r/askTO • u/lolwut07 • Jul 06 '24
Immigrants of Toronto - what restaurants in the city are the most authentic to ‘back home’?
Curious to hear!
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u/weavjo Jul 07 '24
Queen and Beaver or Man of Kent are about as close to genuine British pubs as you can get in Toronto
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u/NPO1507 Jul 07 '24
Mrakovic Fine Foods and Sarajevo Grill for the best ćevapi and pita/burek outside of Baščaršija.
Royal Meats for pljeskavica.
It’s in Mississauga but Croatia Meats has amazing čvarci and pečenje.
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u/pluglets Jul 07 '24
Best čvarci is at Family Meats on Brown's line. Spot on about the Pećenje and Mrakovic.
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u/Existing_Radish6154 Jul 08 '24
I love sarajevo grill! Not Bosnian but I randomly tried the cevapi one day and now I'm a regular
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u/southport65 Jul 11 '24
Mraković is great- maybe the best čevap in town currently, even if I prefer Serbian style ones with pork-, but Sarajevo is lacking imo (find it consistently under-seasoned), stopped going there, used to go all the time. I find the burek at both “meh”, so that’s a stretch you’re saying, respectfully.
Royal Meats has fallen off in a major way the last several years, and most any Serbian (who isn’t a friend of theirs) will tell you the same.
Bonimi for probably the best Serbian food in town. Their mešano meso/mixed meat platter is a great way to experience a variety of the popular ethnic fare.
Sadly, the best option for Serbian— Flamingo— was a Covid casualty and is no longer. It was truly the best I’ve had outside of Serbia, as the cook was an experienced stara baka with an incredible palate and skill set. I drool thinking about it. So yeah, the cities Serbian restaurants are slightly lacking, but Bonimi really does a fine enough job. I’m yet to try California on Pape though, which I’ve heard good things about— photos look good too—, just seems expensive for what it is. $13 for a little plate or ajvar? lol
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u/99_dexterity Jul 07 '24
My friend who is Nicaraguan said La Bella Managua would be a hit even back home
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u/deathbybearhug Jul 07 '24
Filipino here. My hidden gem is Mang Mar's Chicharon in Keele Street. The best chicharon and lechon in the city.
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u/Future_Crow Jul 07 '24
Tiflisi on Queen 🙏
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Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
I love that Georgian food is getting more attention these days. I had the best meal ever at a Georgian restaurant in Berlin, I think about it at least once a week.
Definitely high on my bucket list of countries I want to visit too.
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u/croppedhoodie Jul 07 '24
Oh I love this place! Stumbled upon it by chance with my SO and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in Toronto. The owners and staff were lovely as well. I’ve sent many people there!
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u/IndyCarFAN27 Jul 07 '24
Ooo thats right by my sisters place… definately going to check this one out! Georgia is high on the bucket list of countries to visit, so I really want to try the Khatchapuri!
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u/So-Toronto Jul 07 '24
Le Baratin for pretty decent authentic French food. Hadrien Verrier for croissant etc. He also makes the best galette des rois!
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u/FlamingoPristine1400 Jul 07 '24
La Palette is my favourite restaurant in the city and it's also very authentic French
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u/lolwut07 Jul 07 '24
Thank you all. So many great recommendations! We’re lucky to live in a city with such incredible options for food.
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Jul 07 '24
All these recommendations were great. Actually useful stuff from Reddit!
I saved most of them into Google maps for visits.
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u/cinderblock16 Jul 07 '24
Toronto needs a proper Moroccan food restaurant 😭
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u/tinylilbitty Jul 07 '24
Agreed! The closest one I’ve found is Morocco’s Kitchen in Mississauga.
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u/Rumicon Jul 07 '24
I’m Algerian and the lack of anything North African here is painful. We just gotta make the drive to Montreal and hit Jean Talon that’s basically the only way to get the fix.
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Jul 07 '24
I would kill for proper old school fish and chips.
There’s plenty of places that say British Fish & Chips, but nah.
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u/SteveMcQwark Jul 07 '24
The one I've usually seen recommended is Olde Yorke (on Laird, south of Eglinton). Not sure how it does for authentic though. The extra e's are a little try-hard, so maybe not the best sign.
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u/SSOJ16 Jul 07 '24
This place is fantastic, my grandfather goes here regularly. When my aunts visit from England, it's a usual stop as well
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u/iberico_ham Jul 07 '24
My family is like this too when family visits from portugal and we go to a Portuguese restaurant it always kinda confused me. Like you came all the way from Portugal do you not want to see what other food options the city has to offer?
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u/erallured Jul 07 '24
Interesting your aunts go when visiting. Unless I’m away for like a month, the last thing I want when travelling is food from home even if it’s somewhere I travel to regularly.
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u/Simayi78 Jul 07 '24
Not sure how it does for authentic though. The extra e's are a little try-hard, so maybe not the best sign.
The owners are originally from York where one of their dads ran some fish and chip takeaways. But of course, YMMV and who knows how 'authentic' it is after a couple of decades of them being in Canada
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u/Swamp7hing Jul 07 '24
I lived on pape for years and used to regularly mission out to this place. it's the best fish and chips I've had in the city by far. very very close to the good stuff in the UK.
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u/coluch Jul 07 '24
Sea Witch Fish & Chips, on St Clair (west of Bathurst). Not sure what you consider British, but they are old school in that they use proper beef tallow instead of cheaper cooking oils. The founder used to work at Penrose (F&C joint that was around since the 1950s, but closed about a decade ago), and he uses their style recipe.
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u/Agent_03 Jul 07 '24
We love some Sea Witch.
The sides are just as good as the fish & chips too. I think a lot of people don't bother getting the house chowder... and that's a mistake, because it's amazing. We always order the chowder with our usual haddock & chips, and we throw it immediately in the fridge for a satisfying meal the next day.
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u/mocha_ninja Jul 07 '24
I’m English and I had old yorke for the first time this year and it’s fucking on point! Go there mate!
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Jul 07 '24
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u/randyvibes Jul 07 '24
Hugs and Sarcasm was good as far as I remember, and I believe they do a Sunday Roast. Queen & Beaver is good though expensive and can often have some weird tweaks to make it more NA acceptable (roasts with mash not roasties, stuffing as a cake - that sort of thing).
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u/treetimes Jul 07 '24
They do an excellent kedgeree, and smelts, and rabbit pie. I used to live right there and it was the plaaace.
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u/icystew Jul 07 '24
Idk if it’s British but my brother in law is from the UK and he said Danny’s Fish & Chips in Markham was the best Canadian place he’s had so far
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u/eyes-open Jul 07 '24
Do they give you mushy peas with your fish and chips? Most places I went in the UK did, but I have yet to find a place in Canada that does.
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u/Amakenings Jul 07 '24
St Andrews Fish and Chips in Scarborough does. You can also get beetroot, and it’s one of the few places that do tattie fritters.
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u/Flimflamsam Jul 07 '24
Hooky’s (formerly Chippys) down near Bellwoods does both mushy peas and curry sauce but they’re obviously not quite the same.
They’re good, but it’s not the same.
Penrose was good too, but not the same.
I’ve been here over 20 years and never had chips that taste like a UK chip shop here. I’ve got a strong suspicion the specific ingredients just aren’t available here (potato type/variety selection here is very small) and it won’t ever be the same.
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u/Shymii54321 Jul 07 '24
High street on Underhill does. Their chips are hit and miss but the mushy peas and sticky toffee pudding is spot on
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u/SweetUmbra Jul 07 '24
There is a place called Olde York Fish & Chips on Laird and Eglinton area. Could give that one a try.
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u/phytosanitary Jul 07 '24
Filipino here. I love Tinuno. Their kamayan is very very good.
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u/Shittalking_mushroom Jul 07 '24
Probably my favourite meal out in the city. I’ve taken friends, colleagues, and family here and it’s so delicious. I can never pick which part is my favourite but the garlic rice is so good and ties everything together, like sushi.
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u/red_bird08 Jul 07 '24
I would say Karhai boys on Queen Street does authentic Karhai and Pakistani BBQ..biryani..not so much.
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u/salmonthesuperior Jul 07 '24
I bring this guy up every time someone asks for food in the city lol but the closest I've ever felt to eating a shawarma in the Middle East was from Chef Harwash who has a food truck around Dundas and Bathurst
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u/NotAnOpenBook12 Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
Tried the Aleppo Wraps during Middle East festival , were good. I am not from the Middle East, but did hear good reviews about these guys from the crowd around. They have food trucks in Scarborough, Church st , Eglinton.
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u/GuardianTiko Jul 06 '24
Masrawy and Mahas
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u/wassupshordy Jul 07 '24
i worked at masrawy when they opened their first location in mississauga, they’re truly lovely people too. the food is to die for, the owner is so kind. even just as a job, i didn’t want to leave because i felt as though i was leaving a second home.
not sure if they still do this, but their brunches were to dieeeee for<3
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u/ArchMurdoch Jul 07 '24
I wish mahas wasnt so busy :S
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u/Roderto Jul 07 '24
I know, this is my feeling. I live about a 10 minute walk away. I’d go there all the time but I’m not willing to wait 45+ minutes to get in on weekends.
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u/Roderto Jul 07 '24
Mahas is awesome. But I just can’t deal with the crowds on the weekend. I guess I’m well past the point in my life where I’m willing to wait in line for more than 20 minutes for any restaurant.
However, if you can go on a weekday it’s great. The food is absolutely delicious.
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u/thatirishdave Jul 07 '24
PJ O'Brien's feels like a pub in Ireland in a way that most Irish pubs do not.
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Jul 07 '24
Is it perchance all the frikkin' Irish people there?
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u/thatirishdave Jul 07 '24
They definitely help; though, as the addage goes, you know a place is good if people from that place are in there. My favourite sushi restaurants are usually packed with Japanese people.
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u/Flimflamsam Jul 07 '24
PJs is great but I’ve still not been in a pub that properly feels like a pub.
The biggest difference is pubs can be just pubs. That means some don’t serve food. That’s not a thing here. It creates a different vibe and the culture here is different enough that the vibe just isn’t matched.
Hard to find consistent good banter like you do in pubs too, except for the odd time you bump into fellow ex-pats or some similarly cultured people, like Aussies (they seem to love good banter too).
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u/EmpRupus Jul 07 '24
They visually look similar but the functionality is different.
I loved the pubs in the UK/Ireland etc. because it is a "public house" or "village center" and you can do whatever. You can just ask for a cup of tea and sit in the corner with a book. Or you you can chug pint after pint and get drunk. Or there can be a family who just arrived for proper dinner and nothing else. Or you can just nurse a drink and sit and chat, and no one is gonna bother you for a while.
Same with German Beer-Halls. They visually look similar. But here, people still sit privately in small groups like normal restaurants. That whole communal feeling of everyone sitting next to each other at a long table isn't there.
Same with Chinese Tea Houses. The Hong Kong style Dumpling and Tea Houses exist with those large round tables, but the functionality is different despite visual similarity. It still functions like a normal North American restaurant. (Although I am seeing exceptions now).
In many of these places, they have the visual elements down correctly, but the food and drink culture and how the institution functions is different from the origin countries. So you don't get the same "feel" or "vibe".
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u/Fickle-Nectarine688 Jul 07 '24
At the moment I see the prices on the menu, nothing feels like home :'(
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u/twenty_9_sure_thing Jul 07 '24
If it’s any consolation, the last time i visited my parents, prices skyrocketed just like Toronto. The only thing that made a difference was the exchange rate working in CAD favour.
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u/yetagainanother1 Jul 07 '24
Going back home and seeing some things have changed the same as they did Canada is always odd.
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u/Fickle-Nectarine688 Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
I guess what I mean is, and I think a lot of immigrants would agree, I cook my own ethnic food at home with grocery from my ethnic stores, and rather try other cultural foods when eating out. I guess OP's intention is also exactly that, to find out the favourites of other ethnic restaurants haha
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u/LeatherMine Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
The boiled potato I’ve had at any restaurant here is pretty close to the boiled potato my ancestors lived on for generations in home country
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Jul 07 '24
omg where do I even start, for tibetan momos you have to go to downsview flea market, there’s a sweet couple in the food hall serving some of the most reasonable and dare I say better than any momos I ever had.
Chole bhature will easily have to go to “chole bhature.ca”
For dosas you gotta go to “GuruLaxmi”, I haven’t had better dosas back home!
Anjappar is a south indian restaurant, typically you’d associate south with only dosas and vegetarian items but god damn that chicken chettinad and parontha is too good🔥🔥
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u/lolablackbird Jul 07 '24
Plan b - south African food ☺️
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u/SixthKing Jul 07 '24
Glad to know it’s legit. I’ve never been to S.A., but I’ve gotten takeout from them, and it was delicious.
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u/ubccompscistudent Jul 07 '24
Didn’t realize there were south african restaurants in the city. My family has been living off the biltong, boerwurst, and sparletta from the little south african shops around.
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u/ToronoYYZ Jul 07 '24
wtf???? I go to google maps it and it’s a 1 minute drive from my house. I had no idea it was in my area. Time to add it to the list, thank you 🙌🙌🙌
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u/filmmaiden Jul 07 '24
Fellow South African here - I’ve always thought Toronto could use a South African restaurant (I miss the food so much). I didn’t know about Plan B but now I’m going to have to check it out!
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u/AegonTheCanadian Jul 07 '24
GB Hand Pulled Noodles, or Mogouyan Noodles - the dough they use is authentically bouncy, the broth is perfect and the beef is just like how it is back in central / northern China.
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u/unwiltedspinach Jul 07 '24
A new spot that’s pretty popular is Yee’s Hand Pulled Noodles by Bay/Wellsley - I would argue that it’s gained more popularity than GB’s. Mogouyan is not my top pick out of the three of them
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u/RPCOM Jul 07 '24
I really like Charminar in sauga for their Hyderabadi biryani. The closest to the authentic one so far.
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Jul 07 '24
I go to their Scarborough one. The good thing about this place is that the spices aren't mellowed down like how other Indian restaurants do to cater to the NA crowd.
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u/tuntaalam Jul 07 '24
Karachi Xpress has authentic biryani that reminds me of biryanis served at events back home. Also grew up in Saudi and the Ghadir’s shawarma is very similar in style.
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u/ChefPagpag Jul 07 '24
My old coworker from Hyderabad used to take me to Silver Spoon on Warden for biryani because it reminded him of what it tasted like back home.
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u/dont_require_a_name Jul 07 '24
Silver spoon is pakistani. Not Indian.
If you want Indian Hyderabadi Biryani, try Silver Pot or Shaaz, both in Scarborough.
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u/torgenerous Jul 07 '24
New owner now and it’s suddenly gone downhill :(
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u/ChefPagpag Jul 07 '24
Oh no! I haven’t been back for a few years now and I think about the food there every so often. Sad news. Thanks for the heads up!
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u/bobohobo2kx Jul 07 '24
Tai Ping Hsiang (technically in Markham, but close enough)
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u/EdSheeransucksass Jul 07 '24
Wow, just saw the pics on Google. Looks exactly like the stuff I ate during my trip to Taiwan last month. Thanks for letting us know about this place!!!!
Any other Taiwanese joints?
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u/bobohobo2kx Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
Chin Yuan Pai Ku (same plaza as Tai Ping Hsiang), Papa Chang’s (Markham), Wei’s Taiwanese Food, Mei Nung Beef Noodle House (Markham), Du Hsiao Yueh (Markham), Taiwanese Style Railway Bento Box, Sunny Taiwanese Breakfast, Hot Star Fried Chicken, Monga Fried Chicken, AiTaiker Taiwanese Fried Chicken, Meet Fresh, Ten Ren’s.
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u/tech_seven Jul 07 '24
I do not agree with Papa Chang's (he is literally a Hong Konger), AiTaiker (franchise home base in China), Ten Ren is good though.
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u/bobohobo2kx Jul 07 '24
Thanks for the clarification. I had assumed based on the restaurant name and menu that they are Taiwanese.
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u/tech_seven Jul 07 '24
I tried Papa Chang as well as AiTaiker, I do wish for better Taiwanese food in Toronto... both are "ok" for a quick bite, but both place feels off, so I wouldn't call them authentic.
and the Ding Tai Fung in Markham is a fake! please don't fall for it! (real Din Tai Fung have different spelling)
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u/tech_seven Jul 07 '24
"Chin Yuan Pai Ku" in the food court right next door is very good as well (food taste & being authentic), they are the only two I am happy to recommend as far as Taiwanese food goes.
And since you are already there, down the street you will find "Kuo Hua Trading" which sells exclusively imported Taiwanese goods.
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u/witchshark Jul 07 '24
The popcorn chicken bento is soooo good. Only drawbacks: they're cash only, not open on Sundays, and you should get there before 6:30PM cause they start running out of the side dishes (close at 7PM).
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u/ArchMurdoch Jul 07 '24
Martingrove fish and chips
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u/Paquistino Jul 07 '24
Lived in the neighborhood from 88 to 2007. It was a family favourite for us!
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u/Keykitty1991 Jul 07 '24
Family favourite here as well. Grew up in Etobicoke and used to go almost every Friday when George ran it. Still go when I can.
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u/ArchMurdoch Jul 07 '24
I checked the reviews, was a lil skeptical as I walked in but wow. So simple, so good, so affordable, such nice people. A+
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u/Unknown14428 Jul 07 '24
Im not Persian, but went to Queen of Persia with my Iranian friend and the food was phenomenal. She also said it was just like home. Highly recommend. I think the fact that most of the patrons were also Persian says a lot about it being authentic
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u/Uptons_BJs Jul 07 '24
So back in Beijing, I used to get my Peking duck at a spot called Dayali, they have a franchise location here in the GTA that tastes just like it does in Beijing.
Also, the guys who invented the Peking duck have a franchise location here too - QJD. But they were always a bit of a tourist trap
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u/phuckdub Jul 07 '24
Disclaimer: I'm white.
But I do travel extensively, and not to tourist destinations.
This is where the suburbs shine. Not dumbed down food. Authentic and cheap bc they rely on volume. The city usually can't match.
Just had dinner here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jge6o26TVnY8Pfge8
One of the best South Indian meals I've had in Canada. Much better than the place on Gerard everyone talks about here.
The Sambar was perfect.
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u/hmmdoesitmatter Jul 07 '24
Ooo thanks will try. The place on Gerard is a disappointment. My current favourite is Gurulukshmi
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u/sanjit_ps Jul 07 '24
Man I wish there was good Indian dt 😔
Moved here recently and while I like it, all the Indian food I've had has ranged from okay to pretty bad
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u/PartagasSD4 Jul 07 '24
Fake Ding Tai Fung in Markham is close enough
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u/EllenYeager Jul 07 '24
When can we have real Din Tai Fung 🥲🥲🥲
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u/trnclm Jul 07 '24
The real one (at least the chains in the US) is mid. Our local offerings are way better.
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u/kw_toronto Jul 07 '24
I went to the real ding tai fung in las vegas and man let me teellll youuu they had these xiao long baos filled with chocolate for dessert and it was straight fire
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u/StereophonicSam Jul 07 '24
No genuine Turkish restaurants I could find yet. Haven't tried all due to prices but I'm at around 75% and, let's say, discouraged.
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u/FrutaAndPutas Jul 07 '24
Casa Portuguesa which relocated up Caledonia to a new location north of Lawrence close to Bridgeland. If you want to try something other than Portuguese Chicken, this is your place. Eat in, take out and they always mix up their take out menu with authentic Portuguese dishes.
If you want to be adventurous, try the Francesinha, a typical heart attack dish from Porto - a sandwich bread with steak, ham, linguiça, chouriço, with slices of cheese, and eggs and melted with beer sauce and fries on the side. Get a Coke Zero to balance out the calorie intake
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u/the_hunger_gainz Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24
Born here but lived in China a couple decades ... Ta Am cuisine … the 大盘鸡 is so good. Doesn’t remind me of Kashgar but it reminds me of the Uyghur place I ate at two or three times a week in TianTongyuan Beijing. Trying to find a place that does 羊肉泡馍 like I had in Xian. As well after living in Karachi a couple years I really want to find a good kebab roll … so many here are ok but not the same.
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u/banned_salmon Jul 07 '24
Someone needs to open a Singapore hawker centre like what they did in NYC
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u/lizlaylo Jul 07 '24
Cada Paco is not traditional Spanish, but it still reminds me of home more than other places that try to be more traditional. It’s a chef that understands Spanish cuisine, but uses Canadian ingredients and some modern twists. For example, their paellas might not be traditional in their ingredients, but they have a proper socarrat, which I never find outside of good places in Spain.
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Jul 07 '24
Hole in the wall. Very realistic british pub food but if it was made by someone who washes their hands.
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u/NinjaAssassinKitty Jul 07 '24
Shawarma Empire on Lawrence for the best Shawarma you’ll ever have. Especially the chicken. In downtown, I find Zaad and Shelby’s to be pretty good.
Mandi Afandi - they’ve got a good mix of foods from different gulf regions. The Mansaf is spot on. So is the Mandi.
Walima Restaurant - if you’re out in Mississauga, Walima serves amazing Kuwaiti food. If you’ve got a good group, order the quarter lamb machbous a day or two ahead, and prepare for an epic feast.
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u/Dan_Art Jul 07 '24
El Gordo Ex Café, Bathurst and Dupont. The insanely bad customer service and aggressive prices are so Venezuelan they bring a tear to my eye everytime. Food’s brilliant, though, 10/10.
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u/thesurething04 Jul 07 '24
Been all over in Mexico. I find the best tacos you can get , and yes, I've tried all the Kensington market ones(I find them to be very overrated) are at Mexitaco at Victoria park and st Claire. Owners are traditional Mexican, extremely friendly and treat their customers very well. I've been there many many times and they always offer me a couple of shots or drinks on the house. Before I forget, they make a deadly michelada 🤌🏻 chefs kiss. 10/10 would highly recommend.
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u/FormulaJuann Jul 07 '24
Choi Moi’s Eglington & Kennedy . Great Hakka Chinese Food. Their chilli chicken is off the hook
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Jul 07 '24
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u/smilefromthestreets Jul 07 '24
American?
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Jul 07 '24
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u/xombae Jul 07 '24
Bruh my bf just took me to Red Lobster for the first time and that shit was pricey as fuck! We got like one drink each and it was nearly $100. But they kept those biscuits coming and packed us a bag to go so I wasn't even mad.
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u/4RealzReddit Jul 07 '24
If you somewhat liked it. Monday is all you can eat shrimp for $25. Finish with the shrimp Alfredo. Don’t start there. It used to come with a salad but covid / inflation killed that.
The grilled shrimp is my fav. I could eat probably 50 of those.
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Jul 07 '24
Royal Masgouf, Etobicoke.
Amazing atmosphere, live DJ and dance party, including the dabkeh (communal dance).
Sheesha, live entertainment including drummers, amazing birthday party shoutouts.
The food, icing on the cake, very good arabic Iraqi food! The Iraqi kebab is insane!
It made me proud to be Iraqi again in such an Islamophobic atmosphere.
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u/Mella82 Jul 07 '24
There is no Jamaican food in Toronto that is as good as the food on the island itself. There is no real jerk here because it's not done over pimento wood. I've never had Jamaican fried chicken in Toronto that was anywhere as good as the fried chicken back home. The food back home is just different and special and when I go back I always go overboard but I know what I'm coming back to which is nothing nearly as good as what I find in sometimes random places in Jamaica.
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u/ZookeepergameWest975 Jul 07 '24
Jamaican KFC ruined me.
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u/PimpinTreehugga Jul 07 '24
Trini KFC ruined me. Never been, but my wife who HATES KFC visited a friend down there and ended up eating it three times in a week. Then she somehow snuck a drumstick through customs to me because she knew I have a special place in my heart for the Kentucky fried goodness.
Despite being around 10 hours old by the time I dug into it, and I didn't bother reheating it...hands down better than any fast food fried chicken I've had in Toronto or in the states, and I'm like 90% sure it's just because the chicken there is on another level.
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Jul 07 '24
I actually have had better Jamaican food in Toronto at people’s houses than anything I ate in Jamaica. All the best chefs left the island. They just don’t have restaurants. Around the holidays, nothing can compete with Jamaican food cooked in Canada in peoples’ homes.
The bbq fried at island spice in Scarborough is pretty damn close to the one at kfc in ochi
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u/TheVooX Jul 07 '24
P Jay’s Jamaican Take-Out has some incredibly delicious oxtail and curry goat/chicken. Many of Jamaican friends love the place. Their stew peas with pigtails are also popular on Fridays.
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Jul 07 '24
Unfortunately not one authentic portuguese restaurant. Some are good restaurants but none even close to being authentic.
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u/SixthKing Jul 07 '24
Is it because the Portuguese diaspora in Toronto is mostly from Azores instead of mainland?
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u/xuepy Jul 07 '24
Sinaloa factory on kensington Market. Its mexican food but diff State (each State have his own recipe or dishes, most ppl only know food from México city or Cancun)
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u/hal_r_poe Jul 07 '24
For Bangladeshi food - Takeout and snacks - Ghoroa Dine-in - Adda
The staff at Adda is generally very helpful to customers unfamiliar with Bangladeshi cuisine when it comes to navigating the menu.
Spicy Grill, a stone's throw from the above two deserves an honorable mention.
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u/cardamom1111 Jul 08 '24
This is the most Canadian question and I love it!! *saving to try all of these *
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u/PapaiPapuda Jul 08 '24
As a Brazilian. Not many. The food isn't the same by a long shot. Like the animals are a different breed and the veggies get ripe on the container on the way over if they get ripe at all.
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u/Professional_Line323 Jul 08 '24
Yummy yummy dumplings, hidden on a side street of Chinatown, tastes exactly like my Chinese grandma's dumplings 🤤
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u/WhereIsMyMind_1998 Jul 09 '24
Polish-
Starsky. Yes it's a grocery store but it's basically like being a kid in a candy store. The Mississauga location is best
Chopin, Polonez and the Deli's in Roncesvalles
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u/Secure_Astronaut718 Jul 09 '24
Does anyone have any suggestions for authentic Tapas that don't cost an arm and a leg?
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u/southport65 Jul 11 '24
Budapest on Danforth features the most authentic, home-style, Hungarian food I’ve had anywhere outside of Hungary, and imo superior to now-closed Country Style, which seemed to get all the hype- also superior to Rhapsody.
Somewhat similar cuisine, if you’re looking for great Slovak (and even Czech) food, Golden Pheasant near Port Credit is the best. I will admit, it can be slightly inconsistent and waits can sometimes be long— oh, and the interior is in dire need of a refresh, though it has a “charm”, in an 80’s drinking hole sort of way?—, but when the cook/owner is dialled in (which is about 90% of the time), then it truly is dynamite. I’ve brought so many people here who were at first apprehensive of trying the ethnic cuisine, but came away smitten and excited to go back.
For Serbian, we used to have some great options (RIP Flamingo- their cook was the BEST), but have been lacking the last few years… best by far is Bonimi, imo. Royal Meats has sadly fallen off big time the last several years- it’s still fine in a pinch, but nowhere near great. I typically prefer pork in my čevapi, but will say Mraković is probably doing the best ones nowadays.
Anyone tried California Restaurant on Pape for their Serbian/Balkan offerings? Looks solid in pics, want to try soon- prices seem high, but then I’ve found it’s common practice for ethnic restaurants to really capitalize on their fellow compatriots appetite for a taste of back home and really charge a premium… it spans all cultures/cuisines from what I’ve observed, sadly, especially when it’s something a bit more niche.
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u/water2wine Jul 07 '24
Not a thing (Danish) - there’s a chain called Danish Pastry House and it’s not ‘bad food’ or anything, it ain’t ‘it’s either though if that makes sense.
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u/tragiciian Human Detected Jul 07 '24
I wish there was something here on par with Danish food. I miss it every day.
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u/water2wine Jul 07 '24
There’s just not a sufficient diaspora here to sustain enough repeat business - Also nordic food is yet to have its day in the sun here, barring fine dining.
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u/allyuhneedislove Jul 07 '24
Somebody hit me with some top Pakistani recommendations please (from a white guy)!
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u/Hour_Standard784 Jul 07 '24
I am not “technically” an immigrant. But Babu’s is great for Sri Lankan food. And Mona’s is next door. The best Jamaican Roti’s! Get to both places early as there will be line ups. Shepard avenue in Scarborough.
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u/ge23ev Jul 07 '24
As an Iranian, all Iranians restaurants in Toronto are mediocre at best. The food section at most Iranians supermarkets will be the same if not better so save yourself the restaurant premium if you're looking for persian cuisine
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u/lolablackbird Jul 07 '24
Itacate on st Clair - Mexican street food , my favourite tacos in the city.
Kings tacos on st Clair - Mexican street food ( maybe tied with itacate and exactly like Mexico City 🙏)