Sunday, April 06, 2008

Street Meat, Diversified

Saying street food vendor to any Torontonian will conjure images of drunk and hungry club-goers, huddled over their hot dog at 3 in the morning; or Bay Street types grabbing a quick lunch between meetings. Say it to a New Yorker and the smells of pretzels and roasted peanuts fill their olfactory memory, the confluence of the foods' aromas contributing to that signature New York scent. Say street food vendor to a Parisian, and they will tell you about crepes, frites, tartiflette, baguettes - the list goes on - all available should you find yourself peckish on the banks of the Seine one sunny apres-midi.

But in Toronto, we're stuck with hot dogs, the only variability being offered through the vinegary toppings at the side of the cart.

Even England, once famous for its lack of imagination (and taste in general) when it came to food, is home to one of the best little creperies I've ever been to. Located in Hampstead Heath, I twice waited over half and hour in line for a chocolate and banana crepe, and each collation was well worth every minute in that queue.

Now the city of Toronto is considering allowing a greater variety of food to be sold from street vendors, so we can compete on the world stage of street meat. Cleverly titled Toronto A La Cart, the city is asking you what you'd like to be able to buy whilst eating on the run.

Take the survey and vote for everything from crepes and corn on the cob to roti and samosas.

And when this all goes through city council, I'll see you on the corner of Adelaide and John at 3 in the morning, bleary-eyed, but happily eating a chocolate and banana crepe.