Bits & Bites With Angelo Tsarouchas

The first time I met Angelo was in the late 90’s, when I had taken a break from the financial field and managed a cigar store in the Yorkville area of Toronto. The cigar culture back then had experienced a resurgence and on the second floor of Thomas Hinds Tobacconist is where we would all sit in the “cigar lounge”.

Famous Hollywood types, captains of industry, working stiffs and university students could all be seated around the table, with the ritual of smoking a cigar and story-telling unifying folks from very different walks of life. This is where I first met Angelo Tsarouchas.

Angelo’s best known for being a stand-up comedian and when I first met him, we exchanged alot of shared experiences and anecdotes about being Greek in Canada. Angelo still performs live and he even traveled as far as India with Canada’s Russel Peters’ to perform in front of warm audiences.

Angelo doesn’t tour as much as he used and for good reason: he’s apperared in numerous TV commercials, comedy shows on television, he’s appeared in many Hollywood-produced movies and he’s been given the green light to develop, write and star in his own film.

Some of Angelo’s high-profile film credits include John Q, The Score, The Prince and Me and the critically acclaimed teen cult flick Harold and Kumar Go To Whitecastle. Angelo also appeared in the movie Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe .He Guest starred on the hit show ‘Mad Men’, and will be starring in the new film “Fred and Vinnie’ set for release in 2010.

I recently caught up with Angelo and I posed the following food and drink related questions to “Big Ang”:

Bits & Bites With Angelo Tsarouchas

Q. After being out on the road performing and you’re finally back home to unwind…what dish do you crave?
A. I travel around the world, so I get to eat some different food all the time, I usually crave In and Out Hamburgers here in Southern California, they are homemade and real tasty.

Q. Do you cook? What was the last meal you made?
A. The last meal I made was Orange Chicken, with rice and vegetables it was delish.

Q. You’re busy, running about town, in meetings throughout the day. You have $10 in your pocket and you have to eat quick and good…where do you go (name, address, location)?
A. Well If I placed that question when I was living in Toronto it would definitely be The Tulip, at Queen and Coxwell, Steak and Eggs, anytime of the day, it is so good and filling, anyone who knows in Toronto knows this place, or one of their Tasty daily specials whcih run between 7 and 10$.

Q. When ordering takeout or delivery, what do you usually order?
A. Chinese food, for some reason it always tastes better delivered…..

Q. It’s your birthday and your good buddies are treating. You get to choose any restaurant you want….where would you go?
A. Que de Cheval Steakhouse in Montreal, Stanley and Rene Levesque, best Steak and atmosphere anywhere.

Q. You’re visiting mom after being away/on the road for awhile. What Greek dish do you always ask her to make?
A. Hands down it’s a tie! Yemeesta or Avgolemono Soup, either way I’m in Heaven.

Q. What’s your favourite drink/beverage? Place/bar?
A. Il Gato Nero On College St. They make the best Latte in the world and they import the juices from Italy, one of my favorite spots to hang out in Toronto, and they have a great patio.

Q. When you go out for groceries, what’s your favourite store?
A. I love going to Gelson’s Market here in Los Angeles, their variety and quality is excellent, and it’s a very decadent place to shop at.

Q. You’re on the road alot and you must eat alot of catered food backstage…do you have any funny, “Spinal Tap” type of stories to share?
A. When I did my show in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre, we asked for the standard stuff like, fruit, cheese, etc, and there is one place called the ‘Golden Palace’ which has the best Egg Rolls in the world, I asked for two dozen to be on the rider for after the show, and when I got back they were all gone, as the crew ate them all, I pulled a diva play, and made them go get some more, that’s how good they are.

Q. You’re on death row…what’s your last meal?
A. It would have to be My Mom’s Spaghetti and Meat sauce. The Best.

Here’s more of Angelo performing live on stage….he’ll leave you in stitches!

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