Best chili in Toronto
When the winter chill hits Toronto everyone seems to be craving comfort food and chili often hits the spot. It’s hearty, warm and sometimes spicy, the perfect dish on a cold winter’s night. Toronto is home to all kinds of chili, from the Texas original to completely vegan, and everything in between! Here’s our picks for the best chili in Toronto. [ Photo credit: Jennifer D'Agostino]
Black Camel
4 Crescent Rd, Toronto, ON M4W 1S9Black Camel first opened its doors in 2004, and it’s been busy ever since. Located steps from Rosedale station, Black Camel has a reputation for awesome handmade sandwiches, like the slowly cooked brisket sammie. What goes better with sandwiches than a bowl of chili? Offered in two sizes: 6 oz. and 12 oz., the chili is packed with flavour and made with Black Camel’s famous brisket, mixed with fresh corn and beans.
Lazy Daisys Cafe
1515 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 2A4This east end café is a neighbourhood hangout known for its farm fresh meals. The Farmstead Chili is made fresh every day and includes beef from an Old Order Mennonite family farm, located just north of Millbank. The hearty chili is served over a cheddar bacon and jalapeno cornmeal muffin that is made in-house. The whole bowl is then topped with Monterey Jack cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Hogtown Smoke Restaurant
1959 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1H7Hogtown Smoke is a Southern-style barbecue restaurant from the minds of brothers, Scott and Kevin Fraser. Located in The Beaches, the restaurant has become known throughout the city for its pulled pork and smoked brisket. Lucky for us, Hogtown Smoke puts both signature dishes in its Hogsbreath Chili, alongside smoked butternut squash and Dos Equis beer. Then comes the heat, Hogtown Smoke puts not one, but seven Mexican peppers in its chili: jalapeno, ancho, arbol, chipotle, poblano, pulla and guagillo. It is smothered in three cheeses and sour cream, then served with a cornbread muffin and bourbon butter.
Jiong Tong Su
2590 Yonge St, Scarborough, ON M1V 3G4Uncle Betty’s is a family-friendly restaurant located in the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood, serving casual fare like hot dogs, all-day breakfast and sandwiches. Offered as an appetizer, the chili is made in-house and stays true to the at-home feel that the rest of the menu offers. The chili is served with cheddar cheese, sour cream and a side of Texas toast.
Lou Dawgs Southern Sandwiches
76 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5B 1G6Lou Dawgs is known for its southern barbecue and its proximity to Ryerson University means this place is always packed. There are two locations (the other one is in Hamilton), serving up popular pub fare like poutine and burgers. The restaurant offers two types of chili: Veggie and Lou’s Chicken & Cheese Chili. The veggie version is packed with loads of seasonal vegetables, while the chicken chili is made with pulled chicken and cheese curds. Both come with a freshly baked bun on the side.
The Blake House
449 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G8This chic bar and local hangout is located in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood. Found on the lunch and dinner menu, Blake’s chili is made with ground beef, kidney beans, carrots and onions with a little bit of spice. The secret ingredient: Guinness, which has made this bowl of chili a favourite among The Blake House regulars. The chili is served with a side of crostini.
Triple A Bar
138 Adélaïde St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K9Doing it Texas style, Triple A Bar is no stranger to cooking southern food. There are no beans in this traditional chili, but there’s chunks of Triple A Bar’s stewed beef and ancho chilies. The chili comes with an endless supply of tortilla chips and is topped with the obligatory dollop of sour cream.
The Lakeview
1132 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X2The Lakeview serves up its chili 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The iconic diner offers a ground beef-based Chili Con Carne. It is smothered in melted cheese, then topped with onion rings and chive sour cream. The chili is served with a side of whole-wheat toast and house salad.
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