5 restaurants where you can get a viral Irish spice bag right now in Toronto

Irish spice bags are going viral on social media across all platforms right now, but where can you go to try the phenomenon if you can’t afford the airfare to Ireland?

Fortunately, restaurants in Toronto have stepped up to the plate to provide a taste of the Emerald Isle (influenced by Irish local Chinese takeaway shops) in Canada.

Spice bags typically consist of deep-fried salt and chilli chips, salt and chilli chicken, red and green peppers, sliced chili peppers, fried onions and a variety of spices served in a paper bag, or a paper box as a “spice box” or “spicy box.” It is sometimes accompanied by a tub of curry sauce. It’s often cited as a popular hangover cure, and is also a favourite in the wee hours of the morning on late nights out.

The story goes that the Irish spice bag originated in Templeogue, Dublin about 20 years ago, when staff at a Chinese takeaway joint called Sunflower created the special dish as a sort of secret off-menu item they would eat after hours. When friends of theirs heard about the invention, it wasn’t long before the Chinese restaurant officially added the Irish spice bag creation to the regular menu, and after that the rest was history.

Here’s where to find a viral Irish spice bag in Toronto.

Michael Collins

Bloor West is home this newer Irish pub serving a spice bag with spiced fried chicken, salted chilli fries, peppers, onions and a tub of curry sauce for dipping on the side.

Hugs and Sarcasm

Found on Queen West not far from Trinity Bellwoods, this restaurant offers a gluten-friendly version of the traditional Irish spice bag.

Auld Triangle

The classic mix of chicken, chilli chips, peppers and onions is completed by the cult classic curry sauce at this Irish bar located not far from the busy intersection of Yonge and Eglinton.

McVeigh’s

Perfectly crispy chicken, peppers, onions and seasoned fries are tossed with chili flakes for a true spice bag experience, all accompanied with the usual side of curry sauce at this public house, which is located on Church Street in Toronto.

West Cork

Named after a part of Ireland, this bar located on Queen Street East offers a straight up Irish spice bag with the typical salt chilli chips, crispy crunchy chicken, peppers and onions all with (you guessed it) a good old tub o’ curry sauce.