Toronto Restaurant Tips by paulbrec

Restaurant Name: Mr. Greenjeans

A very freindly atmosphere. Prices are reasonable, and servings are very generous. The 50/50 is just the right amount of food for an average person. I had a 50/50 with this huge glass of iced tea. The total bill inlcuding 15% tax, and 15% gratuity was $22.10 (CDN). Very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. ***UPDATE: Unfortunately, my last visit to Mr. Greenjeans will probably be my last. The 50/50 is no longer on the menu, prices are higher, and the food was terrible.

Favorite Dish: Everything is good, but I recommend 50/50: A BBQ chicken breast with a 1/2 rack of ribs served with a huge baked potato and sour cream, and Buffalo Chips (homemade potato chips), plus steamed broccoli sprouts. ***UPDATE: 50/50 has been removed from the menu.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: In the Eaton Center at the Trinity Square entrance, second floor.

Restaurant Name: Wise Guys

Wise Guys is actually a bar, and I usually don't like bar food, but this food is great.

Favorite Dish: Chicken Wings. I once ate 40 of them in one sitting. First of all, they are bigger than what you usually find in a bar. There are many different varieties, at least 10 different flavours of wings, including some that I have never heard of before. Cajun-Orange, and Hot-Hickory are my two favorites. The wings are crispy, and are perfectly flavoured. There is just the right amount of spices. Once you try these wings, no others will come close. Wings are 50 cents each, and are sold in multiples of 10.

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Theme: American
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Woodbine and Danforth
Directions: Two blocks east of Woodbine Ave. on Danforth Ave. South side.

Restaurant Name: Ginger 1 / Ginger 2

Have you ever heard of a restaurant with good food, that has fast service, and low prices? Either have I...Until now.
Ginger (2 locations) is a Vietnamese restaurant. Both locations are located on the east side of Yonge Street. The first time I went, I had chicken and pork on rice. You get two pieces of grilled chicken and a pork chop on a bed of rice. It was only $5.95! What surprised me the most is that the food arrived in 4 minutes! Plus, the food was excellent!
Ginger 1 is a very small location with few tables, and a "fast food" setting. Ginger 2 is a larger location with more tables, and some nice decorations and a waterfall. Both locations have the same quality of food, and the same prices. Except, for some reason, it takes a bit longer for the food to arrive at Ginger 2 (almost 10 minutes). Still not bad.

Favorite Dish: I have a few favorites: Chicken and Pork on Rice; Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp on Rice; Pad Thai Noodle Chicken Soup; Pad Thai Noodle Beef Soup.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Two locations on Yonge Street (see below)
Directions: Ginger 1: Yonge and Bloor, one block south of Bloor--East side.
Ginger 2: Yonge and Gerrard, half-block north of Gerrard--East side.

Restaurant Name: Lick's Hamburgers and Ice Cream

I try my best not to give a negative review of a place. I have to say that I was not happy with my last two visits to this location. They messed up my order the last two times. The staff were yelling orders back and forth, and all over the place. Then, they broke into song. They all started singing! It seems to me that the staff should do less yelling and singing, and more concentrating on the orders! I also find that the prices are much higher than they should be. The food is good, even though I was too angry to enjoy it. This is still a fast food restaurant. A hamburger, fries and Coke is over $10! If you are going to pay this much, you are better off going to a good table-service restaurant like The Pickle Barrel (Below).
UPDATE: Another visit, and once again they forgot something. I am begining to think that they are doing this on purpose. I can't believe that the same restaraunt can screw up the same person's orders 3 different times in a row. I don't know why I keep going back. I guess I hope that some day they will get my order right. I think this problem is only at this location, because the other Lick's are not that bad.
CONGATS, I went back to this Licks locations, and they acually got my entire order right. Things are looking up.

Favorite Dish: I like the "Guk". It appears to be a mixture of rellish and mayonaise. Great for dipping fries!

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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Eglinton Ave. East at Yonge
Directions: One block east of Yonge on Eglinton Ave., south side.

Restaurant Name: Pickle Barrel

The menu typically contains your "basic" sit-down restaurant items. Burgers, steaks, pastas, chicken wings, salads, soups, sandwiches. I usually go to the location at Atrium on Bay (Yonge and Dundas), and I have never had poor service, or bad food. I have tried practically the whole menu, and everything is good. I don't think you will ever have a bad meal here. Although a bit "pricey" (This is not a fast food restaurant), its a good place for casual dining. It will cost an average of $13 CDN per person, without alcoholic beverages.

Favorite Dish: Their burgers are excellent. I especially like the Mushroom-Swiss burger. All burgers are served with fries and cole slaw for about $9. And the burgers are huge. I think they are 8 oz. burgers. They are much bigger than fast food burgers, anyway. They put this huge slice of purple onion on, and your other basic ingedients. Plus, mayonnaise, if you want.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Seven locations in the Toronto Area.
Directions: Atrium on Bay, Yonge-Eglinton Center, Centerpoint Mall, Yorkdale Mall, Promenade Mall, Markville Shopping Center, Cummer Park
Website: www.picklebarrel.ca

Restaurant Name: Diana Sweets

Although I can't say anything about the Don Mills location, because I haven't been there, the Scarborough location is fantastic. This has become my favorite restaurant for casual dining. Service is fast, and the servers are friendly. The food has always been excellent. I have never had a bad meal there. The first time I ate there, I ordered a cheeseburger, and it was hot when it arrived. I guess I'm used to fast food, because I was thrown for a loop when I received a burger that was still hot.
***UPDATE: The Scarborough location of Diana Sweets will be closing on February 28 2005. Its sad to see a good place close :(

Favorite Dish: I can't single out any particular dish, but here are a few I can recommend:
LUNCH/DINNER:
Canadian Burger, with cheddar cheese and back bacon. ($9.75) Served with fries.
Steak Sandwich, 8 oz steak on a garlic bun with onion rings right on the sandwich. ($10.45) Served with fries.
Nachos, with beef chili, two cheeses, and onions. ($8.00) Served with salsa and sour cream.
Various pastas served with garlic bread (Starting at $8.00)
SNACK/DESSERT:
Rice Pudding ($3.00)
Sundae [chocolate or caramel] ($4.50)
Hot apple pie with ice cream ($5.50)

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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Two Mall Locations (see below)
Directions: Scarborough Town Center (Upper Food Court) [CLOSING]
Don Mills Center (East Wing)