The Toronto Food Blog has been in France for the past few weeks, so this blog entry is a bit late. I knew I had to write this place up, as it was the first place I visited upon my return to the office this morning. ODIN is a welcome addition to the Corktown ‘hood. This Nordic-inspired cafe is owned & operated by Patrick Tu and Tom Junek: the same dudes who run Thor @ Bathurst & Niagara.

While coffee is the main draw, I visit on a weekly basis for a completely different reason: to eat their Empanadas. Fillings range from Buffalo Chicken Wing to Veggie… and though they’re not exactly cheap ($4.50), they’re certainly delicious. I’m hooked.

Lunch items vary depending on the day. Their beef brisket sandwich ($7.80) is a mainstay. It features slow-cooked meat from a place called Uncle Smoke on Queen West, piled on a brioche bun with BBQ sauce, purple cabbage and jalapeno slaw.

They also have soups, meat pies, tartes/quiche and salads that are in constant rotation. Top everything off with a craft beer or an excellent cup of coffee, and you’re in business. ODIN is a sneaky-good lunch spot moonlighting as a coffee shop.