Zohar Menashe, the force behind Zoe’s Shakshouka, is a warm and welcoming entrepreneur who opened up her heart and home to showcase her cooking.

Having lived in Thunder Bay for my whole life, I’ve had the opportunity to visit almost every single restaurant in town. After adventuring to different cities around the globe, and from my expertise in local cuisine, I came to the conclusion that when it comes to culinary scenes, there’s truly no place like home.

Bringing the tastes of the southwestern coastal state of Kerala, India, to Canada, the owners are inspired by homemade masalas and authentic traditional recipes passed down from their families

Once a roadside gem on Highway 61, Eatery 61 has traded the highway hustle for downtown charm, and Thunder Bay’s food scene is better for it.

The aroma of freshly baked pizza and simmering tomato sauce now fills a familiar Westfort corner, one that has found new life through the love and determination of Brandy Pulice and her partner, Tom Woycheshin.

The menu is a treasure trove of delights. Originally from Gujarat, Prajapati brings unexpected gems to the table.

Although Chef Fred Sorrell initially needed a larger prep kitchen for his business, Bread & Butter, he simply couldn’t resist the call of the walk-up window. Thus, Red River Dogs was born, and it’s already been a hit with young and old alike!

Close your eyes a moment and visualize a scenario: you’re driving back from a pumpkin picking trip, and you decide you absolutely need a breakfast delight. Then you see a true miracle on Highway 61 in the form of Cottage Time Public House, with their all-day breakfast and the subject of this month’s Off the Menu—the breakfast poutine.

“We are an authentic option for Mexican food,” says Rodrigo’s dad, Rodrigo Cosio Sr. “Whatever you eat with us is what you would be getting if you were sitting in my house having dinner, [and] absolutely everything we make is from scratch.”

What else can one say but ooh la la!

From Senegal to Morocco and now all the way to Canada, AfroGourmets, a newly launched culinary experience provider, has recently set roots in Thunder Bay. Siblings and co-founders Awa and Ibrahima Diop, who were originally from Senegal but lived in Morocco for 22 years,  settled in Thunder Bay earlier this year, bringing with them a world of flavours and culture along with a passion to share it with the community.

Those who’ve ventured up their VIP-esque corridor into the building will be familiar with Pocketchange’s metropolitan cocktail offerings, but what they may not know is what they’re cooking up in the kitchen is on par with everything coming from behind the bar. And while it’s fun to be in on a secret, we at The Walleye won’t be gatekeeping what is arguably the perfect patio season appetizer.