Hidden eats
Hit up these tasty spots for some southern-style grub in unexpected locales
In a gas station
This east end joint turns out tasty southern food from an unexpected source: a countrified gas station. Try the pulled pork sammy and bacon corn fritters with Louisiana-style Creole sauce.
Leslieville Pumps, 929 Queen St. E.
Back of a tavern
Squirreled away in the back of DuWest’s Churchill bar, this secret spot is where to go for spicy southern chicken. Dipped in buttermilk and deep-fried, the goods come with a biscuit ’n’ classic sides.
Luther’s Chicken, 1212 Dundas St. W.
David Neinstein
Chef tips
Grillings secrets from the city’s top chefs
David Neinstein, Barque
“Barbecue in your oven! Everyone has one, and you’re not limited by the weather. Get a cookie sheet and a wire baking rack. Season for the ‘cue, and play the same times and temps.”
Hidde Zomer, The Carbon Bar
“Try charring some fresh chilies and tomatoes; chop them up, mix in some fresh lime, olive oil and salt; and you have a great smoky and charred salsa! Serve as a starter snack with some tortillas and fresh guacamole.”
Chris Sanderson, Big Crow
“When grilling a whole fish, choose a fish with large bones (sea bream, grouper), which not only impart a lot of flavour but also help hold it together and are easy to remove after grilling.”
Grant Van Gameren, Bar Isabel & Bar Raval
“Grilling is all about high temperatures. If you have an old grill that’s not too powerful, cover it with a couple layers of foil for 20 minutes before cooking that steak. This way you won’t have to eat a well-done steak to get the caramelization you want.”
The South Paw from the Drake One Fifty
Cocktails
These bourbon-based cinq à sept tipples will help that BBQ go down extra easy
The South
This ideal bevvy blends Woodford Reserve with bittersweet Cynar, aperitif wine Cocchi Americano and orange zest.
Drake One Fifty, 150 York St., $16
Bourbon cherry sling
Bulleit bourbon heads in a sweeter direction with Cherry Heering and luxe bourbon-soaked cherries.
Goods and Provisions, 1124 Queen St. E., $14
County Drive Inn
Smooth Wild Turkey 81 meets Aperol, lime and cream soda in this refresher.
The County General, 936 Queen St. W., $14
Sauce it up
Keep it local with these happenin’ sauces
Dine alone foods
Southern Blues is a comforting BBQ sauce with poblano heat.
Ecoexistence, 766 St. Clair Ave. W., $6.99
Rock sauce
Jalapeno meets Scotch bonnet, molasses and liquid smoke.
Sky Blue Sky, 333 King St., $15
Stasis reserves
Powerful ghost chili hot sauce dishes out Caribbean spices and citrus notes.
stasispreserves.com, $7
Scrumptious summer pies
To polish off the eve, indulge in a slice brimming with southern flair
Banana cream
A Kensington staple, Wanda’s Pie in the Sky turns out incredibly decadent pies. This comes loaded with banana and fresh whipped cream.
287 Augusta Ave., $11.50
Pecan
Go the traditional route with Dufflet’s toothsome pecan pie, bursting with whole pecans and enrobed by a flaky crust. Add ice cream, and you’re all set.
2638 Yonge St., $20
Key lime
This café stalwart, around since the ‘80s from Phipps Bakery Cafe, features a choco crust filled with citrusy key lime mousse.
420 Eglinton Ave. W., $26.99
