Food Roundup
June 2, 2026
Edmontonians with Latin-American roots and members of the Alberta Avenue community are sharing tributes to Jesús González, a founder of Paraiso Tropical, who died peacefully on May 28, shortly after his 77th birthday. González is survived by his wife Alba, six children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings, friends, and loyal customers. "His legacy of perseverance, commitment, and dedication will continue to inspire us and guide the future growth of our company for many years to come," the business posted. A viewing is scheduled for June 3 at the Evergreen Funeral Home, and a memorial will take place there on June 4.
Jesús and Alba came to Edmonton from El Salvador in the late 1980s. While they found refuge from political and civil unrest, they missed the food from back home. So, with some other families, they opened Paraiso Tropical in 1991 and grew it into a two-location staple for Latin grocery items and prepared foods, as well as "a gathering space," his obituary noted. "Even after retirement, you could still find Don Jesus there most days, chatting with customers, catching up with friends, helping wherever he was needed, or enjoying some of his favourite foods." His son, Jesús González Rivas, now runs the market.
González Sr. is part of a broader story of business and life on 118 Avenue in northeast Edmonton, which is home to many businesses started by immigrants to Canada. He was a founding member of the Alberta Avenue Business Association, the BIA noted in a tribute to his legacy. "For over 30 years, Mr. González was a pillar of this community. A champion for the Edmonton Latin community and a beloved member of the Alberta Avenue family; his presence shaped this avenue in ways that will be felt for generations," the association posted. Paraiso Tropical is looking towards a new chapter that includes moving its 118 Avenue location to Manchester Square.
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Openings
- Solar, a brunch and lunch spot from the folks behind Cask and Barrel and Rocky Mountain Icehouse, is now open at at 10357 Jasper Avenue NW.
- Shree Restaurant has opened its third location in Edmonton, downtown in Edmonton City Centre.
- King Burrito is now open in Edmonton City Centre.
- Ramona's Pizza has opened a new location, in St. Albert at 420, 1115 St. Albert Trail.
- Marshy Mallows, offering gourmet marshmallows and s'mores, is now open at #106, 8115 Gateway Boulevard.
- International chain 6ixtywings opened its first location in Alberta in Sherwood Park, 590 Baseline Road, Unit 290. A second location is coming soon in west Edmonton.
- Chipotle has opened a location in Sherwood Park, at 7000 Emerald Drive, Suite 600.
- Mini pancake purveyor Moons will be opening soon in West Edmonton Mall.
Closings
- The Little Kitchen Academy for children's culinary education has closed its Edmonton location.
- Chai Coffee Day closed on May 30, citing the surrounding construction.
- YEG Smoked Meats will be closing on June 27. "What started out as a hobby turned into a successful little business. It's been a great 6+ years," founders Lindsay and Nadine Gorda shared. "We've met lots of wonderful people, many of whom will be friends for years to come."
Edmonton Chamber Music Society welcomes the summer sun
The Summer Solstice Music Festival celebrates summer with outstanding music in intimate settings from June 17 to 22. This year's lineup features Gabrielle Després, Angela Chan, Sam Rosenthal, Matthew Cohen, Bryan Cheng, Alexander Hersh, Zhenni Li-Cohen, and Patricia Tao. Along with three main concerts, the Summer Solstice Music Festival will also include two evenings at Yardbird Suite and Mimi Bar.
Headlines
- The owners of Brio Bakery seem to have found the recipe for keeping an Edmonton food institution not only alive but thriving. Customer adjusted to new ownership when Brio changed hands in 2023, and now the bakery has expanded to Whyte Avenue. "Lots of regulars are happy they don't have to cross the river anymore," Milos Cvijanovic told Taproot. "But there are also a lot of new faces. Many people heard about us and now have the chance to come." The founders of Jack's Burger Shack are hoping for a similarly smooth transition and growth for their successors do, too, as they seek to sell their 13-year-old business.
- American rapper Blvck Svm returned to RGE RD last week for the Terroir Symposium after filming his mikealstott music video there in 2024. He told CBC's Edmonton AM about how fine dining has inspired his music. "I've always been the type of person to eat as much food for as little money as possible," he said of his outlook before starting the bvck of house series, noting he has developed a fascination with tasting menus. He ended up finding RGE RD on Instagram as part of his new passion. "I saw that they had a butchery, too, and I was thinking to myself, 'This would be really cool to shoot,'" he said.
- Lift Me Up on the Lake got a proper debut during the grand reopening celebration of Hawrelak Park. The park's three-year, $134.5-million renewal project added a new lakefront promenade, playground, and modernized pavilion.
- LaMesa is worth a visit to at 4620 99 Street NW for its Filipino flavours and the expertise of former Bodega staff who run the joint, said The Tomato. It highlighted a mango-and-tomato salad, as well as the value of LaMesa's lunch deals and wine prices.
- Edify has published a touring guide for Happy Beer Street, the stretch of 99 Street south of Whyte Avenue that is home to 10 of Edmonton's craft breweries, from Bent Stick Brewing in the north to Alley Kat Brewing Co. in the south.
- Bar Clementine and Birch and Bear Pizza at Jasper Avenue and 119 Street NW have had had to dismantle their patios to allow for construction. Clementine owner Andrew Borley expressed frustration to Global News Edmonton over the financial effect on his business and short notice of the decision.
- Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival is returning to Giovanni Caboto Park on June 6, with free Caribbean cuisine and bannock.
- Foundry Events has announced a Summer Block Party series on Rice Howard Way every Saturday from June 20 to Sept. 19, as part of programming by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association in the designated entertainment district. It will feature live music and local businesses.
- Moon Cafe & Pizza, which took over the former space of Swiss2Go, is rebranding to Buon Appetito Pizzeria.
- The Otipemisiwak Métis Government brought its inaugural Kitchen Party Tour to St. Albert's Rotary Park on May 30, as part of a 15-community tour across Alberta celebrating Métis culture. The remaining dates are all outside of the Edmonton region.
- A Cappella Catering is offering a Father's Day take-and-bake option featuring smoked brisket, baby back ribs, or roast chicken with sides including mac 'n' cheese and key lime pie. Pre-orders close June 12.
- Edify has profiled the picanha as the second installment of its summer steak series. The Brazilian rump cut, prized for its fat cap and marbling, is available at local butcher shops for around $45 per kilogram.
- Chef Doreen Prei shared her custard tips on CBC Edmonton's Radio Active.
- The Strathcona County Food Bank is seeking donations for its birthday bag program, which provides families with cake mix, icing, balloons, and other party supplies. Requests for the bags have doubled over the past five years to eight to 10 per week.
- Parkland Food Bank is aiming to raise $60,000 and collect 20,000 pounds of food through its Tri-Region Hunger Day drive, with a goal of feeding 3,000 families this summer. The first $10,000 donated online will be matched by an anonymous donor.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
- June 3: Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market starting at 3:30pm at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar
- June 4-9: BeerFest Days at Churchill Square
- June 5: AFPA Annual General Meeting starting at 9am at Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel
- June 5: Bikes & Beverages with Grow Together YEG starting at 5pm at The Buckingham Pub
- June 6: Heart of the City Jam starting at 3pm at Giovanni Caboto Park
- June 6: St. Albert Farmers' Market starting at 10am at St. Albert Place
- June 6: South Common Farmers' Market starting at 10am at 150 Karl Clark Road NW
- June 7: Callingwood Farmers' Market starting at 10am at the The MarketPlace at Callingwood
- Until June 13: Harry Popper and the Frozen Princess at Jubilations Dinner Theatre
And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:
- June 10: Food Justice YEG Summit: From Project to Movement at ArtsHub Ortona
- June 14: Masterclass Series: The Alberta Table at JW Marriott (Edmonton ICE District)
- June 15-16: Taste of Place Summit at Westin Edmonton
Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.