What Toronto Life readers loved and loathed from our January issue

Binge Fest

For the January cover story, Toronto Life food editor Rebecca Fleming joined forces with super-foodie Suresh Doss to compile an edible bucket list of 365 dishes to try in 2026. Readers were up for the challenge.

“This is amazing! Now if someone could create a Google Maps overlay I would buy them a coffee!” —Etna, Reddit

“Suresh Doss has a long track record of championing the little mom-and-pop joints on the outskirts of Toronto. Half of my must-eats in Scarborough came from his recommendations.” —atomic_golfcart, Reddit

“Great to see an article that recognizes the entire GTA and isn’t only for the downtown elitists.” —portstrix, Reddit

“I think downtown places get more exposure because they’re more accessible, especially for those of us who rely on public transit. They’re also on the main streets of the city, not tucked away in a shopping plaza. It has nothing to do with snobbery toward the suburbs.

“As a so-called downtown ‘elite’ myself, I am jealous of the quality and variety of food suburbanites have access to. A lot of ethnic restaurants downtown offer bougified versions of their cuisine.” —ref7187, Reddit

“I leave work early on Wednesdays and drive from Oakville back downtown. My plan is to visit one of these places en route every Wednesday. I can already say the cabbage rolls at Odra (No. 9) are excellent. Thanks for the great article. Love that it’s in January and a nod to non-dieters.” —Megan Williams

“Cute list. Nice mix of places I’ve been and new things to try.” —twenty4two, Reddit

“I did a little review of the ones I knew, and they did nail some of the great spots.” —GumpTheChump, Reddit

“Fun list. Spanning Oakville to Whitby to First Markham Place. DT-only eaters in shambles.” —moo422, Reddit

“Oh god, I just gained 20 pounds looking at this.” —Weakera, Reddit

“Is it just me or does this feel like lazy work from Toronto Life with the lack of photos?” —sesamesticks, Reddit

Shark Attack

Mr. Wonderful is not widely loved in these parts, which is precisely why he was cast as the villain in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme. Still, readers had issues, if not with Kevin O’Leary’s acting skills then with our decision to interview him at length in the January issue.

“Let’s not give this a-hole any more attention. Spiteful, ignorant, traitorous little troll.” —@Skatefan3566, X

“Hard pass. Not going to read about this belligerent jerk. There isn’t one Canadian with integrity that you could have featured?” —@bonnieburgess, X

“O’Leary is a failed Conservative candidate. A Trump sycophant. A greedy self-promoter. On the list of most embarrassing Canadians.” —@56peggy, X