Jamil's Chaat House

Jalil Bokhari and Emma Tanaka have turned their pop-up into a permanent fixture on Queen Street West, bringing a focused take on Pakistani street food to the neighbourhood. With Eric McDonald running the kitchen, the menu leans into regional snacks that usually get skipped over in favour of standard takeout fare. The room is low-lit and unpretentious, soundtracked by Bollywood vinyl and Bhangra beats that keep the energy high even when the space feels tight. It’s a sharp, casual addition to the stretch between Parkdale and West Queen West that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to impress.

Start with the dahi puri—the crispy semolina spheres are the right way to kick things off. The menu is built for sharing, so grab the lamb nihari or the Karahi chicken bun, which is essentially a spiced-up, ginger-slaw-topped take on a Sloppy Joe. The drink list is surprisingly considered, leaning on natural wines and cocktails like the Spicy Tamarind Margarita. Because the footprint is small, you should book a table ahead of time, though they do keep a few spots open for walk-ins if you’re feeling lucky.