Eatery 61

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Written By Susan Pretty
The lomo saltado from Eatery 61, which is a Peruvian stir-fry dish featuring strips of beef, peppers, and onions in a savoury sauce, served over a crispy bed of fries

Court Street’s Culinary Crush

Review by Susan Pretty, Photos by Adrian Lysenko

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.

Owners of Eatery 61 Arun Purushothaman and Joseph Gigi Kochupura

From the moment you walk into Eatery 61, which opened on Court Street on October 8 of this year, you're greeted with a welcoming vibe that feels both upscale and relaxed. The space is intimate yet lively—perfect for a date night, celebration, or just treating yourself to something delicious. Owners Arun Purushothaman and Joseph Gigi Kochupura are serving global comfort food fare with a modern twist, and the menu is a creative mix of comfort and flair.

Eatery 61's curried spiced cauliflower with halloumi cheese and pomegranate seeds served with naan and sides of minted yogurt, skhug sauce, and beet hummus.

The curried spiced cauliflower, with halloumi cheese and pomegranate seeds, is served with naan and several excellent dippers: minted yogurt, skhug sauce (a Middle Eastern pepper-and-herb-filled condiment), and our favourite, the beet hummus. The lomo saltado is a Peruvian stir-fry dish featuring strips of beef, peppers, and onions in a savoury sauce, served over a crispy bed of fries—yes, their famous fries are back, and they are outstanding in this dish. Purushothaman chuckles at his customer’s love of French fries. “We brought them back in because people wouldn’t stop asking for them!” he says.

Eatery 61's ahi tuna bowl, which is a very pretty plate composed of sushi rice, creamy avocado, julienned carrot, chiffonade nori, and pickled ginger.

A standout dish is the ahi tuna bowl, which is a very pretty plate composed of sushi rice, creamy avocado, julienned carrot, chiffonade nori, and pickled ginger. Each bite delivers a taste of buttery tuna, zesty dressing, and a refreshing crunch of veg. This elegant stack was absolutely decadent.

Prices are reasonable for the quality and creativity you get, and the location on Court Street South makes it easy to pop in after exploring the waterfront or nearby shops. Weekend brunch is also available every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, perfect for a leisurely nosh with friends and family.

Eatery 61

12 Court Street South

807-285-7320

Susan Pretty

Susan has been a contributor for The Walleye for at least six years now. When she’s not helping us out with our foodie articles, she can be found in her kitchen experimenting with keto recipes and cursing her cast-iron pan. Susan is always on the lookout for new places to try so she can share that information with The Walleye readers. As long as you’re reading, Susan will be reviewing!

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