Forget Cronuts. Toronto has Shmapples, Spreezebolls and these six other incredible culinary mashups
It’s been nine months since Dominique Ansel introduced the planet to the Cronut, which means it’s high time for another gimmicky hybrid dish to capture the world’s culinary imagination. Here in Toronto, we’ve noticed slash-y menu items at haute restaurants and greasy spoons alike. In order for a dish to really take off, though, it needs to be christened with a clever name. We took the liberty of getting creative with some of the city’s most inventive hybrid dishes. Here, eight mixed-up menu items—each with its own catchy portmanteau.
1. The Bronut
Uncle Betty’s diner has the solution to the sweet-versus-savoury brunch conundrum: its popular breakfast sandwich features two halves of a plain doughnut stuffed with the holy trinity of egg, cheese and crispy bacon. $10.
2590 Yonge St., 416-483-2590, unclebettys.com
2. The Pizzunch
College students, rejoice: pizza is now a socially acceptable breakfast food. On O&B Café Grill’s brunch menu, thin-crust pies come topped with the entire contents of a grand-slam breakfast platter: fried eggs, roasted maple ham and sweet caramelized onions. $15.
33 Yonge St., 647-260-2070, oliverbonacini.com
3. The Grapple Chitter
Get Melted, the new café and pot-smoking lounge on Church Street, specializes in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. For serious munchies, they’ve got this: a grilled, deep-fried apple fritter stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese. $5.
600 Church St., 647-350-6358, getmelted.ca
4. The Spreezeboll
At Lee on King West, celeb chef Susur Lee indulges the proles with a cross between a cheeseburger and a spring roll. The deep-fried pastry tube comes stuffed with ground beef, pickled veggies and a slick of smoked mayo. Side of fries not included. $14.
601 King St. W., 416-504-7867, susur.com
5. Nonchons
Newbie sports bar The Dock Ellis makes nachos with crispy wanton strips instead of tortillas. The toppings, however, are full-on traditional: braised beef, cheese sauce, pico de gallo and green chilis.
1280 Dundas St. W., 416-792-8472., thedockellis.com
6. Japatine
Ramen Isshin departs from its traditional Japanese menu with this Asian-inspired poutine. French fries and cheese curds are slathered with Japanese curry gravy, and then sprinkled with seaweed and scallions. (Fernand LaChance, no doubt, would be aghast.) $5.25.
412 College St., 416-367-4013, ramenisshin.com
7. The Shmapple
The Lakeview diner’s most indulgent dessert is an efficient way to guzzle two diner classics at the same time: a vanilla milkshake and a full slice of apple pie. The two are blended together to make an ultra-thick concoction that should probably be consumed as a team. (Unsurprisingly, Guy Fieri is a fan.)
8. The Crownie
The cookie-slash-brownie from Queen B Pastry only feels like a splurge: it’s actually butter- and gluten-free. $3. 235 Carlaw Ave., 416-409-0116, queenbpastry.com
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