Worst in Toronto

[food face]

As we all know, most are so so or bad than good. Let's here what you think is terrible and why. Let's not have others avoid the same mistakes we made.

Some of mine:

Art Square Creperie on Dundas and McCaul
Swatow-for it's Deplorable service and mediocore overated food.
The Bad Kitty in Chinatown- I can't remember the name but it has "Kitty"in it- Cucumber as a main component in a stir fry. The most horrible slit-your-wrist depressing atmosphere ever.
Hare Krishna Restaurant in the Hare Krishna Temple on Avenue- Used to be ok. Now it's just dreadful. Crusty old rotten curries served up whenever they feel like it in the basement of the temple.
Magic Oven Pizza

[Charles Yu]

PengLai Fairyland Restauarnt - This place in Richmond Hill must rank way up there!! Surprise its still in business!!!
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/884549

[Vern Ryerse]

Shouldn't be a surprise, but the Fox and Fiddle on Laird Drive in Leaside is HIDEOUS. Food is terrible, place is filthy.

Total, total dump.

[SpiceMustFlow]

Recently had one of the worst meals I've ever had in Toronto, at Danforth darling Melanie's Bistro. Poorly prepared food, shockingly bad service. Haven't been treated that badly in a long time- I'll never be back.

Not that it matters. They clearly don't need my business. This stretch of the Danforth is a bit of a desert, fine dining-wise, and so the locals frankly adore the place. One highly dissatisfied customer makes no difference.

[Googs]

I've only been once to Melanie's so I'm not well-versed on how it got its rep. I will say that Beau and I were thinking while there how we could have had lunch at Grumbel's Deli or Bistro Camino.
http://www.dvbia.ca/merchants.asp?idn=365&pg=2
http://www.dvbia.ca/merchants.asp?idn...

[SpiceMustFlow]

Right!? Bistro Camino has never, ever let me down- and the food is pretty much the same price, with mains priced $18-$23. The difference is, when you're paying that much for a really crappy experience, it feels expensive. When you pay that little for a superlative dinner, it's cheap.

I've never heard of Gumbel's Deli- sounds like I should check it out!

[Pincus]

Been to Melanie's three times, closer to when it opened. Service was fine, but the food was nothing memorable. Looks like it has gone downhill.

[SpiceMustFlow]

Everyone else in there seemed to be having a good time. They just... ignored us utterly. It was really puzzling. But even if we were an anomaly in terms of service, the food was still uniformly uninspired. And as it was a weekend night when the best cooks should have been in the kitchen, it doesn't bode well for their general care and attention.

But like I say, what do I know. The place is usually packed and people seem to love it. Me, I'll be taking my local dining dollars to Bistro Camino.

[Googs]

Yes, do take a seat in the back and try a lunch at Grumbel's. Its just hearty, simple fare well made. I have no doubt you'll leave with some fresh baked pastries you can enjoy at home later too.

[Full tummy]

That is too bad. It's a short walk from our home. Haven't been in a while, but was thinking to go sometime soon. Back in the early days, they were working hard to satisfy customers (food and service-wise), so this is disconcerting.

[LindsA]

The Pickle Barrel (both at Yonge and Dundas and the one at Yonge and Eglinton). Service is HORRIBLE and the food is so bland.

[scarberian]

We've experienced a pushy waiter who seemed more like a con man pushing certain dishes i.e. the salmon. Ours looked at me after I told him my order and said, "The salmon is a much healthier choice than the fish and chips.". I just looked at him and repeated my order. However he managed to change my dad's mind and my poor dad didn't enjoy his meal. BTW the salmon did cost more than what my dad initially wanted.

[Moimoi]

I disagree with the Swatow slam... I think the food hits the spot, but I also think of it as the Chinese equivalent to a hick diner. As for my "worst"...

Without putting much thought into it, I'd have to say Mars on College. How can you make eggs taste bad. Bleck! L.o.u.s.y food, no longer charming or retro, just nasty dump with la cucaracha BIG time! Trust me, I saw it with my own eyes. Oh... just thought of another.

The Spaghetti Factory. Worst than a frozen entree. Had to go there once with a friend who has kids. Torture.

[akhorasanee]

Midi's bistro!!!

[hal2010]

Lemongrass on Bayview.
It used to be a nice, reasonably-priced Thai restaurant run by a friendly couple, then they sold up and it got a face lift for the Leaside crowd. Now it serves overpriced food that can't compete with the average mall food court. Spring Rolls has them beat by a mile. But the Leaside crowd keeps on patronizing the place.

[abigllama]

Curry In A Hurry at Bloor and Lansdowne is some of the worst food I've had in this city. My other half and I got take out from there based on a rave review in NOW. Clearly someone at NOW is associated with the business because the majority of what we had was inedible.

We started wth the samosas which were average but hit the spot as we were both super hungry. The rest of the meal was just gross. The review raved about the unique butter chicken but for us it was just bitter chicken. Sketchy, chewy chicken pieces in a watery cream sauce falvoured with some random hot sauce, possibly tobasco. The chana masala tasted like plain chic peas straight from the can, there was no seasoning or flavour aside from the tin taste of raw. Despite being super hungry the meal was tossed after a few bites and we ordered a pizza.

[ekim256]

Is this a chain? I've tried Curry in a Hurry in Guelph and while it wasn't anything to get excited about it wasn't that bad. If so, perhaps it's that specific location that's terrible? That blows though, and glad to hear you didn't force yourself to finish eating bad food (I do that and regret it sometimes)

I hope your pizza was good!!

-----
Curry in a Hurry
675 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H, CA

[abigllama]

I'm not sure about the chain thing. The place has had some decent reviews on here and NOW raved about it so it's possible we got them on a bad night. But the food we had was so horrible there's no way I'd set foot in the place again. The only bonus was that it was super inexpensive so at least we didn't pay a lot of money to throw away food!

[themiguel]

I used to love Steven Davey at NOW but he's just gotten worse and worse. His adoring review of Goad Eten on Ossington convinced me to try the place out, especially the "BEST IN THE CITY" poutine.

Utter nonsense, the irish stew poutine was dreadful slop. Good waffles though.

[abigllama]

Thank you for the heads up on Goad Eten. The other half read a review and was all excited about heading to Goad Eten but didn't mention the reviewer. Steven Davey raved about one of the most inedible meals I've had in this city, specifically praising the Butter Chicken at Curry In a Hurry which was slightly better than the plain canned chick peas passed off as chana masala.

[somewhere4]

It is a chain. There was a Curry in a Hurry outlet in my hometown, Cambridge Ontario, for awhile.

-----
Curry in a Hurry
675 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H, CA

[mmcookie]

Johnny Rockets @ Dundas Sq. - I should have known it was a tourist trap. burger was ok but horrible value, frozen chicken fingers at those prices? felt bad for taking my lttle kids there after a Dora show & should have gone to McD's instead.

[ekim256]

^ agreed
the burgers there are terrible in my opinion - worse than Lick's

[haggisdragon]

the hotdogs are pretty good though.

[hari mirch]

There is so much bad food out there, but most of it does not get praised. I prefer to focus on those that get unwarranted praise.

To my mind, among the most overpraised bad restaurants: Burrito Boyz / Burrito Bandidos, which inexplicably win ongoing praise from both Now and Eye magazines. Absolutely everything is bland, especially the meat, but also including the salsa poured out of an industrial jug. The burrito is grilled (not a bad idea - I have always grilled my own burritos, but that's because people don't have burrito steamers at home), but does this really overcome all the mediocrity inside?

Once I was given a charred, burnt, black burrito and told "that's how it's supposed to be." Enough said about both the quality of the food and the quality of the service.

-----
Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[redearth]

In my experience, there are a lot of things that factor into whether or not your Burrito Boyz experience is going to be a good one:

1. Is it busy? The busier it is, the worse your burrito is going to be.
2. What did you order? Everybody says the halibut is the way to go? Wrong. Try the steak and shrimp.
3. What did you add to your burrito? If you went the whole hog, and added the rice and the refried beans, you made a mistake. Don't add the rice. If you want some beans, add just a small amount. Then make sure there's some guac, sour cream, cheese, and hot sauce on that bad boy.
4. When did you eat it? If you took it home, you f*cked up. Eat it immediately.

Follow these simple rules, and you can't lose. At least according to my undeniably subjective set of rules. But what do I know? I know what I like.

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[hari mirch]

That's like saying a pizza place is great, as long as you don't get cheese or tomatoes on your pizza.

A burrito, in the North American sense (i.e. a Mission-style burrito), is a flour tortilla with rice, beans, meat, and salsa. That's basic. Everything else is extra. A few places might omit the rice (personally, I think it's a good idea), but the basic burrito includes rice and beans. If a burrito place can't do a good burrito with rice and beans, then they can't do a good burrito, period. Maybe they do something else well, in which case they need a different name for it, but they don't do burritos well. A burrito is not meant to be a bag of cheesy gloop and sauces.

[abigllama]

So you're ordering a wrap at a burrito place? A burrito devoid of rice and or beans is no longer a burrito.

[scarberian]

Says who? I've eaten plenty of burritos in San Diego at various mom/pop dives and many of their selections don't have any rice or beans in the burrito (there are some selections that do have rice/re-fried beans). One of the most popular burrito is the carne asada burrito and it has no rice or beans in it; just steak, guac, onions, peppers, cilantro, and salsa verde. The bastardized version has fries =9. Now a carnitas burrito will have the rice and re-fried beans since it acts as a filler. If the main ingredient (usually a protein) can fill the burrito on it's own then no rice or beans.

[abigllama]

Your super tasty San Diego style burrito is specific to that region, fries and all!. BB is clearly trying to go for something closer to Mission Style since there's no carne asada, fries or really any other offering besides straight up grilled meat or veggies. Telling someone to order a mission style burrito without rice and beans is like, as hari pointed out, is like sending someone to a Neopolitan style pizza place and telling them to hold the sauce and cheese. While someone might enjoy this it's removing a major component of the meal.

I can't imagine the bland meats at BB actually holding up the show without rice and beans. In fact I usually get a veggie burrito or a there because it has more flavour than the the meat offerings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrito

[hari mirch]

Yep. As the wikipedia article says, San Diego burritos are their own thing. They are closer to what is called a burrito in border areas of northern Mexico as well, which is a smaller flour tortilla with one or two fillings, usually meat. But really, is Burrito Boyz going for a norteño or San Diego style burrito? I don't think so. If they were, as abigllama says, they'd need far more flavourful meat, and they'd need to make a good salsa, instead of using Pace Picante-style slop out of a giant jug.

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[redearth]

Please allow me to reiterate:

"...according to my undeniably subjective set of rules. But what do I know? I know what I like."

I'm not trying to toy with the definition of a burrito, but merely passing on to others, what, in my experience, results in a more enjoyable comestible from the franchise known as Burrito Boyz.

I had no idea that my disclaimer would go over so many heads!

-----
Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[duckdown]

Shrimp is the only one even worth considering IMO. At least it's not low grade junk thats been sitting around and constantly re-heated

[Moimoi]

• Lahore Tikka. Maybe it was good a long time ago, but now it's just absolutely shameful.
• Benihana. Please just go away. A drunk guy who used to work at our office used to take a group of us there every year at Christmas and thought he was a big shot for doing so... embarrassing.
• Old Spaghetti Factory. It KILLED me to eat there, but I had to bite my tongue when a friend invited me to join him and his kids there for dinner.
• Webers burgers (again). Another place that USED to be good 20 years ago but frozen, processed patties and seasoned/coated fries are no longer alluring enough to line up for... Dreadful!

-----
Benihana
100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J1E4, CA

Old Spaghetti Factory
56 The Espl, Toronto, ON M5G, CA

[food face]

Do not agree with Lahore or Webers. Maybe not great for curry but their meat is very good for Indian BBQ. Webers is by far not deserving of the worst. Not saying it's the best but it is pretty tasty.

[magic]

I'll agree with you on Lahore. I was last there in January and I thought it was excellent.

[tjr]

Weber's is just Johnny's on the way to cottage country.

[KitchenVoodoo]

Agree 100% with everything you have said. Have had to sit through several Benihana ordeals myself..... my dentist's chair is a more pleasant alternative. As for Lahore? - don't get me started about how cheap their ingredients are and how coarse the end results.
Never been to the Old Spagetti Factory - I would rather eat at McDonalds!!! (Not going to happen in my lifetime)

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Benihana
100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J1E4, CA

[ekim256]

The original post is over 2 years old, and I wish I saw it before i went to Art Square for the worst crepe ever. It was a mess: http://cookiesandtomatoes.blogspot.co...
Worst of all, I went there intending to introduce a food-shy friend to crepes (he's very skeptical about lots of food, and even the idea of a think pancake with ice cream weirded him out
)Fran's eggs benedict was terrible terrible...and so are Golden Griddle's crepes. I hardly ever leave a plate with food on it (unhealthy mindset, I know) but I couldn't finish either of those two breakfasts...
Kuni Sushi Ya - terrible sushi when I went there, super unfresh...I heard similar complaints from friends who also tried it out
Kokyo Sushi - another really unfresh sashimi experience, quite terrible. The salmon was a funny colour too...ugh

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Art Square
334 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T, CA

Kokyo
501 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y, CA

Sushi Ya
20 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T1L2, CA

[superjj]

Great thread! Took me all day but I'm all caught up now! :)

My worsts:

WIMPY'S - don't know why I've gone back, but I have tried this place more than once. They can't do breakfast, lunch or dinner... period. The chicken parm actually made me laugh it was so brutal...

MARS - Only ever tried the breakfast, again more than once... nothing to write home about. The place looks like it would have great food but everything seemed bland and boring

Pizza Pizza - I'm not anti-chain (in fact I like some of the food at East Side Marios!) but this pizza is terrible... not so bad if you get it at the Skydome but if you order or go to one of their locations, it is inedible without dipping every bite into their mediocre sauce

Farhat - I went to this place when I was on a mission to try as many shawarma places in TO to find the best one, and Farhat had been raved about on ChowHound... what a terrible sandwich! I tried the chicken and the falafel, and the chicken was actually sticky and slimy (no clue how they managed that) and the falafel was so huge the inside was raw... and it just tasted awful. That was over a year ago and since then I have read many posts on this board acknowledging that Farhat has gone WAY downhill over the past year or so

Yummy's - Also hit this place up on my shawarma search and couldn't even finish the cabbage wrap (had more cabbage than dry chicken, no other veggies, sauce or any identifiable flavour whatsoever)

Spring Rolls - I see I'm not alone on this one... another place I've tried more than once. I can't believe someone (in this thread of all threads) thinks the curry pad thai is good... it's barely edible. If you want good pad thai I recommend Sorn Thai on Yonge between Eglinton and Lawrence

Frankie Tomatoes - Didn't really expect much from an all-you-can-eat buffet, but I figured they could at least do a basic pasta or pizza half decently... it turns out that no, they cannot.

Pickel Barrel - I have had one decent meal at the atrium location which was a ridiculously large plate with chicken, ribs and fries, but besides that every other meal has been terrible. I always seem to get roped into going back with different groups of people though... I tried the sliders that were served in rock hard stale buns, I tried some tahini pasta dish that still had no taste with half a shaker of salt+pepper added, and the list goes on...

That's all I've got!

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Farhat
2020 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M1R2Z1, CA

Sorn Thai
2550 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P2J2, CA

[millygirl]

Since the change in ownership at Celestin, this has become my new 'worst' restaurant. We had a frightful meal there recently.

[Chocaholic]

Regarding FRAN's. Please don't make me go there again. I should have listened to my ex coworkers and not go there. My friend came from out of town to visit last year and I looked at some tourist brochure said Frans was good. Yeah maybe if I hadn't eaten in weeks! Maybe years! hehee

Spring Rolls...that too...I think it was good when I first went on Front street. Was that there first location? Anyhow it was okay. Or maybe it was lunch time during work and I was hungry. But when it opened other locations and I visited those locations. It's not good. It's not asian, its not thai, its not vietnamese.... I'm not sure what it is...

[fooddiva7]

Aw..I'm sorry to hear the ownership of Celstin has changed- I was hopefully to make it there while the previous owner ( Pasqual) was still there. What changed?

[smudgebee]

Worst" Italian": East Side Mario's & Magic Oven. I still like the Dip, but that might have something to do with the arrabiata sauce having jalepenos in it and cheap wine.

Worst Chinese: Mandarin and Ho Lee Chow. My mom loves the Mandarin for their seniors rate and Prime Rib, heh.

Mexican: Chimichanga (yuck).

Oh and I dislike any all you can eat sushi. All you can eat sushi =/ good.

-----
Ho Lee Chow
5415 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9B1B5, CA

[Googs]

On walking by my local Magic Oven I was confronted with this sandwich board sign, "Tandoori chicken with fettucine in a spicy, creamy tomato sauce". Dear god, do you even listen to yourselves? That's disGUSTing. What IS that?

[haggisdragon]

I thinks that's called 'fusion'.

[food face]

I think it's called F-ing rip-off garbage. Magic Ovens. Silly Fools. When ever someone I know goes on about how good it is, I can't help but like them a little less.

[Full tummy]

Definitely causes me to disregard anything else they say about food.

[dachosen1]

Actually, we refer to those sort of attempts as con-fusion

[Dimbulb]

I think it's called butter chicken on pasta.

[Mike from Hamilton]

I love how all the people who have said anything positive about Mandarin, seem to focus on the quality of their prime rib as opposed to their Mandarin/Cantonese/Szechwan cuisine...

[midnightmadness]

Oh my gosh, you stirred up some memories of how disgusting the Pickel Barrel food at the Atrium is, ha! I say memories because I worked there over 30 yrs. ago when I waitressed as a young adult.....if I told you guys that most of their crap comes out of a box I'm sure you'd believe me, other than a corned beef sandwich that of course doesn't take rocket science to make (as long as your meat supplier is wonderful) they can't cook anything well and working there for me lasted 1 month as I quit, so rude too the staff!
I also cannot stand overrated pretentious restaurants '5 star' with negative 5 star quality food and service, I went to NORTH 44 twice (1st and last time)...with my family. They burnt my appetizer of crab cakes, they had 5 servers hovering over us constantly because their only concern is to have a constant turnover of tables for more $$ and the food's quality is appalling for the astronomical prices you shell out. I told the main server/waitress "I'm not trying to be rude but having been a waitress years before you most likely; I feel it's important for you to know you must at least give us one second to bite one morsel of food please, you keep coming up with the rest of your staff and it's overkill." Truly disappointing evening.

North 44 is a restaurant that 'many' continue to dine at simply so they can tell everyone "Oh I've been there"

Big whoppee.

Corned Beef and Roast Beef and Deli....still one of the best huge and I mean huge sandwich places for corned/roast beef will always be Yitz's on Bathurst just North of Wilson, they still make their own meat on premise! Great deli meat! Moe Pancer's son is now in charge which is nice to know the family still runs the place.

-----
Yitz's
346 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N, CA

[juno]

A few small corrections to midnightmadness's missive: Yitz's is on Eglinton Ave. W., just west of Avenue Rd. A decent enough, if not first-rate, deli that used to be better. On Bathurst St. north of Wilson Ave., midnightmadness is obviously thinking of Moe Pancer's, now run not by Moe Pancer's son (that was the late Stan Pancer, who presided over the deli's peak years), but Stan's son and Moe Pancer's grandson. The third generation of Pancer in the deli trade. And Moe Pancer's still one of the better delis in town. But unless it has changed its method of operations within the past six months or so, Pancer's doesn't make its own deli meats on the premises, as midnightmadness attests. Though it it does finish some of its brought-in products with some extra spicing and other little twists and turns. Which is good enough for me.

But isn't this thread supposed to be about truly lousy restaurants? Yitz's and Pancer's certainly don't qualify.

-----
Moe Pancer's
3856 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M3H3N3, CA

Yitz's
346 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N, CA

[midnightmadness]

Sorry my faux pas re: Moe's grandson Lorne, yes I was typing rather quickly and in respect to mentioning these places although it's pertaining to cruddy food experiences, it's also people many of them indicating at the same time to try other places that are a nice dining experience that provides the same genre of food.

Wow....you are either an accountant or do research.

[Full tummy]

I have to say I had one of the best meals I've eaten in a Toronto restaurant at North 44--during Summerlicious!! Yes, there were a lot of staff, but with so many staff, surely it's easy to communicate disappointment over a dish and get some sort of satisfaction. Did you do this?

[midnightmadness]

When my family goes out to dine at a 5star restaurant which throughout the years has been quite often we will indeed complain if there's reason to do so, in this particular instance let's just say a certain member of our party who happens to be a chef was in the frame of mind I'd mentioned previously about the 'being seen there' mode. In other words she was more intent on being able to tell the world she'd been there 'finally' rather than come to terms with the fact that our dining experience was god awful. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal throughout summerlicious but again we honestly couldn't even partake of one bite and I'm not kidding, 'one bite' without a server in our faces and again it's extremely rude to continuously be asked 'Is that all, is this it"...etc...simply because the line up out the door was pretty long; I don't drop $600 at a meal for 4 people to be rushed and/or rudely hurried out the door in order for them to have their turnover. Thus why I stick by having been there twice at North 44, the first and the last time.

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North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

[tjr]

What is a "five star restaurant?" I've been to North 44 numerous times and the food has always been decent and the wait staff fine. I've had a couple poor dishes, but no "worst in Toronto" by a long shot, and most times I'd definitely feel my money was better spent there than at other restaurants at a similar price point.

-----
North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

[William Taft]

Abominable/Heinous/Inedible:
- Fran's
- Mr. Greenjeans
- New Ho King

Bad
- Spring Rolls, East
- Rice & Noodle
- Terroni
- Salad King/Flip Toss Thai
- Friendly Thai, most other Thai places
- Il Fornello
- Smoke's Poutinerie
- Poutini's
- Supermarket
- Chippy's
- Lick's
- Mars diner
- Fresh
- B.B.Q.'s
- John's Italian on Baldwin
- Margarita's on Baldwin
- Gabby's
- Ghazale
- Taste of Tandooree
- Pickle Barrel
- Lakeview Lunch
- Amato Pizza
- Red Room / Green Room / Nirvana
- Oasis Tapas
- Aunties & Uncles
- Cafe Diplomatico
- Hungary Thai
- Last Temptation
- Grill Time
- Golden Griddle

[Bobby Wham]

I agree with everything in your list except Aunties & Uncles, what do you hate about it?

[William Taft]

hate is too strong a word, and it might not really deserve to be on this list, but my issues with Aunties and Uncles from eating there quite a few times around 2004-2005 when I lived in the area:

-slow/bad service even on weekdays when the place was not full. One time the waitress and the cook had a nice long chat right in front of us while we waited for our food (3 orders) that took close to an hour to arrive. I could see having a chat if he was waiting for something to cook, but it was evident that he hadn't even started. Other times I just found it slow getting menus/coffee/etc.
- I really don't like their dill mustard potato salad. I can whip up a better mustard potato salad at home, and I'm no master chef.
-I didn't like the breakfast tacos. They were very bland, and again I make a waaay better version at home (using Rick Bayless's recipes for homemade chorizo (with my own tweak) and salsa). They're just not up to a restaurant standard. I also thought that they were extremely overpriced for two skimpy little tacos. I left feeling very unsatisfied

I think I also had a breakfast sandwich there that was OK, but nothing special, and a basic breakfast that was fine but overpriced... it was a long time ago though, so my memory is a bit foggy. In general I just found Aunties and Uncles to be over-priced and over-hyped for pretty bland food and slow service. Not the stuff of hatred, but enough to strike it off my list of places to eat.

[juliaschildathome]

Casa DiGiorgio at 1646 Queen Street East. We ordered a pepperoni pizza and Caesar salad to take out...
First, the prices have not been updated on their website, so our meal was more expensive than planned. Second, the pizza needed to be mopped with a paper towel, it was so greasy. And the pepperoni was scant. Lastly, our Caesar salad ($8.95, $2 more than the website list price) consisted of maybe 4 cups of shredded Romaine (mostly the heart), a smattering of burnt bacon bits, commercial, over-seasoned croutons (and not many of them), and a dripping of bland, housemade Caesar viniagrette. Boring. And expensive, considering the portion size and quality.

[kimd60]

The Worst in Toronto? Here are some of mine:
The Pheasant and the Firkin
Satay on the Road (Avenue Rd.)
Hersheys
Pho 88 (Mc Cowan /7)
Tropical Desires (Adelaide)

-----
Pho 88
270 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2E5, CA

Satay on the Road
2003 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA

[munchieHK]

I was about to try Satay On The Road. Some folks seem to like it. What did you object to?

-----
Satay On The Road
1572 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G3B7, CA

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

I am going to have to disagree with you about Satay. It may not be gourmet, but it is certainly not even close to the worst in Toronto. Good, friendly service, nice decor, and quick, fresh takeout. I find it a great intro to Thai food for kids & those who are new or wary of ethnic food. After sampling their basic thai dishes that have been Canadianized, one can then venture into more authentic spicing and flavours.

But I will agree with you on Hersheys; it stinks. Terrible service and a really weird mish-mash, ever changing menu. It is first and foremost a jewish-style breakfast joint which happens to also serve dim sun(?) and has a daily special of thing ranging from beef stew to stir fried noodles (??)

What else is the worst on Ave? Il Fornaro, the pizza place across the street from Hersheys. It is so tired and old and the food stinks and the dessert display in the front window looks like it hasn't been clean in years. Old crumbs & chocolate chips from cakes that aren't even on display collected on the bottom. Yuck!

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Il Fornaro
1954A Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M4A1, CA

[Ginsugirl]

Only on the "Mink Mile" could such a ridiculous idea exist. A slice of stale bread (flown in from Paris!), a few slices of duck on top, and it will only set you back $20. But I guess Yorkville is used to over-priced, bad food.

-----
Holt's Cafe
50 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[scarberian]

Speaking of Holt Renfrew, my wife and I, on a whim, went down into their "concourse" and discovered a chocolatier selling truffles. I believe we paid $20 for like 8 truffles. Never been back. We've had better at Laura Secord.

[ImStuffed]

This thread is therapy.
Terroni's - Pizza on a watercraker ? Anyone ?
Spring Rolls - It's not food.
Fran's - Stay away at all costs.

[trpetrick]

Three simple words: East Side Marios

[Pincus]

The french fries at Johnny's. The hamburger is merely mediocre, but the french fries are aggressively bad. Even McCains baked in the oven at home are better than these abominations.

[Vinnie Vidimangi]

I disagree with you. Pincus. The burger is disgusting. One bite and I pitched. And I don't likr to throw away food.

[Pincus]

We're reversed, then, I choked the burger down but I pitched the fries out. And I also hate wasting food.

[food face]

Province Delices
I'm hating on this restaurant because not only did it have some of the worst food but it also was pricy which was such a slap in the face. This review was taken from a post I started about a week ago. I want to make sure people know how god aweful french food can be if executed poorly....
Fish soup was FISHY and not in a subtle or fresh way. The bread in the bisque had some white thick substance on top that was perhaps mayo???? Whatever it was, it tasted gross. For my main I had the Cassoulet. Various unidentifiable meats. Some of which tasted great and others such as the sausage where just bland and like much of everything else I tried not fresh. Mountains of Beans with a salty-as- hell tomato based gravy. It was served in a skillet. Just because food comes in a burn-your-hand –off hot skillet does not automatically mean it’s awesome. My friends Dorade fish was overcooked bland. Like a fishy white piece of junk. The frites where oily potato chips not unlike Hostess’ Hickory Sticks. By the time the steak got to the table and two minutes after the server placed the food down, my partners frites where room temperature; thus they where icy cold. The apple tarte was hot but undoubtedly put in a microwave to be nuked hot. It was sickly white sugar sweet with a burnt buttery finish. For one starter, main and desert and a tea, I paid $70.

Do yourselves a favour and avoid this restaurant if you love and respect food

[Bobby Wham]

Sorry to be negative but that new arepas place on queen, FAIL, I've had arepas in New York and they destroy this spot

[magic]

Agreed.

And it's called Cafe Arepa I believe.

[bunnylicious]

Not sure if I was just lucky , but my one visit to arepa cafe was very good. as good as if not better than what I ate the summer I spent in Caracas. Maybe consistency issues?

[foodieldbt]

Apache Burger. Worst rings ever, most overrated burger, worst service.

-----
Apache Burgers
5236 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9B1A7, CA

[dxs]

I'd like to nominate Just Thai at Church and Wellesley. Sloppy, inattentive service, greasy spring rolls, and hot soup inexplicably and revoltingly loaded with chunks of cucumber. The fact that a place calling itself 'Just Thai' has chicken tikka masala on the menu pretty much says it all. I knew better but was desperate at the time.

-----
Just Thai
534 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y2E1, CA

[piru]

I completely agree with Just Thai, I was so happy to find a thai place in the area. I had tofu pad thai for take out, the vegetables were cut so big that they werent cooked through, i practically had noodles drenched in sweet sauce with crudites on top. I was standing there after i placed the order, i was waiting for about 20 min, when they decided to give me my take out bag, that i saw sitting there for at least 15 min. And there was only two tables in the restaurant, two serer behind the bar chit chatting....

-----
Just Thai
534 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y2E1, CA

[velouria]

* Fran's (all of them) - deplorable service and mediocre food. Only positive is the 24/7 part.
* Terroni - rude, terrible service, overpriced and I've just generally had enough of their attitude.
* Mustachio in SLM - dry, flavourless and stale. Completely overhyped and recently has gone downhill to the point of being inedible.

[ayl]

Absolutely agree with Terroni. Was at the Eglinton location for a best friend's birthday. I had read mixed reviews about this place, but the birthday girl insisted on trying it. Not only we were shoved into a small table for a group of 8, they would just throw down the plates and rushed us the entire time. One of our fellow friends was very upset at the server's attitude - all I wanted to do was get out of there. Oh yeah, the food also sucked! The 'gourmet' pizza was too salty and pastas on the other hand, were bland. The only thing we thought we could finish was the calamari on a bed of greens. I don't understand why people continue to rave about this place? Perhaps I was at the wrong location?

[magic]

Eglinton location?? I don't think Terroni has an Eglinton location. Unless I've missed the boat on some new location that just opened...

[Moimoi]

Maybe you're talking about Grazie... Terroni doesn't have an Eglinton location - closest to Eglinton would be St. Clair. p.s. yes Terroni has attitude, but I've ALWAYS loved the food. My only complaint with them is the tiny glasses that use for their white wine - now that's ALWAYS bugged me.

-----
Grazie
2373 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P2C8, CA

[Breadcrumbs]

I'll have to respectfully disagree with both Terroni and Mustachios. We frequently dine at Terroni's Adelaide location and, without exception, the food and service have always been terrific and represented good value at a reasonable price point. As for Mustachios, I haven't found a better sandwich for the money anywhere. Any time we've visited we've happily joined the long line of market goers and always found the food quality to be consistent and, service to be friendly and welcoming.

[Dimbulb]

Mustachio used to be much better before the ownership changed (better ingredients) and the prices went up.

[CHICKEN_SKIN_MASK]

I had take-out from Coco Rice and it was easily the worst Thai Food I've ever had. However, now that I think of it I've never really had "good" Thai food in this city. I've never eaten at Milestones, but I nominate that as well, just because it exists.

[focioncroci]

what does that even mean, to nominate a place you've never eaten at "just because it exists"?

[CHICKEN_SKIN_MASK]

I was kind of joking there....and I actually have been to Milestones for a drink. It just had a very cold, off-putting feel to it...and it was easily the noisiest restaurant I've ever been in. I do realize it is a chain so I wouldn't expect too much from it....plus there are so many greater options. That being said, I will de-nominate Milestones as I have not had their food; in it's place I shall nominate The Lakeview, because I've eaten there several times and it is truly awful food.

[Boodah]

The food at Milestones is a joke for what they charge, avoid it.

[scarberian]

I'm not sure what the anger is towards Milestones. I've been to the Scarborough Town Centre location several times and knock on wood, not a single bad experience. Maybe it's the location. Is it because it's a chain that people just get angry? I've ordered several items from their menu and each time it was good quality food that I got. As for the prices, they aren't cheap, but in line with similar styled restos. My dad likes their "fire grilled" salmon. My daughter who is picky about her calamari loves their version. As for the atmosphere, again it could be location because the STC location wasn't loud not like Jack Astors where your ear drums hurt after a few minutes. Each time I've been to Milestones the music was set to a decent volume where you can have a conversation with the others at your table without shouting.

As for bad restos, as others have mentioned FRANS is bad. As someone mentioned, if you're going to review a resto go more than once to be fair and if it's a chain go to different locations. I've been to 2 different locations and both were consistently bad. My wife's cousin had an unpleasant experience at the College location finding something strange in her ice cream. When she brought it to the attention of the waitress, the waitress looked at it and said, 'Oh yeah" and acted like it happens on occasion. To be fair the waitress did apologize and offered to either get her a new order or take it off the bill.

[magic]

I agree, I'm also at a loss at the animosity towards Milestone's. I usually go to the one at Yonge/Empress. Food and service are always good. Never had a bad experience at that one. Not once. Their sliders and meatloaf are actually pretty awesome.

[abigllama]

I don't get the Milestones hate on eaither. I've never had anything that's awesome but for a chain resto it serves it's purpose for a quick meal before a movie. Well on a humid night the Bellinis are pretty awesome, but food has always been decent. It's far from the worst one could do in this city. For someone to label an entire chain the worst in the city based on a "cold feel" is a bit brutal. When I visit a box chain outlet, culinary expectations are adjusted accordingly and Milestones pretty much hits the mark. If I wanted mindblowing food, wouldn't be bothering with Milestones.

The ideas of the 'worst' are obviously subjective like any opinion of food. But it's a bit disturbing that "worst" claims are based on smallish portions or a poorly cooked burger. For a reference point feel free to check out Ruchi on Yonge. Horrible, gristly, overcooked, institutional quality food served in puddles of grease. It makes the overpriced hummus at Milestones look pretty darn good.

[cynalan]

I agree with comments about Milestone's overcharging. I visited the Burlington location several years ago. Although there was nothing inherently bad about the food, it was not memorable. However, the reason I will never go back are many: the cost for the quality and portion size was ridiculous, the noise levels made conversation difficult, and not taking reservations. This is a personal pecodillo of mine... I will not wait in line for a table. (Guess I won't be going to Black Hoof :)

[TexSquared]

Milestones was OK when they first opened. But I already posted abou their downfall in October 2008:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5641...

I wrote (referring to the Scarborough Town Centre location, which I didn't specify at the time):

I know, corporate chain. I will admit, I liked them when they first arrived in the GTA. Decent menu, decent prices; sure it wasn't haute cuisine but it was pretty good for a chain (you'd rather be there than Jack Astors or Montana's). Last time I went I noticed that the menu was smaller, the portions were smaller, the prices were higher... and surprise surprise the restaurant had empty tables, on a Friday night when the place used to be booked solid with reservations. Obviously I won't be the only customer they'll have lost....

[scarberian]

I don't know, to me the quality was still pretty good... I still don't like the prices too much, but it was a very decent meal we had (STC location). As for the portions, we were full from what we got. We ate there on a Friday night (~6:30 in November 2009) and it was packed. You also need to remember all the other restaurants nearby (although I still don't know why Jack Astors still draws crowds - I think I left my ear drum the first and only time I was there). Same amount of patrons just more options now.

[Dimwit]

Was at the Jack Astors at STC last Sunday and they've changed. No more earsplitting music and the arcade has gone from the back. Much better.

[Arcadiaseeker]

Coffee aside, terrible food can always be found at any Starbucks location -- in fact, the place makes me cringe. Cases filled with stale, fridge-cold and trans-fatty desserts. The only savory thing you can get there is a stale croissant that tastes like the bottom of a refrigerator. Even the packs of nuts contain stale soft cashews. The breakfast foods are prepared a la flight attendant. Uck.

[Idas]

Here is my new one: Honey's Beestro on Avenue Road. Amazing what food people will tolerate eating in North Toronto.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

I completely agree with you. I think that we tolerate the food (although after 3 crappy meals in a row, I will tolerate it no longer) because it is within walking distance and is child-friendly. Its just too bad the food is so gross. Speaking of gross food, the MOST disgusting thing I have ever eaten (although not right in Toronto) is the pizza at the Americana waterpark in Niagara (Cdn side) It was the first pizza EVER that I could not tolerate eating even more than one bite of.

[pastina]

Haven't tried the pizza at the waterpark, but I grabbed a slice in a starving frenzy at the Costco in Etobicoke and I bet it would come a close second. I, too, can tolerate just about any bad pizza if I'm hungry enough, but this was beyond the pale.

[scarberian]

Isn't the Costco pizza baked from frozen? If so then that would explain it all. I do remember that it reminded me of the old McCain's frozen mini "pizzas". It tasted anything but pizza. When at Costco you might as well just settle for the hot dogs and fries.

[Googs]

What's the deal with Honye's Beestro? They seem to be a chain posing as a neighbourhood restaurant.

[millygirl]

My sister and 2 others had lunch at Honey's Bistro last week and they could not get over just how bad their meals were. Apparently everything was just plain awful.

[Idas]

I posted about this place. Then I remembered it had already seen warnings on Chowhound. What a waste of a meal.

[haggisdragon]

Honey's Beestro is a small chain, maybe about 4-5 locations in the GTA now. The owners and creators of the concept used to own a Shoeless Joes location (another great culinary mecca). I was around when they were designing their menu for the first Honey's. I can tell you that they don't care about food, only about money.

[Full tummy]

Well, based on my one terrible experience at a Shoeless Joe's, I'd say the same is true there.

[Drusillaslittleboot]

Cafe Diplomatico

Food, from all I've heard/tasted. My problem's with the service. Went there last year and ordered pasta. Broke my bread into the pasta... ate some... and then discovered the bread was covered with blue mould.

When we complained, didn't get an apology, the food wasn't removed, nothing. The poor waitress kept whispering how sorry she was and told us it might be best if we didn't complain to the manager. Well... she was right. The manager (the owner's daughter) and the owner came over. When we asked for a replacement pasta, the owner raised his voice, pointed at the meal and said, "you're cheap, trying to get free food," and told us - in a much quieter voice - that "we just mix all the bread together, how are we supposed to know if it's got mould?"

There was a camera crew filming in there, and when the boyfriend replied loudly with "are you telling me that every person eating bread in here has mould spores all over their food and you don't care?" - the guy told us to get out.

It was my second trip to a restaurant after moving to Toronto, and I was horrified and wondered what the heck was wrong with this city - but after a year and a half, it's kind of a funny story. Pity though, because the bite I had of the boyfriend's pasta was awesome.

[jamesm]

Worst experience for me was with the little sushi place on Roncesvalles near Film Buff. I've forgotten the name. Everything was terrible. The gyoza was a greasy mess, tempura was congealed and the rolls were inedible. When I walk past there now I literally gag from the oily smell. I;m making myself sick just typing this.

[Sui_Mai]

Ohhhh that's too bad. I'm moving to the area and hoped it would be okay. Not even for a cheap fix (à la Bloor St.)?

[Marumari]

Wow, I usually like Vincent Sushi. It's a little expensive, but the combo lunch I had a couple of months ago was excellent.

[Beaglesmuggler]

I'm proud of making it through this whole thread.

"New" Nominations

Taste of Tandoree (Queen W. & Dufferin) - Parkdale has been waiting for a good Indian restaurant for a long time. Even a good quick take away. This is NOT it. Dropped by to pick up some take away, walked it the half block home and unpacked. It was ALL cold. I don't mean not warm enough, I mean from the fridge cold. So cold I actually called them to see if they had made a mistake and pulled left overs from the fridge. They tell me "no, we serve all our food cold... that's a fridge in the front... just microwave it for 2 minutes and it will be fine." It was edible when we heated it up, but not very good, not to mention the fact that if I had wanted to heat stuff up in the microwave and use my own dishes I would have had some left overs! The good news is that no restaurant has lasted for more than two years in that location so I'm expecting a new restaurant in 18 months.

The Drake (Queen W & Beaconsfield) - admittedly I've only eaten here once, and I'm a big Gladstone fan. We stopped in for an early dinner before a show, I ordered the sashimi salad. There were 4 paper thin slices of sashimi with a mountain of the mixed greens you can buy at Metro and some very watery peanut dressing. All for the low low price of $15.

Medieval Times (Exhibition Place) - Go there for the show. Eat before you go. There isn't too much I can say that doesn't make chowhound liable.... lets just say I would pay money not to eat the food there.

2nd Nomiations - already mentioned here but I would like to give my agreement

Old Spaghetti Factory (Yonge & Esplanade) - Like everyone said it's chef-boy-r-dee. And I'm always nervous about restaurants that have bathrooms which look like they haven't been cleaned in quite some time.

East Side Mario's (Take your pick - chain) - The only Italian worse than the Old Spaghetti Factory. Seriously, how do you make pasta that bad?

Fresh (Trinity Bellwoods Park) - The juice bar is great - good thing because you'll need that juice to wash down the food. This is the vegetarian / vegan food that makes people think that all veggie food tasts like sawdust.

Why? I was really surprised to see these restaurants on the list:

Salad King (Yonge & Gould) - I won't say this should go into 'best' thai food, it's cheap student eats, but as cheap student eats go I'd say this is some of the best. Yes it's cafeteria sitting and always a bit understaffed, but they never got my order wrong, it was always hot and tasty.

Chippy's (Trinity Bellwoods) - Again not gourmet food, but as fish and chips go pretty good. I wouldn't want to drag it all the way home as I don't think any fried food stands up well to travel, but for a nice lunch across the street in the park it's a junky-tasty-treat.

Milestones (Queensway & Islington) - I don't normally like box restaurants, but seeing as the in-laws will go almost no place but... Milestone's is my pick. I'm not sure if all Milestone's have the local menu, but this one does, it has always been done exceptionally well with reasonable portion sizes. Service has been prompt and friendly.

[Crispy skin]

Not true the food at Medieval Times (Exhibition Place) was very good, and nice and hot. My family thought it was excellent.

[duckdown]

I hate Milestones, way overpriced for the mediocre food IMO.. they try to make it sound jazzed up by listing a bunch of ingredients in the dish but I haven't had anything memorable there

[vorpal]

It's hardly my favourite, but I must confess that I do enjoy Milestones quite a bit. I've found a set of dishes that work very well for me; whenever I deviate from this list, I end up incredibly disappointed. Here it is:
* Kobe beef sliders
* Garlic bread (quite a jazzed up version of the classic)
* California spring salad (the only salad in my entire life that I actually crave)
* French fries (mediocre, but goes well with the rest)
I usually order all four of those dishes and gorge, and while it's a bit pricey, it's good eats and a lot of fun, as well as being a safe restaurant to take those friends who aren't willing to go someplace more exotic.

[duckdown]

Hrm, interesting..

To be honest; I haven't tried any of the things you listed.. I've had their caesar salad with the roasted garlic (good in theory but my "roasted garlic" was way undercooked) and I've had their steak with "3 dipping sauces", it was a thin frozen steak smaller than you'd get at Zet's for 1/3rd the price, etc...

Next time I'm dragged out there I'll try to keep those in mind, thanks

cheers

[bringonthelbs]

I agree with the California Spring Salad - It really is good! Was a little surprised when I visited their Yonge & Dundas location with a Cali salad craving and they told me they had run out of spring salad! Seemed a little odd.

[pinstripeprincess]

have they changed those sliders? i wanted a snack once while grabbing a drink with a view at the dundas square location and decided to try them... they were obviously small round slices off of the kobe meat loaf they offer but fried up. just did not do it for me.

[abigllama]

With several places in the city that serve practically inedibly food, is The Drake really your vote for worst in the city based on smallish portions? We've always had solid meals there but focused on the hearty comfort food offerings on the menu. We're big eaters and plates were sometimes hard to finish.

[Sui_Mai]

Wow, the Drake? I have never had a bad meal there. Great solid comfort food in my opinion. Tasty lunches and really friendly service.

[Atahualpa]

Chippy's has made me the worst F&C I have ordered in this city in the last decade and a half. This includes a bar were I'm pretty sure the product was frozen – it was still better.

The fish was soggy, greasy, small and overpriced. The fries were severely undercooked. I gave them two tries. They were at least consistent in their awfulness.

[jnine]

I agree with Medieval Times. I went over 10 years ago and still remember my vegetarian meal. It was half a head of broccolli and half a head of cauliflower, barely cooked.

[jennjen18]

For a chain restaurant, I think Milestones does it best with good service, good ambience, and okay, quality-stabled food... So, I agree.

[Idas]

Oh, for pub food I nominate Gabby's on Yonge north of Lawrence Ave.
I am thinking they sell black market beer to keep people seated at the bar.
Do not eat there. Nice people but dismal food. Hockey puck burgers, shaken out of the bag salads and packet dressing. Seriously unpleasant.

[Linas]

Has anyone been to the Lakeview Restaurant on Dundas at Ossington? That was definitely the worst meal I've had in the city.

[Bobby Wham]

Yeah Lakeview is a massive FAIL

[cfajohnson]

Pity!

I had been thinking of going there for old times' sake.

My wife and I used to go there in the '80s when it was Jerry's. The burgers were great.

Our regular booth was the one where Tom Cruise had a plate of food dumped over his head in the movie, Cocktail.

[uhockey]

I'd suggest School as the worst French Toast in the City - it is the worst I've had in recent travels to Toronto, NYC, Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

[2ndserving]

omg i'm usually not that picky when i have to pay for my food but the breakfast at fran's was left on the plate - ugh - what a waste of money -

[Boodah]

Mr. Green Jeans, Eaton Centre mall. The one and only time I was there was for a group birthday party (the birthday girl chose the place). On the floor next to our table was a rather largish pile of parmigian cheese that smelled so strongly I swear you could see the smell rays coming off of it. When we mentioned it to the waitress she left for a bit and then came back with a moist rag and placed it over the pile of cheese, never actually cleaning it up. Then the food comes out...one person in the party ended up getting the house-made potato chips with their sandwich that were incredibly limp and oil-soaked. When he mentioned it to the waitress (a different one also working our group of tables) she said "Oh, sometimes they come out like that." Someone else ordered fish and chips. Imagine a piece of fish with so much batter on it it looked like some kind of midieval broadsword; there was likely as much batter as there was fish, it was grotesquely huge. Top this all off with a guy almost none of us knew who showed up there to eat with us wearing a wolf t-shirt, wolf-head pendant and wolf-head belt buckle and I kept waiting for the Twilight Zone theme music to start playing.

[mikefly]

Texas Lone Star Grill. BLECH.

-----
Lone Star Grill & Bar
360 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6B4Z7, CA

Lone Star Cafe
472 Morden Rd, Oakville, ON L6K3W4, CA

[jayt90]

There is a Lone Star near me at Whites/401. Haven't been. Why should I avoid it?

[act1966]

Hands down: "The Pickle Barrel"... I've had better food on airplanes. It's grotesque that the Yonge/Dundas location has stayed open for so long.

[Moimoi]

also.... Hero Burger and South Street, Harveys... bleck! Any resto that smells like "mop", and Weber's burgers. Yes, I'm guilty of it once in a while and I hate myself for it. Weber's burgers are frozen, processed patties, people! Is anyone awake here?! I'd like to get a t-shirt with "Weber's sucks" emblazoned across the front just to see if anyone else agrees, but I'm afraid it may create a similar reaction with the cottagers as wearing fur does with PETA folks.

-----
Hero Burgers
100 Wellington W, Toronto, ON M5H3X7, CA

[sloweater]

You might get run over by a family chomping on Weber's burgers in their Land Rover on their way up to Lake Rosseau to rough it.

[Pincus]

Weber's sounds like the Johnny's of cottage country.

[CeeQueue]

Excellent comparison. Johnny's is nostalgic for people who went there after a night of drinking when nothing else was open. Everything tastes great when you're drunk, and the guys behind the counter were entertaining. Weber's -- for a long time -- was the only place to stop for a big stretch of the drive up to cottage country. It is probably associated in many people's minds with the beginning of fun weekends or summer holidays at the cottage. Nostalgia clouds the minds of people who rave about either or both of these places.

[Restaurant Dish]

Something critical that everybody is forgetting is that these two places - both Weber's and Johnny's USED to make a great burger! Somewhere along the way, whether change in ownership, due to money or whatever they both went down in quality. They used to both make incredible, real, hamburgers. I have no idea what you call what they do now.

[CeeQueue]

Coasting on reputation?

[Restaurant Dish]

Definitely. It's a shame that many still going to both will never experience what it was.

[acd123]

I have to inlcude myself in the I-Hate-Webers camp. Most flavourless and terrible food ever.

We now go to an excellent burger place south of Webers called Burger Pit. Amazing burgers and fries. We love it. We'll never go back to Webers again.

[ManAbout]

Add my vote to Johnny's for worst burger. I went there based on recommendations on this board. What I saw was a guy taking out frozen burgers from a cardboard box. I went there once and I will never go back. The frozen burgers I make on backyard gril taste better, way better. Johnny's is gross.

[magic]

Man, I think you'll find most comments about Johnny's on this board are..... less than favourable.

[redearth]

I think you'll find an equal number of nostalgia-based favourable reviews... It's too bad that nostalgia is such a powerful seasoning!

[TorontoTips]

Thank you!
I'm always shocked to see baby-boomers waxing nostalgic about Johnny's burgers. I went in the 70's and I've been recently for a late night post-party snack and it still is total cheap frozen garbage.
Give your gut a break, drive a few minutes east and go to Real McCoy and enjoy a home-made burger, fresh cut fries, and quality neighborhood-style pizza as well.

[Brain of J]

Gotta try the Real McCoy. No doubt the quality of the burger is better than Johnny's, but if you grew up in the vicinity (like I did), Johnny's burgers still have that certain "je ne sais quoi".......

[CeeQueue]

I've been to The Real McCoy a few times and enjoyed the MOJO burger and their fries. I wasn't crazy about the bun, though...it doesn't hold up to the condiments very well. I wish they had a few sit-down tables, but the place is too small for that.

Can you describe what you mean by "neighbourhood-style pizza"?

[duckdown]

FINALLY another South St. hater! That place gets way too much praise on this board

BLECH indeed! What an overpriced ripoff for a small-ish thin patty burger.. but worst of all its BLAND as hell

[Auntybarby]

HORRIBLE!!!!!!

[Eatertainer]

2 words...Magic Oven.

[Nelson]

How is it possible in this lengthy thread that La Maquette (King/Jarvis) hasn't made the list? Third (and absolutely final!!!) time tried two weeks ago: three course meal took 2.5 hours to arrive, surly wait staff, food insipid, tasteless and--criminal in French cuisine--strangely lacking in richness and depth, that usually imparted by butter, cream, etc. Delivery time slightly better than three hour previous record, but how this place stays open is unfathomable . . .
Ho Lee Chow: Seems like the [allegedly-]Chinese-eating public has come to its senses: Ho Lee Chow is closing down!

[1sweetpea]

If it hasn't been mentioned already, the Sultan's Tent is absolutely awful. I went with my family a few years ago, hoping for a fun evening of Moroccan food and entertainment. The food was terrible, all courses were rushed and too ill-timed to enjoy the belly dancing, which was pretty cheesy, as it turns out. The worst aspect was the price. The prices were very high for the food quality, the prix fixe is mandatory and all of the more interesting sounding food choices require additional charges, which could push a single diner's meal in the $50+ range, which is outrageous for that quality of fare. Nothing tasted as if it had been made fresh or with freshly toasted and ground spices. Meats and chicken were dried out, as if they had been cooked (overcooked, more accurately) hours earlier and were being kept in steam trays. The couscous was gritty and dry and really bland. Having been to Morocco several years earlier, I was hoping for savoury, sweet and bright flavours, a feast for the eyes, but everything tasted and looked dull. I would have killed for a delicious bowl of harira, but at The Sultan's Tent it was only ho-hum. It was, however, the highlight of the meal. The service was fine, but nothing special, though I must single out the maitre-d as snippy. Oddly, even though we had made a reservation far in advance of the evening, we were given a terrible table. Our view of the dancers was mostly obscured by pillars and curtains. Of course, it turns out that it wasn't such a bad thing in the end, since the dancers mostly tried to lure diners to get up and shake it with them. As wallflowers, we were happy to be relatively hidden from the dancers. I don't want to knock the dancing ladies too much. It's a pretty weird gig and they're probably just students from a local belly dance school, but they were pretty amateurish, doing the same moves in the same sequences over and over. I couldn't wait for the dinner to be over ... and it was a birthday dinner for me. I had always heard that the food was secondary to the show, but with a third-rate show, that's quite a comment about the food.

[food face]

Good Report of the Sultans. Thanks.

[SMOG]

I went to the Sultan's Tent a few years ago as well and went to Cafe Maroc (the front part in the bar area) about 2 years ago. I never found it to be so bad. Was it great? No, but it was good. Maybe a 6.5 or 7/10 good. It was a while back, so I don't recall everything I ate, but do recall that the food was decent. I wasn't a big fan of the entertainment. I thought that the price was on the high side, but certainly not outrageous. At Cafe Maroc, I had the lamb burger and, again, it was fairly good. I wouldn't rush to go back. But I have to disagree that it belongs on the Worst in Toronto list.

[akyra]

would you like some couscous with that ?? Piles of dry couscous and what a very expensive filler this couscous must be, judging by the cost ...

Novelty interesting but insanely overrated, a never again on my list ....

[KitchenVoodoo]

A vile tourist trap. Do not touch.

-----
Sultan's Tent
49 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E1B3, CA

[Idas]

Gourmets Of China on Finch near Dufferin would turn off anybody, I mean anybody off any kind of asian food. Forever.
I have another post about this place. Astounding. Surreal. I am shocked because I'd swear some hidden camera was there proving it was some kind of joke. Hand over heart not exaggerating.
The food did not even resemble food court Chinese food.
Humbly grateful not to have died of food poisoning though I did feel as small part of the foodie in me died that day.
I dare anybody to try it and defend any item on the buffet.

[fatman0000]

Gourmets o C was great when it first opened. Haven't been fo years. Thats what happens.
people go regardless and all the owners care about is money. It amazess me to how many people do not know what good food tastes like.

[Boodah]

Mama Martino's italian food in Etobicoke, it's easily the worst "Italian" food I've ever eaten. The pasta was cooked beyond what you'd get in a can of Chef Boyardee (complete mush), the sauce was literally unseasoned (no basil, no oregano, nothing) and the ham that was in my sauce appeared to be Oscar Meyer luncheon meat slices chopped up.

[redearth]

Yup. Mamma Martino's is brutal.

[Boodah]

My GF used to eat there when she was growing up but hadn't been there in years. She was pretty upset that it was so different than she remembered, what a shame.

[tbug]

The service is abominable too! And the place is filthy.

[Charles Yu]

The other day, I was forced to have lunch at 'Teriyaki - Taste of Japan' . I had the chicken Yakisoba. What a disaster!! For $8, I had a plate of totally tasteless and bland noodles, mixed veggies and chicken meat all cooked in water. If you tell me the chicken are Balsa wood pulp, I would have believed you! Even drenching the whole plate with Teriyaki sauce cannot revive this Zombie of a dish! A chowhounder should never be asked to eat such '!%^^$%^'!!!!

[SMOG]

I also found the yakisoba bland and tasteless. However, the regular teryiaki meal with rice is at least decent. Problem is the noodles don't soak up the sauce, so you're left with a soggy mess.

[grandgourmand]

I guess you wouldn't like Manchu Wok either, then. Man, their sweet and sour chicken balls...mmm, ze best.

(kidding, just in case).

[embee]

Actually, though I haven't eaten them in years, I used to quite like Manchu Wok's deep fried wings. (not kidding)

[Full tummy]

Those were my favourite, too. But, they were also the first chicken wings I ever ate. Actually, it wasn't Manchu Wok, but their predecessor in the old Don Mills Mall. But Manchu picked up where they left off, with a pretty similar incarnation. That's still my gold standard, alas... I enjoy the wings at Congee Queen as being quite similar, though larger. But the texture and flavour (minus the fish sauce, ginger topping) take me back.

[jennjen18]

The other day, I succumbed to MW's chicken wings, ... boy was that ever a mistake. I can't remember how many I got, nor the price I got them at, but whatever it was, it was SO NOT WORTH IT... blech!!! It was so bland, and so small... They were not good. They get a rating of -12, out of 10.

[embee]

Seems they've changed the prep - a lot. They were marinated in some Asian spices and were crisp and flavourful when fresh (we're not talking finesse here), which they usually were at a PATH food court at lunch. They weren't especially small, either.

Definitely not bland; sometimes too salty. The only major negative was when they made more than they could sell in a short time. They were not nice after sitting in a warming tray leaking grease for a few hours.

Thanks for the info....

[tjr]

And their teriyaki sauce isn't even good. I think I might choose it over a KFC or Taco Bell if required, though.

[Charles Yu]

Unfortunately, the decision was based on 'health consideration' rather than taste!

[tjr]

I figured that was the reason!

[duckdown]

are you talking about the chain, "Made in Japan - Teriyaki Experience" ? It's not so bad!

[Charles Yu]

Yes! That was the establishment.
Man! The dish I had was BAD!!!! If I took all the ingredients home, I think I can cook up a much better tasting dish?!

[Everythingtarian]

Yes but do you think you could do it 5,000 times in a row?

[duckdown]

LOL well I'd imagine the chain suffers from good/bad locations just like any other, but the one by my house is pretty good man, and the huge lineups at lunch/dinner attests to it...

It's hardly gourmet fare but it's gotta be 10 times healthier than a burger & fries... I usually get the chicken & shrimp yakisoba dinner with extra broccoli... sure it needs a good splash of teriyaki or two... but it's not so bad man... and then I'll grab a cranberry booster juice smoothie next door and I feel pretty good for the day.

*shrug* to each their own but I've definitely had much worse

[lunchboy]

Yeah, you know what... when you compare this food to what you'd get at a proper restaurant, it's obviously poor. But if we're talking about a simple lunch of fast food, aside from the sodium and sugar content in the sauce, I'd have to agree that it's up there in terms of healthfulness. Or, should I say, least unhealthfulness?? Either way, for fast food, it is pretty good.

lunchboy

http://nofreelunchonbayst.blogspot.com/

[balthazar]

True, it's inconsistent at different locations. Some are OK, some not so much. Also depends how busy they are. Agreed with SMOG, it's better with rice. It was tastier when they cooked with oil and not water, but the water helps lower the fat content (appreciated if you are destined to hunt for lunch in the downtown food courts every day). Agreed, it's not the greatest food but is often the lesser of many evils in the food courts. It's one of the few places where you can get something that has a good balance of protein & vegetables, with not too much fat, and is not just a bunch of carbs, is not a salad, and is less than $7 (and they let you ask for less rice more vegetables! I love that). I think some of the Edo locations are better than Teriyaki Experience.

Agreed on the above posts re: Spring Rolls, Golden Griddle and Amore, too.

[millygirl]

Quizno's on Eglinton, west of Mt. Pleasant. The place is always empty, and it deserves to be. I cannot believe it has not close down as yet. It's a very large space - and the food is pretty much inedible. Worst lunch ever!

[Brain of J]

When Quizno's first came to Canada (about 10 years or so ago?), they made a very good sub; nice ingredients that would blow away Mr. Sub or Subway and the toasted thing made for a nice warm sandwich. It was pricey but you got a huge sandwich. But now the entire chain is total rip off. They shrunk the sub bread by about a third! Sure, I've seen their ads that say they've dropped their prices, but so they should considering they shrank their subs. I refuse to patronize any of their stores now. Give me McDonald's or Wendy's any day of the week over Quizno's.

[abigllama]

I think that certain stores are taking their own liberties with ingredients which makes for a totally inconsistant product. Since it's a franchise no no I assume they could be busted for this by whomever is handing out the franchises. A friend broght me half of the new Baja Chicken thing they have not too long ago. It was above average Quizno's and think it came from the Yonge/Bloor location. I had a coupon for this so stopped in at the Yonge/Wellesley location to grab a quick sandwhich to eat later at home. I got a hassle about using the coupon and the same Baja Chicken sandwhich was very different. Instead of strips of bacon there were baco-bits on it. Also the sauce tasted like a gross dessert topping and I ended up tossing the sandwhich out. I used to enjoy Quizno's on occasion but don't like paying top dollar for an inconsistant product.

[cynalan]

McDonalds's over Quizno's? You can't be serious!!

[sunshine89]

I remember that their subs used to be massive- they'd brag that "Our 8" is their 12" " and displayed an 8 inch Quizno's sub outweighing a Subway 12" inch- which was entirely true. They were also filled with meat, instead of being the salad on bread with afew bits of mystery meat like Subway. Also, payig $15 after tax for a sub wasn't unheard of

Tines have changes though, and the quality and qunatity have dropped. Econmics must play a factor- i don't know anyone who could finish and old Quizno's 12

[duckdown]

Honestly Quizno's "meat quality" is HIGHLY suspect now, I'm speaking of the chicken in particular.. I ordered a mesquite chicken sub a few weeks ago, and honestly every single bite had this oddly rubbery chicken that wasn't even able to be bitten through, you'd be picking out rubbery pieces with almost every bite. Then because I thought maybe it was just a bad experience, I tried a chicken sub at another quizno's in a complete other city one day and the SAME thing happened. I don't know what kind of "chicken" they're using but I'm done with Quizno's as well..

[abigllama]

I forgot to mention that I peaked over watching the prep of my mesquite sub. They measured out some chicken product with what looked like a scale, then moved it to a small container and dipped it in what looked like warm water. Chicken was strained and then applied to sandwhich. Could they be using a frozen product?

[Brain of J]

The rip off factor at Quizno's is huge and that really ticks me off. I'll gladly pay $1.39 for a double cheese burger at McDonald's over what Quizno's is selling these days.

[almond3xtract]

I've only lived in TO for a month now but have run across some icky food, I guess because I have nobody to guide me to the best places yet.

1) Falafel Queen on Queen Street West. When she assembled the sandwich, it was just sloppy. Way too much lettuce, and I mean way too much. The falafel patties were tiny and tasted "dirty". Also, her hot sauce tasted old, like it was made with not-so-fresh ingredients.

2) Johnny Banana. According to my boyfriend, this place used to be awesome. When I went there, I ordered a chicken burrito. The chicken had no discernable flavor, nor did the mole. I got my burrito with everything on it but it was so painfully bland, I couldn't even eat it. The chicken was shredded so finely it felt like you were ingesting something that had already been chewed, and it was lukewarm. Yuck!

-----
Falafel Queen
576 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V2B5, CA

Johny Banana
181 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T2R7, CA

[mattagascar slim]

The worst I've come across:
1. The pickle barrel
2. Sharkey's Village Cafe (Bloor west village). I used to work there and trust me, you don't want to know about what goes on behind the scenes ((shudder)).
3. Milestone's (or as my friends call it...Vilestone's)

[SMOG]

I'm surprised that you would put Milestones on this list. For a chain restaurant, it's on of my go-to places. I stick to the simple stuff and haven't had any issues. Can I ask you to elaborate on what in particular you dislike about Milestones? (Granted, I can see why people may not like it... but to call it the worst in Toronto, in my opinion is a far stretch.)

[vorpal]

I have to agree with you, SMOG. I loathe the idea of going to chains, but Milestones is one of my go-to places, too. There are some definite misses on the menu, but the California spring salad is the only salad that I've ever actually found myself craving, and their "kobe" beef sliders are quite good. Ack... now I may just have to hit it up for lunch!

[bcg97]

I second the Pickle Barrel. We went with the family a couple of months ago, as the kids had a good time there before Xmas. It was horrible. How can you make bad chicken fingers for kids? they can. Everyt tone one of us thought the food was terrible, and the service was just as bad. Our server quite obviously could care less about being there, and he let it show in every one of the very few interactions we had with him. Fail on all counts.

[SMOG]

I was just going through another post about our favourite places that have gone downhill. Pickle Barrel belongs there as well. Used to be great. But today, yes, it's gone downhill so far that it belongs here. Salad is no longer fresh. Sandwiches are just blah. Matzo balls in the famous soup are consistently raw in the centre. And probably the worst part of it all is the fact that their menu is about 20 pages (literally), yet it's hard to find something that's inspiring.

A shame, really. It could have been a Cheesecake Factory or Grand Luxe Cafe type place, if only the food hadn't started to progressively suck more and more.

[Baelsette]

I'm with you on Spring rolls and magic oven but I have to defend the Red Rose (which has since been named something else) on Bathurst.
I've had many amazing take out meals from the red rose and never have I thought that there sauces were store bought.

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, we've split a discussion about McDonald's and Wendy's vs. "gourmet" burgers over to the General Chowhounding Topics board. You can find the thread at this link:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/623461

[digiteyes]

Gabby's.
OK, it's a small Toronto chain (13 outlets). Had a Greek salad up on the Danforth once. it wasn't bad.
But the one on King St. East... I think all of the ingredients are pre-cooked, pre-frozen, pre-overdone. Not much tastes fresh. I hate the taste of their chicken breasts. The waiter blamed it on the marinade they use and pre-cooking to ensure that the meat was cooked to proper temperature when served. Olives in the Greek salad are canned sliced black (hah) olives. Bison burger cooked until it was sawdust. Ate there because it was close to work. Now I go buy food at Sobey's instead.

[odysseas]

Mr Greek is awful. Glad to see that they are slowly becoming extinct.

[ttran88]

hero burgers are ok IMO. edible at the very least. I did however tried that new burger place called Fulton Burger. It was very good and the sauces are quite unique. worth a try for sure.

[bjinyyz]

Montreal Deli & Family Restaurant is the worst place that I have been to in recent memory.

The outback steakhouse was lousy - C'Ya (how does this place still survive in Alberta of all places) Makes me laugh.

Agree with all on the Golden Griddle. Although I miss the AYCE pancakes after a night of poker playing in the old days.

Pizza Pizza - Is that really Pizza? I am still not convinced after all these years. I once tried the box it cam in and I must say...It was much better the Pizza (if that in fact was supposed to be a Pizza inside the box).

Also, so disappointed in both Mr. Sub and Subway. They both just don't seem to care anymore.

Almost forgot but I guess it is gone now as well...That steak place that was in Vaughn Mills. How do you open a place like that, spend the time and money and not clue in to how to cook or season a steak which is what you are supposed to selling?

[Delshan]

Worst Burger...Hero Burger

[deelicious]

Second worst burger - also goes to Hero Burger.

[Chicken_little]

I'm loving this post but got to get ready for my pseudo-date tonight or I'd spend an hour reading... Hey... I guess I still could.... Just want to say before I go that I agree with the Hero burger. wtf! Frozen processed patties! Are we THAT stupid people?! Same thing with Weber's burgers up north... retard burgers, but it's such a part of the drive to the cottage that it's impossible not to participate. I think I might get one of those custom t-shirts made with "I hate Weber's burgers... What about you?" and see how long it takes to piss off all of my fellow-Muskoka...er's with no taste. I'm disagreeing with the Swatow hate-on's here though... I've been a fan for years. I would however feel better if I could see inside the kitchen.... try not to think of it too much though.

[SMOG]

I really don't understand what the hate is about Hero Burger. Here's the thing... compared to fast food chains, Hero Burger really is one of the better burgers. McDonald's? Burger King? Harvey's? I would be utterly shocked if someone would argue here that Hero Burger is worse.

HB does not compare to a quality burger you can get at a restaurant or a high-end burger shop. But to call it the worse? Common. I can think of 20 places with worse burgers.

[deelicious]

IMO Wendy's beats Hero hands down.

That being said, who on here said McD, BK or H is good? When did those outlets pretend to be gourmet the way Hero does? Think about how much more expensive Hero is than those other outlets and how close they are in price to better places with fresh, not greasy, not over processed, meat.

Hero pretends to be special but they serve lousy tasting food. I doubt anybody would hate Hero the same way if they had come into the fray like just another fast food burger joint you listed. In a perfect world Hero would be bankrupt by now.

[SMOG]

We obviously won't agree about the quality of Hero Burger. From my experiences (I've had about 10), it's always been alright. I won't compare it to a "proper burger". I can understand that people don't like it. But to say it's "the worst" is really, really pushing it. If you want to call it the worst of the mid-higher end range, I can understand. I can understand if people on this post don't eat at bad places (I haven't eaten at the real fast food places, like McD's, BK, A&W, etc for years). It's like saying Pizza Pizza is the worst. I dislike Pizza Pizza, but also know that there are hundreds of other places (like Ms Vanelli's in food courts) that are 100 times worse.

Perhaps I'm taking the title of the "worst in Toronto" too literally. Or maybe I just haven't been unfortunate enough to have such a bad experience. Dunno.

[tjr]

Hero's burgers are bad. Sure, so are the burgers at McDonald's, but a burger at hero is more expensive and time-consuming. If the burgers are both terrible, most people would rather get the one that takes less time and costs less, rather than the one that produces a bad burger and tries to pass it off by marketing a "superior" product.

[SMOG]

Time and cost aside, you can't honestly say you'd rather have a McD's burger than a Hero Burger?

[embee]

I'm not a McDonald's fan. Their once delicious fries haven't been good in years. Their "burgers" aren't anything close to what I think of as a real burger (of any style). Nevertheless, it is what it is.

Although I typically eat at a McDonald's in the absence of a better choice, I can honestly say that I find a Mickey D's double cheeseburger ($1.50 with tax) or a Big Mac more enjoyable than a Hero Burger. Hero is poor food, poorly cooked, for way too much money.

[tjr]

I'm not a fan of either as well, but I agree with embee. I'd much rather have a double cheeseburger than a burger at Hero, even if price and time were not factored into the equation.

[deelicious]

I would honestly take a mcdonalds burger over Hero - in fact I do. Without pause.

[Squeakycheese]

Hero currently have an enormous plastic cow with their logo on it mounted on the back of a truck, driving around Toronto as a publicity stunt. All it seems to achieve is to hold up traffic :)

[magic]

Never had a Hero burger, nor have I ever been curious.

Love McDs and I pretty much don't care who knows.

[food face]

Hero Burger is a good decent burger and every time I eat I enjoy it. Not the BEST but doesn't deserve to be on the WORST of list. I can appreciate the fact that it over priced and people are bitter about it.

[befuggled]

After the first time I went to Hero Burger, I felt the same way. My wife and I both thought the burgers we had were very good.

After the second time, I came to understand why Chowhound is not so fond of Hero Burger. It was gristly, dry and generally unpleasant. The fries weren't any good, either. My wife won't go back. This was probably our second worst meal in Toronto.

I'm not sure what the problem is. They may have some serious quality differences between locations (Sherwood Gardens versus Queen Street West), but from what other people have said I suspect they expanded too rapidly and have quality problems at most or all of their locations.

[Chocaholic]

I haven't fully read the full thread. BUT! I am thinking the price points are all different here.

But I did go to Fran's becuz it was a tourist spot. Not good. Crazy recommend from tourist guide. Fire on the East Side is better for brunch.

I second Spring Rolls, when I went to the one that opened years ago near the St. Lawrence Market I thought it was good. But today...I rather have a McChicken or KFC. Big Mac instead of going there.

[AntontheGreek]

for what one pays for a burger at Hero in comparison to McD's or BK... Hero is supposed to be a gourmet burger, whereas McDonald's and Burger King makes no such claim credibly

[kwong]

Well, the thread is worst in Toronto as opposed to worst per dollar in Toronto. =) That said, I think McDonald's is better than Burger King.

As far as the worst burger place? I think for me, it's probably Harvey's. Worst non-chain burger? For me, it's probably Johnny's.

[redearth]

Undecided, re: Burger King vs. MickeyD's, but I have to agree with you when it comes to Johnny's - I tried it once, finished half the burger, threw the rest out (and if you knew me, you'd know I rarely waste food...).

[Delshan]

Tasting menu at The Fifth Grill...awful...we had to beg them to stop

[dubchild]

The Amuse Bouche website lists that they offer a seven dessert degustation, priced at $40. Being adventurous, dessert lovers, we decided to try it. I was under the impression this would be courses, but our server informed us it arrived on one plate. This was all we were eating. Our server said this is a plate most tables share. We were led to believe it was of a sizeable portion and the price would lead most people to believe it would be 3-4 times the size of a regular dessert. Being pigs, we each ordered a seven dessert degustation. Before the plates arrive, two sticks were placed on the table to prop up the plate. This was needed because the degustation was plated on a bathroom tile, I'm not joking. The plate consisted of seven dessert each about the size of a chocolate truffle, a couple were a little bigger, but not much. Desserts were across the board, unexceptional. I could not believe they were charging $40 for this. I considered complaining when we were leaving, but I noticed the curtain, used to cut the draught from the door, was held up by fishing wire on tubing held together with tape. No point, these people just don't care.

[Non Doctor]

I have to disagree with you here.

I had the dessert tasting for my birthday last year and found it to be utterly delicious, as did all of our party.

Yes, the desserts were smaller, but each was quite amazingly different.

[redearth]

Worst burger: Johnny's (Apache is a runner-up, as is Tom's Dairy Freeze)
Worst pho: Hoaikuong on Queensway. Just God-awful.
Worst Generic Family Restaurant: The Grille on Queensway
Worst Italian (if you can call it that): The Old Spaghetti Factory, followed by Mamma Martino's
Worst Pizza: Papa Ceo's (I haven't had Magic Oven's...)

[duckdown]

johnny's is alot worse than apache, imo. dairy freeze i wouldn't think of trying anything besides the ice cream..

the grille definitely wins for worst "diner" or whatever

you can do worse than spaghetti factory though, IMO... mamma martino's is a fine example, but even then, theres still worse... i'll have to think about this one

[exquisite]

Embrujo on Danforth.
Terrible service/management. I could manage the food and the show, but if the management gives you some serious attitude as opposed to being accommodating and friendly, I think I should spread the word to make sure that people don't go here.

[Mintycake]

Agree! I had a pea dish here that was seriously Green Giant microwave special. And the staff is obnoxious.

I actually have had some bad meals at Il Fornello as well...its unfortunate that it gets picked for business lunches a lot due to proximity to my office.

Oh and Wayne Gretsky's (another biz lunch). God awful.

[TheTDot]

I've had my share of bad Thai food in Toronto. I've come to expect a certain amount of ketchup in my pad thai. But "Thai Unique" on Eglinton West is a new level of bad.
The pad thai was one part noodles, 2 parts ketchup and 2 parts sugar. I'd be very surprised if it contained another ingredient. Tried my best to eat this dish but had to stop after a few noodles. Unfortunately, the pad thai was a culinary masterpiece compared to the cashew chicken. This dish came drenched in so much thick, foul-smelling mystery sauce that the chicken was not visible. The sauce itself was so putrid, it will haunt my dreams for some time to come.

[jayt90]

A heavy hand with the fish sauce?

[TheTDot]

I actually couldn't detect a hint of fish sauce in either dish.

[evansl]

No worst of Toronto is complete without Splendido. OK, it's not the worst in the absolute sense, but its close. It certainly is the worse in the value sense. Federicks is probably the worst of the worst that is still open. The worst I've ever been to was "Golden Chopstick."

Other Memorable bad places include:

Omei
Cluck, Grunt & Low
Thai Bistro
Memphis Style
Ho Lee Chow
Sushi Bong
Pho 88
Spring Rolls

[chef223]

Some of the worst meals I've had in the city in no particular order
Globe BIstro
Coppi ( had better food at an Italian Wedding)
Numerous Chinese Take out Restaurants, way too many too count and unfortunately not one memorable enough to remember

[juno]

This is unquestionably one of the most entertaining threads on this board, attested to by record number of postings. And I'm delighted that over the years I've only been to just a handful of the restos that have been condemned here, and mostly just one time. Just lucky, I guess. Usually, I didn't go back to the ones deemed as lousy NOT because they were so lousy, but because they were so drearily average. The truly lousy restos disappear quickly. It's the average ones that limp along, slowly alienating most everyone, till they justly poop out from lack of trade. When an average bill for two with wine, tax and tip can easily approach $100 in even a neighborhood joint, being average isn't acceptable. Such places SHOULD be put out of their misery.

Though I must quibble with a couple of the joints that have taken a spanking. Splendido is very, very good - at least, it was the one time I went there - it's just that I don't want to pay that much for dinner ever again, and if I do it'll probably be at the Pasta Bar at Scaramouche (which is, agreed, slightly cheaper). And Coppi, on Yonge St. north of Lawrence, has been around a long time for a reason: it delivers the goods most of the time. A few of its dishes are kinda boring - which means, I guess, that it's flirting with being average - but many of its regulars know what and what not to order. The boring dishes are doubtless for those mature regulars with health concerns eating out against doctor's orders. Tip for the rest of you: try the cheapest main dish on the menu: spaghetti puttanesca. The dish has been emasculated in many Italian places by having its anchovies (in short, its reason for being) summarily removed. But here, spaghetti puttanesca ($17 last I looked, but then rents are high on north Yonge St.) has anchovies in abundance and, therefore, it has a helluva lotta zing. They'll put in even more anchovies if you ask politely. Unlike most Italian weddings. Also starring at Coppi: a number of offbeat, interesting starters. It's for those dishes alone, among a couple of other nice touches, that make Coppi distinctive rather than another drearily average Italian resto - of which Toronto has plenty not mentioned on this thread - yet.

[chef223]

Not sure what restaurant you dined at but the Italian restaurant Coppi is not only overrated , but the food itself was either too salty or tasted of brine. My wife and I decided to give Coppi a chance after we heard some positive reviews from friends and others. We are a younger couple so right away , we were look at as being almost a nuisance to the service staff, I guess they felt that no large tip was forthcoming. We ordered the antipasto to start and every single item on the incrediably mundane , boring dish was either overly salty or not season at all. Having myself been a professional cook for a number of years and a graduate of a culinary school, I was wondering to myself has the level of food drop so much in Toronto that this 1970's Italian Wedding version of antipasto is passed off as not only acceptable but adored. Next we opted to try the saffron risotto for two, and let's just say it tasted like it was made with a Campbell soup stock base, and was not close to being al dente or cooked to order. Having giving up now on having a good meal , our next course was the Fruit De Mare platter that cost's 60 and promises to deliver an abundance of lobster, squid, clams and shrimp. This dish was the most dissapointing plate of the entire evening, the lobster tasted of brine and was overcooked, the shrimp was tasteless and since this dish was the most expensive item on the menu it was almost insulting to the diner. We had coffees and split a tirmaisu that could have been bought at any Loblaws . Our meal cost get ready for this everyone, without wine 160 dollars. The funniest part of the entire evening was a gentelmen who we believed to be the owner was moving from table to table asking the couples how their dinners we're going, and I guess since we were a younger couple not only did he not come over to ask us how are dinner was , but he completely ignored us all together.
If your looking for Italian in toronto that won't hurt your wallet too badly and is actually autenthic look more for places like Zucca, not a restaurant that serves below average Italian wedding hall food.

[juno]

Well, it certainly seems that you had a lousy time at Coppi, in which case you're perfectly correct to nominate it on this thread. I've never had any of the dishes you ordered, so can't comment. As to young couples being given short shrift at Coppi merely because they're young, well, it's possible, I suppose. Being older, I've never noticed. But Coppi's prices and traditional menu tends to gear it to older regulars. And it's understandable, though not excusable, if Fausto, the owner, should be more attentive to them. He should get around to all the tables, as he often does. But he doesn't always, alas, and my table has also been ignored at times (I'm not a consistent regular). It doesn't bother me. If I had any major beefs, I'd seek him out to let him know. You'll doubtless be happier at Zucca, which you've mentioned, a first-class resto with a much more modern vibe in its Italian menu. In short, a different style from Coppi, and perhaps more welcoming to younger diners. Though, occasionally, the agreeable Zucca host has missed my table when he does his go-arounds, and I never take it personally - especially when the cuisine is so good there (though the wine prices have rocketed upwards at Zucca in the past year or two).

[millygirl]

Coppi used to be very good. But the last time we went we could not believe how bad it was, in terms of both service and food. It definitely was one of our worst dinners, EVER!!!

[Brain of J]

Why all the hatred for Federick's? Take a classic Hakka dish like chili chicken. Is there another Hakka restaurant in Toronto that does a better job of preparing it? I go to Lin Garden in Scarborough a lot, and while it's very good, is there a night and day difference between it and Feddy's? Nope, they're serving up the same ol' dishes in pretty much the same fashion as Federick's! Certainly something has to be said for all the Indian people in Federick's that fill the place at dinner time. They must know something about the quality and authencity of Hakka food. How many Chinese people do you see lining up for food at Manchu Wok?

For those the complain about Federick's, please be specific about what dishes disappoint you and why and please suggest another Hakka restaurant that does it better.

[macandcheese4ever]

Federick's is just up the street from me and it's always packed with people picking up their orders. The food is great, the prices are great, the parking is atrocious.

[Blueicus]

This is going to be a little provocative, but in my opinion the Chinese-Indian food served at Federick's, Lin Gardens, et al is simply very much like Chinese-Canadian food but with more chilis and spices to please the Indian palate... replace Chicken Balls with Chicken Pakoras and you've basically got pretty much the same deal in a slightly different package.

It is a matter of taste and even cultural background, but I would just prefer to spend an equivalent amount of money at a HK-style Congee-Noodle Restaurant than at a place such as Federick's.

[Wahooty]

Blueicus, I don't find that claim all that provocative. I was going to respond to Brain of J's post that I think the hatred for Federick's is due, in large part, to the fact that a lot of people just don't like Indian Hakka food, for the very reasons you give. I haven't been to Federick's, but somebody once panned Lin Garden as horribly inauthentic because there wasn't a single Chinese person in the place. Well, no, there generally aren't, but that's not really the point - there are a HECK of a lot of Indian people in there, and that's whose tastes the food is tailored to. I love authentic Cantonese, Shanghainese, Sichuanese, etc. food, but I also sometimes get a hankering for some chili chicken, or sometimes some good old, North American General Tso really hits the spot. I realize that not everybody does, though, so if I recommend Lin Garden, I always add the "if you like Hakka Indian..." disclaimer. I think a lot of people go in expecting it to be something it neither is, nor claims to be.

[evansl]

No, Federick's just plain swill. That's all thee is too it.

[Brain of J]

What Hakka dishes at Federick's do you not find to your liking? What Hakka restaurants prepare these same dishes to your satisfaction?

[Finnegan]

Lucky's Chinese Food...two locations, 1 at corern of Lawrence and Midland the other on Lawrence east of Markham Rd. The Lawrence/Markham location is better...Based on the outside (end unit in a shabby strip mall) you would never go in...but inside it's quite nice with recessed lighting, nice wood furnishing..quite tasetful actually. Always full of Indian familes chowing down on great Hakka food.

[scarberian]

Actually Lawrence and Scarborough Golf Club Rd (north east side). About 4 blocks east of Markham Rd. in the Giant Tiger plaza (corner of plaza facing Lawrence). Quite good.

Federicks is also quite tasty.

Will try Chung Moi!

[CeeQueue]

There's another Lucky Chinese at Lawrence and Midland in the Price Chopper plaza. Its address is on Lawrence, but it faces onto Midland at the west end of the plaza.

[purpleonion]

I used to go to Federick's until I discovered Chung Moi about 10 years ago. Their chili chicken and other menu items are much better than Federick's. Chung Moi is at the northwest corner of Kennedy and Eglinton. Teresa, the co-owner, is always welcoming and their food is great! Give it a try.

[TorontoTips]

I'm a fussy one, and I like Federicks for simple, traditional hakka.
They make the best chicken pakora in the city, great chili chicken, yummy garlicky stir-fried green beans, and for the north american traditional, their lunch special sweet and sour shrimp on rice is a bargain with tons of small battered shrimp in the nuclear red sweet and sour sauce that is an occasional guilty pleasure.
But thanks, I will be headed to Chung Moi and Lucky in coming weeks. :-)

[befuggled]

My first couple of meals at Pho 88 were actually pretty good. I had the pho, and it was decent. I don't remember what my wife had. The last time we went there, though, we both made the mistake of ordering non-Vietnamese food. Once again I don't remember what she ordered, but I do remember that a) she didn't get the right dish and b) whatever she did get was terrible. We didn't get anywhere arguing with our server, and I think we wound up splitting my mediocre noodle dish.

Farsi, which used to be at the corner of Richmond and Spadina, served my wife some kind of vegetarian tasting plate where half the items tasted decidedly off. I had a kabob, which was fine. A few weeks later they changed names to Nora. It looked like the same people working in there after the name change, though, so we haven't been back.

[Crispier Crouton]

Evansl, what did you dislike about Thai Bistro?

[evansl]

The food tasted bad. The beef dish was that tenderized-to-mush stuff that you get atthe cheapest buffets. I didn't have any. but my wife said the pad thai had a very off taste.

The place was also dirty.

[Ginsugirl]

Some of these are just too easy. Sbarro Pizza is dreadful. Firkin Pubs and their ilk go without saying. The Beacher Cafe has atrocious service and worse food. Being dragged along to a mom-tot event at the Rainforest Cafe is right up there with having teeth pulled. With no anesthetic. Just use the prefix 'Mc' and everyone knows what you're saying. I expect to have a lousy time at all of these places, and they rarely disappoint.

What really irks me is the places that get solid reviews, keep their prices high, and still manage to sell me crappy food.

Allen's does not serve crappy food. It is well-made, home-made, and delicious. But there is never enough of it. I don't even have a robust appetite, and I always still feel hungry after a meal there. If there is one thing I cannot abide by, it is leaving a restaurant still hungry.

The other grand disappointment is Banfi. Much reccomended, it was a truely horrific experience. The service was actually great. Attentive without being overbearing, a Waiter who knew his wine list without having to consult anyone, all the makings of a lovely evening. But the atmosphere is awful. The room is already too loud, the tables are wedged too closely together, and there are frequent blasts of cold air from the take-out pizza line-up. My pasta was near raw, yet my husband's was cooked to mush. In another restaurant, we might have sent our meals back, but we'd taken a liking to our server, and didn't want to make his already lousy night any worse. Nothing that went wrong was his fault at all; this would be a matter for management and the kitchen. And yes, we tipped our guy properly.

[acd123]

The pizzas are great, though.

[Headstorms]

Allen's on the Danforth used to be a great place some years ago. The quality of their food has not suffered, but the quality of service has. It is now staffed by some of the rudest (out of work actors, I think) people who should never be inflicted on the restaurant going public. The vibe has changed from a casual, happy place with one of the best patios in the city to a watering hole for carriage trade idiots and media types. What was once a breath of fresh air has morphed into a smarmy, uncomfortable place that is completely full of itself.

[shekamoo]

Hear Hear

[bluedog]

I wonder if that's a job requirements: Actor, Out of Work (check).

[somewhere4]

When was this so-called golden age of Allens? I suffered through an abysmal evening there about 15 years ago, and the place was pretty much as you described it.

[Bobby Wham]

East, Amato's, New Gen Sushi, Café Crepe

[food face]

Bobby Wham. Cafe Crepe you think is one of the worst huh? I do agree their savory crepes are disgusting due due to the filling choices (mayo, diced chicken, swiss cheese, tuna etc YUCK). However, their desert crepes are really marvelous. They don't overcook or burn them. They load up the desert ones with so much filling including chocolate and fresh fruit. We once asked for a side of Nutella and they gave us half a plastic cup full. I have been to all the crepe places (yes including the one in Yorkville, I'm friends with the owner). They really don't compare to the desert ones at Cafe Crepe.

[chef_vagabond]

Fresh

[food face]

Indeed. Fresh is sloppy bitter or bland veg food cooked by disinterested hipsters. Very overpriced too. It's too bad because some of her recepies are actually really good. I have the cookbook and find it tastes so much better when made at home and the ingredients (all though there's often many of them) are not expensive.

[Sui_Mai]

Word. They are doing nothing to prove that "health food" needn't be bland pablum.

And - they do not deserve that awesome corner!

[KitchenVoodoo]

I must get the book and try their dishes at home - I'm not a vegetarian so my standards are probably lower than yours but I like what I get in their restuarants - what I cannot stand is the NOISE level and the shite music - I have learned to pack earplugs when I go!

[janel]

Most of my bad experiences are with chain restaurants (no surprise)...

- Moxie's
- Casey's
- Ginza Sushi (Finch and Leslie) Had a terrible experience, our entire table was served before us and we asked for our food several times, they kept saying it was coming but after the third time I heard them talking to the kitchen staff (in Chinese) that they forgot the order and started making it an hour later. And they didn't offer any apologies on top of their poor food and service.

I've read negative stuff about La Vecchia in this thread, but I have to say I've never had a bad customer service experience there and I enjoy the food.

[Pastryrocks]

Unfortunately there are many places that I feel fit the description Worst in Toronto. The Queensway Rotisserie & Grill at Queensway and East Mall without a doubt is one of the worst meals we ever had. The rotisserie chicken was over done and quite dry. My wife ordered grilled Salmon and we asked the waitress if the salmon could not be overdone. I made sure she understood what I meant, not overcooked, but a little underdone. Well my dry chicken was moister; the little piece of salmon was not unlike cardboard. Now I understand that this place is not fine dinning and after all it is a chicken joint. I asked the waitress why the meat was overdone and was told that’s how we cook it. Should have gone down the road to Swiss Chalet, or even Kentucky Fried Chicken would have been better!

[afici0nad0]

spagetti factory.

pasta and sauce tasted like it was straight from the can.

[Fishchip]

After nearly 250 posts on this topic, I am astonished that nobody has mentioned the entirely inedible Mel's Delicatessen. I think we had matzah ball soup and a knish but I'm trying my best to forget.

[chef223]

Globe Bistro the food was horrible and the service astounding. I've heard nothing but bad things as well from people who I know , who have worked there.

[KitchenVoodoo]

I wouldn't slap Globe too much, I've had many good meals there and I like their excellent hostess, but last week I had lunch, the food took 45 minutes to arrive and the waitress was so ditzy I just knew she had probably forgotten to enter the order into the sytem. When it did come, the fish was soggy and the chips were overcooked.

[fickle]

I was at the Globe for brunch a couple of weeks ago with a group of 7 where our waitress had to be reminded to bring the drink order she had admantly insisted we try and then during another trip back to the table, she interrupted our conversation to contribute a comment of her own. An hour and 10 minutes after our orders were placed, we received an apology from the kitchen that our food was delayed due to a large group in the party room upstairs and that they were going to send out a plate of scones to tie us over while they prep our food. 10 minutes later the scones arrived only to be followed within 3 minutes later the appearance of our order. I had ordered the chestnut pancakes because they looked fluffy and delicious when we walked by the kitchen enroute to our table. Unfortunately my batch was thin, flat and deflated looking. Seems the batter had been used up for the large group and the kitchen had to make a fresh batch. It tasted fine but the appearance was so lacking that I couldn't help but feel disappointed. And to top off this fine outing, another waitress dropped a tray of wine glasses right beside our table as we were wrapping up to leave. There was some confusion as to who was going to clean up the mess and a lot of dodging to side step the glass as we tried to weave out of our table and towards the doorway. My dinner at the globe a few months ago was also marred by flawed service so between this recent outing and the last one, I don't think I'll be recommending the Globe for it's service anytime in the near future.

[acd123]

Worst falafel and shawarma in TO is Ghazale. It used to be great. Then they started using the microwave. Also, they must have changes the falafel recipe, because now it tastes aweful.

[duckdown]

That is a pretty bad shawarma, you're right

Sarah's has gone WAY downhill also; everything pre-sliced and falafels cooked from hours ago just sitting in a bowl

[acd123]

Still the best IMO is King Falafel at Bathurst and Eglinton. Everything made to order and the meat is sliced at time of order.

[food face]

King Falafel is definately a King in my books too. Ghazale has been nuking things for years. They have at least 2 microwaves in the place and that's bad considering how small it is.

[Sui_Mai]

I know this is the "worst of" thread but I have to say that the best Falafel/Shwarma by a mile is Ali Baba in Parkdale (can't vouch for the others in the chain). The owner, Sam, is so kind and informative about his recipes too!

Worst Shwarma place: Pita Way on King/Dufferin. Iknow they're new but everything tastes like vinegar - even the rice!?!

[Fizzzzzy]

If it's the same Sam, he used to own the Armenian Kitchen in Scarborough, where my husband and his soccer buddies used to go after every practice/game (and he was at my wedding years ago)! I havent been to Ali Baba yet, but thanks for reminding me! It's next on my list :)

[Tatai]

The falafel at King Falafel used to be made fresh to order. Since the owner died a little while back and his daughters took over, there seems to be a bowl of ready-fried falafel balls sitting on the back burner.

The shawarma is still sliced to order and is very flavourful, if a bit tough.

[acd123]

Yeah, I think he was hit by a truck. Sad. But I don't think that the falafel has changed. I think the balls always sat in that metal bowl after frying. I don't find the shawarma tough at all. Great flavour and best tahini around. His daughters do everything pretty much like he did except he put more marinade on the shawarma wheel before cooking.

[food face]

Yes I have been going to King Falafel for over 15 years and they always had a small reserve of falafels in a metal bowl. They are still very fresh and never sit around for too long. The shawarma must only be eaten when fresh. When it's fresh, nothing comes close but when it's been rotating around all day, it's very tough. I must add their halal burgers are incredible and go so nicely with their tahini, tomato, lettuce an hot sauce blend.

[magic]

I second food face's point about King Falafel's shawarmas being best when fresh. When fresh I don't think there's a shawarma I've tried in Toronto yet that comes close. Maybe Sababa's. When they are not fresh, at the end of the spit, I won’t order them. They’re fine, but not comparable to the fresh version. I also must second food face's thumbs up for their halal burgers, which come in pita. They are awesome.

Tatai is right, the falafel is usually sitting around. But I always ask them to make mine fresh and they don't mind at all. It only takes 2 minutes, so requesting fresh is no biggie and the only way to go there I think. When fresh.....oh my stars the falafel is great. However the owner's passing has little to do with the fact that the falafel is usually sitting around. It was like that even when he was with us. Just request fresh and you're set. Man he was a nice guy. The wife is lovely too. I always found their attention to the food/sandwiches was always better than the younger generation running it, who I find go through the motions with sloppiness and indifference at times. That said, a great place.

[Tatai]

The owner was a very, very sweet man. I haven't seen his wife around lately, have you?

[acd123]

No, I haven't seen the wife around in a while. Only the daughters. And they're not my favourite servers in town. Indiferent at best. Sometimes, the pretty one manages a smile, but not often.

I should have qualified my comment about the shawarma. The quality of the meat depends on the diameter of the wheel. If it's full, it's good but not great because not enough of the fat has rendered out and the meat hasn't browned enough. Between 3/4 to 1/2 is the best. Anything less than 1/4 is way too dry and overcooked. Sometimes I drive by just to check the diameter. If it's 1/4 or less, I keep driving.

Yeah, I know, maybe that's getting a bit too specific.

Again, KF is the best shawarma and falafel in TO IMO. I have tried many, but I have not yet found anything that comes close.

[jayt90]

I'll have to go there. I don't care about the indifferent service, considering what they have had to cope with.

[Chester Eleganté]

Ah, a shawarma maven after my own heart. It's true; there are many stages of shawarma goodness, related also to how busy it is. King Falafel is definitely among the best in shawarma, falafel, and tahini.

I think the daughters there are cool. Maybe they can seem indifferent at times, but maybe they don't exactly want to be running a falafel shop, y'know? Whatever. The food's always good!

Oh ya, Ghazale. Smells great from the outside, but the sandwiches are terrible.

[magic]

I haven't seen her in ages. But I usually make it there at night, and I know she never really worked nights. I haven't been during the day in quite a while. She might be there then. I know she makes most, if not all, of their sweets that they sell at the counter. Which are amazing. Since those are still there I'm guessing she is still involved with the business. I could be wrong, but I hope she's still there and we're just missing her.

[basileater]

I am so sad to hear that. Ghazale's was my favourite place for falafel and sharma in the neighbourhood 10 or 12 years ago.

[Ginsugirl]

Smells great, tastes like cardboard. Good enough if you're drunk as a skunk at three am, but then anything would be. God-awful Falafel.

[Sui_Mai]

Word on the Magic Oven. What is going on in that crust and it's just mushy all over. Mushy crust, mushy toppings. Mush.

[Ironchefa]

Spadina Garden for the red sauce common to almost every dish they serve. Veggies not fresh as they look like they've been soaking in the sauce for ages.

Ditto for Spring Rolls!

[CoffeeAddict416]

spring rolls isn't great but at least the food is edible!

that's not an endorsement... i'm just sayin you could do a LOT worse

[Sui_Mai]

I gotta give Spring Rolls a little bit of like here too. On average they're nothing to write home about, but for delivery standards they are okay. Some dishes are better than others - Thai curries - bad. Vietnemese pork chop is yummy as is the lettuce wrap, curry pad thai and the thai basil eggplant - but order easy sauce.

They are murdering the forests though, I always ask them not to include a menu and knives, forks and sauce packets (after *they ask me* if I want them) and without fail they just load up the bag with 'em every single time!

[tjr]

Some of the worst meals I've ever had that didn't involve illness afterward began with being dragged to Spring Rolls against my emphatic attempts to get others to reconsider. Now, if I must go, I just don't eat. I'd honestly rather go to Montana's or something (at least I like the cakey cornbread there, even if I don't like anything else on the menu). Not making me sick is certainly a plus that removes them from the worst of the worst, but nothing I've ever had at Spring Rolls is something I would want to place in or near my mouth ever again.

[basileater]

Oh, I completely agree. I'll never forget my meal of vietnamese bun with noodles that tasted only of freezer burn and a rubbery piece of chicken riddled with fat that I couldn't bring myself to eat. I'm not even going to talk about (related restaurant) East! We started with insipid rubbery (see a pattern?) "thai" fishcakes and things went downhill from there.

If I were so unfortunate to be dragged there again I wouldn't eat either.

[zed1984]

i must concur. some of worst tdot meals began with spring rolls. the food oh the food..................(and the slightly better but highly deficient service)

[abigllama]

There's a couple of ok things at Spring Rolls but have found that the dishes that involve any form of a noodle all taste exactly the same regardless of what you order. And it's not a very good taste.

On my last visit to the Yonge/Bloor ish location the waiter was having a loud argument with the woman at the table next to me. Apparently she was a vegitarian and he brought her something that had meat in it. He insisted she ordered the meat dish, then tried to talk her into eating it, then said that if she sent it back the meal would come out of his paycheck. This went on for about 10 minutes.

[principessa del pisello]

If I am ever dragged to SR I find that their Thai basil spicy noodles ordered extra spicy is tolerable.

[embee]

I am reliably informed that Magic Oven now uses prefab everything, which explains volumes.

[Googs]

Honestly, why do people eat at the Magic Oven anyway? Conforming dishes to meet a marketing strategy has led to a comedy of ridiculous food. I hate to be hackneyed, but since that style fits the topic, its Frankenfood. And nothing says fresh like prefab. As for the health benefits, well I think the Queen St E location kinda has that aspect aaaaallll wrong. When oh when will this chain restaurant go away?

[abigllama]

Magic Oven is super expensive for what it is too. Not a big fan of the soggy pizza but SO and I were in the mood for pasta and there's a new Magic Oven in the hood. So ordered 2 pasta dishes and split a ceasar salad for take out...I went to pick up and total was $55 with tax. Now when I got home there were 3 of those styrofoam half size wide containers that would probably hold two large hot dogs snugly. The food ranged from meh to pretty good but was made worse by the feeling of being totally ripped off.

[vorpal]

The desserts are good, too, but suffer from the same problem: the portions are just too small to be satisfying, and I'd feel ridiculous ordering four or five in order to get my fill.

[jnine]

I agree that Magic Oven is shite. However, both my sister in law and mother in law like it. They have no culinary ability, live in the burbs and are strict health obsessed vegans. I think they like the idea that you can get a vegan pizza with blueberries on it. I don't get it.

[Headstorms]

The flagship Magic Oven at Broadview and Danforth has finally bit the bullet. When it first opened, it was great and different, and the food was high quality. It has descended into over-priced crap, indifferently prepared with a dose of attitude towards those (like myself) who balk at the outrageous prices.

[Sui_Mai]

Yay!

[Pincus]

Yeah, both Magic Oven and the Indian restaurant run by the same folks beside it.

I never wish any restaurant ill, but I must say I would never eat at that Magic Oven even if it did remain open.

[goofibulator]

The Dale Family Restaurant, south-west corner of Bloor & Lansdowne. Yes, I bet you can imagine, and you'd probably be right, whatever horrid thing you're thinking about.

Alas, it was the closest restaurant to a former house that I was unfortunate enough to live in, so I would eat there now and again. Always bacon and eggs. Until, one night I decided to go for the double pork chop special.

I was a vegetarian for three months. No kidding.

[AntontheGreek]

you mean South-East corner... that place kept their doors open by boozing up the crack-heads on the cheap. breakfast was always fine... that's all I ordered and I loved the in-booth jukes

[goofibulator]

South-east, yes. And I note that it's since closed down and re-opened as a fancy-dancy café of some sort. So long, The Dale, we hardly knew ye!

[Tiny Dancer]

One of the worst meals I've had was at a place called Jesse Jr., a Filipino place on Kennedy at Lawrence. Never having eaten at a Filipino restaurant we took the staffs recommendations. It was awful. Flavourless and very fatty cuts of meat. Avoid this place.

[fuelbydamon]

MAGIC OVEN is definitely up there!

[smr714]

There used to be a chinese buffet on the lower floor of the Scarborough Town Centre. Food was disgusting, could not eat what was on my plate, they they added charges in for plates that were not finished on top of the reg pricing.

[philly cheeze]

Bar B Qs on Spadina. wing.fries . burgs all gross

[food face]

BBQ's on Spadina. Good one. F-ing aweful excuse for food.

[akyra]

Vaticanno Trattoria ..
Deceivingly friendly at the door, making up for the lack of experienced waiters ...
Charging for the wine the waiter spilled; he then denied spilling half of the bottle (despite having to mop rather than wipe it from the floor)
They didn't offer a replacement bottle ... aside from that bad service experience ...
6 different dishes and one small microwave.
I had once upon a time been known to order the salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden (back in the day). I knew better than to order a main dish .. enough sodium to dry the humps off of a two humped camel ...
The VatTratt took me right back to that place ...
We did however take the rest of the $40 Risotto dish home - the wallpaper has yet to peel away from the plaster, its been months ... something good of something bad ...

Second Choice
Crabby Joes in Port Perry ...
Not once but twice (both visits) I received the excuse - "both chef's happened to quit that very day" ... they need to change the script, really ...
Who in thier right mind would expect turkey in a turkey wrap anyway??

[Tiny Dancer]

Pizza Pizza (it's crazy to me that this is the number one pizza chain)
Le Bifteque
Siddartha (I know people on here like it but I find it tasteless)
Cora's (the breakfast chain)
Most places in 'The Beach'

[trustme2]

Never expect good food, service or time at a chain restaurant, serves you right for going. In order to enjoy your dining experience, dive into the unknown. The small independent restaurants/diners/etc are the best I have ever been too. Little tid bit, Once they are published in Toronto Life they stop trying. SAD BUT TRUE

[Alacrity59]

Ouch I thought this was about worst. Like a Chinese restaurant my wife and I attended before a play . . . breakfast cereal on the table in boxes to feed the kids (who arrived in PJ's while we were there) . . . I could go on. While Pizza Pizza is not the best . . . for a chain they have remarkably consistent and tasty product. . . in my opinion. Best pizza I had was in a place in Montreal with a three sided brick oven hard wood fired . . . they had three floors but open in the centre so you could see the pizza cooking. (well now I'll be tossed off Chowhound for defending a chain)

[TorontoTips]

Tossed off for saying Pizza Pizza has remarkably tasty pizza? No!
But now I know to ignore your suggestions :-)

[somewhere4]

Pizza pizza is edible -- not good but edible. --- if you order your pie on their thin crust.

[mode]

Mr. Greek in the Beach. Garbage service. No management.
Over-processed pre-packaged food short cuts. Bland spices. Over all a very poor excuss for a for a service restaurant. CLEAN YOUR WASHROOMS.

[fuelbydamon]

CONFIRMED MR. Greek in the BEach is horrible!

[grandgourmand]

Must disagree on Siddartha...it's not tasteles. It tastes bad.

[R1chardsred]

Cora's Really? I have been to a few locations (Mostly Mississauga) Multiple times and never once had bad food there... Sure it's pretty tough to muck up breakfeast but I find the fruit to alwasy be ripe and fresh even off season.. The Egg's bennie is delish, (as is there Samon and lox bagel)....I just can't think of a place that dose a better consisten Breakfeast....

Wost I have ever had was a East side's, they had just changed there menu.. I used to eat there few times a year and it was you know ok.. I knew what to expect.. but any ways.. this Prosuto and Asparagus capalari.. looked like dog vomit (though admitedly at least tasted ok)..

I don't think I have ever been served food so bad I could not eat it, most reastrant issuees I have had have been Service... and substandard food.... but not food poissioningly awful.

[scarberian]

Cora's? Who's complaining about Cora's? The many times we've been there (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Pickering) we've had really good experiences. The only 2 things I wasn't too crazy about ... the frickin' line ups, the prices.

[lykmychops]

I have to agree with Cora's being in this list. I was taken to the Dufferin and Steeles location for a birthday brunch. I should have realized what I was in for when I saw a line-up to get in. If a Toronto restaurant has a queue, it's usually a sign of marketing over substance. I had to send my omelette back (it was watery, flat, and tasted odd). It is very rare that I'd do something like that. My replacement cheddar cheese omelette came with fake swiss cheese instead and was still flat and boring. I think they must use some dried egg mix for the omelettes because there is absolutely no fluffiness.. The odd tasting bacon also had no redeeming texture (I think they microwave it first and them quickly griddle the rashers before serving). No one else in the party was impressed with their selections either.

[Guitarhero666]

THe worst restaurant ive ate at was this place in Ronceville called Krak.....I was looking for something cheap and decided to try Krak out it looked sorta interesting and had a interesting name...Well first thing is they didnt have everything on the menu which weirds me out. They had 2 drunken polish dudes drinking and the owner kept hitting them and yelling at them in polish..then the food very bland and it wasnt that bad until my last dumpling i found egg shells in it I was pretty grossed out i complained and they couldnt even understand me the waitress that is....Also the drunks started to talk to me in polish which was very odd..So I basically learned something never go to a restaurant called Krak and pay the extra few bucks and eat somewhere good like Chopin or Cafe Poloez

[grilledcheese]

James Joyce Pub on Bloor. (I think it is now closed, but I'm not sure.)

They served us chicken wings that were still bloody inside. When we complained, the "cook" came out of the kitchen to our table, looked at the wings and said belligerently, "That's cooked blood."

Of course we refused to accept them. He took them back to the kitchen and put them back in the deepfryer, sauce on, and cooked them until they were little pieces of charcoal and sent them back out to the table.

[food face]

Thats funny. LOL. Yum, cooked bloody wings.

[tekkamaki]

I know it's been covered in this thread and others but I must reinterate Red Tomato AGAIN! We've actually had some OK meals there before, usually a quick pre-theatre dinner because it was handy and not half-bad.
While we were there this week our clueless server took 20 minutes to bring our wine. Appetizers as well as entrees for our table of 4 came out 10 minutes apart so some diners could dine (while the food was hot) and some could watch.

Noteworthy: the Calypso Chicken Pasta was a gloopy and bitter mess with way too much sage.

My Kobe Beef Burger was actually quite good but it was accompanied by a unique combination of thick-cut mushy and limp sweet potato fries and broken-up near-shoestring fries about 1" long. Sort of those crumbs you'd find at the bottom of the freezer bag.

I e-mailed them with my comments on a very disappointing meal, but have not received a reply as of yet.

[Gary]

Haaaaa! I still recall the wings I had at the James Joyce as some of the worst in my life. There were other negative aspects to my visit, too, but I won't go into details. Suffice to say... I will never return. Shockingly, the place is still around as far as I know; I think it's one of those bulletproof institutions that will never die.

[wordsworth]

Federicks comes to mind immediately. There is/was a place called Golden Chopstick at Leslie and Finch in the mall. That would be the worst, however.

[badbhoy]

I agree with Fredericks. You may as well just chug a bottle of corn syrup with a side of chicken fat for a similar experience.

[Vern Ryerse]

Boston Pizza is the worst.

Appalling food, terrible service. I can't understand how this place stays in business.

Rock Bottom.

[grilledcheese]

I actually went to Boston Pizza in Dufferin Mall the other day and had excellent service. I was amazed. Really nice guy named Sergio. Probably the exception to the rule.

[canadianbeaver]

When I went to Boston Pizza, I checked the menu online first. They had a healthy selections menu, so when I was in the restaurant, I asked to see that. The server told me, "Something healthy? I don't think we serve anything healthy." When he finally did find and retrieve the menu, I ordered the shrimp -- it was five little baby shrimps on a scewer for over ten bucks.

[NovoCuisine]

Boston Pizza is definitely up there with some of the worst food I've had to eat in my lifetime. Once upon a time I was forced to go there more often than I'd like, and the only thing I ever got was the spinach salad. Hard to screw that up, you'd think.. but often the spinach was old and wilted, the eggs yolks green, and if I didn't ask for dressing on the side the entire dish came absolutely drenched..

My BF always got the pad thai ("WHY?" I ask him) and the noodles were perpetually under or overcooked. There are really no words for the shrimp that came with that dish.. or any of BP's dishes.

The last two times we have been, the beers were warm. And THAT was the tipping point for my BF. Thankfully, I never have to put up a fight against going to BP again.

[tromeo]

The Pickle Barrel...Bottom of the barrel .Growing up, It`s landmark Leslie street location was an institution.Since they started to expand into a chain and stray from there oringinal deli style roots things have gotten really bad.Higher prices,way smaller portions,bad service and a menu that tries to be everything to everyone.
I had a bad experince at each one of their locations and will never go back.

[deelicious]

6 of us went to PB Atrium this past weekend. The feta bunless burger, the BBQ heaven, the half BBQ chicken, the greek salad of some sort were all excellent and VERY well priced. The service was also excellent. I agree Yonge/Eg and Sherway sux, but the Atrium is fantastic and fresh always.

[tromeo]

Hey Deelicious Im glad you enjoyed it I`m sure alot of people do.I used to be a regular now I just can`t justify how I saw portion size shrink and prices go up.Most of their main courses came with their "famous" cole slaw that was brought out first.Then they shrunk the size and stuck it on the plate with the entree thus cutting back on the fries.Now its served in a thimble!

[deelicious]

The only thing that shrunk in size, IMO, is the bread and the coleslaw. I agree. But the bread they serve now has onions baked in and it is size enough. For the coleslaw, it still tastes as great as ever and I always ask for a substitute to a potato so I get plenty! The meat and the sandwiches have not shrunk in size to my eye (or stomach). In fact the half BBQ chicken dinner (at the Atrium) is in my mind one of the very best deals in Toronto!

[Higgette]

My vote goes to the David Duncan House. Over-priced,over-salted frozen food. Great decor but the last time I checked you can't eat the curtains. It's my in-laws' favourite restaurant. God help me.

[Pincus]

Dear God.

Vegetarian Feast

$22.95
For the Vegetarian Lover in you our chef will prepare an exciting array of Vegetables, Potatoes and Rice.

I can imagine how excited I would be to be served this dish.

[Higgette]

Especially when the vegetables are all frozen. Even the steaks are frozen - tastesless and tough. This place gets everything so wrong. The portions are enormous, but who wants to take this crap home?

They charged my SIL $17, for chicken fingers for her kid. Crazy, rip-off dump. Nice curtains though.

[cannedchaos]

Yep, that vegetarian feast consisted of 5 boiled carrots, some boiled cauliflower and broccoli (boiled to mush, that is). The rice was crunchy, and the service was both slow, and rude.

[millygirl]

LOL. Good pick higgette. I agree, that place is nasty.

[Frank88]

Sultan's Tent - given the price, it serves awful awful food - this was in Feb 2008, so it's a recent experience at the new location. The old location at least had some vestige (slight) of authenticity, but I felt like I was a dumb tourist who should have known better - we should have of course, but a large group was going for an evening's entertainment so you go with the flow.

The Food: Is it too much to ask that the food at least be edible? The waitress had the audacity to say the rack of lamb was the best in the city - the reality was quite the opposite, strangely sweet and barely cooked (I asked for it to be done medium), with the supporting ingredients thoughtlessly and carelessly put together. The seafood appetizer consisted of shrimp and crab cakes that tasted like they'd been microwaved several times.

The Entertainment: Lackluster and amateurish, and definitely did not make up for the food.

Conclusion: Don't enter this tent, even the Sultan's long since left

[laurelmcg]

The Big Ragu - terrrrrrible, terrible service and very mediocre food.

Cucina - awful service, but I think it's now closed. Apparently I wasn't alone in my opinion.

[Googs]

I thought Cucina just had the good sense to get out of Little Italy and move to the Entertainment District where bad service is de rigueur.

[laurelmcg]

Hardly, judging by the terrible staff they had hired, I don't think "good sense" is what compelled them to leave. The doors are locked and a bailiff's notice is on the door...I think it was a non-payment thing.

[millygirl]

I think that's exactly the point Googs was trying to make above.

[Googs]

T'is. Thanks millygirl.

[redearth]

I'm shocked to see The Big Ragu on this list. Do you think it was an off night? In my experience the apps are much better than the mains, so when I go I usual just order a selection of apps, with a pizza or perhaps a pasta. But bad service? Never happened to me.

[food face]

Big Ragu is actually one of my favorite places. I agree, some of the servers can be unprofessional (too casual) but definately not rude. The food makes up for it though.

[laurelmcg]

It may have been an off night, I suppose every restaurant deserves a second chance but I'm skeptical. The mushroom app was delish but that was it. The fish entree was gross - and misrepresented. They ignored us and at the end, when they realized we were unimpressed offered us shots of Limoncello. My friend declined saying she was pregnant, to which they responded "are you sure you don't want any", then filled my shot class maybe 1/4 of the way. I'm not even kidding. I've NEVER seen someone not fill a shot glass. Just added insult to injury.

[Dimbulb]

Everyone gets a shot of limocello at Big Ragu.

[Spobot]

My wife threw up mid-meal at Cucina once. Good times.

[Gary]

Since this thread surprisingly has not been "disappeared" yet (though some of my comments on Tim Horton's were...) I will take the time to list my worsts.

Spring Rolls/East - Can't be mentioned enough. Most puzzling and frustrating about this place is the number of people who love it and hence force the rest of us to attend through social obligations like birthday parties. Why, oh why.

On the Rocks - Little Canadian-Chinese hole in the wall at Front and Sherbourne. Finally tried it after walking past for years and often seeing it busy. Tried some sort of chicken stirfry lunch special which consisted of a half-dozen chunks of chicken sprinkled with soy sauce and about 5 stalks of celery chopped up. Nothing else. My current theory is that people go there for the cheap drinks.

Bier Markt - Terrible, terrible service. Will never return.

Burrito Boyz - Too many lukewarm, shoddily made burritos. Yes, it was great at first but then went downhill and never improved, and I finally had to give up trying. The good reputation seems to have never died, though, strangely.

[deelicious]

Tim Hortons was moved here - http://www.chowhound.com/topics/496280

[TexSquared]

Thanks, although the thread has been closed already, can't add to it anymore. At least it is where it can be found in search engines...

[TexSquared]

Bier Markt is owned by the same company that runs East Side Marios and Casey's. Which pretty much explains why the place sucks...

[5andman]

Mama Martino's - I could get better and more authentic Italian in a food court in Kenora.

[Scary Bill]

I went once, just once many moons ago, and had a sausage pasta (or something with their "homemade" sausage). It was without doubt the most tasteless sausage I've ever had.

Couldn't understand why the place was so busy.

The treatment plant nearby must destroy the locals taste buds and olefactories.

[deelicious]

or in Korea for that matter....

[chicapea]

omg I had the absolute worst caprese salad there in my life. they should rename it the CRAPese it was so horrid. cold, pink, mealy slices of tomato, slices of processed mystery white cheese, dried basil and oil that was definitely not derived from olives. ugh...i still shudder at the memory.

[Sui_Mai]

Yes! The quality of the pasta is lower than low. It tastes like paste. The place is packed, I just do not understand it all. Biggest mystery in Toronto dining.

[bluedog]

On the rocks used to have a wonton soup special that was huge and not too bad. Only thing we ever ordered there.

[sleepymiffy]

That's the YPT Soup at On The Rocks. That's also the only thing I ever order there.

[bluedog]

Yup, that's it. Thanks.

[hungry_pangolin]

OK, not quite Toronto, but just outside of London, a place called The Hare&Hound, sort of a gastro-pub. Sweet Jesus. Six of the family went for dinner, and were seated in one of the rooms. We were given menus, drink orders taken, and then... we were forgotten. Almost a half hour passed before we were finally able to flag someone down to ask where or not very complicated drink order was, and that we would like to order. Another 30 minutes pass, and some apps arrive, some don't. Ditto the mains, 45 minutes later, some mediocrely executed ones arrive, some MIA. And (the height of pretension for a place that can't get the drinks right) a palate cleanser... coconut sorbet (blech!). And on those rare occasions when the staff did show up, the attitude was outrageous. The manager, when we finally found him to complain, was even worse. By far, the worst experience in my life. I hope to God that they're no longer in business.

[FeelinFineSunshine]

I'm sure I'll have people not agree with this one, but The Dip. When I first moved to the city in '99, I loved it. Great patio, not pretentious, and pretty decent food. The last two times I've been the service was poor, and the food cold.

The worse part is as the area has become even more 'trendier', even if one was to be willing to put up with poor service and cold food the wait for a table on the patio is excrutiating.

[food face]

The Dip is one of those places you have to limit yourself to what you order. I have never been let down with their gnocci and rose sauce with added bacon. It's always piping hot, the gnocci is soft and the sauce perfect. It's actually a lot better than most of the other "Italian" joints on the College St. strip and more reasonable. I also find the service is not the most attentive, but they are usually crazy busy. The servers are usually really experienced and get the job done. Sure there's some turnover with the staff, but for the most part, I'm always surprised at how they manage to juggle all the tables reasonably well. If you go in with high expectations, it could e a disappointment. It's not the best food in the world but it's decent and reasonable and in no way do I feel it's "the worst of Toronto". It's a Toronto Landmark like it or not with a lively patio.

[Sui_Mai]

Yup the Dip has gone way downhill from plain but cheap and dependable to unedible. But the patio and servers are okay with me.

[Ginsugirl]

Fun for beers or espressos during world cup, but whatever you do, don't order the mussels. Trust me.

[Blush]

If you mean "The Horse and Hound", it's changed hands (and names) a few times since then.

[jayseeca]

Must agree with Spring Rolls... a bunch of my friends from work loooved this place, i don't know how, but i found all the dishes to be greasy and low quality ingredients.

Of course, all those food court places (all greek, cajun/caribbean, Hero Burger) but I actually think Thai Island isn't that bad......

Richtree! another place people seem to love... the only thing i can justify eating there is the rosti, but even then it can be just a slab of undercooked potato mess.

MB&Co. the first time I went there, it was not bad at all, i almost enjoyed it, but ever since i've found their food to be bland and expensive.

My friends took me to a place in Little Italy called Giovanni's (? i think), and it was just bad, bad, bad. $22 for a huge plate of gnocci covered in boring, sickening sauce... I'd actually would've rather gone to a East Sides... at least I'd get free bread and salad.

[ostracario]

I really like Spring Rolls - the Yonge/Bloor location. I always have the Red Thai Curry and think it's quite wonderful. The quality and preparation at the other locations seems to vary...which is unfortunate. I have this dish, at this location, at least once a month and really like it. Just wish they could do something more exciting than iceberg lettuce with catalina dressing to go with the lunch special!

[badbhoy]

Maybe it makes a difference if you are eating in the restaurant because their Red Thai Curry was the worst I have ever had. Non-existent sauce with a few limp vegetables and "mystery" chicken. We ordered it as take out from the Atrium location and it was probably the last straw for me with Spring Rolls.

I have enjoyed their coconut soup and seafood curry pad thai, but everything else has been extremely disappointing.

[fussychow]

Aunties & Uncles - yes the food is decent, but the attitude of the owners kills me. Three of us once met there for brunch and got sat at a 4-top. We ordered, then seeing as we had a friend nearby and an extra spot at the table, we called and invited him. After enduring glaring stares from one of the owners for the duration of our meal, he finally came over afterward and yelled at us for 'breaking the rules' that all diners must be seated at the same time. Service there tends to suck at the best of times, but that was the last straw.

[mikeb]

Mandarin.

Horrible buffet "Chinese" food. I don't like buffets at the best of times, but Mandarin takes the cake. Bad food and you have to line up for it. I can't believe how busy some of these places can get at lunch.

Agree that Johnny's is a huge disappointment. It must be a taste that is acquired in one's youth.

[TexSquared]

If you think Mandarin is the worst, you haven't been to New Style in Pickering (Kingston Rd. at Rougemount)....

[Mike from Hamilton]

<Shuddering at the mention of New Style>

[TexSquared]

Shuddering because you've been there, or because you're trying to imagine what "worse than Mandarin" would be like?
[anybody here remember the Oriental Beast... I mean, Feast? I think they were finally shut down after numerous health code violations]

[TexSquared]

Well, you don't have to shudder any more... I drove by today and noticed that New Style is closed. No idea if they've resurfaced elsewhere or if the business just failed, but with Mandarin, Imperial, Ming-Du, and the soon-to-open Great Wall (in the former Tuckers/Circle T building) in the Pickering-Ajax area, they had no chance to survive.

[phoenikia]

Or the buffet on the top floor of the Sheppard Centre.

[T Long]

Can't disagree more about Mandarin...for what they do, they are probably the best.

[chalenegirl]

i would agree with the original poster and say Mandarin is the worse of all the Chinese buffets i've tried. i have yet to met a person who prefers the Mandarin over starwalk or imperial. I don't expect great chinese food from any of them, but i def don't expect the inedible, flavorless offerings either.

[pinkprimp]

i agree with you. the mandarin was the absolute worst experience i've had. i've only gone once and i never want to return.

starwalk on the other hand...great value and yummy :)

[mikeb]

I may be scarred by the fact that an office where I worked had almost every employee send off or birthday celebration at a Mandarin. Bland and tasteless. It was a lowest common denominator thing, I suppose.

[Blueicus]

I dunno... most of the buffets have fallen off the wagon by serving unfresh ingredients cooked poorly.

[Food Tourist]

I am generally suspicious of chains and buffets; however, the Mandarin in Brampton (Steeles and 410) is excellent - fresh, moist meats, nothing dried out. They have so much turnover, the food doesn't get a chance to die in the steam trays. Yes, it's "Canadian Chinese" but for what it is, they do a good job.

Starwalk and Imperial Buffet and Wong's - those places are hit or miss. I've had great meals and awful meals there.

[Ginsugirl]

The smell of the garbage bay / loading dock out back of the Mandarin at Yonge & Eglinton is enough to put me off eating all day.

[somewhere4]

I find that the Mandarins vary in quality. I've learned to avoid the one @ Yonge and Eglinton. Over-cooked, over-salted, tasteless, soggy food choices that have lost any semblance of flavour from too much time on the steam table.

On the other hand, one of the Mandarins in Mississauga served up a pretty good buffet, with a nice range of fresh seafood choices. A few years back I went to a friend's birthday party at the Mandarin in Burlington. The food was PERFECT, including the best prime rib I've had anywhere.

[TexSquared]

I guess because it's winter it's so easy to forget the absolute WORST place to eat in all of Toronto....

the "Food" Building at the CNE!

[morrigan]

Mainly I would agree, but grabbing a boneless chicken roti (with hot sauce) at Island Foods and wandering over to Ontario Place for the air show is a long-standing tradition. There's always a line at Island Foods, but I do love their rotis...

[deelicious]

Also good for a yearly H Salt fix. Beaver Tails. Tiny Tom Donuts.

[food face]

MMMM Tiny Toms not Tims...Toms

[Food Tourist]

I agree that the so-called khatti rolls at the Indian place in the CNE food building were a travesty. I've never seen an Indian place use grocery store flour tortillas before going there.

[Ginsugirl]

Re: Food Building

Shop smart! The Indian place with the Masala Dosas (spicy potato-stuffed crepes) is awesome. So is Island Foods, but they sell out of their best stuff early. If you absolutely can't live without a corndog (Heck, I know I can't), you'd do better to splurge the extra 50 cents at one of the outdoor places that batter them freshly. Best deal on cotton candy is in the International Trade Centre (that green glass monstrosity where they have all the shopping and SuperDogs). Oh, the mini donuts are the biggest rip-off of all time, but mooching the free samples is sound economic advice.

[hungryabbey]

I thought up another one: Wimpys. Uh. I cant even believe I ever enjoyed it as a kid. Frozen fries that are barely cooked and limp greasy burgers that fill the plate but have no flavour. terrible.

[Mila]

I usually abide by my mother's rule "If you have nothing nice to say..."
But I'm thrilled that food face has granted us license for a bit of venting.

1. Downtown Foodcourts. Why are the servers always yelling? No please, no thank you, no hello / goodbye. Granted there are exceptions. Worst offenders Tim Hortons (Exchange Tower) and Thai Island. And LOL at Bourbon Street, what a joke.

2. Hernando's Hideaway on Wellington. They should be embarassed to call that Mexican food, crappy Margarita's and a waitress who does a bad imitation of Flo. "I've been here 25 years, and I'll tell YOU how it is"

3. Worst disaster of a meal ever, East Side Mario's, Front Street. 20 orders into kitchen, 2 hours later: 5 right meals, 6 wrong meals, 9 no show meals and all meals cold and tasteless.

4. Worst plate: The Swan, though I consider this a one off and don't hold it against them. It went something like this: Fillet of perch topped with fresh crab on a bean puree with pesto sauce, parsnip mash with tomato confit and vegetables with harissa sauce. Okay, that was mostly made up, cause it was a while ago but I remember counting 9 different flavours on the plate. Who's fault? Yes, mine for ordering it.

: P
Thx
Food face

[TexSquared]

It's not just downtown foodcourts, Mila, it's pretty much any of them. Downtown you'll get the worst service, in the suburbs you get the worst food. If you're on a diet, pay a visit to the food court at Lawrence Square Mall (Lawrence at Allen). Most disgusting KFC in the world, slowest and one of the worst McDonald's you'll find anywhere, Amato Pizza (ugh), and this disgusting greasy spoon that feeds (more like poisons) the rest of the mall staff (count how many dollar stores!) You'll quickly lose your appetite and won't have to eat anything... the whole mall is depressing and the food court completes the picture.

Bourbon Street is everywhere, sadly (it's called Kelly's Cajun in America). A couple years ago we were at the Palisades Center Mall just outside New York City. This is a HUGE, upscale mall with a lot of big box and high end retailers, nothing in the GTA compares. Anyway, I couldn't believe it when I was heading to the bathrooms at the back of the food court and sure enough I'm accosted by a guy giving away, you guessed it, bourbon chicken samples. I thought, man, I did not drive this far from home to eat THAT crap. What was even sadder was, right next door to them was a "Japanese" place giving away samples that looked and smelled exactly the same (this time they pitched it as "teriyaki chicken"!). What the hell? We quickly found the elevators to the 4th floor and had dinner at Legal Sea Foods instead :-) Food courts aren't any better in America...

[Bigtigger]

To be fair, Tex, occasionally a food court throws out some good food and semi-civilized atmosphere. The upper level court at Yorkdale is an example: there is a Greek place at the top of the stairs (as opposed to the escalator) which is run efficiently, the staff extremely polite, and the donairs and other examples of that ilk are generous and tasty - and reasonably priced.

[TexSquared]

My point was even the good malls, not just the Lawrence Centres of th world, will have crap in the food court. At Palisades Center the main food court is the usual chains and "Bourbon St" type dreck but if you go up to the 4th floor they have full-service restaurants.

[abigllama]

Taco Villa is a nasty food court offender at Yorkadale and a couple of other locations in the GTA. Gloppy, flavourless industrial grade meat is slopped into taco shells or on tortilias served for top dollar. Makes Taco Bell shine actually. Worst tacos I've ever had period.

[duckdown]

oh yeah, i've had the dreaded taco villa in bramalea city center

worst. ever.

[somewhere4]

I agree that Taco Villa is sub-par. But comparing it to Taco Bell is uncalled for. TB is hands-down the all-time worst rendition of Tex-Mex.

[scarberian]

The main ingredient for any of the Taco Bell meals is salt. I've never eaten at any place that put so much salt on their food, although I think their fries have LESS salt than their main meals. The last time I ate at TB my blood pressure shot through the roof just from smelling the food.

[KevinB]

Too right about Lawrence Square - I worked there for a while, and ended up brown bagging it most days in self defense. There was an OK Italian spot across the street, but most days, we didn't have enough time on lunch to consider it.

[phylao]

Captain John (queen's quay)
Swatow (chinatown)
Asia Station (located in the splendid china mall)

these are worst of the worst!!

[Manybears]

(While I'm not on board with the Swatow mention)... oh my god yes to Captain John. Oh it was sad (so sad) it was sad (too bad)...

[hungryabbey]

I dont know if its a chain or what, but it looks like some type of captain john fish and chips spot across from blockbuster area on the danforth. Does anyoen know about this?

[Pincus]

I don't think they're affiliated. Based on the menu in the window, the place on the Danforth looks like it's being run by a Greek restaurant owner that also sells fish and chips. Based on the clientele I've seen there, it looks like another low end watering hole that sells food. Maybe I'm being unfair, but I've never had any desire to step inside the place and try it out.

[julesrules]

Agreed. I was willing to patronize a basic "family" fish and chips shop in the area, but once I saw the crowd not so much. BTW I think there are two locations, one down around Greenwood that is open and full of drinkers and the one across from Blockbusters which was not open yet last time I walked by.

[hungryabbey]

hm I didnt even think it had opened yet, it said coming soon in the window last time I checked. But I do agree with you Pincus, open or not, I am not exactly tempted .. I dont know why, and I know Im judging a book, but whenever I see 'captain johns' I instantly think about frozen fish sticks that I used to get served at school when I was a kid. uh.

[Pincus]

I was thinking of the one near Greenwood which is open. I did not know there was a second location in the works.

[hungryabbey]

I think its right beside the magic oven.

[jayt90]

That is not fair to Captain John, a Macedonian.
Perhaps you are remembering Captain Highliner.

[hungryabbey]

ah yes, perhaps that was the one.

[embee]

I heard a rumour that there was some connection between these places and the guy that used to own British Style Fish & Chips. I've no idea whether this is true and I have not been tempted to go in. Does anyone have any solid info about this?

[NovoCuisine]

Captain John's! I'm not sure how I forgot about this one.. I was thinking really hard for some straight-up bad food experiences to contribute to this thread, and other than the usual suspects (Boston Pizza, Spring Rolls, et al) I couldn't really bring myself to disparage anyone.. but, yes, Captain John's should be on this list with a bullet.

[Mila]

Re: Captain John's

Funniest thing I've ever read on Chowhound
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/36124...

[goodmom8]

- Gal's Korean on Hwy 7 east of Bayview. Yuck.

- Vic Hong on Bayview / Major Mackenzie. The worst food, beverages and service ever.

- ALL Starbucks coffee - hot or iced or blended or lattes, all not worth the money and can't hold a candle to Second Cup. Makes Tim Horton's coffee heavenly in comparison.

[KevinB]

What's wrong with Vic Hong? The new location is much brighter and more cheerful than the old spot, and we still enjoy the food - and we've been going for at least ten years. The "centre vietnamese" noodle in soup is very tasty, and we usually stick to the BBQ combo plates, although occasionally we'll pop for a crab. Can't really comment on the beverages, as I only drink the tea or pop.

We usually find their service prompt and friendly, but maybe that's because they know us after so long.

[coconut lime]

i aggree Kevin, i enjoy the food there as well.
i though it was one of the few place for vietnam food that i enjoy in toronto
try the curry there next time if you haven't, it's not bad at all

i prefer the Scarborough location but i guess it's wasn't a good location for them because alot of people aren't aware they're there...

[designergirl]

I'm with you- I have never had an issue at all.

[phoenikia]

Margarita's on Baldwin. Saddest excuse for Tex-Mex I've encountered anywhere... whatever I had ordered was a soggy mess made from frozen california mix veggies. I don't remember it being that bad in the late 90s, but what I was served last summer was the worst restaurant food I can remember having.

If your friends drag you there, stick with the drinks.

[Chicken_little]

OMG! THANK YOU! I've been there twice with an ex-boyfriend who likes it. It almost altered my feelings for him... I was so shocked how he lost his sense of good taste... must have been a favourite of his "favourite" ex... hence the break-up. I thought, who is this person and how could he possibly think this is good???? This place has a KILLER location, but everything from the dirty decor, sloped floors, are palatial in comparison to the food. Does that make sense? Mouldy cheese both times - like they NEVER wash out the cheese bin and just keep adding.... Bleck! Almost can't even go there in my memory. Haven't been to John's Italian, but that's another joint with such potential, but is a dead zone from a food perspective.

[DrewStar]

Yeah, I remember watching the owner fill a couple of pint glasses with beer which ran out midway. He glanced around hoping nobody was watching and proceeded to fill the glasses to the top with a different kind of beer. Greasy food and just a dodgy place.

[Arcadiaseeker]

You are right -- that place is FOUL! I ordered some kind of chicken dish and it was full of old gristly/boney chicken meat. I nearly gagged. Worst Mexican and one of the worst meals I have had in TO.

[designergirl]

Yup, I agree. The location is great....the rest just sucks!

[NoraBlenderbee]

Agreed. Horrible. Haven't been back in two years, after I was forced to go for a birthday dinner. Terrible service, worse food.

[lasardo]

Alright, some of the worst of the worst (some echoed already on this board):
Hernando's Hideaway (either locale): Awful food (burrito had a frozen veggie mix in it, including crinkle-cut carrot and broccoli), terrible service and too-high prices.
Burrito Boyz: Horrendous service, literally as if the staff couldn't be bothered to deal with you, coupled with a bizarre ordering process and a total lack of respect for the customer.
Sushi on Bloor: Sloowwww service for mediocre sushi.
The Pizza Pizza @ Church/Dundas: The head guy there, usually taking orders, is practically yelling at you, daring you to order. One time a server didn't know what goat cheese was, and instead of giving us broccoli, gave us pepperoni.
Mars Diner: My veggies were frozen, and steak was literally reheated in a microwave before my eyes.
Lolita's Lust: Is this place still operating? I hope not, based on their tiny portions, ridiculous prices and too-dark decor.

[SMOG]

Sorry, I have to respond to this one... I take that shot against Burrito Boyz personally! Take it back!!

[Vinnie Vidimangi]

My problem with Burrito Boyz is that it is extraordinarily boring.
VVM

[AntontheGreek]

I was still impressed with my steak burrito at Burrito Boyz on College

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[ekim256]

I've only had super friendly service at Burrito Boyz - whether it's 8PM 3:30AM, nobody has ever been rude to me. Their ordering process is pretty straightforward in my opinion - then again the original complaint is from 2008 so maybe things have changed for the better =). They're quite generous with their toppings which are all fresh and their service is quick. My go-to for a late night nosh, in my opinion, although with the new O&B Canteen open til 12AM that may change.

I am not a fan of their steak burrito, but I love their halibut burrito with everything on it. The hot sauce is so good, I like spice so I ask for two lines. Large is a pound and a half worth of fish! Pic: http://cookiesandtomatoes.blogspot.com/p/compare-fare.html#burrito

Has anyone tried their chicken? I can never resist the fish...

Erin
http://cookiesandtomatoes.blogspot.com/

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[meatnveg]

The chicken at Burrito Boyz is made with the same spice-mix as the steak.
However, the chicken (def. not white meat) is sub-par to the fish, simply because it is cooked in a huge batch and then kept warm, whereas the Halibut and the Shirmp are all made-to-order.

I used to work at Burrito Boyz and would get lunch/dinner there. I found that the chicken would sort of get lost in the burrito, so I ended up getting a Nudie burrito (burrito sans tortilla) with 4 lines of hot sauce (love that stuf...and I know whats in it!)

-----
Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

[Googs]

To each their own, Smog. I take offence to the "either location" inference about Hernando's Hideaway. I've been enjoying the Yonge location for over 20 years. I would never go to the other location. There they just don't get it.

[abigllama]

That's interesting with Hernando's, I've had just the opposite experience. Have been dragged to the Yonge street location twice and had bad meals. Sketchy meat and ketchup based flavors were my issues. On a Mexican craving after a film ducked into the Front St. location and had decent tacos and queso dip.

I was complaining about lack of decent Mexican here to a friend of mine in Dallas. He claims he had decent Mexican at Hernando's on Yonge a few years ago. So possibly I got em on two bad nights?

[Welshgirl]

Maybe it is because I was spoiled by eating some fantastic burritos in California, but I found BB *very* disappointing - the burritos were tepid, bland, and overpriced.

[deelicious]

Nah. its because they ARE tepid and bland.

[John Dory]

Mars Diner was absolutely awful. I walked in there after having a few drinks and expecting a passable hamburger. My girlfriend ordered a chick