Are you looking for Pocket-Friendly Restaurants in Downtown Toronto? Whether you are a native or a tourist, a weekend in Toronto and you are bound to fall in love with this magnificent, powerful city. As far as I know, the most interesting tourist spots are Downtown, Queen West, King Street West, Liberty Village, Kensington Market and The Annex.
I don’t just suggest these places for sightseeing. If you’re visiting Toronto, you can fill your eyes with what there is to see, but that growl you hear followed by a rumbling in your stomach will definitely have to be taken into account. And don’t worry! I know places that won’t raid your pockets but will fill your stomach and soul.
The 5 Best Pocket Restaurants in Toronto
1. THE SAN REMO BAKERY
2. THE KING OF SALAD
3. THE BURRITO BOYZ
4. FRANCIES DINNER
5. SUFIS
1. THE SAN REMO BAKERY
First on this list of “pocket-friendly restaurants” is San Remo Bakery.
The Etobicoke neighborhood has benefited from the service of Sam Remo Bakery since 1969. For over 40 years, Royal York Road has seen this bakery flourish and prosper, its quality of goods and services It was great then and it’s even better now!
Currently, the second generation of the Bozzo family is in charge and if you are in Toronto, you definitely need to visit this place to try their delicious veal sandwich and Calabrian bread.
The $1.42 donuts and the wide variety of flavors they offer are sure to amaze you! If you want to gorge and order a huge batch or anything over $6, you need to order the day before.
From freshly baked bread and pastries, even an espresso bar and more, you have every reason to visit this place at your leisure and get your sugar and caffeine fix.
The Bozzo brothers, Robert, Edward and Nick, have run the place for almost a quarter century and oversaw the second renovation of this place in five years. The best thing about this place that you definitely go to is that all of their baked goods are made from scratch, by hand!
2. THE KING OF SALAD
Next on this list of “pocket-friendly restaurants” is The Salad King.
This place seats 175 people and it is never NOT crowded. It’s THE wonderland for Thai food lovers. In my opinion, this place has been serving the best Thai food for two decades. It is located at 340 Yonge and on the 2nd floor. Just walk through the ground floor glass doors and take the elevator.
What makes it difficult to find a seat at this place isn’t just the lip-licking delicious food, it’s also the prices. It has been around for over 20 years and yet this place has managed to keep its prices below $10.
Two of my absolute favorites here are the Pad Thai and the Green Curry, both priced at $9.75 and if you’re from Ryerson and need to get some alcohol in your system and wash away the stress of class, go for the Beer Tower. $25 and 2.5 liters of beer, just make sure you bring your friends and organize a group of at least 3 people to order it.
But hey, beer or no beer, be sure to try the Thai Milk Shake or Salad King’s Thai Iced Tea, both priced at $2.75, or go all the way and try both!
3. THE BURRITO BOYZ
Third on this list of “pocket restaurants” is The Burrito Boyz.
If you love burritos, you know that the best burritos are explosive packages of goodness stuffed to the brim with beef, turkey, pork, chicken, seafood or soy, and even rice or beans with cheesy noodles and definitely salsa and guacamole and HOT HOT SAUCE!
It’s part of a larger franchise with many Burrito Boyz Stores along southern Ontario, but the one in St Adelaide is a one-stop Mexican fiesta and while it’s open there’s a line so long you’ll wonder if it’s the only one.
But at lunchtime, the queue is apocalyptic. Bowls, burritos, quesadillas, and enough topping options on the menu that you might just want to dive into. Literally.
The budget here is around $5 to $10 and if I have to be a judge of the burritos, you won’t find better anywhere else!
4. FRANCIES DINNER
Fourth on this list of “pocket-friendly restaurants” is Frankies Diner.
This place, just like Sam Remo, is another neighborhood institution and has been around for 40 years. Recently renovated, this place may seem to newcomers like it was just built, but this place has seen lives and communities grow and change.
The weekend this beautiful place There’s a little vintage vibe that shines through with owners Frank and Billy Marinis catching up with the regulars and a live band swooning and singing. The white tiled walls and the marble bar with the midnight blue ceiling that drops down, it’s simply magnificent.
I’m not going to say the food here is good for your heart, but it’s exactly what your heart wants.
They claim that their burgers are the best in the world and, indeed, their burgers have built their reputation because they are simply delicious. This place is sleek and beautiful and with all its rich vintage vibes, its prices are low, you’ll never go wrong with a specialty burger filled with 8 ounces of Canadian chuck and a serving of hand cut fries and a glass of Labatt 50.
5. SUFIS
The fifth and final on this list of “pocket restaurants” is Sufis.
Toronto’s first Syrian restaurant is a family business owned and operated by Husam and Shahnaz Al-Soufi and their three children.
This is a beautiful little restaurant that feels more like a cafe, with sixteen seats and a beautifully delicious menu of traditional Syrian street food and home-cooked dishes. Newcomers to Toronto, the Al-Sufis, unable to find a taste of home anywhere here, decided to bring it to Toronto and I’m glad they did!
The ambiance of this place is really relaxing. The kind of place you’d spend the weekend with your school friends or for a meet cute. It’s a great place for a first date and even successful dates, with the menu also being friendly and incredibly tasty.
The Manakeesh here is the most popular and frequently ordered item and for good reason. This is a mouth-watering and comforting recipe consisting of baked flatbread topped with cheese and meat or vegetables. The knafeh is also a must! This is a delicious dessert with a wonderful cheese filling.
Conclusion
And there you have it, that was the list of top 5 pocket restaurants in Toronto.
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