One of Toronto's best fried chicken restaurants just closed
A Toronto fried chicken restaurant that's been considered one of the best in the city just announced it's closing down, but there may be hope for a comeback in the future.
Fried chicken is one of those dishes that spans cultures: whether it's pounded flat and called schnitzel, or marinated, chopped into bite-sized pieces and turned into karaage, people around the world have found ways to bread, fry and serve it.
There's a good reason for that, of course: it's downright delicious. Finger lickin' good, some may say. Since 2019, one of the best businesses to do it has been Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken.
Originating as a pop-up at Little Italy's Folly Brewing and later settling into digs just down the street on College, Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken's bag was karaage, more often than not blended into a miraculous amalgamation with Nashville hot sauce, hence the name.
More than merely a great place to eat, the restaurant became a pillar in the neighbourhood, owners Jess and Jordan becoming the de facto best friends of everyone who stopped by.
It's the end of a seven-year era for Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken, however, as Jess and Jordan took to the restaurant's Instagram to announce that, with their lease ending, the shop is officially closed.
"Running a food business in this city for nearly a decade has been incredibly rewarding, but it's also no secret how demanding this industry can be and the toll it takes on your mind, body, and soul as well as the amount of time it demands," the post reads.
Jess and Jordan go on to explain that, given current economic struggles in the industry, the desire to prioritize their own well-being, and new opportunities on the horizon, it's time to say goodbye to the shop.
But this isn't the end of Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken for good, though. After taking a much-deserved break, the pair will be taking the chicken business to the streets for pop-ups and activations all over the city, "just as we've always envisioned."
Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken was formerly located at 656 College St.
@tokyohotfriedchicken/Instagram
