New in town looking for the intel

[ztewin]

Hey chowhounders

I'm moving to little Italy in Toronto from the Plateau in Montreal and I'm looking for some tips.

Specifically butchers, grocery stores and maybe a fish monger or two.

Cheap is the name of the game. I don't care if the place is dirty and the service surly.

Also restaurants in the 10 and under bracket would be great.

Thanks guys (and gals)

ztewin'

[iMarilyn]

You're aware Little Italy isn't an Italian neighbourhood anymore, right?

[Whats_For_Dinner]

+1 for the Fish Store. You're also not too far from some good pho at Golden Turtle on Ossington, and Kensington has some tasty, quick and cheap Mexican spots.

Grace Meat Market is right there on College, and I've heard good things. There are a few butchers in Little Portugal, too, just southwest of Little Italy.

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The Fish Store
657 College St, Toronto, ON M6G1B7, CA

Grace Meat
644 College St, Toronto, ON M6G, CA

[jamesm]

In Kensington there is cheap meat at European Meats. They're a decent large butcher shop with high turnover. Also in the market is Sanagans if you care about the provenance, history, feeding and name of the animal your meat came from.

[Ender]

Sanagan's isn't just more ethical meat, its flat out better meat. European is a high volume, high turn over industrial butcher shop. Sanagan's is an artisan shop where you can discuss what cooking method you're using and what your expectations are and have someone will real knowledge and skill help you find the best cut for the job.

[jamesm]

I tried to make that distinction. Not sure if it was clear.

[JennaBean]

My fav meat place in the city for all of those reasons and it is so much cheaper than many of the other places I used to shop for my meat.

[iMarilyn]

Ghazale for cheap middle eastern takeout. Fish Store next door for fish sandwiches under $10.

Nearby Kensington Market and Chinatown are your best bets for cheap.

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Ghazele On College
661 College St, Toronto, ON M6G1B7, CA