Recommendations needed - Pakistani restos on Danforth

I noticed a strip of Pakistani restaurants on Danforth.

Which one is the best?

Thanks!

[thought_for_food]

Does anyone know how Makkah is for vegetarian selections?

[thenurse]

I've had chana masala there which was quite tasty, and I believe they have some other veg selections such as dhal, aloo gobi, and maybe a mixed veg curry. In their take-out menu they have a veg special (for 2, I think) so they must have more than I've listed. They also have fish, if you consider that vegetarian ;)

[bluedog]

Seond the chanah masala. I get it along with some naan every once in awhile. my 12 year old considers it a treat!

[illy]

For the veggies at Makkah--I've had their channa masala, dhal, aloo gobi, and 2 kinds of paneer (spinach and tomato & peas--sorry, I forget what they're called). All yummy!! I like spicy foods, and their dishes can be pretty hot sometimes--just a warning.

I also LOVE their vegetable pakoras.

Lahore Tikka on Gerrard is wonderful!

[warlock]

Food is good at Lahore Tikka though I find it a bit pricey considering the quantity.....

[thenurse]

Makkah is better than Lahore, IMHO. Although both have disposable plates and utensils, which kills me.

[50firstdatesguy]

A minor note but my friend who's a big Pakistani and Indian food junkie likes Makkah better than Lahore also, but its because of the service. Althought both are great, he has on three consecutive occasions received orders with mistakes when buying for the whole family from Lahore, e.g. unrequested substitutions or missed items. One can only ask for so much when placing large orders at a take out joint but to your point thenurse, he hasn't minded the transitition food-wise, he's quite happy wih Makkah's stuff over Lahore lately.

[childofthestorm]

Also any discussion of Pakistani food, I've got to mention 786 on Gerrard which I think is better than Lahore. The whole fried fish is awesome, and they have weekend specials like paya.

[fruglescot]

Went looking for Makkah's last evening (Friday on a very cold night)
I was under the impression it was on Donlands Ave or near Danforth and Donlands. I walked down Donlands (Spent $20- at the Menonite Natural Food Store for pork ribs and elk sausage ?) and then east on the Danforth almost to Coxwell Ave. after seeing a Makkah in the phone directory at 1290 Danforth.............."NADA"
I finally settled for a meal at a Bulgarian restaurant on the south side between Greenwood and Coxwell........ Blahh!!
Meal;
Bowl of beef tripe soup----$$3.49
the special of the day Bulgarian style Moussaka as it was described---
Crunchy yellow crust,a little hamburg mixed with saurkraut,onion and lots of shredded cabbage very oily-----$8.75
Shot of JB Scotch------ $4.00
While eating a travelling salesman walked in several times with armfuls of large size, leather coats and insisted I try one on. Only $135.00 but the Made in China label scared me off.
If you like watching Bulgarians laughing and yelling as they slam their cards on the table or watching Bulgarian television, give it a try.
Didn't catch the name of the place but there is a red banner across their front window which was steamed up
.
Btw can someone give me the exact location for Makkahs?

[bluedog]

Makkah
1020 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON, Canada
[phone]

It is about 100 feet from thecorner of Donlands and Danforth: walk EAST along Danforth, on the NORTH side. Literally about a 2 minute walk, if that.

-----
Makkah
1020 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1M2, CA

[fruglescot]

Thanks bluedog.....
I have no idea how I missed it. Maybe it was because of the extreme cold?

[bluedog]

NP, where was the bulgarian place!!???

This strip is always changing...

The best one and the oldest one is probably Makkah (1020 Danforth Ave. 406-2056. Mon-Sun, 11am-midnight). Nice tandoori with a decent hot table. Naan is excellent, as is the whole tnadoori chicken. I love the chili chicken from the hot table. The curried chickpeas are also really good. Indeed I'd rather eat here than most places on Gerrard. It's good for takeout but you can sit in the backroom. Not that pleasant, however

El Madina used to be pretty good as well but they recently changed over to more of a fast food feel and haven't been lately. But the guy who owns the place is really nice and I can't imagine he's changed the food much. Really tasty and really authentic homestyle pakistani. Excellent mango shakes.

There are a few others of varying quality but I would stick with these two.

We've ordered in from Makkah a few times - it's been pretty good.

Makkah is best for take-out, rather than delivery. It's significantly cheaper, and much more fresh.

[fruglescot]

jill
Does Makkah on Donlands have sit down service or just takeout?

[50firstdatesguy]

Makkah has a small dining area in the back, plenty of room to sit down and eat a meal. I recommend it fruglescot, I had take out from there just a couple of weeks ago and it was excellent, but I wouldn't hesitate to stop in and have a sit-down meal next time also. They also have really reasonably priced mango shakes.

[fruglescot]

Aside from the mango shakes, 50firstdatesguy,what would you recommend there? I'm not a fussy eater. Anything original.

[50firstdatesguy]

Their kabob sandwich is excellent if you're looking for quick take out to eat on the run that doesn't require a fork, spoon and naan to dip with.

[bluedog]

AS 50firstdatesguy said, there is a place to sit, but its very basic, and sometimes smells like chlorine, i.e. its also very clean, maybe TOO clean :-)