Taste the 4th Sense – Store Review
This is my first review on a store. Reason being is that there have not been any stores in Toronto to review. I heard about Tt4S (Taste the 4th Sense) a few months ago. The trepidation I had for visiting sooner was the poor excuse I knew of a so called [tag]hot sauce[/tag] store before. I guess I just didn’t want to be disappointed. This review is a culmination of several visits over the period of one week. My first visit was on a weekday evening. I was met with a “back in 5 minutes” letter on the door. The display in the window and the slight view of the hot sauce wall was the only thing that kept me waiting. It actually looked like they had some good products. A few minutes later I was greeted by Geri who let me in. It only took two steps into the store to realize that yes, this is THE PLACE!!! One wall is dedicated to the best of the best of hand pressed oils, vinegars and zests. The adjacent wall adorned with hundred of types of hot sauces. Everywhere else was collectible hot sauces along the shelves.
Now I have seen places in the states that literally carry everything under the sun. Tt4S puts emphasis on taste rather that heat. Don’t get me wrong they have all the super hots, Black Mamba, Z Nothing Beyond, Satan’s Blood, but they carry an absolutely amazing array of medium type sauces in every type of hot genre. Your run of the mill vinegar, pepper, gimmick sauce doesn’t makes its way on the shelf. Too boot every bottle is available to sample. If you are looking for more of the gimmick type sauces you may want to head over to their other store in St. Jacobs.
I was able to meet with the owner Gerry Mischuk and we had a lot to talk about. I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t heard of www.hotsauceblog.com. Needless to say I am sure he has it bookmarked now! Gerry and staff (Geri) were amazing. Not only are they knowledgeable in all the products they have, they are passionate about selling them. The store is beautifully kept with an airy atmosphere of cheer. The type of place you would want to walk in and look around even if you aren’t into hot sauce.
Whether you make it to Toronto, or out into the country in St. Jacobs, make an effort to pay Gerry a visit. I can guarantee you he will hook you up with a sauce that will blow you away. And if isn’t hot sauce you are after then one of the oils, zests, or vinegars he has for sale will surely grab your attention. (Hot sauce makers out there should contact Gerry for his vinegars!!!!!) Did I say that out loud?!
Taste the 4th Sense will be celebrating their first anniversary July 22 this year. It would be great to see some local chili-heads attend the party!
Finally a hot sauce store in Toronto I can be proud to talk about
Taste The 4th Sense
Locations:
375 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4K 1P1
416-649-0024
Riverworks Emporium
1440 King Street
St. Jacobs, Ontario
N0B 2N0
www.salivate.ca
OK then. I will have to visit one day.
5 minutes has passed, ok maybe today…If i can muster up the energy to drive there this morning.
Thanks Anthony!!!
A fantastic hot sauce store that’s close to Mississauga and Ryerson, oh baby am i ever pumped, what a great way to kick off the day!!!
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You won’t be disappointed pmac!!!
make sure to try the serrano Ring of Fire!!
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Welcome to the HSB Sporto!!!
This store looks cool !…..in Burlington a store called Pete’s pepper palace exists in a little square downtown. Have visited and he has some good selections
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I will have to remember that next time I am in Burlington. Thanks!
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I believe that he might even have some of my stuff as he’s ordered from me in the past. That puts him in rare company 😉
Hi Anthony: Thank you for the wonderful review on TASTE “the 4th sense” I will be proud to pass on your web site to anyone who will listen. Being somewhat of a chili-head myself, we have tried to create an environment within the store that customers will feel comfortable in and want to come back many times to experience that which is TASTE. I offer to all of your readers a 10% discount on any purchases in the store. All they have to do is mention that they saw the review on your web site and 10% will be deducted from their purchase. I’m glad that you were able to come in and see what we do and how we do it. Now that you have turned me on to HSB I will be a loyal reader and look forward to a long association with your organization.Cheers! Gerry Mischuk Partner TASTE “the 4th sense”
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Thanks, always a reader, never a poster :P…..its hard to find chiliheads in toronto let alone a store
Only hot sauce shop I know isn’t even near me, I go to pepper palace whenever we vaction to Gatlinburg, TN.
Anyone know any places like this in Orange County CA?
We’re dying out here on the West coast.
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I live out in the Palm Springs area, we have had a few shops out this way but they didn’t survive. The only places I know of that carry any variety of sauces on a consistent basis is Dowling Orchards which is the produce stand on the 60 freeway just before Beaumont and at LeGourmet Chef in the Cabozon factory outlets. Let me know if you know of any others.
Hot Licks has at least a few locations in/around San Diego. Not sure if they get that far north or not.
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Gerry nice looking place. I too sell chili nectar. We have a little place in southern ohio that we have alot fun selling hot sauces. You’ll find out alot on here. All you have to do is ask. And a chili head will appear. There all great on here. Peace Bret
Wow. That was a lot tougher search than it should have been! Hard to believe the left coast is that devoid of shops :-/ Here’s an article that might be of help that I found:
Marina Del Rey to Become Less Tacky?
It’s official. According to this LA Times story, the Marina, once synonymous with empty nesters, corporate nomads and the recently separated, is being booted out of its staid, 1960’s stupor thanks to an infusion of development money. While it’s sad news for devotees of faux New England fishing villages with quaint shops selling 100 varieties of hot sauce, it’s good news for LA County, which stands to benefit from more profitable land leases.
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Clint my brother in law lives in carlsbad and makes numerous trips to San Diego and has been to SD Hot Licks also he goes into the Santa Ana area where he has family.
Message me and I could hook you two up to get ya some hot sauces.
-Scotty B
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Yep, that’s the only one I know of near me (is 4 hrs considered near?) as well. My area of SC just isn’t really close to anything actually. 🙁
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If you’re near Beaufort, SC and can get onto the Marine Corps base, I know where you can find a kick butt Red Savina(R) Habanero/Garlic Sauce 🙂
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Heck Jim loadem all up in the van and bring over to Jungle Jim’s. LOL . Listen up Drum roll 9 more sauce to go and I’ll reach 1500 sauces in the jungle. Always room. Come on Cash and Scottys I need your sauces. Bret
funny thing, I was just there this weekend… I must admit I was more impressed by the oils and vinegar than the hotsauce, though!
Checked out the store on Saturday. Awsome selection and friendly knowledgeable staff made for a great experience. Dropped 50 bucks and left with a smile on my face.
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Great to hear about that Dave! I hope to be checking out the St. Jacobs store this coming long weekend.
I go to this store in St. Jacobs quite often. I just bought three bottles of sauce there today. I thought I was in heaven when I first found this store. I now spread the word and want to keep doing it since there aren’t many of these fine stores around and I want to do what I can to keep this store going. I would be lost without it.
The sea food sauce what was it called.
I seen the show on tv Tuesday with Mat Hayes
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Hot Licks – Seaport Village, San Diego, CA … Long Beach, California 562.437.8774
Or you could just come over to my house….I have a better selection.
🙂
Newman in the house at JJ’s today. Show him around then he was off to Montgomery Inn Ribs.
He thinks you all are going to like this show
Bret, I’ll get 3 more sauces to you this week, if I’m lucky, I can be #1500 !!
The products are varied and tasty but last weekend I was treated very rudely by a female employee there, possibly an owner but I couldn’t tell.
Don’t forget about THE place to buy hot stuff in Ontario – PETE’S PEPPER PALACE in downtown Burlington ON
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Hi Cameron,
I tried to get in touch with you guys a few times but never heard back.
Mail me at anthony [at] hot sauce blog dot com if you want to get your shop on the HSB.
Let me
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I’m a lurker, new to this blog, I usually frequent chowhound.com. We picked up a postcard with this website on it from Drooling Devils in Saskatchewan on the weekend and he (Uncle Bill?) told me to take a look see.
I thought I should put in my opinion on this as I am a regular at Taste.
Taste the 4th Sense has the best selection of gourmet hot sauces, infused oils and salad dressings in Ontario, hands down. They are very selective on what they carry and as a consumer I appreciate that. No Poopy this or Anal that, and thankfully so. I don’t need my four year old daughter seeing those types of labels.
The tasting bar is such a great idea and their staff has always gone out of their way to accommodate, even at Christmas when the place is packed.
Oh yeah and by the way, a friend of mine went down to Pete’s at the end of June and the place was locked up tight and the shelves were empty.
I’m assuming that, based on this post riding the coat tails of Taste the 4th Sense’s store review, Pete’s Pepper Palace is open again?
Nice way to let people know. Try showing a little respect and take this Anthony person’s advice and do it the right way. Get your own review.
Some people!
Very nice website, lots of good information.
Cheers!
TooHotinTdot
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Good to hear you have been enjoying what Taste the 4th Sense has! I know Gerry has been getting in some wicked new products. I also heard he has Uncle Big’s Liquid Sin now which is a must have!
Next time you are there tell Geri or Meeghan “Anthony from the HSB sent you”.
Taste of the Danforth this weekend too isn’t it Anthony?
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Yup. So is the Hot & Spicy Food Festival at Harbourfront. The chinatown festival, the beer festival and one other one I can’t remember.
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There is one for honest ED taking place as well…..Toronto does a horrible job at advertising the festivals and events around the city Anthony……I live 20min away and I hear about nothing
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You know, I’m wearing a damn tshirt with UNCLE BIG on the front of it, and people still call me Uncle Bill or Uncle Ben, or something. Damn tourists!! LOL. I remember TooHot in TDot and her family. Very nice people, a little on the mild side for UBK product, but they took some a nice assortment of Droolin product.
We just sent a pallet out to Gerry and the Taste crew last week. Hopefully it’s enough to satisfy the Taste goers. Ran out of Liquid Sin though, oops.
Uncle Bill, out……
Business is still going strong here at “Taste, the 4th Sense”.
This past holiday season was incredibly busy, we even had to call in some assistance from Anthony of HSB fame!
I’d like to mention that if you do happen by, you really MUST sample our favorite sauces!
In fact, to that end I’d be happy to extend a small discount to anyone that mentions this shameless self promotion when they come in to visit!!
Happy Hurtin’ -Jason
Great store, great service, great products!
I popped in by accident on Saturday (Sept. 27) and was greeted by a very personable guy (Frank?).
My quest has been to find a sauce that is hot, yet tastes good – I was presented with a couple of very tasty treats right away!
Also bought some oils and tasted some more goodies – cheesecake in a jar? Wow.
Thanks, you have a couple of customers for life!
Dan