An Inside Look at The Food Dudes’ Pantry

If you live in Toronto you’ve probably eaten something made by Food Dudes. Maybe you didn’t know it, or maybe you searched it out, but either way you weren’t disappointed. From a food truck to two new restaurants (Junk, Rasa) slated to open this year, this is one catering company that’s set to take over the entire city. Want proof? Take a look at their new storefront take-out shop that houses a 10,000 sq. ft. kitchen and office space in the back. (Yes, we said 10, 000 sq. ft.) 

Pantry is now officially open. It’s a small space on Carlaw Ave. where you can pop in to grab good food on the go. The display case is lined with Food Dude flavours like BBQ chicken and brisket, smoked salmon, pre-made salads, and perogies. For just $10 you can grab a small lunch (one protein, two sides) that will give you restaurant quality taste without the hassle of booking a table. In fact, Pantry is a great metaphor for what Food Dudes is up to these days. It’s a small, polished space with a finished product that won’t let you down, but more importantly it’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s the smiling face to the body of the workhorse running its tail off all day in the back. 

Adrian Niman founded Food Dudes back in 2007 when he was still working out of his mom’s kitchen. Back in the early days, between catering trips to Muskoka, he used to frequent Ultra Supper Club (now closed) where his friend Brent McClenahan worked. Once things fell through with Niman’s then business partner, it wasn’t long before McClenahan joined on as a new partner and Food Dudes really started to take off. So much so that those early 20s versions of themselves have gone from buying groceries together at Loblaw’s to developing a business that staffs 50 full-time employees and works out of a kitchen you wouldn’t be judged for thinking might sometimes second as an airplane hanger. Oh, and only in about five years. 

The reason Pantry is a great addition for Food Dudes is its size. Despite the full-blown operation taking place just 50 feet away, Pantry is the perfect introduction to what makes Food Dudes great: their food. This is where you want to go if you’re thinking about using them for a wedding or event (note: book fast, these guys are already doing 75+ a year) or you did use them, were happy as hell you did, and you just need another fix of their delicious creations.

With the two aforementioned restaurants coming this year, their truck currently prowling the city, one of the best catering reputations in Toronto, and Pantry now open for walk-in clients, this definitely seems like it’s going to be Food Dudes’ biggest year yet. And now they have the space to prove it.

#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)

Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.