Hungry, Toronto? 5 food festivals are in town this weekend
Food events have shut down streets and are filling up bellies around the city this weekend
Foodies, rejoice. Toronto is playing host to five food festivals in one weekend.
Whether you're in the mood for haute cuisine or good old-fashioned barbecue, the city has you covered.
But what's good for foodies is not necessarily good for commuters, so make sure to check out our roundup of weekend road closures and TTC delays.
Taste of Toronto
One of the biggest food festivals in the city, Taste of Toronto features chefs from more than 20 local restaurants, including The Drake Properties, Bar Isabel and Bar Raval, Momofuku and Nota Bene.
"This time we've made it a little bit bigger. We've invited new restaurants, new chefs, and we have some new features," events director Judy Merry told CBC Toronto.
"Everything to do with food and beverage, we've got it here."
The event began on Thursday, and Grant van Gameren, owner of Bar Isabel and Bar Raval, among others, has already scooped up the award for best dish.
"It's a mixed grill of some our favourite things that we do at our restaurants, which is piri piri chicken, grilled octopus, island pork jowl, as well as our famous chorizo verde sausage," he said.
Taste of Toronto runs all weekend at the Fort York historic site, and tickets are required to enter.
Taste of Little Italy
College Street shuts down between Bathurst and Shaw Streets beginning on Friday for a street festival that features music, shopping and plenty of good eats.
Lenny Pasqualino, spokesperson for the Little Italy Business Improvement Area, which is responsible for organizing the event, said people can expect "lots of entertainment and lots of food."
That food will come from all over, reflecting the diverse nature of the area, but Pasqualino said there will be plenty of Italian specialties as well.
"This is Little Italy. We've got to have Italian food, right?" he said.
Pizza, pasta, pastries, and gelato await.
Danforth's Thrill of the Grill
If Saturday's weather forecast that calls for rain is scaring you off, borrow some grit from Albert Stortchak, head of the Danforth Business Improvement Area and one of the organizers behind this weekend's event.
"We're going to grill, rain or shine," he said.
One $20 ticket to Thrill of the Grill gets you seven different grilled dishes, along with a drink, dessert and entry into a contest to win a trip to Cancun.
Taco Fest Toronto
Leave your grocery store taco seasoning packets at home, because "we're not talking your typical tacos, with ground beef and a yellow shell and cheese and lettuce," Taco Fest organizer Brandon Klein said.
"These are crazy wacky concoctions in a taco shell."
Taco Fest Toronto takes place from Friday to Sunday and tickets are required to enter the event, which is being held at Ontario Place.
Once you're full, you can wash down the wackiness with the help of a margarita and sangria bar and groove to live music.
Beaches Rib Fest
Entry is free to this meat-and-beer bonanza at Woodbine Park, now in its ninth year.
A variety of restaurants will bring their best rib recipes and a collection of craft brewers will provide the perfect counterpoint to the meat offerings.
There will also be shopping and live music, and the event kicks off on Friday at 2 p.m.