Scotty Bons Caribbean cuisine for pick-up or delivery to your doorstep

By Tanya Ielyseieva

Scotty Bons, short for the famously hot scotch bonnet peppers, is a take on traditional Caribbean cuisine with a western infusion. The new restaurant, located at 402 Bloor St. W. (just west of Brunswick Avenue), serves a halal-certified menu, from roti and sandwiches to fusion bowls.

“I’d be foolish to say that COVID-19 has not affected us, but we’re not going to stop because of that,” says Kendell Garcia, head chef and co-owner of Scotty Bons. 

“A lot of my customers have been asking when I come downtown, so the moment and the location seemed right to grab the opportunity and say, ‘Okay, we’re going to Annex.’”

Many businesses within the neighbourhood have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. As Toronto went into full lockdown, restaurants, bars and other food and drink businesses could no longer provide indoor dining service. Outdoor patio dining was shuttered, too. 

The potential business risks didn’t stop Garcia from opening a new restaurant in Annex.

“We have been fortunate so far because our main style of business is take out, meaning we are allowed to be open through the pandemic,” says Garcia.

Garcia owns two other Scotty Bons restaurants, one in Scarborough, and one in Brampton. The Brampton location opened during in May, 2020.

READ MORE:

• NEW IN BUSINESS: New restaurant opens mid-pandemic (Oct. 2020)