Toronto-ites can be a fussy lot, craving everything from buttermilk-fried chicken to steaming enchiladas, and expecting delivery right to their front door. Luckily, in downtown Toronto, there’s a cornucopia of options at your fingertips, and here are some of our top picks. [Image credit: iStock.com/paisan191]
The Chickery is the downtown’s specialist in roasted and fried chicken. The whole, half, or quarter rotisserie dinners come with a side and dipping sauce for a home-style meal when you really need one. But the real treasures here are the buttermilk-fried chicken fingers and Parmesan-spiked “feathers” – thin, scrumptiously-breaded morsels. Want it all? Try the Chickery Sampler or the Box meal, which includes a naked salad.
Like many Chinese delivery spots, New Ho King has a very diverse menu, with more than 200 dishes to choose from. Highlights include the Moo-Shu vegetables that are served with thin, crepe-like wraps and plum sauce. The deep-fried shrimp with spicy salt is also a winner, as is their choice of fried rices. Delivery until 4 am means your deepest munchies and cravings don’t have to go unanswered, even when they appear well after last call.
In the mood for a little soul food? Harlem Underground’s southern fried chicken with collard greens and mac and cheese may be one of the greatest things ever invented. If you want to go to the deeper south, choose the southern fried chicken and waffles, with a Scotch Bonnet coriander lime syrup. And while desserts aren’t always top of mind when ordering in, the candied plantain is spectacular.
The Host is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city, and while it’s on the pricier side, it’s where you want to order from when you want the really good stuff. There are a wide varieties of curries available, encompassing all meats and seafoods. If spicy is in your wheelhouse, the sinus-clearing Madras curry is a must-try. For those less inclined to have a glass of water handy at all times, the Murgh Mirch Tikka is outstanding.
Taste of China is well-known as one of those go-to spots on Spadina after you’ve had a night out on the town. And because they deliver late, you can recreate said experience in your own living room. Keeping in mind that what works in a restaurant doesn’t always hit it out of the park with delivery, consider ordering the General Tao’s shrimp with broccoli, the Singapore noodles with shrimp and pork, or the sliced beef with cashews.
Quite likely the winner in the pizza delivery category. One can choose from regular, thick or thin crusts. Personal favourite would have to be the thick crust, overloaded with a choice of 41 different toppings. From their specialty list, it’s hard to go wrong with the pancetta pizza, featuring bacon, ham and roasted red peppers.
This popular King Street is known for its oh-so affordable team of lunch specials (think freshly made pad thai or peanut chicken, served with a side of rice, salad and spring roll for south of ten bucks). But it’s also an ideal downtown spot for takeout and delivery if you got Vietnamese noodles, spicy curry, or coconut soup on the mind. Don’t leave your craving too late – this spot only delivers until 9:30 pm