1. Banh Mi Boys
399 Yonge, at Gerrard, 416-977-0303 392 Queen W, at Spadina, 416-363-0588, banhmiboys.com, @BanhMiBoys
One of the most influential restos of the past few years, this ridiculously inexpensive Vietnamese sub shop turns the banh mi sandwich on its head by serving foodie fillings like duck confit and five-spiced pork belly on its flaky French buns. Regulars know to pair the Boys’ Korean kalbi beef tacos with kimchee-topped sweet potato fries.
Monday to Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday noon to 7 pm. Closed some holidays. No reservations. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNNN
2. Burger’s Priest
463 Queen W, at Cameron, 647-748-8108 1636 Queen E, at Coxwell, 647-346-0617 3397 Yonge, at Teddington Pk, 416-488-3510, theburgerspriest.com, @burgerspriest
The queue is almost always biblical in proportion, but the payback will have you singing hallelujah. While Shant Mardirosian’s freshly ground double cheeseburgers break little new ground – hello L.A.’s In-n-Out! – they wipe the local competition. There’s even a not-so-secret secret menu. We think highly of the Religious Hypocrite, a deep-fried portobello mushroom veggie burger topped with bacon.
Unlicensed. Rating: NNNNN
3. Kinton Ramen
51 Baldwin, at Beverley, 647-748-8900, kintonramen.com, @KintonRamen
The lineups at this 30-seat Japanese noodle house are so unruly, management has had to post rules of conduct, our favourite #5: “We may not be able to seat you if we run out of soup.” Hope they don’t. These massive bowls of house-made ramen dressed with blowtorched pork belly and runny-centred eggs are some of the best around. And most garlicky. So much so, management offers free mouthwash in the basement washrooms.
Lunch daily 11:30 am to 3 pm. Dinner Sunday to Thursday 5 to 10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 to 11:30 pm. No reservations. Licensed. Access: one step at door, washrooms in basement. Rating: NNNNN
4. Hot Yam!
33 St George, at College, hotyam.ca
Where else will you find eco-minded vegan lunches made from locally sourced organic ingredients – creamy potato salad with silken tofu, followed by coleslaw in dilled dressing and green beans in basil pesto, with Ontario peaches in syrup and flaxseed cornbread to finish, say – for a $4 donation? Still out of your price range? The first Wednesday of the month, lunch at this weekly café in U of T’s International Student Centre is pay-what-you-can.
Lunch Wednesday noon to 2 pm only, starting mid-September. No reservations. Unlicensed. Cash only. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNNN
5. Fabarnak
519 Church, at Dundonald, 416-355-6781, fabarnak.com, @fabarnakresto
Is there a better bargain than the four-course Square Peg lunch special at this socially aware café in the 519’s stylish new annex? Not when 11 bucks gets you the likes of watermelon salad with feta, sautéed rapini with garlicky croutons, Fab’s signature veggie quiche and a peach rhubarb trifle to finish. Win-win?
Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 am to 9 pm, lunch Tuesday to Friday from 11 am, dinner Friday from 5 pm. Brunch Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. Closed Sunday, Monday, holidays. Reservations accepted. Licensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNN
6. Salad King
340 Yonge, at Elm, 416-593-0333, saladking.com, @SaladKingTO
Now in much larger digs just around the corner from its original location, Ernest and Linda Liu’s stylish 160-seat Thai trat may not be one of the most authentic kitchens in town, but it’s certainly one of the tastiest, as the crowds that pack this second-storey resto from opening till close will agree. And who can argue with kaffir-scented lime chicken with snow peas, red peppers and chilies or vegetarian Evil Jungle Prince when you can adjust the heat using the King’s legendary chili chart (one chili indicating “nice,” while 20 “may cause stomach upset”)?
Monday to Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday noon to 11 pm, Sunday and holidays noon to 9 pm. Closed some holidays. Reservations accepted. Licensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNN
7. Kathi Roll Express
692 Yonge, at Isabella, 647-748-8573, thekathirollexpress.com, @tkretoronto
Though this Indo-fusion take-away looks like it would be better located in some Kolkata back alley, here on Hogtown’s main drag its wallet- and veggie-friendly lineup of paratha wraps feels right at home. We’ll be back for the vegetarian Mumbai-style grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with tomato, cucumber, raw green pepper and spicy aloo spuds in mint chutney.
Monday to Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday and holidays noon to 10 pm. No reservations. Licensed. Access: bump at door, washrooms on same floor. Rating: NNN
8. Dim Sum King
421 Dundas W, at Huron, 416-551-3366, dimsumking.ca
Known universally as “the one on the south side of Dundas on the third floor of that weird mall,” this recently relaunched all-day dim sum joint offers one of the best meal deals in town: weekdays till 3 pm all medium- and large-sized plates like al dente pork siu mai (#3) and pan-fried shrimp dumplings with wilted Chinese greens (#5) go for the price of small plates ($2.30). Better yet, come back Friday night after 9 pm for free ballroom dancing!
Dim sum daily 9 am to 11 pm. No reservations. Licensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNN
9. Gallery Grill
7 Hart House Circle, at Wellesley, 416-978-2445, harthouse.ca/gallery-grill
If the ‘rents are footing the bill for your higher education, a swanky lunch or brunch at chef Suzanne Baby’s luxe resto in historic Hart House might be better way to show your thanks than nachos at Sneaky Dee’s. Under the vaulted arches, nibbling on the likes of grilled veal sweetbreads on wild mushroom toasts, they’re sure to be convinced they’re getting their money’s worth.
Lunch Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm starting Sep 4 brunch Sunday 11 am to 2 pm. Reservations only. Average main $16. Licensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNNN
10. Chefs’ House
215 King E, at Princess, 416-415-2260, thechefshouse.com, @thechefshouse
One of the biggest hits of both Summer- and Winterlicious, the flagship of George Brown’s chef program is one of the biggest bargains in town any time of the year. In a high-tech room that looks like the set of some Gordon Ramsay TV show, students not only cook the food – two-course $20 prix fixe lunches like crabmeat ‘n’ avocado salad followed by slow-braised pork shoulder sandwiches sided with dehydrated veggie chips – but serve it as well. And because grades are being handed out, everyone’s on best behaviour!
Monday to Friday for lunch with seatings from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, dinner 6 to 8 pm. Closed Saturday, Sundays, holidays. Reservations accepted. Licensed. Access: barrier-free, washrooms in basement. Rating: NNN
