Tucked away behind the main drag of Chinatown East, Que Ling is a Vietnamese Mom-and-Pop that does a couple of things really, really well. A bungalow turned dining room, table seats are hard to come by at lunch hour. And it’s obvious why… these guys are doling out some of the heartiest broth in town. …
Gyoko Sushi ~ 2143 Danforth Ave ~ (416) 916-0901
Gyoko Sushi is the newest addition to the evolving retail landscape of Danforth East. From a supply-and-demand perspective, it’s easily the best sushi restaurant around. A welcome and needed addition to the ‘hood, this is a great spot for families with young kids and/or for picking up a little something-something on the way home. Gyoko…
Porchetta & Co. ~ 545 King St W ~ (647) 351-8844
Porchetta & Co. makes, perhaps, the best sandwich in town. Nick Auf Der Mauer’s cash-only, counter-service flagship on Dundas West is where I first imbibed. Now I can’t get enough. I’m selfishly thrilled they’ve scaled to open additional locations closer to my work. Their iteration at 545 King St W, for instance, helps satisfy my…
Bar Buca ~ 75 Portland St ~ (416) 599-2822
Bar Buca needs little introduction. It’s Chef Rob Gentile’s rendition of a snack bar, so you know it’s going to be good. Located a block south of his mothership, this Italian-industrial 40-seater is just about the best place you can have lunch on the westside of downtown… especially if you’re expensing it. The Toronto Food Blog…
M’Zaar ~ 668 Yonge St ~ (647) 350-0666
I’ve gotta be honest with you… it’s typically against my nature, in any city, to frequent restaurants located on the busiest street with pictures of their food in the window. M’Zaar is truly an exception to this rule, though. This place is something else. One of my favourite spots for a quick bite around the Church…
Hastings Snack Bar ~ (5 Hastings Ave) ~ (647) 850-9260
Happy Canada Day! This long weekend always rekindles childhood memories of visiting my Granny’s house and enjoying a massive Polish meal, complete with all the fixins. Frequenting the Hastings Snack Bar brings me right back… Family run, Polish comforts with a throwback decor that feels just like home. This Mom-and-Pop-and-Daughter in the heart of Leslieville is…
Rusi ~ 7 King St E ~ (416) 977-4088
Rusi is a newish Sri Lankan lunch counter right outside of King Subway Station. I visited with friends recently and was introduced to Siva, who formerly ran Toni Bulloni. He tells me that he moved from Yorkville to manage The Office Pub and uses its larger kitchen to cook much of the food for Rusi (located…
Makkal Chon ~ 1979 Lawrence Ave E ~ (416) 757-3945
There always seems to be a small crowd congregating outside a sleepy strip-mall on the SW corner of Lawrence and Warden. I recently parked the car to try and figure out why. What I found was the best Korean restaurant in the city. What I found was Makkal Chon. Those who know me know that…
Toronto Food Blog Favourites…
#bigdata THESE GUYS ARE JUST THE BEST (a list)… Afghani Restaurant: Bamiyan Kebab (62 Overlea Blvd) Americano/Misto: The Cannonball (641 Queen St E) Arancini: Centro Trattoria (1224 St. Clair Ave W) Arepas: Pomarosa (1504 Danforth Ave) Bagel: Gryfe’s (3421 Bathurst St) Baguette: Ma Maison (4243 Dundas St W, Etobicoke) Bakery: San Remo Bakery (374 Royal…
Schnitzel Queen ~ 211 Queen St E ~ (416) 504-1311
Schnitzel Queen is the stuff of legend. A European diner located on Queen St E. in the heart of Moss Park, they’ve been serving-up enormous schnitzel sandwiches and scrumptious dinner plates for the past 25 years. And while new owner Karl Hubsch wasn’t able to woo any investors on the Dragon’s Den, he sure does keep…
Tabulé (Riverside) ~ 810 Queen E ~ (416) 465-2500
The word is out on Tabulé. The popular middle-eastern restaurant is rapidly growing, much like the neighborhoods they find themselves in. Their Riverside offering is a vibrant space with many of the menu items that made their uptown flagship so popular. It checks all the boxes for those seeking a quiet lunch or a lively dinner…
Salad King ~ 340 Yonge St ~ (416) 593-0333
With its large menu, reasonable prices and varying degrees of spice, Salad King (340 Yonge St) has been a Yonge & Dundas staple for some time. Over the years it has grown from a Ryerson student hangout to a legit lunch-hour hot spot… reminding us that healthy, well-priced food can be found smack-dab in the…
