One of Toronto’s most popular food trucks is opening their first brick and mortar location after more than nine years of business.
The Holy Grill, a beloved food truck currently perched in a Scarborough parking lot, has long been known as a go-to spot for fried chicken and has received praise from food lovers and community members alike. After nearly a decade of operating their food truck, owner and chef Aleem Syed is excited to finally be signing their first brick and mortar lease.
“We always wanted to have a brick and mortar location, that was always in the plan,” said Syed. “It was just a matter of coming up with a simplified menu that would work, not just for us, but also for the community.”
Over the last nine years, Syed and the Holy Grill team have worked on dozens of menu ideas and experimented with numerous fried chicken dishes to nail down what will be offered at their new shop, located just down the street from where their food truck currently stands.
Having a menu that is accessible and caters to the surrounding demographic was, and still is, a key factor in what the Holy Grill offers on their menu.
“That’s initially what this business did, it fed the community, and because of this community, we’re able to take it to another level,” said Syed. “Finally we’re at this point... it feels surreal.”
The cornerstone of their business is their fully Halal menu, which Syed says has made a massive impact on their connection to their customers. The same ethics and one-of-a-kind service is expected to translate to their storefront, which will feature a menu on par with what they currently offer with a few new added items and options.
With the new store set to open towards the end of the summer, the Holy Grill food truck will soon be repositioned in Mississauga, according to Syed. The hope is that their Mississauga placement will take on the same effect as their Scarborough project, with the food truck eventually becoming an extension of the business rather than its main attraction.
The Holy Grill, which will be rebranding to THG’s Hot Chicken once their new storefront opens, will be located at 4830 Sheppard Avenue East––in a plaza just a stone’s throw away from their well-known parking lot spot.
