Michael Eats

Quality Peameal Bacon at When the Pig Came Home

Published on August 15, 2019 by Michael Nusair1 Comment

Location: 3035 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Website: https://www.whenthepigcamehome.ca/

The peameal bacon at When the Pig Came Home, a delightful little deli in the Junction, is probably twice as thick as any other peameal that I’ve had. It’s also twice as good.

They have a bunch of optional toppings, but the Original Peameal Sandwich is quite simple, with just peameal, baby kale, tomato, and Maple aioli.

The bacon is substantial and cooked to order; it’s phenomenal. It’s super tender (and it isn’t dry at all, which tends to be an issue with peameal), and features a really satisfying level of saltiness that lets the flavour of the pork shine through.

None of the toppings particularly stand out, and I mean that in a good way — they step back and let the bacon be the star of the show.

The bun is great too — it’s nice and fresh, with a crackily exterior that gives the sandwich a decent amount of texture.

A Couple More Delicious Flavours at Nani’s Gelato

Published on August 14, 2019 by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Location: It’s a truck; check Instagram to see where they’re parked
Website: https://www.nanisgelato.com

Did I go right back to Nani’s Gelato after trying it for the first time the other day? Why yes, yes I did. What can I say; it’s really good.

This time I was able to try two flavours — pistachio, and tahini and black sesame. Both were absolutely outstanding.

Pistachio is a classic gelato flavour, and Nani’s knocks it out of the park. It has a vibrant pistachio flavour that, unlike so many other places, actually tastes like real pistachio — not pistachio flavouring.

The tahini and black sesame is just as good, with a toasty, intense tahini flavour, and a restrained amount of sweetness that lets the nutty sesame flavour shine through.

I really hope this place opens a permanent location soon, because I think it’s easily a contender for the best gelato in the city.

The New “Hotter and Juicier” Big Mac

Published on August 13, 2019 by Michael Nusair4 Comments

Location: 2510 Hampshire Gate, Oakville
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca.html

McDonald’s is making a big hullabaloo about their “remastered” classic burgers (the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and the Cheeseburger). This includes a promotion where you can get a Big Mac for three bucks, so I figured it was worth a shot.

The improvements, according to McDonald’s:

100 per cent Canadian beef patties now cooked in smaller batches for hotter and juicier beef

Storage changes for fresher and crisper produce

Onions added directly on the patties on the grill to intensify flavour

More of our legendary Mac Sauce applied on Big Macs

New bun recipes for warmer buns

I got a Big Mac, and… I don’t know. It’s a Big Mac? It tastes like a Big Mac? I’m sure if I were that guy who eats multiple Big Macs every day, it would have blown my mind with all the little differences. But it’s been a year or two since I’ve had one. It tasted exactly the same to me.

Actually, that’s not entirely true — it’s clearly saucier. The amount of sauce is kind of insane. It oozes out of the burger with every bite. It’s a mess.

Obviously the dry, mostly tasteless McDonald’s patties need a lot of help (and no, they are absolutely not juicier in any discernible way). But even still, this was overkill.

The only other change that stood out were the onions; you could tell just by looking at them that they had been put on the griddle. They had a bit of colour to them. But if that made any particular difference to the flavour, I certainly couldn’t tell.

Still, it wasn’t bad. I liked the Big Mac before, and I like it now — but I guess I prefer the old version, because the amount of sauce on the new one is bonkers.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich at Chica’s Chicken

Published on August 12, 2019 by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Location: 2853 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Website: https://www.chicaschicken.net/

Last summer, I tried just about everything on the menu at Chica’s Chicken, and decided that it was probably the best fried chicken in the city.

It’s still probably the best fried chicken in the city. The Buffalo fried chicken sandwich is a newer addition to the menu, and it was every bit as amazing as I was hoping it would be.

It’s normally served on a brioche bun, but since they were out of those, it came on sliced bread instead. I’m sure it would have been delicious on the bun, but the bread didn’t feel like a detriment. It was an outstanding sandwich.

The fried chicken was as crispy, flavourful, and juicy as ever, and the zingy Buffalo sauce just enhances it. It’s topped with coleslaw and blue cheese sauce, and it’s absolutely perfect. It’s the perfect Buffalo chicken sandwich. I can’t think of a single thing I’d change.

Actually, that’s a lie — it’s only mildly spicy, and I wish it were a little bit hotter. But the sandwich was so thoroughly satisfying that I only barely missed the spice.

Outstanding (and Unique) Gelato at Nani’s Gelato

Published on August 9, 2019 by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Location: It’s a truck; check Instagram to see where they’re parked
Website: https://www.nanisgelato.com

Fact: it’s impossible to read this article without immediately being overcome by an extreme desire to go check out that gelato. High quality gelato with really interesting, Indian-inspired flavours? Yes please. Put that in my belly ASAP.

I was hoping to try the pistachio cardamom, but alas, it wasn’t available when I went. I guess I’ll have to go back — what a hardship.

It’s as delicious as advertised. The gelato itself is great; it’s rich, creamy, and smooth, with a perfect consistency.

As for the flavour, I got the Carrots and Cream, which is apparently based on a traditional Indian pudding called carrot halwa. I can’t say I’ve tried that particular dessert, but if this gelato is any indication, it’s good.

I’m not sure what to compare the flavour to. I guess carrot cake? But not really. It has a similar flavour profile to any number of Indian desserts, but it’s also got its own thing going on. I don’t know. It’s delicious. That’s the best way I can describe it. It’s delicious and you should eat it immediately.