Rating: NNNNN
Restaurants
Coconut Grove 183 Dundas W, at Chestnut, 416-348-8887. Dead-cheap Caribbean takeaway specializes in jerk chicken dinners and bargain-basement roti. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Unlicensed.
Ginger 2 403 Yonge, at Gerrard, 416-263-9999. Self-serve pan-Asian noodle house complete with kitschy day-glo Hello Kitty decor and water fountain. Also: 695 Yonge, at Charles, 416-966-2424 546 Church, at Wellesley, 416-413-1053.
Kathy’s Corner 139 Dundas E, at Mutual, 416-367-0645. Slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, Greek-style sides and daily specials like lasagna and moussaka make excellent leftovers. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Unlicensed. Cash only.
Le Commensal 655 Bay, at Elm, 416-596-9364. Pricey pre-fab vegetarian casseroles, salad bar and non-dairy desserts served cafeteria-style and sold by weight.
Little House of Kebobs 357 Yonge, at Elm, 416-595-9988. Zero decor, fluorescent lighting and a wallet-friendly lineup of skewered and grilled Persian meat on a stick. Unlicensed. Cash only.
Made In China 371 Yonge, at Gerrard, 416-596-1516. Why settle for rudimentary pad thai at this Mao-themed pan-Asian kitchen when the house’s multi-course tasting menu goes for only $9.99? Daily $5.99 lunch specials, too.
New Treasure 150 Dundas W, at Elizabeth, 416-977-3778. Around the corner from the bus station, this subterranean Chinese resto has been dishing up all-day dim sum from carts since the 70s. Warning: show up before noon or join the queue.
Planet Crystal 225 Church, at Dundas, 416-601-9666. An easy-going island-themed sports bar with a spicy lineup of roti, jerk chicken dinners and boozy rum cake. Lots of vegetarian choices, too. Also: 632 Vaughan, at Oakwood, 416-656-6632. Closed Sunday.
Salad King 335 Yonge, at Gould, 416-971-7041. Venerable Thai kitchen renowned for its budget-minded curries and legendary 20-chili heat scale. Even five causes nuclear meltdown! Closed Sunday and holidays.
Thai Thani 179 Dundas W, at Centre, 416-977-4712. Modest hole-in-the-wall with a not too spicy pan-Asian buffet. Closed Saturday, Sunday. Unlicensed.
Bars
Hard Rock Cafe 279 Yonge, at Yonge-Dundas Sq, 416-362-3636. Two-storeys of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia on Yonge-Dundas Square mark the spot where Bob Dylan met the Band back in 65. Surprisingly good nachos, too.
Imperial Public Library 58 Dundas E, at Victoria, 416-977-4667. Retro saloon features tropical fishtanks and one of Toronto’s best CD jukeboxes. Pool tables and fusball, too.
NOW Lounge 189 Church, at Shuter, 416-364-1301. Hang out with T.O.’s leading alterna-journos in the swanky lounge conveniently located on the first floor of the building where they work. Occasional live shows and regular art exhibits, too. Closed Saturday, Sunday, holidays.
Reilly’s 340 Yonge, at Gould, 416-593-4252. Second-floor sports bar overlooking Yonge and the iconic Sam the Record Man neon sign.
