Vegan Butcher Shop Wins Readers’ Choice Award for Best Butcher in Toronto
While the idea of a vegan butcher shop or deli may seem unusual to some, the concept is definitely gaining momentum throughout the world.
Earlier this week, Huffington Post published a feature on plant-based butcher shops, stating they are “serving the ‘meat’ of the future.”
Now, Toronto-based vegan butcher shop YamChops has won NOW Toronto’s annual Readers’ Choice award for Best Butcher and Deli, beating out nine traditional butcher shops in the city.
On winning Best Butcher:
““Vegan butcher shop” seems like a paradox (right up there with “jumbo shrimp”), but YamChops has managed to build a sustainable business model selling meat-free and dairy-free proteins and prepared foods. Bring some hickory “ribs” or jackfruit “pulled pork” to your next BBQ – we promise no one will complain. The fake-meat averse can pick up a smorgasbord of housemade condiments, including arugula pesto and chipotle ketchup.”
On winning Best Deli:
“The offerings in the deli counter at YamChops might look a little different – tuna-less salad, miso unchicken, boneless meatless wings – but this vegan butcher shop offers all of the flavour and choice with none of the animal products. Sandwiches, salads, and proteins on rice are all available for dine-in or take-out, along with cold-pressed juices and desserts.”
YamChops, which is North America’s first butcher shop, thanked “Toronto for voting them “Best Butcher and Best Deli” in the city,” and added:
“Wow! What an honour to be voted Best Butcher & Deli by @nowtoronto readers! We’re so excited to be a part of the plant-based revolution, and we will continue to strive to craft delicious meals that make plant-based eating choices so easy.”
The vegan takeover doesn’t end there! Vegan pizzeria and bakery Apiecalypse Now!, which has two locations*, won nine total awards, including;
- Best Pizza
- Best Restaurant
- Best Vegan Restaurant
- Best Poutine
- Best Cheap Eats
- Best Lunch Under $10
On winning Best Restaurant:
“Toronto is ready for the Apiecalypse. This vegan pizzeria, based in Christie Pits and Pape Village, racked up nine (!) wins in this year’s Reader’s Choice poll. It’s not hard to see why: The place is a Beelzebubian bacchanal, a satanic smorgasbord, a black metal banquet of pizzas doused in hot-sauce pentagrams and piled high with faux meats, pink frosted “Simpsons donuts” and a half-dozen animal product-free poutines, plus sandwiches, pantry items, baked goods and more.”
On winning Best Vegan Restaurant:
“Apiecalypse Now’s dedication to animal product-free gluttony knows no bounds. Jen Bundock’s vegan pizzeria and snack shop imbues its dishes with all the greasy, indulgent flavour you’d expect, dousing its pizzas and poutines with a half-dozen types of vegan cheese and making sauces, dressings and gravy in-house.”
Other plant-based winners include:
- Bunner’s Bakeshop: Best Bakery
- Hogtown Vegan: Best Caesar
- Planta: Best Business Lunch
- One Love Vegetarian: Best Roti
You can check out the entire list of winners in all categories here.
Photo Credit: YamChops/Facebook
*According to Apiecalypse Now!’s website, the second location is temporarily closed
