ST. CLAIR COMMISSARY NOW OPEN!
Open Tuesday to Saturday 8am to 3pm. Grab your Jack & Lil’s favourites from Chia Cups to Buddha Bowls. Click below to order from RITUAL now.
NEW RITUAL USERS GET $10 OFF WITH CODE: JACKANDLILS
Brunch update
Book a private dining experience in our kitchen, now available for Saturday AND Sunday.
Our Story
Lauren and Dan, the mother and son team behind Jack and Lil’s, have a history rooted in gracious hospitality and a shared love of food and cocktails. (If Dan hasn’t made her a cocktail come dinner time, all things come to a halt!)
Dan began cooking professionally while still in high school, working in some of the top restaurants in Toronto and abroad. He fell in love with fine-dining’s pursuit of perfection and the emphasis on the guest experience above all else.
Lauren’s love of South African vibrancy and her background in fashion design, bring a unique creative style to Dan’s formal training. Dan never thought the clashing styles could unite but alas he had no choice - Who can say no to their mum?! - and the result is something truly unique.
Named after Lauren’s parents, Jack and Lil's was created to take you on an expansive culinary journey, reminiscent of their South African heritage bringing you thoughtful food inspired by their travels, their roots and their healthy approach to life.
Dine with us. Life is Delicious.
A DESTINATION
Deeply rooted in culture, our food is staunchly South African. Vibrant, flavourful, and addictive, with many South African dishes, you’ll get a taste of where we started, and we know you’ll be back for more.
“We don’t have a particular style. It’s very seasonal, of course, but has a lot to do with how we’re feeling, what ingredients are available and the weather. It’s all about freshness, using lots of herbs and maximizing flavour. We lean towards simplicity, and rustic uncomplicated garnish.”
– Lauren
“Honesty and authenticity is something we strive for and feel it’s something that really resonates with people. We are an African inspired kitchen serving hearty salads, soups, boboties & curries as well as desserts, sweets, power bars… should I keep going?!”
-Dan
Meet the team
We are small, but mighty! Just like our food, this team combines local, and worldly culture to our kitchen. It really shows when we need to get creative with tradition.
Dan Gütter - Owner, Chef
Born in Johannesburg, S.A., Dan jumped in the kitchen while still in diapers (he has proof!). He built off his home-style cooking and perfected his culinary skills from working at top restaurants in Toronto since he was a teen and has been running J&L’s with Lauren since 2015, and is likely craving his Coffee-Dulce Meringue Roulade.
Lauren Gütter - Owner, Chef
Also from Johannesburg, Lauren learned to cook from her mother, Lil. You’ve likely met her at our Dundas location during Sunday brunch where she whips up almost everything by herself! She and Dan started Jack & Lil’s as an homage to her parents, to honour their family, and home-country, while sharing their flavours with Torontonians. We’re glad they did!
Linda - Operations Manager
A long-time friend of the Gütters, and from Toronto, she started as a helping hand with deliveries and is now full-time (You may know her from Sunday Brunch!). Linda has a love for fashion, but made the switch from fashion to food in 2016. She loves to cook at home, and says that Jack & Lil’s has converted her into a tofu lover, can you relate?! Try the Buddha Bowls!
KiKi - Assistant
From SW Ontario, KiKi recently joined our team. She has an extensive background in the service industry, and helps keep Jack & Lil’s organized and updated in the backend (*wink wink*, new website). She recently moved to Austria, where she’ll be part of the team from a distance, and she’s really missing our Nam Jim recipe - she will put it on anything!
Stefano - Chef
Stefano came to Jack & Lil’s from Australia, where he completed Culinary Arts at the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne. He has 11 years experience working in the kitchen, and started here in March 2019. His favourite Jack & Lil’s dish is Mushroom Dumplings with Special Soy and chives!
Diego - Chef
Diego is from Venezuela, and came to Toronto to study Culinary Arts at George Brown College. He has many years in the Food & Beverage Industry from helping out with his family’s restaurant, and claims he makes excellent Arepas (…we’re not going to challenge him on this). His favourite dish at Jack and Lil’s so far is the Beef Kofta!
Emily - Chef
Born and raised in Toronto, Emily has just started her professional culinary pursuit under the teachings of Chef Dan Gütter! Her love for cooking sparked at 5 years old when Santa brought her an Easy Bake Oven, and until recently has been a music teacher, and a rowing coach. Emily can’t get enough of the J&L’s Lumberjack cake!
Kyle - Chef
Another Torontonian, Kyle started in the kitchen early. His mother brought him on as a dishwasher where he quickly moved up the ranks and was leading the kitchen by 16 years old. He loves the family environment at Jack & Lil’s and the passion everyone brings to the table (…see what we did there?), he’s a sucker for J&L’s peanut sauce!!