Dante's 2nd Location Is Open

[torontovore]

The new Dante's outlet is now open at 8707 Dufferin in Vaughan. Yes they are expensive but their pizza has always been tasty and very filling. A medium size pizza without toppings, just cheese and tomato sauce, will cost $20 for pick-up. I really enjoy the dry cured smoked pepperoni even though it is a premium topping which means an extra $2.75 on a medium sized pie. We picked up a take-out pie that was half pepperoni and half rapini, since they don't have spinach as a topping. I admit that choosing the whole wheat crust may have diminished the experience but it was not quite as satisfying as I remembered from the original location. I think that they have cut back on the tomato sauce which has always been the 'taste' of Dante's. My next order will definitely specify 'extra sauce'.

[Pincus]

It's too bad, back in the day *stomps cane on floor* this was the go-to delivery place for me and my buddies.

[Pigurd]

just tried out dantes in thornhill before a poker game with some buddies. the pizza seemed quite dry, lacked sauce, was very skimpy on cheese and the taste seemed to vary between tasteless to very salty. i dont eat much pizza, but ive had better ... even at chain places. I guess this place has gone down hill? the portion sizes r pretty gigantic though, and its possible i didnt fully enjoy the pizza cause we were stuffed from the antipasto/seafood platter, though those dishes werent particularly special, or good... i used to hear this was a great place for pizza though, so i am quite disappointed. The service was pretty good, the waiter was unobtrusive and efficient... oie, i had a long drive back from ottawa hoping to come home to a nice slice of pizza...

[Chester Eleganté]

I don't know if anyone remembers, or noticed much of a difference, but for whatever reason, their quality dropped noticeably a few years ago (3? 4?) when they shut down for a couple of months, and reopened with an inferior pizza, skimpier toppings, and higher prices. I haven't been back recently after a series of disappointments, but I note that the prices have gone up even higher. Still, for those that are expressing amazement at said prices, do note that some of these portion sizes (including the pizza) are very large indeed.

[duckdown]

I almost died when I checked the prices out at this place... $12.99 for a caesar salad?!?!?

[callitasicit]

Their small caesar salad is $5.99 I believe and it can feed more than two people imho plus it is really good! The large caesar must be huge!

[duckdown]

Chicken Parm. dinner is $19.99 , is that worth it?? Price seems astronomical but i guess it might be possible its enough for 2 meals... I'd b e surprised though

[tjr]

There are two menus on the website: 1 - individual portions, 2 - group portions ("platters"). At the top of the menu you're taking these prices from, there's a note saying: "All Dante’s platters serve 2 – 3 people."

$19.99 for chicken parmesan that serves 2 or 3 people seems pretty reasonable to me.

[duckdown]

Just want to add that the $19.99 chicken parmesean costs an additional $6.99 just to add spaghetti in tomato sauce. Unreal that it doesn't even come with pasta

[tjr]

Well, that's disgusting.

[Googs]

I'm with you duckdown (Iron Chef Take-Out). Someone would have to prove to me that a medium cheese and tomato pizza is worth 20 bucks. I'll pay that for Big Mamma's Boy, but man it's good and I admit I still feel foolish despite it's high quality.

[duckdown]

LOL, iron chef take-out... love it... that is definitely me

what's big mamma's boy, a pizza joint? i always like trying new pizza places if its worthwhile

[magic]

Dante's is a friggin joke.

[Googs]

Big Mamma is designer. I have the feeling you're more of an Olympic 76 man. No designer toppings, no fancy decor, no snooty servers. Just thick (not deep dish) crusted pizza delivered hot and well-done to your table on a proper pizza pedestal. In other words you don't pay for what you don't want so the prices are cheap and the pizza good. Yes, they do take-out. Enjoy my friend.
http://www.torontoplus.ca/portal/prof...

[Googs]

I almost forgot. Have a link.

-----
Olympic 76
8A Gloucester St, Toronto, ON M4Y1L5, CA

[duckdown]

Excellent

Might just have to check this out ASAP

Thanks!

[torontovore]

It's unlikely that you'd choose Olympic 76, or any other great downtown pizza, if you live north of Steeles. The travel time and cost would make it unpractical. For pizza most people choose the best from the closest. Those living in the city core can probably walk to a great local place and carry home a take-out, but if you're in suburban Thornhill or Vaughan you're not walking anywhere and delivery makes sense. When comparing prices, I'd rather have one satisfying Dante's pizza with quality ingredients than two boring PizzaPizza's with sub-standard toppings. The taste of a Dante's pizza is unique and distinctive. I find it too expensive to be an everyday staple, but it's a great treat a few times a year,

[magic]

If you're north of Steeles and you want basic but good quality old school pizza (a la Olympic 76) go to Laterna at Yonge+Steeles. Very good pizza. Great service. Normal prices. Would choose it any day over friggin Dante's.

[torontovore]

I've seen it on Yonge just south of Steeles. Greek style I think. On your recommendation I'll give it a try asap. Thanks...

[magic]

I hope you like Laterna. Please let me know.

Also good there: what they call the “super souvlaki”. Basically just souvlaki wrapped in pita, but the pita is made fresh (essentially, just a version of their pizza crust but with a twist I guess). The garlic sauce on it is killer too. I always opt for the chicken. Haven’t tried the lamb, pork versions etc. Try their Caesar salad. Simple but delish. A small is huge, big enough for 3-4 people. If you’re into quantity (which I could care less about most of the time) this salad, and this restaurant, is for you.

Hope you enjoy.

[KevinB]

Yep, I completely agree. From Richmond Hill, a drive to Caplansky's takes 45 minutes at the best of times, and then you have to find a place to park. I like Zane's sandwich better, but if I want smoked meat, I'm heading to Centre St. deli, which is about 15 minutes away with a nice big lot out front. Same with veal - I love California, San Francesca, or even Commisso Bros., but if I want an Italian sandwich, I'm going to get it from Dante's, where I can get it delivered in less time and less expense.

I mean, if you value your free time at as little $15/hr, a trip from Richmond Hill below Bloor is about 45 minutes each way, and about 40 km each way. So my time is worth $20, and I get 10 km/l (about 28 mpg), that's 8 l of gas at, say, $0.75/l, or another $6. So, my $6.50 San Fran veal actually costs me $32.50; it may be better than Dante's, but it's not 3 times better.

But I'm not asking for any sympathy from downtowners; many of the best Asian places in the GTA are up here in Richmond Hill and Markham, and I'm sure when Charles, Skyline, and others write about these great spots, they have to make much the same calculation before coming up here to the Great White North ;}.

[magic]

Haha, I like your free time rate breakdown. Interesting.

[KevinB]

Sorry, I studied economics. I always compute the opportunity cost, it's one of my many failings.

[magic]

Very clever. I like it.

[go4sherri]

Love their pizza, I always forget about them unfortunately due to the fact I live no where near them. They are on parliment st, west side, north of Jet Fuel. If that helps?

[Charles Yu]

Tried the Thornhill location once. Thick and flabby crust pizza that's overpriced. Nothing special! Even Domino's Pizza tasted better and much better value!

[callitasicit]

Their pizza's are so overpriced that it is not funny. The best thing that they offer their is their sandwiches, they are awesome!!!!

[choccat]

I tried their veal sandwiches 2 weeks ago. Like the pizzas, they are overpriced ($24 for 2 normal size sandwiches, just veal and sauce!!) and nothing to write home about. Bitondo's and California sandwiches, which have gone downhill in quality in recent years, are a much better deal at half the price.

[KevinB]

I don't know how you can say they're just "veal and sauce". Dante's online menu says specifically you can have any four of the following at no extra charge on any of their sandwiches:

• mozzarella cheese • onions • tomatoes • green peppers • yellow peppers
• marinated red peppers • hot peppers • mushrooms • black olives • green olives

I'm a cheese, green and red peppers, and mushrooms guy. It's only if you want more than 4 that it costs more. And yes, they're pricey at $10.99 each, but frankly, I've never been able to finish one, so it's either dinner and lunch, or I split one with my wife. And, if you live in Richmond Hill, nobody makes a better veal sandwich than Dante. Hollywood Panini and Panera are both dreck.

But I agree that their pizza is overpriced and not particularly tasty. And someone below notes that the meat platters don't include a pasta - personally, I've always found their pasta overcooked, and we just prepare one at home after we order. By the time the food arrives, which usually takes a long time, we have a nice hot bowl of spaghetti waiting for us.

And I think their provolone and prosciutto salad platter is great:iceberg lettuce with cherry tomatoes, red onions, olives, thinly sliced prosciutto, smoked provolone cheese,
and Italian dressing. Again, it's so big it never gets finished, since half the family likes a Ceasar.