Okinomi House on Charles Street, Toronto

[heathercheryl]

I don't see anything on this restaurant on any board so I think I should say something...it is the only place in Toronto where you can get this famously good Japanese meal; I think it is fast food in Japan. I have tried various dishes at this restaurant but the deluxe seafood okinomiyaki is my favourite. The place is always pretty busy; I am surprised I can't find any comments here.

[helenhelen]

is this place still around? i biked all down charles st. recently looking for it since i was in the area, but didn't find it. i had forgotten the address so i thought i would see it if i biked down the whole street. i may have missed it though...?

[bluefirefly]

Yup, still there at 23 Charles St. West.

[Kagemusha]

You're not missing anything. It's utterly ho-hum and pricey for the minimal service/quality.

[helenhelen]

yeah, i read about it being just okay.. but it's downtown (where i live) and i wouldn't mind having a source for it (that serves veg options). do you have any other suggestions downtown?

[.alias]

I'm planning to try this place out for dinner sunday. Anyone have any recommendations that will be relatively filling in addition to being able to try their okonomi?

I may be heading to summers afterwards for some icecream, so any dessert places nearby could be recommended too. Thanks!

[Gary]

This place gets a lot of love/hate. Either you like their particular variation on okonomiyaki or you don't. I don't have much to compare it to, but I find it to be satisfying as a comfort-food now and then, even though I agree it is a bit heavy and saucy for regular consumption. I also love the 1970's truck stop feel of the restaurant, the friendly staff, and the cheap prices. I wish Toronto had more quirky little spots like this.

[AngelSanctuary]

The one at T&T Middlefield was better imo. The Okonomi house's are too thin I thought, and they put waaaay to much sauce. Idk just generally not enjoyable to me.

[tjr]

It's super cheap and a reasonable facsimile of okonomiyaki, but the one at Koyoi (as noted below), is much better. I've also found Koyoi (despite being Korean-owned, Japanese-staffed) to do a better rendition of the dishes also served at Guu (eg: kara-age, etc.).

Koyoi, however, is much more expensive than Okonomi House.

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Okonomi House
23 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M4Y2R4, CA

Guu
398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA

Koyoi
2 Irwin Ave, Toronto, ON M4Y 1K9, CA

[Underdog Rally]

I actually prefer the style of okonomiyaki from Koyoi around the corner. I've found Okonomi House to be really greasy, or at least much greasier than it needs to be. You can find slightly different versions in izakayas (or sometimes just regular McSushi joints) all around the city.

[LiviaLunch]

If you search with its proper spelling, Okonomi House, you'll find several threads.

I think that they're best at their namesake dish, okonomiyaki. Haven't loved the teriyaki when I've had it.

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Okonomi House
23 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M4Y2R4, CA

[taterbrandy]

Agree with LiviaLunch that the teriyaki is disappointing. The Bacon Okonomiyaki is the best version of the choices offered.