Thank you to the following restaurants for keeping my calorie count high and my hunger satisfied!
Words by Jordan Villanueva
Another year passed, a few pounds gained! I’m ringing in 2013 with my pick of favourite local eateries who have contributed greatly to my weight gain in 2012!
Wok to Go
This place is a gem of Mississauga Chinese fast food. It was voted silver in the Mississauga News Reader’s Choice in 2011, but their successes and triumph still ring into this New Year. Their food is free of MSG and made to order. You can really taste the freshness of each ingredient and wow, the portions are huge!
• Recommended: Cantonese chow mein, house pad thai.
• Yay: Food is fantastic, combo deals are worth it, food is fresh and portions are huge.
• Nay: Food takes a while to prepare, but it’s all in the name of good Chinese fast food.
905-897-1688
896 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Unit 1
$10–20
www.woktogoexpress.ca
Woody’s Burgers Bar and Grill
This is seriously the best burger joint I’ve been to in years. While technically not in Mississauga, (it’s just over the border in Etobicoke), it’s one of the few places where you’ll find fresh seven-ounce patties pressed daily and made from local beef. In fact, all of the ingredients used at Woody’s are seasonal and come from local farms. Combos come with a drink and a pile of hand-cut fries and usually go for just under $10.
• Recommended: Beef classic, beef-stuffed gorgonzola blue, tandoori chicken and bison burgers.
• Yay: A wicked condiment and add-ons selection.
• Nay: Closed Mondays.
416-546-2093
3795 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
$10–15
www.woodysburgers.com
Willy’s European Meat and Deli
Schnitzel sandwiches. Need I say more?
• Recommended: Schnitzel sandwiches with homemade sauerkraut.
• Yay: Awesome hot table selection during lunch. They also have specials like roasted pork and lamb on weekends.
• Nay: They close early at different times throughout the week.
905-270-4206
2500 Hurontario St.
$5–10
Somethin’ Sweet 4 U
My grandma’s a snowbird so she’s usually gone more than half of the year. And when grandma is gone, I turn to this little gem to get my Filipino food fix. The menu changes daily, but you’ll usually see Pinoy favourites like palabok, caldaretta, adobo and my personal favourite, laing—a spicy coconut stew with pork and shrimp and taro leaves. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every bite. I’ve considered asking the ladies at the back cooking to adopt me, but I don’t think grandma would be fond of the idea.
• Recommended: Empanadas and anything they’ve made for the day! You can’t really go wrong with any of it!
• Yay: Food is made throughout the day, guaranteeing a fresh, full-out Filipino experience,
• Nay: Closes at 7:00 p.m.; closed Mondays.
905-306-1616
592 Rathburn Rd. W.
$5–10
California Sandwiches
California Sandwiches has been feeding the GTA for over 40 years with fresh Italian food. You can’t go wrong with tradition! If you haven’t tried their veal sandwiches, stop whatever you’re doing right now and go have one!
• Recommended: Any of their sandwiches!
• Yay: 10 locations across the GTA (3 in Mississauga, below). Sandwiches.
• Nay: None.
Mississauga locations:
1. 3018 Winston Churchill Blvd.
905-607-5445
2. 5955 Latimer Dr. (in Heartland)
905-858-3445
3. 5950 Dixie Rd.
905-564-3440
$10–15
www.californiasandwiches.ca
Cooper’s Pub
And last but certainly not least, my tried-and-true watering hole: Coopers Pub. A serious favourite of family and friends, you’ll usually find me there on one of their wing nights, pounding back a couple of beers and gorging on a basket of Cajun wings and onion rings.
• Recommended: Wing nights! (Monday-Wednesday after 4:00 p.m. and all day Sunday)
• Yay: Cajun wings, Irish nachos, banquet burger. They’re also right beside a McDonald’s for even more late-night feasting!
• Nay: They don’t take debit, but they do have an ATM on the premises.
905-275-3245
780 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.
$5–20
www.cooperspub.ca
Honourable Mentions
I’m a huge fan of “all you can eat” places, so here are my Top 3 AYCE for 2012:
• Muddy Duck (the weekend breakfast buffet)
2200 Dundas St. E.
905-275-9430
www.muddyduck.com
• 168 Sushi Buffet
2366 Dundas St. W.
905-823-8818
www.168sushibuffet.com
• Arirang Korean BBQ Restaurant
1177 Central Pkwy. W.
905-804-1880