Cooksville’s top spots for takeout biryani, empanadas, lechon kawali and Korean fried chicken
More Great Takeout
The Mississauga neighbourhood of Cooksville is often referred to as the hub of the city due to its central location and assortment of retail and entertainment offerings. So, it comes as no surprise that the area also has plenty of stellar restaurants and takeout spots. In this edition of our grab-and-go suburban eats series, we check out what Cooksville is, well, cooking up.
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Daddy O Doughnuts and British Baked Goods
Owned and operated by second-generation British couple Aaron and Sarah Harris, this wonderfully retro bakery boasts over 30 kinds of doughnuts. The most popular pick is the Homer Simpson creation (a pink vanilla dip), but you can’t go wrong with any of their other quirky creations, including the vegan Fakin’ Maple Bacon. Savoury goods like ham, cheese and onion pasties and cheese buns are also available. 589 North Service Rd., Mississauga, 905-276-9090, daddyodoughnuts.com
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BarBQ Tonite
This popular spot serves up to-go Pakistani and Indian classics like tender lamb biryani and malai boti (chicken marinated in a cream sauce of green chilies and cumin). If you’ve never had it before, the maghaz masala (beef brain cooked with onions, ginger and garlic) is worth a step outside your comfort zone. 35 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, 905-268-0088, barbqtonite.com
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Tarboosh Restaurant
Owner and chef Bassam Esbeit doles out delicious tastes of Lebanon at this three-decade Cooksville institution. The beef shawarma sandwich, falafel plate and mixed grill plate (chicken, shish, and kafta kebabs) are big draws, and the family platter meal deal (a bunch of kebabs, hummus, tabouli salad, rice, falafel and bread) can feed a bubble-compliant crowd. And be sure to grab some of Esbeit’s house-made pistachio baklava and namoora (honey cake). 105-3050 Confederation Pkwy, Mississauga, 905-949-0222, tarboosh.net
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Tabaq
This halal-friendly lunch counter inside Newin Centre Mall is owned by Haji Muhammad Jamil, who has been a part of the GTA’s culinary landscape since 1998. The menu appeals to a wide variety of palates, listing everything from lamb curry, murgh cholay (chicken and chickpea curry) and paye (trotter stew), to whole tandoori chickens, shrimp masala and Jamil’s specialty, brain masala. 2580 Shepard Ave., Mississauga, 905-279-2345, tabaqrestaurants.com
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Tazah Taste
For over a decade, this family-run restaurant has been one of Cooksville’s go-tos for Pakistani cuisine. The dishes here reflect the influences of neighbouring countries, including India, Afghanistan and Iran. Popular takeaway meals include paya (lamb trotters in Pakistani spices), qeema (minced meat served with bitter gourd, peas and green peppers), palak paneer (spinach curry topped with fried cheese), chicken tikka rolls, Lahori fish and potato-filled naan. There’s also an impressive selection of chaat (street-food snacks). To drink, there’s warm chai and cooling lassis. 3041A Hurontario St., Mississauga, 905-803-8080, tazahtaste.com
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Kusina
This family-run restaurant serves up Filipino fare, including crispy pata (deep-fried pig trotters or knuckles served with a tangy soy-vinegar dip), pancit (fried rice noodles) and lechon kawali—seriously crunchy deep-fried pork belly with liver sauce for dipping. Their all-hands-on-deck kamayan feasts for five come with grilled barbecue pork, grilled tilapia, Filipino sausages, grilled eggplant salad and garlic-shrimp rice. 3024 Hurontario St., Unit G2, Mississauga, 905-268-0472, kusina.ca
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Mario’s BBQ
You’ll smell the rotisserie chicken and leitao (roast suckling pig) well before this 25-year-old Portuguese barbecue spot comes into view. In addition to those top-sellers, they also make stellar bifanas (grilled pork cutlets) and pork ribs. If you have room for dessert, order a few of their beautifully burnished Portuguese custard tarts. Hot tip: bottles of their popular piri-piri sauce are available for purchase. 2500 Hurontario St., Mississauga, 905-270-5060, mariosbbq.com/foodticket
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Tokyo Cheesecake Cafe
For those seeking to satisfy a sweet tooth, a stop at this Japanese bakery all but requires an order of their famous double-layer cheesecake (New York–style cheesecake topped with a mousse cheesecake), a six-pack of macarons, and madeleines dipped in flavours like earl grey, raspberry and caramel apple. And while it’s still kinda warm, get some refreshing bingsu (shaved ice) for the ride home. Not into sweets? They also have savoury creations, like cheesy, deep-fried “frankendogs” and potato scones. 257 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, 905-896-7888, no website.
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K-Pocha
This Korean pub specializes in comforting grub like kimchi pancakes, their popular Snowing Chicken platter (fried wings, thighs and drumsticks dusted with sweet cheese powder) and spicy snail noodles (sea snails tossed with veggies and spicy sauce on cold buckwheat noodles). 7-169 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, 905-232-2141, kpocha.com
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Las Delicias Mississauga
Fan favourites at this Cooksville Colombian fixture include the bandeja paisa (a smorgasbord of rice, beans, steak, pork belly, egg, plantain and sausage), lengua (steamed cow’s tongue with rice, cassava, avocado and salad), carne asada (steak with fries) and mondongo (beef tripe soup with potatoes, cassava, onions and pork). If it’s just a snack you’re after, there’s an assortment of meat-filled arepas and empanadas. 59 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, 905-232-0060, lasdeliciasmississauga.ca
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The Mississauga neighbourhood of Cooksville is often referred to as the hub of the city due to its central location and assortment of retail and entertainment offerings. So, it comes as no surprise that the area also has plenty of stellar restaurants and takeout spots. In this edition of our grab-and-go suburban eats series, we check out what Cooksville is, well, cooking up.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Daddy O Doughnuts & BBG (@daddyodoughnuts) on Sep 9, 2020 at 7:51am PDT
Daddy O Doughnuts and British Baked Goods
Owned and operated by second-generation British couple Aaron and Sarah Harris, this wonderfully retro bakery boasts over 30 kinds of doughnuts. The most popular pick is the Homer Simpson creation (a pink vanilla dip), but you can’t go wrong with any of their other quirky creations, including the vegan Fakin’ Maple Bacon. Savoury goods like ham, cheese and onion pasties and cheese buns are also available. 589 North Service Rd., Mississauga, 905-276-9090, daddyodoughnuts.com
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gobblers_binge (@gobblersbinge) on Jan 4, 2020 at 7:06pm PST
BarBQ Tonite
This popular spot serves up to-go Pakistani and Indian classics like tender lamb biryani and malai boti (chicken marinated in a cream sauce of green chilies and cumin). If you've never had it before, the maghaz masala (beef brain cooked with onions, ginger and garlic) is worth a step outside your comfort zone. 35 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, 905-268-0088, barbqtonite.com
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A post shared by 6ixsnack (@6ixsnack) on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:16am PST
Tarboosh Restaurant
Owner and chef Bassam Esbeit doles out delicious tastes of Lebanon at this three-decade Cooksville institution. The beef shawarma sandwich, falafel plate and mixed grill plate (chicken, shish, and kafta kebabs) are big draws, and the family platter meal deal (a bunch of kebabs, hummus, tabouli salad, rice, falafel and bread) can feed a bubble-compliant crowd. And be sure to grab some of Esbeit's house-made pistachio baklava and namoora (honey cake). 105-3050 Confederation Pkwy, Mississauga, 905-949-0222, tarboosh.net
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A post shared by Sidra Choudhry (@sidaroundtown) on Sep 26, 2018 at 6:43am PDT
Tabaq
This halal-friendly lunch counter inside Newin Centre Mall is owned by Haji Muhammad Jamil, who has been a part of the GTA’s culinary landscape since 1998. The menu appeals to a wide variety of palates, listing everything from lamb curry, murgh cholay (chicken and chickpea curry) and paye (trotter stew), to whole tandoori chickens, shrimp masala and Jamil's specialty, brain masala. 2580 Shepard Ave., Mississauga, 905-279-2345, tabaqrestaurants.com
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A post shared by Flavours In T.O | 🇨🇦 (@_flavours101) on Apr 10, 2019 at 10:02pm PDT
Tazah Taste
For over a decade, this family-run restaurant has been one of Cooksville's go-tos for Pakistani cuisine. The dishes here reflect the influences of neighbouring countries, including India, Afghanistan and Iran. Popular takeaway meals include paya (lamb trotters in Pakistani spices), qeema (minced meat served with bitter gourd, peas and green peppers), palak paneer (spinach curry topped with fried cheese), chicken tikka rolls, Lahori fish and potato-filled naan. There’s also an impressive selection of chaat (street-food snacks). To drink, there's warm chai and cooling lassis. 3041A Hurontario St., Mississauga, 905-803-8080, tazahtaste.com
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A post shared by @kusinamississauga on Mar 3, 2020 at 10:57am PST
Kusina
This family-run restaurant serves up Filipino fare, including crispy pata (deep-fried pig trotters or knuckles served with a tangy soy-vinegar dip), pancit (fried rice noodles) and lechon kawali—seriously crunchy deep-fried pork belly with liver sauce for dipping. Their all-hands-on-deck kamayan feasts for five come with grilled barbecue pork, grilled tilapia, Filipino sausages, grilled eggplant salad and garlic-shrimp rice. 3024 Hurontario St., Unit G2, Mississauga, 905-268-0472, kusina.ca
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A post shared by SAUGA + T.O | EATS 🍽 (@taste.sauga) on Feb 2, 2020 at 2:56pm PST
Mario’s BBQ
You'll smell the rotisserie chicken and leitao (roast suckling pig) well before this 25-year-old Portuguese barbecue spot comes into view. In addition to those top-sellers, they also make stellar bifanas (grilled pork cutlets) and pork ribs. If you have room for dessert, order a few of their beautifully burnished Portuguese custard tarts. Hot tip: bottles of their popular piri-piri sauce are available for purchase. 2500 Hurontario St., Mississauga, 905-270-5060, mariosbbq.com/foodticket
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A post shared by Hamilton Food Authorities (@steeltownchowdown) on Aug 4, 2020 at 9:04am PDT
Tokyo Cheesecake Cafe
For those seeking to satisfy a sweet tooth, a stop at this Japanese bakery all but requires an order of their famous double-layer cheesecake (New York–style cheesecake topped with a mousse cheesecake), a six-pack of macarons, and madeleines dipped in flavours like earl grey, raspberry and caramel apple. And while it's still kinda warm, get some refreshing bingsu (shaved ice) for the ride home. Not into sweets? They also have savoury creations, like cheesy, deep-fried "frankendogs" and potato scones. 257 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, 905-896-7888, no website.
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A post shared by Hungry Foodie (@hungry.u.want) on Jun 14, 2020 at 10:32am PDT
K-Pocha
This Korean pub specializes in comforting grub like kimchi pancakes, their popular Snowing Chicken platter (fried wings, thighs and drumsticks dusted with sweet cheese powder) and spicy snail noodles (sea snails tossed with veggies and spicy sauce on cold buckwheat noodles). 7-169 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, 905-232-2141, kpocha.com
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A post shared by Nick Witczak [CSCS] (@nick.witczak) on Sep 8, 2019 at 1:23pm PDT
Las Delicias Mississauga
Fan favourites at this Cooksville Colombian fixture include the bandeja paisa (a smorgasbord of rice, beans, steak, pork belly, egg, plantain and sausage), lengua (steamed cow’s tongue with rice, cassava, avocado and salad), carne asada (steak with fries) and mondongo (beef tripe soup with potatoes, cassava, onions and pork). If it's just a snack you're after, there's an assortment of meat-filled arepas and empanadas. 59 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, 905-232-0060, lasdeliciasmississauga.ca
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