Big Boi Fry-Bread Opens as Toronto's Sole Indigenous Eatery
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Founded by Chef Ohitika and Chef Wilmer Noganosh III, the new spot at 181 Parliament St. blends traditional flavors with community-focused initiatives.
Toronto has a new Indigenous culinary destination with the opening of Big Boi Fry-Bread, located at 181 Parliament St. According to BlogTO, the restaurant is currently the only Indigenous food spot in the city following the closure of Tea N Bannock.
Founded by Chef Wilmer Noganosh III and Chef Ohitika (also known as Monty Newell), the venture combines the founders' experience in cooking and Indigenous advocacy. The menu focuses on handmade fry bread, which serves as the base for powwow tacos and a dessert cheesecake featuring blueberry compote and whipped cream. Other offerings include Three Sisters soup—made from squash, beans, and corn—as well as poutine, chili, and "sconedawgs."
Accessibility is a core component of the business model. BlogTO reports that the restaurant features an $8 Value Menu and a "Take a Meal Leave a Meal" program created by Chef Ohitika. Drawing on his personal history with hunger and homelessness as a teenager, Ohitika established the initiative to allow customers to make a $5 donation. This donation provides two fry breads and a bowl of chili to individuals experiencing food insecurity. BlogTO notes that the program has served 184 people to date.
Adding to the restaurant's community focus is its mascot, Zoongide, created by Noganosh to represent Indigenous pride, kindness, courage, and community.