#FOOD: UNCLE TETSU’S JAPANESE CHEESECAKE IN TORONTO

Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake has long built a following in Asia since its inception in 1990 now with over 70 Stores worldwide.  The famous Japanese Cheesecake Maker now has its sights on the conquering the discerning palettes of North Americans. And it would appear Toronto has been won.

After landing some prime Real Estate at Toronto’s bustling Bay x Dundas, just steps from Eaton Centre, the Shop has become synonymous with  excessively long queues, with Torontonians excited for a taste of the sweet rage. We waited almost three hours – not that we were counting –  watching patient Staffers handcrafting Goodies within our line of sight.  Onlookers jeered those in line, but not without peering through the Shop’s windows in wonderment themselves.

Selling at $8.88 a pop, the Shop’s signature 6-inch Cakes (actually larger than it sounds really) are exciting for adventurous Locals. Light, v. buttery, sponge-like, each individual one is sold in its own box and bag.  Cakes don a Caricature imprint of the Franchise Founder, who has found a way to entice and pique the interest of a fickle Toronto Crowd, teasing them in a captive state with the Shop’s emitting of buttery aroma and enchanting smiles of enthusiastic female Staff.

We’ll pretend that we haven’t tried other acceptable incarnations of the Delight at local Chinese Bakeries and even the real deal in Japan before, which to be honest aren’t far off Tetsu‘s mark.  They’re great, but were they worth the wait?

One thing’s for certain, Uncle T‘s certainly won at least one new Fan:

#UncleTetsu’s #JapaneseCheesecake. The moment of truth…

A video posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Apr 5, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

In addition to this Japanese Cousin to the Shop’s titular American Favourite, the Shop offers oversized Madeleines for buy-three-get-one-free ($2.50 apiece). And although they weren’t serving them today, 5-inch Angel Hat Cakes also were seen on the Chalkboard Menu which promises more Sweets in the near future.

 

Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake is located at 598 Bay Street (at Dundas).  More here.

 

See our Snap with Uncle Tetsu:

No big deal. Just Ice Cream with the most popular man in #Toronto, #UncleTetsu! #UncleTetsuCheesecake

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:51pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)