18 surprise bags purchased in December 2024

Use the Too Good To Go app to rescue unsold food from going to waste!  Participating restaurants and stores will put together “surprise bags” for one third of the retail price and customers purchase it on the app and then go to pick it up in store.  It’s a fun way to explore new restaurants and stores around you while saving food from being wasted and getting a great deal on food too!  Each store has a different rating, depending on how well they assemble the surprise bags. 

Here is my monthly roundup of the surprise bags I bought.  I purchased 18 surprise bags across Markham and the GTA in December 2024!

(Where there is a clear price tag of the goods, surprise bags that meet or are above the minimum value are marked with a green checkmark and surprise bags that do not meet the minimum value are marked with a red X.  E.g. If a surprise bag costs $6.99, the minimum value of goods received should be $21 worth.)

December 3:

Edible Arrangements TGTG $4.99 surprise bag

After all of the fruit cutouts were deskinned and cut

• Edible Arrangements (Unionville)
• 209 Main St., Unionville
• Pick up time:  1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $4.99 (no tax)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.3/5 (75 reviews)
• Contents:   1 bag of pineapple, cantaloupe, and honeydew cutouts, 1 box of strawberries.

Great bag for the value.  My kids loved the cantaloupe!  (Nice to see that they no longer charge tax for this bag too.)

Aitaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken TGTG $5.99 surprise bag

• 台客赞 Aitaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Richmond Hill)
• 280 West Beaver Creek Rd, unit 20, Richmond Hill,
• Pick up time:  11 to 11:59 p.m.
• Surprise Bag (S):  $5.99 plus tax = $6.77
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.3/5 (18 reviews)
• Contents:  About 1 pound of New Orleans roasted chicken wings, 1 bag of fries, 1 bag of broccoli, 1 New Orleans chicken leg.

Wow, the best!!!  I haven’t had a tasty savory surprise bag like this in a while and it was fantastic.  The French fries were so crispy despite being cold.  The roasted wings were warm and tasted semi sweet with a hint of spice.  The broccoli was pretty good too; not too soft or hard.  I loved this delicious surprise bag and will definitely get it again if and when I see it by luck again. ^_^

December 4:

Allan’s Pastry Shop TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• Allan’s Pastry Shop
• 3447 Kennedy Rd. #3, Scarborough
• Pick up time:  3 to 5 p.m.
• Baked Goods Large:  $7.99 plus tax = $9.03
• Store rating at time of purchase:  None available.
• Contents:  12 mild spice beef patties, 12 curry goat patties.

Usually, this bag would be amazing but because comparison is the thief of joy, I saw that someone else got the exact same contents for a small surprise bag costing $4.99, making my purchase “not worth it.”

Quality-wise, I thought that the patties didn’t have full fillings as ones like Tastee.  I was a bit disappointed.  The pastry was flaky and crispy after being heated though and the taste was good.

December 5:

Longo’s TGTG $8.99 surprise bag

• Longo’s (Bayview Ave)
• 7355 Bayview Ave., Markham
• Pick up time:  10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Prepared Foods:  $8.99 plus tax = $10.16
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.5/5 (86 reviews)
• Contents:  Veggie Tray Dinner Size $9.99, Pineapple Kiwis Strawberries & Blackberries $7.99, Grapefruit $4.29, Caesar Salad with Chicken $9.99, Brussels Sprouts $6.29, Orange $4.29.  Total value: $42.84. ✅

Fantastic value!  I miss getting the prepared foods bag from Longo’s (especially since the location closest to me doesn’t offer it anymore).  I got this one luckily on the day of since they seemed to have surplus on the day of.  Hopefully I’ll be able to resume getting their bags more often again.

December 6:

Taiga Ichiban TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• Taiga Ichiban (Newmarket)
• 47 Harry Walker Pkwy. S., unit 5, Newmarket
• Pick up time:  5 to 5:30 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $7.99 plus tax = $9.03
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.0/5 (94 reviews)
• Contents:  6 avocado rolls, 2 spring rolls, teriyaki chicken and vegetables, steamed rice.

This was a nice bag to receive.  The chicken was freshly made so it was piping hot (but it also meant a longer wait time).  The avocado rolls were really good!

BB Bakery TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• BB Bakery (Davis Dr)
• 130 Davis Dr., #21, Newmarket
• Pick up time:  5 to 6 p.m.
• Baked Goods Surprise Bag:  $7.99 (no tax)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.7/5 (379 reviews)
• Contents:  Tart, roll, cinnamon roll, bow tie pastry, ham and cheese sandwich, cookie.

I spoke with the owner when picking up my bag and he was so friendly, nice, and generous!  He said he doesn’t usually give a sandwich in the surprise bags so this was an anomaly for me.  Upon hearing about my kids and chatting more, he gave one extra cookie too!  I really appreciated his generosity and kindness.

Paeez Fine Foods TGTG $6.99 surprise bag

• Paeez Fine Foods
• 17440 Yonge St., Newmarket
• Pick up time:  10:10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Hot Table Surprise Bag:  $6.99 plus tax = $7.90
• Store rating at time of purchase:  3.8/5 (188 reviews)
• Contents:  Minced meat and noodles, kebob with white rice, pita bread.

What a pleasant visit to this Iranian supermarket!  They sold lots of fresh and varied items that I’ve never seen before.  Their hot table selection was huge too!  I love the places that TGTG brings me that I never would have stepped in normally.

The minced meat with noodles were soo good.  Savoury and soft; just the way I like noodles.  I would buy this bag again. 👍

December 10:

Brindleberry Catering & Events TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• Brindleberry Catering & Events
• 1895 Clements Rd., unit 121, Pickering
• Pick up time:  11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $7.99 plus tax = $9.03
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.2/5 (266 reviews)
• Contents:  2 containers of turkey meat, carrots, and mashed potatoes; 1 container of turkey legs, carrots, and mashed potatoes; 5 beef and cabbage sliders.

Oh, wow, this was an incredible surprise bag!  When my husband picked it up, he texted me, “Dinner is taken care of with this bag” so I already knew it was going to be a hefty one.  The beef sliders were so delicious!  I wish we had more of those haha.  The turkey meat was a bit on the dry side but that’s the norm with turkey; isn’t it?  The mashed potatoes were good.  The carrots were more peppery than I would have liked.  I totally will buy this bag again.. and maybe more than 1 bag at a time too.  It’s the perfect dinner (or supplement to it!).

December 12:

Markham Bakery & Cafe TGTG $6.99 surprise bag

• Markham Bakery & Cafe
• 3255 Hwy 7, Markham
• Pick up time:  2 to 7 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $6.99 plus tax = $7.90
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.5/5 (655 reviews)
• Contents:  8 assorted items (2 slices of white bread, pineapple bun, tuna bun, sausage bun, coconut cream bun, coconut filling pan bread, Portuguese tart, croissant sausage bun).

Sweet Palette TGTG $5.99 surprise bag

• Sweet Palette (Markham)
• 7030 Warden Ave., Markham
• Pick up time:  8 to 8:30 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $5.99 plus tax = $6.77
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.3/5 (18 reviews)
• Contents:  2 drinks:  Bubble Milk Tea$5.60, Pinkly Lychee Refresher $6.70.  Total value:  $12.30. ❌

What a surprise this bag was!  I thought I would be getting desserts like a slice of cake or pastry but turns out this store sells drink and bubble tea!! 😅  The milk tea tasted better than the average types.

Whole Foods TGTG $9.99 surprise bag

• Whole Foods (ON – Unionville)
• 3997 Hwy 7, Unionville
• Pick up time:  8 to 9 p.m.
• Prepared Foods Bag:  $9.99 plus tax = $11.29
• Store rating at time of purchase:  N/A (new store)
• Contents:  Entree Greek Salad $8.99, Macaroni & Cheese $4.91, Sweet Chili Salmon $22.41.  Total value: $36.31. ✅

Great value!  Super stroked that Whole Foods all across the province is now on the app!  This was one of my wishlist stores to go on the app since I know they must have lots of surplus left over.

Souperlicious TGTG $4.99 surprise bag

• Souperlicious
• 3245 Finch Ave. E.,  Scarborough
• Pick up time:  5 to 7 p.m.
• Prepared Meal:  $4.99 (no tax due to temporary tax exemption on prepared foods from December 14, 2024 to February 15, 2025)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.4/5 (116 reviews)
• Contents:  2 large containers of soup (Corn $8.50, Pumpkin Veg $8.75).  Total value:  $17.25. ✅

I had been eyeing this store for ages!  So thankful to be passing through this area and getting to try it.  Both soups were steaming hot and loaded with ingredients.  The corn soup was spicier than expected.  The pumpkin soup had gnocchi-like rolls in it.  I’d get this bag again. 👍

December 18:

Aitaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken TGTG $5.99 surprise bag

• 台客赞 Aitaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Richmond Hill)
• 280 West Beaver Creek Rd, unit 20, Richmond Hill,
• Pick up time:  11 to 11:59 p.m.
• Surprise Bag (S):  $5.99 (no tax due to temporary tax exemption on prepared foods from December 14, 2024 to February 15, 2025)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.4/5 (20 reviews)
• Contents:  1 New Orleans chicken leg, 2 pieces of fried chicken, 1 bag of broccoli, 2 pieces of New Orleans chicken thigh, 4 New Orleans chicken wings/drums.

Amazing deal!  We got a bigger bag of food compared to the last pickup.  I loved receiving fried chicken this time!  So nice to try (but it was unfortunately not as seasoned as I expected).  Loved the broccoli like last time and of course all the tender seasoned pieces of chicken! ^_^

December 20:

Olly Fresco’s TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• Olly Fresco’s (18 York)
• 18 York St., #200, Toronto
• Pick up time:  2 to 3 p.m.
• Surprise Bag:  $7.99 (no tax due to temporary tax exemption on prepared foods from December 14, 2024 to February 15, 2025)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.8/5 (62 reviews)
• Contents:  Orange Jello $1.49, Two Bite Brownie $1.99, Sticky Toffee $4.99, Thai Mango Chicken Wrap $9.99, Tuna Salad $9.99.  Total value:  $28.45. ✅

Amazing bag with a variety of items.  This made for a full and complete meal! ^_^

December 21:

Baker Duck TGTG $5.99 surprise bag

• Baker Duck (Woodside Square)
• 1571 Sandhurst Cir., Scarborough
• Pick up time:  10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Baked Goods Surprise Bag: $5.99 (no tax)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.3/5 (1318 reviews)
• Contents:  6 baked goods:  Sandwich (with cheese, ham, pork floss) $2.99, New Orleans Fried Chicken Bun $2.80, Cheese Toast $2.20, Ham and Cheese Bun $2.39, Butter Bread $2.99, Japanese Creamy Hanamaki $2.80.  Total value: $16.17. ❌

Love to get to try the baked goods from Baker Duck as they are more unique than other Chinese bakeries.

Pinoy Halo Halo TGTG $4.99 surprise bag

• Pinoy Halo Halo (Woodside Square)
• 1571 Sandhurst Cir., Scarborough
• Pick up time:  7:30 to 8 p.m.
• Surprise Bag: $4.99 (no tax due to temporary tax exemption on prepared foods from December 14, 2024 to February 15, 2025)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.5/5 (231 reviews)
• Contents:  1 container of eggplant, meat, white rice.

The first and previous time I got a surprise bag from this place, I was not very impressed.  Since then, their ratings have improved and I was in the area so I decided to try it again.  Unfortunately, I’m left disappointed once again and don’t understand why they have a high rating of 4.5 stars.

December 27:

Baker Duck TGTG $5.99 surprise bag

• Baker Duck (Woodside Square)
• 1571 Sandhurst Cir., Scarborough
• Pick up time:  10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Baked Goods Surprise Bag: $5.99 (no tax)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  4.3/5 (1297 reviews)
• Contents:  6 baked goods:  Hot Dog Buns $1.99 x2, Plain Donut $1.80, Pineapple Bun & Butter $2.20, Coconut Custard Bun $1.80, Shredded Coconut Pineapple $1.99.  Total value: $11.77. ❌

Very disappointing that two bags in a row from this bakery did not meet the minimum value.  However, I do enjoy the baked goods they offer here.

December 28:

Healthy Planet TGTG $7.99 surprise bag

• Healthy Planet (Markham)
• 8567 McCowan Rd., Markham
• Pick up time: 5:33 to 8:30 p.m.
• Mixed Surprise Bag: $7.99 (no tax)
• Store rating at time of purchase:  3.9/5 (37 reviews)
• Contents:  Sunrise crunchy honey cereal $7.99, Cauliflower potato chips $5.99, Protein Me $3.49 x8, Lactation chocolate chip cookies $10.99, Ranch potato chips $4.49.  Total value:  $57.38. ✅

Nice assortment of goods!  Most were past their BB dates but these are all shelf-stable goods and fine to eat.

See what I got in my surprise bags in January 2024,   February 2024,   March 2024,   April 2024,   May 2024,   June 2024,   July 2024,   August 2024,   September 2024,   October 2024,   November 2024,   December 2024 (this post).