Quick takeout lunch at Yonge-Bloor

[fclm]

Hi there!

I am looking for a place around Yonge and Bloor where I can go grab lunch and bring it back to my office. Don't want to walk too far or spend too much money, but don't want to get stuck in a food court rut either. Not picky on ethnicity of food. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[grubgal]

I worked @ Y&B for 2 years and loved the choices there. I did not have a big budget for lunch but was looking for food big on flavour. Among my favourites were: Ginger on Yonge (Vietnamese), Biryani House on Hayden, The Holt Renfrew Cafe, There is a Thai place in the food court@ The bay as well which is quite good. The Bay at 2 Bloor has a cafe on the 5th Floor which has a lot of choice and of course Fit For Life at the food court @ cumberland.

[fickle]

I think the ownership has changed at Ginger, I didn't recognize the staff the last 3 times I went. The prices have gone up and the quality has gone down so after 3 strikes, they're off my list now.

I really like Esther's soup kitchen at Cumberland Terrace.

[wontonfm]

I like the lunch special at Ritz (west indian food) on Yonge about a block north of Wellesley on the west side of the street. You can get jerk chicken, peas and rice and salad for $3.99. love it!

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.net

[Googs]

Focaccia Italian Sandwiches at 13 Hayden is the take-out window of, well, Foccacia.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/focaccia-italian-sandwiches-toronto

Ichi Riki on Bloor west of Church is fairly reasonably priced at lunch.
http://www.ichiriki.ca/

Take-out wings from the Crown & Dragon on Yonge just north of Davenport.
http://www.incommonproductions.com/dragonwings/

The Loaf & Ladle on the east side of Yonge about a block north of Church has just about the cheapest sandwiches in the area. They're nothing special, but they're filling especially for the price.
http://www.loafandladle.com/

-----
Ichiriki
120 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W1B7, CA

Focaccia Italian Sandwiches
13 Hayden St, Toronto, ON M4Y2P2, CA

Loaf and Ladle
901 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W2H2, CA

Crown & Dragon Pub
890 Yonge, Toronto, ON M4W2J2, CA

[Platoputas]

I work in the same area and in terms of a cheap take-out lunch my co-workers swear by a place called Xtreme Taste on Cumberland. It's $5 for a chicken sandwich (grilled or breaded) and two choices from their variety of salads. I've yet to try one yet, but they all think it's good lunch and an even better deal. The same owners also have a schwarma place next door and I've had the chicken shwarma there and it was decent and also around $5.

[SuriniGirl]

There are 2 good places to eat on Charles Street - the Okonomi house whose specialty are these savory and generously-sized japanese pancakes. You can choose either the vegetarian, chicken, squid and I think bacon. The pancakes come in their own individual pan and they're smothered in a teriyaki-like sauce and a dollop of mayonaise. If you're daring, you can order seaweed and/or bonito flakes to sprinkle on top while the pancake is still hot. The atmosphere is circa 1970's but you're going for the food. The other place I reccommend is another Japanese restaurant 2 doors down called "sushi club". This place also does decent and inexpensive Japanese food. My favorite is the "Katsu Don" which is a bowl of rice topped with a breaded pork cutlet. This is smothered with sweet caramelized onions and an egg all combined together with a light sweet soya-based sauce. It's perfect when the rice is pipping hot and the cutlet crunchy while the onion and egg is meltingly soft. I call it my "comfort in a bowl".

[huskylord]

Chino Loco opened up on Church south of Wellsely

[abigllama]

I live near the 'hood and get Chino Loco probably one a week. It's excellent and filling. Also the staff are super nice. The chicken and the pork burritos are amazing and try it with the noodles. All of the flavours have an Asian taste so the noddles sound odd but totally work.

[ksapd]

There is a small place on bay Street on the west side almost immediately at the Bay subway entrance. Not sure the name of it and have not tried it. Anyone know anything?

The Coffee Mill tucked between Cumberland and Yorkvill has good veal sandwiches and hot dishes.

[garfield]

Kings Palace on church for Indian.

[yummyladie]

I second Scaccia, great place for sandwiches and pasta.

I would also suggest Holtz Cafe, you would have to be their by 12:00, any later the sandwiches would be all gone. I like it at Holtz because they will put the focaccia sandwiches on the grill and toast it up really nice, with olive oil and salt and pepper.

In the cumberland plaza on the main floor there is a great Indian Take out place. If I can recall correctly it is called Mom's Kitchen, it's by Marquis Jewelry. Their Curry Chicken Roti is delicious and GREAT homemade soups.

[gastrojunkie]

I 2nd Scaccia... It is one of the places I typically visit at least once per week.

Also there is a great salad place in the Cumberland Plaza too which I head to every once in a while. You get huge portions and things like their beets are delicious.

[katiew]

I'd suggest Camros, just south of Bloor and east of Yonge, at 25 Hayden St. It's all organic, healthy and very delicious!

http://www.camroseatery.com/

[abigllama]

I second Camros. It's a bit pricy but very tasty and filling vegan offerings. The portions might not look big but those bean casseroles and stew are super rich and hearty. Everything is super fresh too. All the suggestions above are excellent, this is a healthy alternative. The spelt cookies are excellent too.

[abigllama]

Also a note on Camros, the food is super filling. I'm a big eater and can barely finish a 3 item plate. Those bean casseroles are awesome!

[charxchar]

Another vote for Camros, if you want to eat something healthy and delicious. The staff are really genuine and friendly. There's also a frequent diner card program - nice.

[pescatarian]

I like the food at the Holt Renfrew cafe in the basement.

[mamavh]

Yummy BBQ (korean food), South of Wellesley (beside The Bowl on the west side) has a really good lunch special. For $5 you get one of the rectangular take out containers full of rice, veggies and protein (I usually get the beef). Ask for it spicy ... if you don't like too much spice make sure you don't ask for no spice as a colleague found it bland. Prepare to wait for around 10 minutes as it is made fresh (if in a rush you can call ahead for pickup). Although you always get carrots other veggies can vary (for example sometimes you get zucchini but not always).

[ksapd]

The Gourment Kitchen. Closer to Avenue Rd on south side of Bloor pretty well across the road from Winners. Second floor of building (the Collande? - Dynasty is there as well and Carties just moved in to building). Great prices and food - had chicken lasagna with a fresh salad for $6.50. Curry, Thai, pastas, meat loaf, stir fry, poached salmon etc...not sure if any meal if over $7. Very friendly as well. Have recommended it before here and had favourable responses

[canadianbeaver]

Shh! That's the neighbourhood's best kept secret. 131 Bloor Street, yes, the Colonnade.

[stayathomesommelier]

Mela - Italian vegetarian. Lovely food. Lovely owner. 7A Yorkville @ yonge.
Eat in or takeout

[SMOG]

A little bit north is Black Camel! Awesome brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.

[canadianbeaver]

Wow! Thanks for the rec, it's so unassuming from the front....

[kwjd]

I agree with Black Camel. I think it is the best pulled pork sandwich I've had in Toronto.

[ms. cornbread]

Is there much of a lineup here at lunch? How long does it take to get your food. I work at Yonge and Wellesley, and have an hour for lunch. I'm wondering if I can subway it up to Rosedale and make it back in time.

[SMOG]

I actually have not been there for lunch, rather we put large orders through and someone picks them up. I've been there on a weekend and they're fairly quick. They make everything fresh though, so you're looking at probably a 5 min wait once you put your order in (maybe less).

[atomeyes]

you wait up to 10 min for a sandwich.
Black Camel is great. my 2 problems?
1) not cheap
2) sandwiches never leave me filled.

but their pork or roast beef w/bbq sauce or their chicken w/pesto are excellent.

[SMOG]

atomeyes, I have to respectfully disagree. The sandwiches for $7 compare in price to any sandwich out there, but I find you get a ton of filling compared to what you get elsewhere. The brisket is what I usually choose and it's quite a filling sandwich. Of course, everyone is different. I would compare it to about a 7-8 oz burger (for the price, I think it's about similar to, say, a Hero Burger). The coleslaw is also fantastic and a worthy side if you want something else!

[food face]

3)Their eggs are steamed in an espresson machine (F-ing YUCK) and they are chincy with the smoked salmon.
4.) The smoked salmon tastes fishy

[piccola]

I've had espresso machine-steamed eggs before -- they're tasty. Haven't tried them at Black Camel though. Just saying the concept is good if well executed.

[food face]

I know foodies seem to adore the steamed espresso machine eggs. Black Camel's steamed eggs were God Aweful and put a bad taste in my mouth about the whole thing.

[piccola]

That's entirely possible - like I said, I haven't tried theirs. But just because one place messes up the dish doesn't mean it's always bad.

[canadianbeaver]

So many great places! I really like Scaccia in the Manulife Centre. Great sandwiches and soups.

[ddelicious]

there's a great indian place on hayden. its tiny, good for takeout.