New Vegan Comfort Food Restaurant Opening in Toronto This Fall

Now is a great time to be a plant-based eater in Toronto, Canada — especially if you constantly find yourself on the go, and craving a quick vegan meal.

The quick-service concept from Eric Chao, called “Parka Food Co.“, is slated to open its doors to the public sometime this fall, and if the restaurant’s photo feed is anything to go by, customers can expect the menu to be very vegetable-centric, with an emphasis on comforting nourishment.

“I started this business with a clear mission to make plant-based food more accessible and with the goal of contributing our part towards making a positive impact in the world,” Chao told One Green Planet. “I truly believe that we can all make a difference starting with our everyday choices, and what better way to do it than through choosing to eat something that you find delicious and enjoyable?”

And Parka Food Co’s menu reflects that mission: cozy dishes such as an Eggplant Burger, Portobello Burger, Truffle Mushroom Mac, Tomato Soup, and Fries Supreme will all be available to patrons.

Breaking it down: the restaurant’s Truffle Mushroom Mac features mac sauce, macaroni, cremini mushrooms, truffle oil, and parsley flakes.

The restaurant is striving to provide an ultra-casual vibe to its customers, allowing those pressed for time to come in, grab their food, and get out within minutes. However, Parka will still offer enough seating to appease folks who are more inclined to dine in before dashing to their next appointment.

Not in the mood for plant-based cheese? Then these Eggplant and Portobello burgers ought to do the trick; in fact, the Eggplant Burger is Chao’s favorite item on the menu!

“What makes our (Eggplant Burger) special is that we took that classic sandwich and put our own twist on it to make it a little more playful, indulgent, and best of all, entirely plant-based!” Chao told us. “The layering of flavors and textures were carefully crafted to blend together into a wonderfully delicious and crave-worthy experience that should satisfy all types of people.”

Make You Own Comfort Food at Home!

If you’re not in Toronto but still find yourself drooling over the food Parka Food Co. plans to serve its guests, don’t worry: our Food Monster App has you covered with thousands of comforting, plant-based recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

For example, this gluten-free Truffled Mushroom Risotto by Ashlee Piper is umami-rich and easy to make.

Whether you’re looking for an indulgent celebratory meal (you deserve it), or just a cozy, stay-home-in-your-PJ’s dish, look no further. This risotto is loaded with heady and aromatic truffles and cooks up silky and divine. And it’s dead simple.

This gluten-free Cheesy Eggplant Burger by Kirsten Kaminski is crunchy, melty, and tender.

These eggplant burgers are really something else. Eggplant is fried until soft and then mashed with a mixture of herbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, and vegan cheese shreds, then fried until golden on the outside and tender and melty on the inside. Put some napkins on the side and enjoy, it’s gonna be messy!

This Rich and Creamy Tomato Soup by Cassidy Payne comes together in less than 30 minutes.

When life is hectic and you want something filling and nutritious to eat that can be put together in very little time, this recipe for tomato soup is a must-try. The secret ingredient in this comforting soup is butter beans. Not only to the beans make the soup rich in texture, they also add protein and fiber. Topped with a swirl of cashew cream, this picturesque soup is best served with a slice or two of Crusty Whole Grain Bread.

If you’re looking for more vegan comfort food recipes, then we highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Parka Food Co/Instagram