Toronto Underground Market...different

On the weekend, Michelle and I hit YUMTUM - Toronto's Underground Market, and a place for small-time food vendors to showcase their best to huge crowds of people. If you've never heard about it, check out yumtum.ca, and make sure you at the very least consider going to the next one.

For months now, I've wondered about this event, and even after hearing about it from those who went, I was still curious as to what exactly it would be like.

We arrived at the Evergreen Brickworks (where it's always held), and we couldn't believe it. The parking lot was full, and the line up to get in (with tickets) was at least a few hundred meters long. We waited about half an hour, but eventually, we got in - it was intense. Our plan was to go in and go right to the back, and move toward the beginning, to avoid the crowd (as per a tip from someone we know), but as we entered, there was no line up at the first few booths, we couldn't resist. We started out with some cannelles - which were kind of like a custard-y dessert....not all that memorable, but not terrible. I'm sure it was supposed to be warmed throughout, but mine was cold on the inside (I had to go and find some official yumtum pictures, because some of mine didn't save). I'll note when the pictures accurately (or don't) portray how the food looked.

They looked pretty spot on - no complaints
about the presentation here...just the
execution.

After trying that, we decided to stick to our plan and get to the back to try some of the other stuff - each vendor has a limited supply of food, so we wanted to be sure we got a few of the signature items before they were gone.

The next place we stopped at (which we couldn't resist) was Dough by Rachelle - a doughnut stand where they had some damn good looking doughnuts. They were selling three varieties, an Apple Fritter, an Almond type, and a Maple Bacon. Michelle got the almond, and I got the Maple Bacon - never did we think that her not eating pork would play into her eating a doughnut. With the bacon craze these days, I'm not surprised they had the option, but I was surprised by how delicious it was. The bacon just added some salt to the maple dip doughnut, and although it was a little too rich to eat all the time, I wouldn't be opposed to eating one again.

The almond (in the front center) is was Michelle got, and the maple
bacon (in the back center - out of view) is what I got. Good, but not
amazing. Definitely different though.

Next we hit the back corner, and what seemed to be one of the biggest draws of the market - Comida Del Pueblo (Food of the People); a food vendor specializing in Latin renditions of comfort food. We got in line without even seeing what they were selling, but as we waited, we were interviewed by one of their workers and found out that they were selling Cornbread Jalapeno Grilled Cheese, Water Buffalo Empanada's, and Habanero Pepper Chocolate Mousse. We got all three....

The grilled cheese was delicious. It was different - the cornbread was sweeter than normal bread, and mixed with the cheese and spice, it made for an interesting experience. It was rich - like everything else..but definitely good. Michelle wasn't the hugest fan, but I managed top finish it on my own.

Cornbread Jalapeno Grilled Cheese - exactly as pictured.

The empanada tasted like a normal beef empanada - using water buffalo instead was more of a formality to turn heads I think.

Water Buffalo Empanada - in the
front...was good. Michelle enjoyed it
the most.

The most interesting - and confusing thing to eat from these guys was the Habanero Chocolate mousse dessert. For something so sweet and decadent, the spice came up and kicked you right in the ass. It was VERY different, but in a very good way. Both Michelle and I enjoyed it, and there was nothing left...let's just put it that way.

The only one of my photos that ended up saving...

Despite being full, we grabbed a vegetarian meatball sandwich from Animal Liberation Kitchen and it was pretty damn delicious. You could have fooled me that there was no meat in it. They were bean-based, but the texture was very meaty - I was impressed.

It was a smaller version of this sandwich,
but looked and tasted just as good as this
one looks.

Right beside these guys was Barrow Foods where we got their Brisket and Grits. The meat was tender, the grits were okay - it was good food, but not memorable. (no photo here...which is probably good, because it didn't look as nice as it tasted)

After this, we walked around a bit - let our stomachs settle...and I noticed that despite the number of vendors, there was a lot of the same offerings...pulled pork, pulled pork, pulled pork...a LOT of people were selling it. It's not that it's not good stuff, but I was hoping for some more originality in the types of food at this event. Add to that the fact that Michelle doesn't eat pork, and it was a bit disappointing.

We tried going to Kalofagas Greek Food but they were all out of their chicken souvlaki, and only pork was left, so instead we decided to head over to Ese, and try out some of their Mexican food...but not before someone we know giving us one of Fidel Gastro's brisket sandwiches that we didn't want to line up for (this was the longest line up all night). It was freaking delicious, and I'm sure Michelle would agree if I said it was the best tasting thing we ate all night.

Again, it was a smaller bite-size version
of this...but equally as delicious. Everything
I was told about Fidel Gastro was right.

We finally headed over to Ese at this point, and although we couldn't get their (surprise!) Pulled Pork, we got their Truffle Tacquito's, and they were pretty damn good. Again, there's no picture, but I wish I had one, because they looked nice. They had truffle on the inside with what seemed like mozzarella cheese, and then deep fried with some spicy Mexican sauce on top. This one burned Michelle's mouth a little too much, but it was okay because we were leaving anyway.

On our walk out though....we couldn't resist stopping at All Mine Caramels. They were freshly making two types of sweets - a caramel with a sea salt chocolate topping, and a caramel with a cayenne pepper chocolate (another sweet and SPICY treat). We got two of each, and Michelle's mouth was still burning so she only ate the salty one, but both were delicious. Once again, the spice of the cayenne pepper creeped up on me...but in the best of ways.

Left: Sea Salt Caramels and Right: Cayenne pepper caramels

OVERALL, the experience was a great one. It was worth the money, and worth the waiting to finally go and try out the market. I would suggest it to anyone that loves food events, and anyone who loves food in general. Like I said, I do wish there was a bit more variety in the food - which I'm sure there is considering the vendors are constantly changing...but I was a bit let down this time.

My suggestions (should you choose to take them):

• Get there early...the event starts at 6, but parking fills up fast, and you have to wait in line while they scan tickets. Try getting there at 5:30 so that you're one of the first people in. 
• If you're not in early, head to the back first....it worked for us, and I assume it will work for you too. 
• Forget the favourites - I wanted to get some cupcakes, but Michelle pointed out that we could make cupcakes at home, so we should only try different foods, and I couldn't agree with her more. 
• Drink! I forgot to mention that there were beer stalls set up everywhere from local breweries - and although we weren't drinking because we had plans afterward, it would definitely add to the experience. 

I won't be going again next month, but I'm sure I'll head to YUMTUM again sometime in the future...hopefully at an event devoid of pulled pork!