Filipinos love food, in fact, it’s a big part of who we are. 

Whether in a big or small social gathering, we can all agree that food is always at the centre of it all, be it with family, friends and even strangers. 

Traditionally, Filipinos will eat more than three times a day. Aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s mid-morning snack, known as “segundo almuerzo” and afternoon snack or “merienda,” with the latter, more commonly observed by many, especially back home.

 Although Filipino Canadians may not always have the opportunity to enjoy “segundo almuerzo” or “merienda,” for lack of time with the hustle and bustle of our adopted western culture and/or lack of places to enjoy these meals, we do however, love our food, whether cooked at home, or our just like home options.

Fortunately, today, the Greater Toronto Area is budding with Filipino cuisine from East to West. With the rise in population of Filipino communities across the GTA, you need not go far to satisfy all your “just like home cravings” nor take that long trip home to the Philippines. 

From sit down restaurants or “turo turo” meaning “point point” or food served in trays, we now have more choices than ever before. You can now satisfy all your heart’s desire morning, noon, and night, starting with your breakfast “silogs” all your garlic fried rice and egg combos to your traditional dishes of pancit bihon (fried rice noodles), adobo (chicken stir fried in soya sauce and onions), sinigang (pork bone soup) and kare kare (stewed beef), and for the more daring, the budol fight or kamayan “eating with your hands” enjoying an array of grilled seafood and fried meats, alongside steamed vegetables displayed on fragrant banana leaves … ah just like the provincial life! 

Also, today, many food outlets, bakeries and grocery stores also serve an array of snacks so you can indulge in “segundo almuerzo” and “merienda” any time of the day.

Here’s a few Torontonian favourites that will be sure to satisfy your “just like home” cravings. Remember, they’re always more enjoyable with company by your side.

• Tinuno 31 Howard St., Toronto, ON
• Lamesa Filipino Kitchen 669 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON
• Casa Manila 879 York Mills Rd, Unit 1, Toronto, ON 
• Lasa by Lamesa 34 St. Clair Ave. W, Toronto, ON
• Sampaguita Village 322 Wilson Avenue, North York, ON
• Wilson’s Haus of Lechon 365 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, ON
• Boodle Fight 937 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON
• Islas Filipino BBQ 1690 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
• Max’s Restaurant 2 locations: 707 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON and 1520 Steeles Avenue W, Unit 121, Concord, ON
• JJM Dbarkadz Filipino Cuisine 1217 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON
• Chef George 1519 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON
• Carolina’s Cuisine 323 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke, ON
• Berto’s Restaurant 1063 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON
• Carinderia by DFlores 980 Eglinton Avenue E, Unit, Mississauga, ON
• Seafood City Supermarket 800 Boyer Blvd, Mississauga, ON
• Elsa’s Lutong Bahay 65 Rutherford Rd S, Brampton, ON
• Kusina Mississauga 3024 Hurontario St, Mississauga, ON
• B’s Sizzling Kitchen 99 Dundas St E, Mississauga, ON
• Somethin Sweet 4 U 5380 Terry Fox Way, Mississauga, ON
• Bella’s Inasal 848 Burnhamthorpe Road West Building 1, Mississauga, ON •