Corned Beef Hash

[neighborguy]

Does a place exist where they make corned beef hash with real meat and not the stuff out of a can? I always enjoy it at diners but can't help but remember the time I tried making it and the canned meat is so not unlike petfood. Sorry for the image.

[DDD]

To Allstonian: I just got back from Boston a few hours ago. We had brunch at Jury's hotel (Berkley and Stuart). They have a solid looking corned beef hash on the menu. I didn't personally try it, but my friend did and gave it a very good review (I had the French toast which was quite good and the waffles also looked solid)...so if you're still on the lookout you can check it out.

[Allstonian]

Good to know, though I rarely brunch in that neighborhood. My own favorite Boston-area places for corned beef hash are Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown and Zaftig's in Brookline, though the latter is sometimes marred by startlingly sour corned beef. But at least you know they make it themselves (in fact, I think they must corn the beef themselves as well.)

However, neighborguy was looking for corned beef hash in Toronto, and since I just spent a week there and am very fond of the dish myself, I thought I'd offer my report on my experience at Over Easy.

Pancakes were also disappointing (tough) but the scramble was excellent, as was the tomato-and-avocado benedict. Service the first time we visited was friendly but a little bit flaky on a busy weekend day; on the second visit, midweek, we were treated to attempted standup comedy (on the topic of who holds the purse strings, me or my husband) from a waitress who ought to have been told by her manager that perfume doesn't enhance the flavor of food.

[Allstonian]

Just got back to Boston after a week in Toronto at the film festival. I had hoped to be able to offer a good report on this topic, which is dear to my heart, but sadly the hash I got at Over Easy was disappointing in a very odd way.

It was a good, made-from-scratch hash of meat, potatoes, bell pepper, and onions (BTW, in my experience you can make a very good hash with canned corned beef, as long as the rest of the hash is from scratch - what's nasty is hash out of a can, a truly pet-food-like mixture of minced-up meat, potato cubes about 1/8 inch square, and WAY too much salt) but I could not feel confident that the meat used was actually corned beef! Actually, judging by the color and texture, I became convinced they had actually used ham.

My husband, on the other hand, totally loved his "scramble," which featured a similar mixture with sausage as the meat, topped with two sunny-side-up eggs. I'll have to try that next time...next year!

[neighborguy]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I know how to put out a good question now and then...I will definitely check out Coleman's and the Shopsy's downtown per the suggestions -- Toba may be on the fancy side for that greasy diner experience.

My post was initiated right after a meal at Mars, actually. I ordered the CBH and it was out of a can, tho it was done right and crispy. None of that Purina aroma! I suppose what I'm looking for - the stuff made from tasty shreds of meat - is more readily found in the US.

[ggirl]

Shopsy's at Front and Yonge actually does have excellent corned beef hash - I have had it numerous times and can verify that it does not come from a can. But that said, the other poster is (almost) correct - they don't really do much else very well, except for this! It's great - spicy, tasty, good texture and comes with eggs, latke, and bagel. Go hungry and enjoy it!

[Yongeman]

As I said, superchick, the Mars on College is excellent.

[superchick]

thx, i'll check it out! :)

[superchick]

Went to grab some this wkend - it was good but still not great. I think I'll just have to accept defeat.

The corned beef part was good but the potatoes weren't the fluffy hashbrowns I was hoping for.

*sigh*

Thanks for the suggestion - it'll be a substitute for now. :)

[superchick]

i simply don't think there is a good place in TO for this - it's not like travelling around the US where any waffle house/diner will have a nice serving of corned beef (canned or fresh) fried w/ onions and a healthy serving of hash browns.

I just make my own

[hungryabbey]

I dont know for sure if its canned or not, but I would check out Shopsy's on Front at Yonge.. they hare famous for their corned beef, and i THINK its fresh, not canned.

[Fwagra]

Respectfully, I think that Shopsy's at Front and Yonge is one of the worst places to eat in the city. They don't do much well. I can't imagine that their hash is any good.

I have not had it. But, I have been to that restaurant and would never go back.

[hungryabbey]

haha, i have only tasted a small spoon full, and as I do not like corned beef hash, I dont really know if shopsy's is any good.. I just know they make it, and i THINK is itsnt canned.

[DDD]

I completely agree, Shopsy's sucks. They must rely on location and tourists, I can't see much return business there.

[embee]

Coleman's at Bathurst and Lawrence makes great corned beef hash. It's the real thing, apparently made from the scraps remaining when they slice meat for sandwiches (not from a can, as they serve at Fran's). It's by far the best I've had in Toronto.

I don't particularly recommend the sandwiches, knishes, soups, et al--just that hash.

[Mila]

They have corned beef hash on the brunch menu at Toba, and if anywhere they would probably have the real stuff. My breakfast, Hangover Helper - Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo, etc was excellent.

[Craig]

The corned beef hash at Toba is great! I had eaten breakfast there many times before trying it, but it turned out to be one of the best things on their brunch menu. Definitely recommend it, and most of the brunch menu.

Dinner there is not so great, although not terrible. Stick to brunch, for the most part.

[Yongeman]

I honestly can't tell you if it's real meat or canned (it's been a while since I've been), but the Mars Cafe on College at Bathurst makes Killer hash. Served with coleslaw, eggs on top, homefries and (my favourite way) dark rye toast. I have to go for a fix soon!

[Gary]

I had an decent corned beef hash at Fran's diner at Victoria and Shuter last week. I don't often eat this dish, so I'm not really sure exactly what it is usually like, but it tasted okay and certainly didn't remind me of pet food in any way. Lots of onions and stuff mixed in, an the meat was in little cubes. Came with good homefries, eggs, toast, and coffee for about $10 plus tip.

[estufarian]

Same dish is available at the Fran's on College, just west of Yonge.