresh here too. The Salmon Benedict on a Croissant is amazing and a favourite of my moms. *It comes with a salad, so she thinks that undoes the carbs in the sauce and bread. lol.

Strain Pairing: Chiquita Banana [Balanced Hybrid]

(have something high-end when you go here. Feel good.)

#MildredsTempleKitchen #FoodieToronto #EllevanFoodTour #Brunch #BrunchSpots #FoodTalk #rosemarybacon #BlueberryPancakes #BrunchSpotsToronto

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Thanks for reading y’all! Stay tuned for further editions!

If you wanna hear my music, go to youtube.com/ellevanmusic for; an epic journey across america on a scooter, 365 songs w. music videos in a single year and some incredible collaborations! See ya there!

*If you’d like to be invited to the live edition of the Ellevan Food Tour in YOUR city send an email to ellevanmusic@gmail.com. State your city and Name.

Stay full babies.

Ellevan

Written by

Ellevan

#ThatFreestyleGuy • Hip Hop Synastesia • Positive Aggression • Live Band • U.S Toured but Toronto is Home • Production & World Records

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