Oshawa's Food People (Part 2)

Oshawa food people are the best; they really are.

Two days ago I offered up a list of some of the men and women I see on my travels as a delivery specialist for R ‘n D Deliveries. These people are the backbones of the teams that get your food – from high-end sushi to pepperoni pizzas – from restaurants around the city to your kitchen. Here are some more:

There are a couple of classic restaurants in the north end (directly across the street from each other, actually), which dominate the culinary landscape on Simcoe Street North: Wally’s and Traditions.

Wally’s is a 24-hour joint serving up home style cooking and I want to give shout-outs to the two waitresses I see on my shifts – Shelley and … Shelley. I have to feel for them because they have to keep re-learning the quirks of new cook staff, because the damn cooks keep winning $50 million in the lottery.

Okay, it happened once. But that’s a lot.

Traditions is the former Haugens Chicken restaurant that serves up roast chicken and classic meals like grandma used to make. Greg keeps his kitchen staff loose so they can serve Grandma and the rest of the predominately blue-haired crowd smiles and the specials of the day.

The brothers who run the Friendly Greek on King Street East are a real dynamic duo. Alex and his brother Moody (who is anything but) churn out a bevy of Mediterranean delights for their loyal group of customers, while guaranteeing there’s never a dull moment at this east end restaurant.

Mr. A’s Quick Flame is another popular neighbourhood restaurant on King Street East, with Sathi and his crew putting a Sri Lankan spin on Greek-inspired specials, from souvlaki to burgers.

That Sri Lankan influence extends to pizza, with downtown hotspot Regino’s Pizza attracting students and others from the city core. Owner Shawn is one of the nicest guys in the business and is always willing to chat about, well, anything.

Henry’s is another pizza favourite in the south end - except the boss’ name is John -  and John is also the proprietor of Golden Thai, a downtown Thai landmark.

Fish and Chips have always been a mainstay of Oshawa cuisine and it retains its popularity today, despite the recent changes to the city’s demographics. Oshawa is swimming in them and there are at least seven that I visit frequently. Shout-outs go to three: PB Fish and Chips in the northeast; British Style on Simcoe North; and Pat and Mike’s on Rossland Road.

Peter and Bobbie have been dishing out fish for the halibut for more than twenty years now at PB Fish and Chips at Rossland Square. I’ve known Peter for nearly that long, having delivered a few pies to his home over the years. Man cannot live by fish alone, ya know…

Ali earned his chops in Toronto’s east end before moving British Style to Oshawa a few years ago. With the fish cut right up front and authentic English cuisine, he has attracted a strong core of regulars.

Pat and Mike’s, meanwhile, has been an Oshawa staple since 1965 and Mike and his team are strong community supporters as well as restaurateurs.

The burrito scene is well represented in Oshawa – especially downtown. Athol Street hotspot Jimmy Guaco’s is a go-to destination for lovers of Mexican food. As the mother of Olympic judokan Kelita Zupancic, Annette is already making plans to add a franchise on Copacabana Beach in Rio in time for 2016. We hope.

Viva Burritos on Centre Street, meanwhile, was launched to roaring success after Jesus gave up a career in the engineering field to turn his dream of opening a restaurant into reality.

East Side Mario’s is another popular destination, both for lovers of great roadhouse food and for those who deliver it, like me. I’m a regular at both Oshawa locations. Shout outs go to Sarah and Hannah, the front counter girls at the Harmony North location, with props for Meagan (who I’ve influenced to change her farewell address from “have a good one” to “toodles”), who takes care of us delivery people at the Oshawa Centre restaurant.

At Osaka, a downtown sushi house, owner and sushi chef Qi has the chops to bring in the downtown crowd (especially the students), having earned his street cred working in New York City before moving to the Motor City.

For food that looks as good as it tastes, I’m partial to Azian Cuisine on Taunton Road, with a shout-out to Eddy on the cash.

And I can’t forget Domino’s, my former company, with props to former franchisee Margo (who has accepted an offer from corporate), and to the north end store’s best driver (since me, anyway): Glenys. To be fair, I may as well give a shout-out to the Grandview store as well. That’s you, James.

There’s plenty more interesting people serving up food that I haven’t mentioned. Another blog, perhaps.

Cheers!