shawarrrrmmma... If you didn't know already, I'm currently studying Physiotherapy at the University of Toronto and our building is at University and Dundas. A new shawarma place called Anoush Middle Eastern Cuisine (I think it is a chain) opened up right behind our building and of course I had to go check it out. It is also very close by to OCAD. On their opening day, they had 2 dollar shawarmas which I took full advantage of. Since then, I've gone a couple times because it is so close to where I'm at school everyday. Anoush is a pretty small place with only a couple of chairs to sit at (most of their customers seem to do take out).
Most people who come here seem to get either a shawarma wrap or a shawarma dinner plate. The one pictured middle left is a chicken shawarma wrap ($4.99 + tax, or $5.49 + tax for Beef). As you can see in both pictures of the chicken shawarma, it is pretty damn big and they are not stingy at all with the toppings which include shaved chicken pieces, lettuce, tomatoes, hummus, pickled radishes, pickles, something that looks like parsley. They also cover it with the typical white sauce and hot sauce that you get at these shawarma joints. Taste wise, I'd say it is pretty average for a shawarma place as my friend Yasir from school walks all the way to Taste of the Mediterranean where he claims the shawarma's taste much better (although they are much smaller... here is a picture). The best part about Anoush is that you get a free pop or Lentil soup with every wrap or plate purchase. I've tried their soup once, but it is kind of bland and literally just pureed lentils (maybe I just don't like the taste). This is a limited time offer, although I'm not sure when it will end.
When I am really hungry at lunch, I will get the Chicken Shawarma plate ($6.49 + tax), pictured middle right. It is really big and will definitely fill you up + more for a lunch. It is basically the exact same as the chicken shawarma wrap but set out on a plate with salad, rice and toppings of your choice. They also give you a couple chunks of roasted potato. Again, the price also includes the free pop or lentil soup. Anoush is a good place to go if your hungry and want large portions of shawarma wraps or plates (the free drink doesn't hurt either). In case your wondering, they only take cash or debit.
Anoush Middle Eastern Cuisine 250 Dundas St. W. Unit 15 Toronto, ON 416-204-1680
shawarma... I haven't been updating much lately because I've been busy with school and also because I've just been lazy.haha, so hopefully that will change a little. I have school everyday around University and Dundas, so me and my classmate Henry have been grabbing lunch at places around the area. decided to go check out Taste of Mediterranean for shawarmas instead of getting subway (which many of us were eating for the first week or 2 of class lol). They sell shawarma sandwiches, platters, salads, roast chicken and pizza too.
We both went for the chicken shawarma sandwich (~$4.50 after tax) and they have the usual toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, pickled radishes, onions, hummus, etc). They also grill the shawarmas with a panini machine which I think always makes these wraps taste much better. The sandwich itself tasted pretty good and filled me up for lunch, although other places seem to be more generous with the chicken. One thing I didn't like was that they used some pre-carved chicken for our sandwiches. I prefer having the chicken freshly shaved off the giant spit so you know its hot and fresh. The place was also totally empty considering it was around noon and the area around University and Dundas is pretty busy.
I also noticed that they had a deal for a 7'' Halal Pizza for ~$3.00 which I will definitely have to try next time. There's so many places to get shawarmas around downtown Toronto, but this is right by my classes, so it works out.
Taste of Mediterranean 205 Dundas Street West Toronto, Ontario 416-850-3338
japanese fast food... One of my friends, Shirley, who is part Japanese suggested that we try this place called Manpuku. Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery is a small sit down restaurant that serves Japanese dishes other than sushi (ex. noodles, rice dishes and small Japanese snacks). The place is run by actual Japanese people, which is hard to find in Toronto (especially with all the Chinese and Korean run sushi places).
I was also there with 2 other friends, Mark and Shiaang, and each of us ordered a bowl of Niku Udon ($5.99). The Niku Udon was just a basic bowl of udon topped with beef and green onions. In terms of taste, this bowl of noodles was delicious, as the broth tasted just right and the bowl of noodles was filled with beef. For each bowl of noodles, they also give you the Japanese Mixed Chili Pepper Powder, which both adds and brings out the flavour of each noodle dish. We also ordered a serving of Takoyaki Octopus Balls ($4.99). Each plate came with 6 takoyakis, which are balls of batter fried with diced octopus inside each ball. It is also covered in a mayonnaise like sauce and bonito fish flakes, which move around when it comes out hot. If you've never seen these bonito flakes move around on hot food, it actually looks pretty cool as the dish looks like it is alive! (see video)
Manpuku is different than your typical Japanese restaurant in Toronto as they offer customers a chance to try quality authentic Japanese dishes other than sushi. It is located in the Village by the Grange food court across from OCAD. This is a good place to drop by for a quick meal as they even advertise their food as "Modern Japanese Fast Food."
Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery 105 McCaul St. Unit 29-31 Toronto, Ontario M5T 2X4 (416) 979-6763 OPENING HOURS: MON-WED 10am-8pm | THU-FRI 10am-11pm | SAT 11am -11pm | SUN by appointment
shawarrrrmmma... If you didn't know already, I'm currently studying Physiotherapy at the University of Toronto and our building is at University and Dundas. A new shawarma place called Anoush Middle Eastern Cuisine (I think it is a chain) opened up right behind our building and of course I had to go check it out. It is also very close by to OCAD. On their opening day, they had 2 dollar shawarmas which I took full advantage of. Since then, I've gone a couple times because it is so close to where I'm at school everyday. Anoush is a pretty small place with only a couple of chairs to sit at (most of their customers seem to do take out).
