By Jennifer Bubleit – Contributor
As I walked up to Lola Letty’s Kitchen, I could feel that this place wasn’t ordinary. From the colourful “Lola Letty’s Kitchen” sign to the skeleton pulling itself out of their front lawn, I knew I was in for something a little special.
The owners, Becky and James Torio, who just recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary, thought up Lola Letty’s during their walks through those tough COVID days. The joke always was, “Well, if that doesn’t work out, we could always open up a Filipino restaurant!” They would both laugh, come up with names and menu ideas, and simply enjoy the dream — until one day they saw the opportunity to go for it. So the reconstruction of their home and kitchen began.
Becky’s love for family shines through in all that she does — she’s the energy, the love, and truly the reason I wanted to highlight Lola Letty’s. When you walk up to the takeout window, there she is with a warm smile, a big hello, and ready to tell you all about the new and amazing menu items for the week.
James is the chef — of course, since he’s the expert on his mother’s cooking. His mother, Leticia Mercado-Torio, was there to support and guide him, as she was the inspiration for the menu. James had grown up with her cooking, but Becky, along with their friends and family, also had beautiful memories of Leticia’s food. It was something that seemed to bring people — and their families — together.
When their doors opened on January 18th, 2025, they were ready to go. And boy, did it go! People were coming all the way from Kitchener just to get some Fried Chicken, Lumpia (spring rolls), Pancit (noodle dish), and the rest of the tasty menu.
After a tough battle with cancer, and only four months after they opened, they had to say goodbye to the legendary Leticia Mercado-Torio. She was a strong, caring woman who will always be loved, remembered, and honored as a grandmother, mother, wife, friend — and the face of Lola Letty’s Kitchen forever.
The Food — Let’s Dig In!
I was lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful spread of Fried Chicken, Lumpia (spring rolls), Pancit (noodle dish), BBQ Pork Sticks, and one of Becky’s amazing Butter Tarts.
The fried chicken was exactly what you’d hope for — crispy, juicy, and salted to perfection. The pancit was an ideal side to complement all the meats, and it’s a winner for kids (even the picky ones)! The BBQ pork sticks were magnificently grilled, giving every bite that beautiful mix of sauce with the smoky BBQ char that I love. And the lumpias — crispy, flavourful, and irresistible. Please make sure you order a few extra, or you may regret it.
So, if you’re looking to try something new in Norfolk, Lola Letty’s is the perfect place to start — whether it’s for your next family night, office lunch, or just to treat yourself with a sampler box.
To see pictures of their dishes and what’s coming next, check out their Instagram: @lolalettyskitchen
Lola Letty’s Kitchen
602 Main St, Port Dover
226-996-9335
This article is the first of many articles
that highlight some of the amazing
restaurants Norfolk has. If you know of a
restaurant you think I need to try, email
me at [email protected]
