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Bacchus Roti Shop
Category: Restaurants Caribbean Caribbean [Edit]
1376 Queen St WToronto, ON M6K 1L7
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(416) 532-8191
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for Bacchus Roti Shop
Review Highlights
"Their tasty boneless jerk chicken offering with sides of..."
(in 2 reviews)
"their squash was sweet; it must have been butternut."
(in 7 reviews)
"Have also had the goat, and butter chicken."
(in 5 reviews)
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18 reviews in English
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Review from Linds B.
9/6/2011
I had never had roti until moving to Toronto, then I felt like I had to try every roti place! Far and above, Bacchus Roti is the best roti I have ever had. The curry is so spicy and robust, the chicken is perfectly tender and tasty. And the wrap - don't get me started! It's perfect. Service here can be a little slow, but it's always with a smile. If you are calling for takeout, sometimes if they get busy they don't answer the phone. But the roti is so good, I forgive them. Luckily I live close enough to just go there and wait. Soooo worth it! :)
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Review from Jay M.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2012
Best damn curry roti in town. Throw a side of sweet potato fries into the mix and wash down with a cold beer, and what more could someone ask for?
Well, the answer is better hours. While this place may have the best roti, they're operating hours change frequently and are closed for long periods at a time when the owners go on holidays or something (like they seemed to have done for the last couple weeks). Too many times I've been in a curry roti craving only to call in my order and get their voicemail saying they are closed, and for that - minus 1 star! -
Review from Yvonne T.
When I first walked into this roti shop I thought I had stepped into the wrong shop... The decor is more what you'd expect out of a coffee shop than you would of a roti shop.
Alas, more expensive decor does not come without a price - $15 for a Goat Curry Roti with squash, spinach and potatoes. This is probably the most expensive roti I have ever had in my life.
With that said, I liked the fact that their roti is not just all empty carbs and that the ingredients they use are a little more on the healthy side. At $15, the roti was pretty huge and is enough for 2 meals. If you can finish 1 roti by yourself in 1 sitting I applaud you! The roti itself is nice and thin, not too oily, and just the right amount of crispy and soft. Unfortunately, it does become a little bit messy to eat when you cut through it. I'm glad I wasn't on a date! The goat was boneless and extremely tender.
Service-wise this is a husband-wife tag team and service is not the greatest as I saw the counter unattended many times while customers piled in.
Verdict:
Though expensive, it is quite a gratifying and satisfying meal on a chilly autumn day. This is probably one of the better rotis I've had - rivalling Mona's Roti in Scarborough. However, Mona's is much cheaper, and is equally tasty!Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Howard H.
9/12/2011
Bacchus? The God of Roti? Who knew?
The proprietors and staff of this fine establishment seem to operate in Caribbean time - the hours are more of a guideline than an absolute and when they are busy, don't expect niceties like answering the phone. But that just lends the whole place an air of authenticity - or so I tell myself in lieu of being perturbed. I do this because of... the food.
Huge portions (yes, even in my my eyes) fresh and super-tasty goodness on the cheap. Goat roti the way it was meant to be and superb boneless jerk chicken. Everything I've ever had here is a contender for best in class.
Seriously, what is NOT to love about this place? This is DEFINITELY a must do on any serious Tour D'Roti in Toronto and certainly a prime candidate for the gold medal, West Indies style.Listed in: Tour D' Roti
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Review from Graeham M.
Toronto, ON
Maybe it's just me, but Bacchus does seem to have slightly irregular hours, which can tend to be annoying at times especially when making the cross-city trek. BUT... Bacchus is truly a rare find-a place that forces you to make this pseudo pilgrimage with regularity. Their tasty boneless jerk chicken offering with sides of rice n peas, sweet potatoes and creamy slaw has yet to disappoint.
I have sampled some of their veggie roti's and they were equally fantastic. Yet at the end of the day I'm a true carnivore at heart and find it difficult to stray from the tried, tested and true jerk chicken that Bacchus does to near perfection. On a side note, there are no salt and pepper shakers on tables-the food is seasoned perfectly, so that having them would be merely superfluous.
Word to the wise-try the peanut punch in the large fridge adjacent to the ordering counter, this Caribbean staple is primarily made with condensed milk, peanut butter, milk and sometimes nutmeg, for those looking to get their swerve on it is also hypothesized to hold certain aphrodisiac powers. So who knows where a meal at Bacchus may lead... -
Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
8/8/2011
I have to admit I haven't eaten a lot of roti yet but this place is amazing and makes me want to have roti every day!
It's a small locally owned restaurant in Pardale just west of Dufferin on the north side of Queen street.
They have spinach, sweetpotato and squash in their roti and they have meat and vegetarian options.
I had the goat roti and my friends has the chicken roti - all of it was super flavourfuland tasty. The prices were cheap and i had two meals out of it because their portions are huge.
I will definitely go back there soon to try something else on the menu. -
Review from John L.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2011
Hands down, my favourite roti place in the world. Ok, fine, I've never been to India... but I'm sticking with that. I don't know what they do to their shells, but it makes me craaaave for them. I almost long more for that first bite, (that is 80% dough) than the messy venture that begins after cracking that first corner.
However, the filling is a dream. I'm a pretty strict beef curry man, myself... but I hear the vegetarian options are delish. Have also had the goat, and butter chicken. Yum!
The only bad thing I have to say about Bacchus Roti Shop (i would actually take a half a star off for this, if you could) is that their doubles are not greasy enough.
And let me say this: *looks at reviewers mentioning other roti shops in this review thread*
No beef option = ROTI FAIL -
Review from Bernard L.
8/26/2011
Absolutely the best roti's I've had in Toronto. The selection is perfect with various choices of different fillings for your Roti, also other great selections as well. It's made to perfection with the right amount of spices and heat to give it a nice flavorful kick. This is definitely a sure place to check out in Toronto. The interior decor is pleasant for a quick drop in and sit down/take out or for a nice casual date out on the town.
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Review from Kat F.
5/11/2009
I know some people will strongly consider harpooning me knowing that all these years I've been chiming on about the best roti in town and espousing the perfection that is Gandhi's without ever having tried Bacchus Roti, but alas.
I have now tried Bacchus. And while I was only able to plow through about about a quarter of my gargantuan roti, I loved it. I ordered a combination of squash and potato and it was piping hot, juicy and incredibly dense. I wasn't familiar with the spicy rating at Bacchus so I was conservative with my choice.
My favourite part about Bacchus was how beautiful the decor was (not knowing about the renovations I was expecting a total dive in the heart of Parkdale). Very classy, sophisticated and clean - not at all like some of its neighbours. Also, the person who served us (perhaps the owner himself) was very friendly and personable. He seemed like a genuinely "good person" - you know how you just get that vibe from some people? He was one of them.
SIDENOTE: It's important to note the discrete divisions in the roti family - there's the typical West Indies roti (like Bacchus, Island Foods, Triple X, etc.) and there's the South Asian roti (like Gandhi) which is essentially curry in a wrap/roti. You can be a fan of one, neither or both but it's hard to claim a 'best roti' if you're including both types, ya know? So I still vote Gandhi for best South Asian style roti - for that there's no contest. But it'd be tough to choose between Bacchus and Vena's for best West Indies style roti!Listed in: Best Toronto Restaurants For…, Best Roti In Toronto
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Review from Tina F.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2010
BEST ROTI EVER!!!
My favourite is Squash, Spinach and Channa...
Do yourself a BIG Favour and Share a Peanut Butter Star for dessert, you'll be sorry if you don't!!
Beer is VERY reasonably priced and the atomosphere is pleasant.
For lighter appetites you may want to share! -
Review from Miriam W.
12/9/2009
You know how meeting a really fantastic person can spoil you for all others? That's what Ghandi and his butter chicken roti did to me.
So no offense to you, Bacchus, I am sure you're wonderful. But my taste buds long for Gandhi when I am in your presence. -
Review from TJ A.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2011
Delicious roti! Loved it, not too expensive, friendly service. The roti dough is covered in corn meal flour (?) or something like that.
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Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2008 2 photos
The first time I ever had a roti was over a decade ago, from this little joint called Bacchus in pre-gentrifying Parkdale. Despite the grubby interior and crack heads raging about outside, my internal soundtrack shifted to a romantic melody, and my whole life changed.
Since those 10 years, Bacchus has undergone a serious restaurant up-do, looking more like a Sweet Lulu branch than a hole-in-the-wall roti joint. But the food is still quite solid. The roti shell here is wonderful: a whole-wheat, chewy thick bread that reminds me of what my mama used to make.
The fillings come in different specialty combos, including jerk chicken mixes. They could work on their spices, as the curry flavours aren't really that strong, and their squash was a bit on the mushy side. On that note, as JW mentioned, Bacchus is fantastic for veggie lovers, with spinach, eggplant, chickpeas, and potato as your other options.
Though I don't think it's the "best veggie roti around", or best roti for that matter -- Vena's takes that prize, for taste and value -- it's still a great place to gorge on food. -
Review from Erin B.
4/18/2010
I recently grabbed a take-out roti (chicken, squash, and potato) from Bacchus. It was one of the most fantastic things I've ever consumed. The woman working the counter was super friendly and the menu was clear and interesting. I'm a total convert and can't wait for another opportunity to get food from Bacchus.
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Review from Rick Y.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Bacchus is my favorite roti shop in Toronto. I've been going there for over 20 years and love the food. Typically order veggie combo rotis with lotsa pepper. Love it.
Listed in: Rick's Picks
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Review from Suneel B.
Etobicoke, ON
4/28/2010
Great west Indian style roti. The shrimp roti is my personal favorite. Starting to get pricey but worth it
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Review from Jimi S.
ON
1/5/2009
so you have two picks:
you can either call me "Fatso" from now on or "Meatie". Either way, in direct opposition to the much referenced J.W. (only once but this is the third review so), I CAN AND WILL ALWAYS FINISH A ROTI IN ONE SITTING.
bacchus or not. might i remind JW and all those interested in being a little polite about everything that bacchus is another name of that famous god dionysus, whose greek business it was to have lots of sex, drugs and rock and roll baby. Does bacchanalian ring a bell? well i was bacchanalianing so much over that first roti i had (filled with goat and squash - and potato i think) that i was vociferously eyeing my sister in laws leftovers. i even had to silently tip toe around my wifes veggie roti leftovers - i was hoping she wouldnt eat - SHE HATES LEFTOVERS!!! - FATSO STRIKES AGAIN!!!
i love the consistency of their dough. its chewy and soft. their squash was sweet; it must have been butternut. the goat was goat. not sure that in that form its my favorite though. i think goat meat tends to be a little bunched up if that makes sense. too dense. anyway it was overall very enjoyable and true to connie t's assessment, this place has taken the signal from other old business around the area. theres a chinese restaurant just down from the drake that probably doubled their clientele just from sprucing.
or maybe that was just the drake doing that. -
Review from Sarah O.
Toronto, ON
7/9/2009
i'm not a roti connosieur but i enjoyed this place quite a lot! the vegetarian selection was great. i tried the mushroom, cheese and spinach (i chose rice but i think she mixed up my order and put cheese instead. either way, it tasted great and it ended up being a good mistake). the lady at the counter was very friendly. i wolfed mine down in a matter of a few minutes! i'll definitely go back for more and try the other veggie selections!
