Updated: Tue Mar. 17 2009 6:13:11 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

Starting this spring, hot dogs won't be the only food for sale on your local street corner.

Pad thai, jerk chicken, souvlaki, salsa karahi and other ethnic foods will be available at food carts across the city as part of Toronto's new 'A La Carte' street fare program. Healthier foods such as bagels, pretzels and veggie burgers will also be up for grabs.

At a news conference in Toronto Tuesday morning, councillor and city board of health chairman John Filion said the program will help the city think differently about fast food.

The new menu "will be healthy, personal, interesting and may introduce us to cultures we are not familiar with," he said. 

"I think Toronto can come up with a signature food that's a lot more interesting than the hot dog," he said, adding, "I'm not knocking hot dog vendors but I'm not a fan of hot dogs."

The three-year pilot project is expected to launch during the long weekend in May.

Prices will range from about $2 to $7.

Eight vendors won the right to sell the fare out of 19 applicants. They will be distributed throughout the city, from Mel Lastman Square in North York to Nathan Phillip Square downtown. Here's what you can specifically get where:

• Mel Lastman Square - Pad Thai with fresh rolls (Thai)
• Metro Hall - Chapli kebabs (Afghan-Central Asian)
• Nathan Phillips Square - Biryani (Central Asian-Persian)
• Nathan Philips Square - Souvlaki (Greek)
• Queen's Park - Chicken/beef kebab wraps (Middle Eastern)
• Roundhouse Park - Injera (Eritrean)
• Yonge and Eglinton - Bulgogi with seasonal kimchi (Korean)
• Yonge and St. Clair - Jerk chicken (Caribfusion)

The owners of Toronto hot dog stands can apply to expand their menu to include the new fare, Filion said.

However, Marianne Moroney, the executive director of the Street Food Vendors Association representing about 100 hot dog vendors in the city, said the city didn't have to spend extra money to expand the industry.

"We've got over 25 different ethnicities in our membership so there's a lot of different foods that could have been served," she said. "I don't think it should have cost the city anything. (Our carts) are already regulated and already available."

The new carts will each cost about $15,000 to $30,000.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Dana Levenson

Comments are now closed for this story

Matt
Why are our tax dollars subsidizing this?

Toronto taxes are too high, they have special taxation powers no other city has, they're broke, the economy isn't doing well.

I understand they're not a huge important industry, but they shouldn't have to compete against a taxpayer subsidized competition.

I understand Toronto city council likes to waste taxpayer money, but could they at least try to restrain themselves a little? At least during this economic downturn.

Jay Tee
great idea!! i am sick of street meat being the only alternative to the downtown food courts full of bland, unhealthy processed "food"

Matt
"Healthy foods such as bagels"

Well I get the idea however bagels are far from healthy.

Overall I'm very excited that Toronto is moving in this direction. In Philly they have had various food carts for many years and its excellent quick meals.

MD, Toronto
Can't wait, something new!

Nancy: Social Engineering gone too far
More social engineering from the Liberals leading the decline Liberal city of Toronto.
Crime, smog, high taxes and homelessness, traffic and a population that is so taxed it can't afford a steak it makes sense.
For the rest of Canada, thanks but we are not interested.
Under Liberals you can choose same sex marriage and lots of things, but not bottled water or a good greasy burger.

Roger T
And who will be buying take out while we're in a recession? Certainly a waste of tax payers money funding mroe street vending carts only to have it shut down after complaints that the streets look like garbage or least make more garbages.

If the Gov't/city officials want consumers to spend money, this would be the worst or trashy idea they could come up.

Olivia Chow Mein
Talking about politicians in Toronto the Great ...NOW THERES A BUNCH OF HOT DOGS FOR YA!

What a waste of time, money and focus. Does Miller have anything to say about the homeless, the unemployed or how bout going after those who commit gun and violent crimes instead of worrying about hot dog vendors.

How bout some crispy beef and cantonese chow mein while your at it Miller?

Only in TO and that's a good thing for the rest of us.

Mike - Toronto
ABOUT TIME!!!!

One of the most multi-cultured cities in the world and they are finally putting it on display!!!

Nothing says Canadian cuisine more than Hotdogs??????

A step in the right direction for a so-called world class city!

Jay-TO
"Why are our tax dollars subsidizing this?"

Shut up free loader. Its not all about squeezing 5 cents here and there. It would be nice to live in a city that is well actually nice to live in. Move elsewhere to pinch your pennies. Cheap a** miser. I would imagine the work camps of fort MacNurray will serve you fine. No frills to waste your pennies on.

Tono
Another way of adjusting to the mass migration of immigrants into Canada.

Sylvia in Kingston
I am jealous. I wish this is happening in Kingston, when the food cart/truck only offer hotdogs, fish and chips, hamburgers, pogo, and the boring sandwiches and wraps.

Kevin
I dont go to toronto very often but if I do, I'am looking forward to seeing something other than street meat

Malquee
I think it's kinda ironic that we can get ERITREAN (how many people other than me, know where Eritrea is?!) food at a location I'll bet almost NO ONE knows where this is!!

p.s., what about good old Hamburgers!!??

Francis from Jarvis
I like this idea. I would happily go out and taste these additional varieties of street food. I do enjoy hot dogs and/or sausages, but it would be nice to try something else when I need a quick bite.

Arwen
I am not interested in most of those foods, as I am a vegetarian that eats clean and they are not healthy foods. However, it's a step in the right direction. Maybe someday we will be able to get a salad or rice bowl on the street.