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Avenue Open Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants Diners Restaurants Delis Restaurants Sandwiches Diners, Delis, Sandwiches [Edit]
7 Camden StToronto, ON M5V 1V2
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 504-7131
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Joanne W. said: "You cannot go wrong. You cannot go wrong. I've had their sandwiches a few times from the food trucks, and I decided to venture here today with a friend for lunch. Goodness gracious these sandwiches are amazing no matter what. My…" read more »
18 reviews for Avenue Open Kitchen
Review Highlights
"...including the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, chili, daily..."
(in 3 reviews)
"The poutine is just heavenly."
(in 8 reviews)
"Finally a place with REAL cheese curds that SQUEAK."
(in 3 reviews)
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18 reviews in English
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Review from helen y.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2012
had grease spoon brunch, was perfectly greasy, perfectly salty and perfectly cozy..
eggs and bacon, simple yet wonderful..
i saw the other food people have been ordering, onion rings, roast beenf sandwich and shepards pie...can't wait to go back for lunch.!
NOTE, cash only -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's 7am and my glasses are a foggy frenzy when my nose first catches a whiff of the griddle. It's 7:05 and I've made my way to the back table, and ordered sausage and eggs "over." Not over easy, just over, as my ball-capped wearing, grampy aged server classified it. It's 7:10 when an oval plate lands on my table: 4 links, 2 big eggs and hashbrowns. Brown toast and a packet of jam on the side.
By 7:11 am, I feel at home. Stuffing myself with greasy-in-a-good-way sausage, gloriously runny eggs, ketchup-y taters, drinking my coffee, free with breakfast before 11am. It may have been because of the jetlag, it may have been because it was my first taste of Canadian food after two weeks in a foreign land, it may just have been because it all tasted so damn good.
It's only when I had command enough of my senses that I took in my surroundings. Two older gents un-ironically discussing moose knuckles, a shuffling, yet hustling kitchen staff who likely have tales of similar mornings dating back decades prepping for lunch and a small assortment of other diners, looking like they share similar tales of decades gone by. By 7:15am, I'm lost in the nostalgia of it all.
I dedicate this review to the memory of my own papa. I think he would have applauded them for their sausage too.Listed in: Canadiana Quirks, Toronto Musing
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Review from Kate S.
Toronto, ON
Went back for lunch. Orderd the cheeseburger ($4.75) previously frozen 6oz patty, toasted bun, grilled but mostly raw onions, tomato and my favorite cheese for a burger (though it took me a minute to come around) American cheese.
Good overall taste with tax and tip $6.50. If I'd wanted fries they'd have been another $2.95. Worth the snow jog over there from my office over lunch (15 minutes) not worth the two slip&falls I took on the snow-stumble back (20 minutes plus bruising.)
Other lunch specials: hot smoked meat/pastrami/roast beef freshly shaved & piled high on rye with a generous bowl if homemade soup ($8.50), braised shortribs/mashed/peas ($10.50), BLT ($4.95), Poutine ($3.95), giant chefs salad ($6.95)
This place is really known for its sandwiches, homemade soups and huge lunch specials. The food is all made in-house and really tastes good and whole - not a lot added or taken away. Heavy and big portions for sure, but satisfying and inexpensive and it won't leave you feeling off (like McDonalds, which admittedly I also like.)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2012
I'm on a bit of a mission to eat out for under $5.00 and write about it and that's what brought me… Read more »
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Review from Shannon F.
Toronto, ON
1/1/2012 4 Check-ins Here
As far as open kitchen diners go, this is tops in my books! Authentic, family run greasy spoon with huge portions, cheap prices and those adorable low seating rolly bar stools and vinyl benches make this diner a treat. It's got all the charm of a show I watched as a kid - "Alice" - where you feel at home and welcomed every time you enter this smell filled steamy little diner.
Daily specials like mac and cheese, roast beef or turkey dinner with all the fixings, great club sandwich and westerns, grilled cheese, fries, a decent (although frozen-deep-fried) fish and chips, freshly shorn reuben or pastrami sandwiches - enough to give anyone a heart attack that asks for it!
A frequent (a-hem, sleepy/tired/hungover) lunch spot for my co-workers and I as well as a great all day breakfast spot - they serve the business crowd and closed the odd time for a family vacation - well deserved! during the week.
Mmmm...grilled cheese on brown with fries and a coleslaw...I'm salivating just thinking about it.
NOTE: CASH ONLY -
Review from Rob D.
Updated - 11/18/2010
The kind of sandwiches with the meat overflowing off of the bread or bun, and make you say to yourself "how the hell am I going to get my mouth around that???"
breakfast or lunch ... this place is sensational.
I think these old dudes that run it have served up 1,000,000s of eggs and sandwiches and poutine and down home cooking in their past 60 years they've been doing this. This place is perfect.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/3/2010
I'm compelled to write up a review for this true-blue "greasy spoon". If you're looking for an… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
12/14/2010
I came here on a Friday, feeling under the weather and craving comfort food. Even though it was close to lunch time, I had a goal in mind: eggs and bacon, with brown toast on the side.
The restaurant is small; I was one of two people who ate in though it's not to say that it wasn't busy. A line had formed outside with people who waited patiently in the cold but the staff's quick service didn't keep them waiting for long.
Four middle-aged men worked hard at the fryers churning out orders of what seemed to be the popular items of the day: fish and chips, poutine, Caesar salad. I glanced over at the menu list on the wall and the prices are cheap. I didn't see a thing that was over $10.
I'll definitely return here. Both my wallet and belly will thank me.Listed in: Breakfasts!
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Review from Tom G.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2010
Our office moved to Camden St. and I had to give this place a try. Ordered the Montreal smoked meat sandwich on rye. *THAT* was good. Generous amount of meat and a big plate of really good fries came with it (crisp on the outside, tender and not soggy on the inside).
What a time machine, it's like 1974 in there, but, it's not like they're putting it on, it's just real. Good stuff. -
Review from Renata R.
5/26/2010 ROTD 6/13/2010
Don't judge by the appearance. For 5 bucks you can take-out every kind of food (I had a giant caesar salad, supposed to be "small", while friends had from perogies to poutine) and a can of pop.
My salad was very good and probably was made with one entire lettuce. Friends were very happy with their choices also. A good tip: don't eat inside (dark and packed), order take-out, there's a nice park close enough and during spring/summer you can have a quick lunch picnic with your friends there!
I should go back and have poutine on the park! Theirs looks amazing! -
Review from Sally C.
8/24/2011
Please be advised they take cash only.
We enjoyed their poutine, Montreal smoked meat sandwich, Black Forest ham and cheese sandwich, and beef barley soup.
The apple pie was not so great. -
Review from Kelly O.
5/26/2010
Oh my stars! Finally a place with REAL cheese curds that SQUEAK!!!! This poutine was so awesome...thick cut fries, delicious, light gravy, and real curds. With a canned pop...only 5 bucks!
The rest of my group also loved their food...roast turkey dinner, salads, pirogies, and of course....more poutine!
Will definitely be back here to try the rest of the menu!Listed in: Poo-teen
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Review from Vivienne D.
Toronto, ON
11/25/2010
I've been eating here for quite awhile now, since I live in the area. The poutine is just heavenly! The fries are always made to order and the cheese curds are squeaky and ample. Gravy is delicious too! Also, can't beat the value and the portion size!
The place is quite small and can get hectic during lunch time, but the guys who work there are extremely nice and service is always prompt. I've never waited more than five minutes for my food, no matter what and when I order.
They are also open on Saturdays now, so perfect place for brunch too, since their breakfast menu is also awesome! -
Review from Tara A.
6/7/2009
I am a sucker for greasy spoons. Fortunately for me, the Avenue Open Kitchen is right around the corner from where I work. Unfortunately for me, I can't resist the poutine and the grilled cheese and therefore, I have to spend extra time at the gym to balance it out.
The people who work there are just as authentic as the old fashioned diner experience itself. The old diner counter, the historic news paper clippings on the wall, and the chef hats the cooks wear, all help blend this amazing diner into something completely unique.
The Poutine is made with real cheese curds and the gravy you could drink with a straw (maybe a gross visual but I am ok with that.. don't judge!) I am yet to have the Smoked Meat but everyone who has it says it be best Montreal smoked meat outside of Montreal! Their daily special could have you coming back every day.
If you want to go there for dinner however, don't bother, they are only open until 5pm so make sure to go there on your way home from work to avoid disappointment! -
Review from Monsters K.
Toronto, ON
7/13/2011
Always great, meatloaf is excellent, and huge portions.
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Review from Eric M.
2/26/2010 52 Check-ins Here
The Avenue Open Kitchen stares at me through my office window everyday and it is hard to resist it's pull.
While it might not be the best diner in town (I miss the Stem as well) it is consistent if nothing else. You know what you're going to get and what day you'll be getting it. If you're really lucky they might change things up and throw in something odd like Jerk Chicken day, but most days it's short ribs, perogies, mac n' cheese, shepards pie or chicken fingers and poutine.
I will say this, they make a good burger but you might have to ask them two or three times if want anything fancy like a tomato or mustard. Their soups are also really really good with lentil being my favourite.
There is seating for about twelve people in the booths and another ten or so at the counter and rear table so your best bet is to order and get out if you're looking for any kind of elbow room.
Price wise they are hard to beat. You can get a large lunch for as little as $5 if you don't order a drink.Listed in: It's pronounced "Sangwich", Crackin' good breakfast.
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Review from Christine C.
Etobicoke, ON
7/11/2009 1 photo
Those of us who are lunch regulars at the Avenue Open Kitchen just refer to the place as the A OK. This place is like stepping back in to the past with its tiny little booths, its narrow counters and its big old steam table right in the front window. During the winter months you can't even see inside of it from the street because of the condensation from the cooking. I keep expecting to bump into Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton in this place. I've seen more butt crack hunched over the counter chowing down on monster portions of Mac & Cheese than I care to remember. The A OK is a straight up homage to the original concept of the small local diner/greasy spoon.
It is pure and simple food. Blue plate specials. Brisket. Mac & Cheese. Basic comfort with a basic price tag. I absolutely live to eat my corned beef sandwiches at the A OK. My girlie pal who works on Camden will often meet me for lunch. We'll have a couple of corned beef sandwiches, share a plate of fries, wash it down with some ice tea and it doesn't cost us more then $15 bucks, taxes and tip in.
Camden St. runs between Spadina & Brant, just south of Richmond. It's a one wayer, from east to west and can be a pain in the ass to get in to but worth the effort. -
Review from Rod G.
Toronto, ON
2/22/2011
Working along King West, this place is welcome alternative to the many premium priced lunch joints in the area. It's a tiny brown bag lunch diner that serves big hearty servings at very reasonable prices. I've tried everything including the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, chili, daily soup 'n toast, roast beef dinner, turkey dinner, meatloaf, fries 'n gravy and mac 'n cheese. Love them all.
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Review from morgan p.
North York, ON
9/7/2011
Great value, especially for the neighbourhood. everything is great and well priced
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Review from Marie B.
Toronto, ON
6/28/2009
Avenue Deli is the place to go if you want good home cooking, generous portion sizes at reasonable prices. Considering its hidden off a Spadina side street, its quite busy and you can see lineups out the door in all types of weather. We go there for lunch at least twice a week.
Things I recommend:
- fries w/ gravy (true diner style)
- onion rings (perfectly crisp, just the way I like it)
- mac n' cheese (generous portion served with salad)
- BLT (when I first ordered this I ordered a soup as well, thinking I'd still be hungry. Boy was I wrong - the BLT was loaded with tomatoes, crispy bacon and lettuce. Well worth the price!)
- braised short ribs (although I did have an unfortunate accident where the bag broke and I had sauce dribbling down my jacket - the short ribs with gravy and veggies were extremely tasty)
- smoked meat or pastrami or corned beef sandwich (excellent meat to rye ratio)
- western sandwich (sometimes I just want an egg sandwich doused with Tabasco for lunch, ya know?)
- jerk chicken (you're probably wondering - jerk chicken from a diner? trust me, its good stuff)
- club sandwich w/ fries (a proper triple decker)
- any of their soups (they're homemade and fresh every day)
I can keep going...but now I'm too hungry. Be sure to check out their daily specials, you're liable to find some new favorites in there!
