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Asteria Souvlaki Place
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
292 Danforth AveToronto, ON M4K 1N6
Neighbourhood: The Danforth
(416) 466-5273
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
13 reviews for Asteria Souvlaki Place
13 reviews in English
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Review from Ethel T.
Richmond, BC
2/12/2012
Last night, it was FREEZING cold in the Danforth. Because we didn't have food in the fridge (whoops), we wanted a quick, cheap meal in the neighbourhood. Our go-to Greek restaurant has always been Mezes but because it was slippery, we wanted to go someplace closer. We first passed by the Combine Eatery but quickly left when we saw that they charged $15 for tacos. (WTF - seriously??? I've been all around California, Texas, and Mexico and paying $15 for tacos goes against my principles).
We then passed by Asteria Souvlaki place. Now, we always walked by Asteria before but didn't bother going in because the exteriors looked, well, sketchy. We've lived in the neighbourhood for years but Asteria never really looked that appealing from the outside. When we did go yesterday, though, we realized just how much we were missing out on.
First of all, while there is limited food selection, they cover all the staples that you would expect in a Greek diner. You want a dip selection? Check. You want fried cheese? Check. You want souvlakis? Check.
Secondly, the prices were great. For around $11, you could have a full dinner plate, complete with main and generous sides of rice, buttery potatoes, Greek salad, and buttery bread. Thirdly, the food was impressive. My partner ordered the lamb chop dinner and it came not with one, not with two, but with FOUR pieces of succulent rare lamb that he practically gnawed off the bone to finish. Taste-wise and price-wise, how can you beat that? My calamari dinner was ok. I actually prefer my calamari with more breading but this was tasty. I appreciated the generous heaping of garlicky tzatzicki that came at the side.
As for the service, it was fine. The woman who served us that evening was nice; she checked in periodically to make sure the food was good; she refilled our water glasses on the dot; she was competent! I personally hate it when servers talk to you with faux friendliness TGI-Fridays style. It was also abundantly clear that this was a neighbourhood joint because the servers casually chatted to their regular customers, giving the place a nice, homey vibe.
Will I go back? Hell yes! And this teaches me never to judge a restaurant by its exteriors. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
Updated - 2/12/2012
I'm changing my star from 5 to 4 based on the fact that they take no debit and a bit of a surly attitude from my waitress. If you're sitting in front of the menu, at least get up to give me one! Come on!
Still amazing chicken. This time I had the dinner. The greek salad has one, count em, one olive in it! Wow. Half the plate filled with salad, two roast potatoes and a small portion of rice with their delecatble chicken. It's still good value for $12 plus tax, though I'd like more rice or potatoes or even taziki and less "salad" (ice berg lettuce, three tomatoes and an olive with some Canadian feta does not a salad make).Listed in: I Feel Like Chicken Tonight, Opa! Greek Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/7/2012
Yo bro, best souvlaki, bro.
VIBE
As Greek as you can get on the Danforth. Two Greek men at the grill.… Read more »
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Review from Josh N.
Toronto, ON
My new go to for quick greek food on the Danforth.
The food aways tastes excellent - chicken is grilled to perfection.
My only food complaint is that it's not the healthiest menu (as expected). Oversized grilled hotdog buns as side 'bread' is a nice touch, but a bit heavy. Rice and potatoes taste great, but are quite greasy and buttery.
I guess unless you are ordering a salad, you aren't going for healthy food anyway.
The wait staff can be a bit terse at times - inconsistent; sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile.
Decor is basic greek diner; unintentionally retro.
It's definitely not the cheapest spot for quick sit down or take out Greek on the Danforth, but its always filling and delicious. -
Review from eh B.
Toronto, ON
10/16/2011
You're at Asteria because you like really good, simply prepared food. You're not here because you're looking for superlative service.
Seat yourself, get someone's attention, order your food, get your food, dive in, enjoy! The souvlakis are consistently good, dips are among the best on the Danforth, salads are basic and fresh.
Good luck trying to get your coffee topped up, or a glass of water, or the bill, but again you're there for the food, not for the service.
Order everything you can imagine needing through the meal when you get the wait staff to your table. You'll likely only get one run at this, unless you're immediate family.
Bathrooms - Danforth classic - down nasty crooked stairs - not disgusting, but don't go down unless there's no other option.
If the chicken souvlaki wasn't so good, this would be a 2, not a 4. Yes. That's how bad the service is. -
Review from Jenne Y.
Toronto, ON
4/14/2011
When you're on the go on the Danforth and you want something quick and absolutely tasty, Asteria's chicken souvlaki on a pita hits the spot... and then some.
Amazingly soft warm pita filled with large chunks of juicy, tender chicken souvlaki and fresh tomatoes and onions.... oh, and smothered in garlicky tzatziki. You will be licking the sauce off your fingers every time!
The service is always great and the pops on the grill are always friendly! I make a point of getting down to the Danforth every so often specifically for Asteria. -
Review from willi p.
Markham, ON
Great souvlaki and gyros. Truly great price too! Fabulous patio in the summer. Don't be fooled by the 1970's decor. The food is authentic and great.
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Review from Suzie G.
East York, ON
11/1/2009
Best souvlaki on the Danforth, HANDS DOWN. You can't beat this ridiculously delicious meat that is always juicy and spiced to perfection.
Asteria is the best place to go for a no-fuss meal that is super yummy. The place is family-run and there's nothing fancy about the décor or the menu, but they sure do know their Greek food. You can have your basic souvlaki (chicken or lamb) or gyro on a pita (with tomatoes, onions, and tons of tzatiki, of course!), or if you're feeling hungrier, go for the full meal which adds a Greek salad, potatoes, and rice alongside your choice of meat. I should note, too, that I'm very picky about my Greek salads (particularly the dressing) but Asteria gets this just right, also.
There are vegetarian options at Asteria, as well (I've heard that the moussaka is good!), but personally I've never tried any of them because I find it way too hard to stray from my beloved chicken souvlaki! The prices are very reasonable, and I always get a full meal's worth of leftovers when I get the dinner meal (and although I'm not a very big eater, you'll likely have at least some leftovers, too).Listed in: My fave Danforth area stops
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Review from Perry L.
Toronto, ON
6/12/2011
I don't think I've ever had a visit to this place where I wouldn't still feel hungry and/or not satisfied after eating the dinner.
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Review from Tina H.
3/26/2010
Delicious and cheap chicken souvlaki made pretty quickly. Messini said theirs would take 20 minutes, these guys maybe took 7. Very good. $6.50 including tax. It was good chicken souvlaki. There was no one there except 1 table, 2 people. The service isn't friendly or welcoming. They seem tired like they work too much. Regardless of the service, the food is good and cheap. I'd recommend it for cheap Greek.
Their gyro was processed meat whereas Messini was real meat. Come here for chicken souvlaki and NOT the gyro (shawarma-like thing if you don't know.. Pronounced yee-ro). Chicken souvlaki = pretty satisfying. -
Review from Yochi J.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2010
Didn't take everyone's advice to order the "best" chicken souvlaki. Unfortunately. Because we ordered the lamb chops from hell... grisley, tough, and greasy.
Service sucked -- forget about service with a smile; more like service with a snear!
The dining room smelled funky -- mould?
Won't be returning. -
Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
3/28/2009
Okay, so not to be confused with the more touristy Astoria restaurant this little gem serves the BEST chicken souvlaki on the Danforth. It's family run and has been here forever. Their customers are super loyal to their succulent souvlaki and perfectly stewed lemon potatoes. I don't know what it is but I've tried most of the souvlaki on the Danforth and there's just something perfect about theirs. It's never over cooked and the seasoning is so flavourful but balanced. The portions are generous and the service is always great. They've got a great patio in the back that's nice and quiet and is just perfect in the summer time 'cause eating grilled anything is so much better outdoors.
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Review from Maciek R.
4/26/2010
One just doesn't expect such a place to be SO GOOD.
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Review from Erin B.
Toronto, ON
3/20/2010
We've never actually eaten in Asteria but it's our go-to restaurant for Greek takeout. The restaurant is family run with a down-to-earth, unpretentious atmosphere and while the presentation and selection of food isn't as fancy as some other Greek restaurants, the portions are generous, perfectly cooked (never too dry or greasy) and delicious! Souvlaki with rice, potatoes and Greek salad is the classic dish, but the gyros is amazing as well.
