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Biryani House
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
15 Hayden StToronto, ON M4Y 2P2
Neighbourhoods: Church-Wellesley Village, Downtown Core
(416) 515-1957
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
12 reviews for Biryani House
12 reviews in English
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Review from Mika D.
Toronto, ON
3/13/2012
My review is 3.5 I'd say.
Food-wise:
Been there twice. Once for dinner - I really liked the food that time, the spices and the hotness of the dishes (veg biryani and malai kofta) really hit the spot, but the prices were a $1-2 more than what I saw online so I wanted to check the cheap lunch special.
Lunch - $5.99 for the veg thali: half a papadam, rice, daal, 3 kinds of vegetable curries (I had the mixed veg, eggplant and cauliflower/potato. They also had chickpeas and potatoes). The food was tasty. However, I would say that I don't think they used fresh spices but a spice mix, which was good, but I like the genuine thing when I eat Indian food out. but I guess I can't complain for $5.99 for a big and filling portion...
Service-wise:
The dinner waiter was so rude we started laughing about it. Extremely rude! He brought a plate of papadam and took it after a minute when it was still full (!) to refill the dish and give it to another table (at least that's what I think happened).
If we asked for anything he just didn't say anything and walk away (so we didn't know if he got what we wanted or not) and overall seemed very grumpy.
I wasn't bothered by this because the food at dinner was very good and reminded me of India. -
Review from Min Min T.
Scarborough, ON
12/24/2011
Came for the lunch buffet during November 2011. Nothing was hot, just luke-warm. The food, while edible, wasn't very good. Surprising, considering it is a prime location. The naan was alright.
The only redeeming dish was the smoked bharta, fresh and well-spiced.
Well, not coming here again. -
Review from RJ T.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Yes, while I am the Duke of this place, I would relinquish my crown if I could.
The last time I ate here was July 4, 2011, after ordering a butter chicken to go. It was about 2pm (this detail becomes crucial in a moment). I went home, ate my takeaway, then by 2:40, my stomach started churning. By 3pm, I was vomiting, followed by several trips to the bathroom over the next 48 hours.
Yes, I suspect I got a dose of food poisoning. The fact that it came on within 30 minutes of eating made me immediately suspect my takeaway.
Long story short, after about 3 days of the worst cramps and other maladies that accompany food poisoning, I was back on my feet.
The new issue for me became: do I tell Biryani House, and if so, how do I put it to them? I decided to mention my experience to them, as a service to other future customers, and explained my situation nicely. I did not ask for compensation, make threats, or say anything untoward. I thought it had to be something in the butter chicken dish itself. The fellow who always serves at the counter said he couldn't think of anything, and seemed surprised that I would even mention it. OK, that's that, I thought, I told them, and they would deny it. Fine, move on.
A week or so later, I bumped into the same person from the resto again, this time in the Canada Post parking lot, and I asked him if he used ghee (clarified butter) in his butter chicken. He said he does sometimes. I asked if it was possible his ghee could become rancid, thereby explaining what happened to me. He took this idea on board, and finally said, "It was possible".
A number of times over the past 6 months, I have seen the owner again, and he has invited me to come back. I told him then that I could if I would, but the whole 72 hours of food poisoning etc has made my stomach flip at the smell of Indian spices, which is a tragedy, because I love the cuisine.
I waited 6 months to write this review, because I did not want to write it from a place of anger or upset. I don't want anyone else to experience what I went through, and upon reading recent reviews, it would appear that nothing has changed.
Your experience may be different, but I do not feel comfortable eating here anymore or recommending it to anyone.
I'll leave my old review up so people can see how I once felt.
Now, where can I leave this Dukedom crown .....? -
Review from Sandeep D.
Toronto, ON
9/11/2011
Sorry.. But this is probably the worst Indian I have ever had.
I don't think any of their curries are fresh.. Their briyani is simply rice with some food coloring and chicken. I would avoid this place if you can. -
Review from Steph L.
7/12/2010
A shame.
I've been here a few times throughout the year.
The first time was decent.
They changed ownership.
The prices for the lunch specials went up.
Still cheap, but anyways.
I stopped in the other day because my sister and her friend were having lunch. With sad faces they asked me to help them eat some of the food and drink their barely-touched mango lassies.
Who doesn't finish a mango lassi?
Well, it's understandable if the lassi is too-thick yogurtless-over-spiced dribble that tasted horrible.
The naan was overcooked, dry, flavourless and just bad.
The butter chicken had no spice at all, no cream, and was basically tomato paste slapped on chicken.
It was a sad day.
And yes, the photos posted are totally wrong. The place is more of a hole in the wall with maybe 8 tables. The chef's aren't Indian and this isn't a place I will go for Indian food. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2010
Note that there are two businesses named Biryani House, this is the hole-in-the-wall no frills thali place on Hayden St, the other is a more lavish institution near Wellesley. This review pertains to the former.
Biryani House is not bad. Its not great Indian food, but it has its charms.
Its Indian-style Thali, meaning, you get a tin "lunch tray" with a Simple salad with yogurt and cumin dressing, a sweet rice desert, some rice with daal and your choice of three other dishes -- three vegetarian or two vegetarian and one meat. They vary depending on the day, but usually there is a Baigan Bharta (eggplant) Aloo Gobi (Califlower), Black chickpea Chana, Mutter Paneer (cheese and peas) some potato. Sometimes Saag Paneer. (Spinach). You also get a half of a Papadam (Lentil Cracker) laid out on your cafeteria tray under your disposable plastic fork. (grr)
The place is teeny, seats less than 20 and is a very tight squeeze. Come in, squish your way though the tables towards the food-serving counters and order at the cash. It is always the same two men working. One will take your payment and get you pop or lassi, and the other will scoop your choices from the cafeteria style metal pans.
The bonus points are that since the food is pre-made (other than naan which is made when you order it) it is served to you relatively quickly - meaning if you can get a seat, its a fast lunch. The portion is gigantic and will fill you up for certain. Vegetarian Thali with pop is in the $8 range.
Minus Points
- the food is NEVER hot, only lukewarm (comes with the territory)
- you are often left watching a single guy and his jacket take up an entire 4 top as you stand there with your tray.
- Disposable plastic forks
- Not AT ALL SPICY IN THE LEAST. If you are looking for any form of spice or traditional Indian fare, you will not get it here. This place is western-washed to the max.
Take your dirty tray back up to the front, and let people sit down. This is how it goes here, they don't usually buss the tables right away. And please don't order "take out" and then sit down and unpack your Styrofoam and plastic meal at the table only to eat it there. What a waste. You are not saving any time, this place is fast. -
Review from Gokul M.
Toronto, ON
2/9/2012
Live close by and have go there often, mostly because of proximity. Food is average. Vibe is not that great at all. Seating is limited and quality of food is probably a little below average. Menu is not extensive.
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Review from Alice T.
3/29/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Does anyone else think these are the wrong photos? The place on Hayden is beyond tiny. I usually wait outside for my take away because it's so small if you wait inside the single waiter can't get to his tables.
And the staff ain't friendly, at least not the waiter I've had and I'm convinced he's the only waiter that works there.
All that said, the food is delicious. Personally I like the butter chicken, channa masla, beef vindaloo but it's super spicy so watch out, and the just about everything else I've had.
It's a perfect take away place if you live in the area. And very reasonably priced considering rice comes with the order. -
Review from Sylvain P.
Newmarket, ON
10/31/2010
[Phone Call]: Hello Biryani House. Yes. I'd like to make a reservation for six people at 5:30 pm. We do not take reservations but I'll be here. Ok. Ok. Bye. Click! And, that's how it started. We get there, it's a hole. The place has seen worse days then Saigon and needs more facelifts then Joan Rivers to make it look good. BTW don't go to the bathroom. The waiter is a complete bitch. I said it. A complete bitch. Unless, and here's the key, you're a regular, which I'm not. Thank god! Get this, the food was good. Go figure.
-
Review from Emma B.
Toronto, ON
8/11/2010
I went to the Biryani House on Hayden because I wanted cheaper curry than the Indian Hut on Church was offering. I ordered mattar paneer, chicken korma, onion bhaji, and rice and it came to about $22. Yes, this place will do just fine for my curry cravings.
It's not that I can't handle spicy food, but I ordered what I thought are 2 mild dishes. Both had a good kick to them, which I found surprising but acceptable. I wonder if anyone else is not so accepting of a traditionally mild dish served spicy.
I've done take-out twice now, and both times the waiter/host failed to impress me with customer service skills. Monosyllabic responses to every question might be efficient, but it isn't pleasant. While I waited, he grunted at the other tables in what (I think) was offering refills on the drinks. The second time I ordered over the phone in advance, and the phone manner was equally poor. Meh. I don't care that much. If I can feed me and my boyfriend, with some leftovers for lunch the next day, all for 20 bucks, I'm satisified.
Oh and there is another Biryana House just on Wellesley (I think) that is much bigger, and must be where these photos are from. -
Review from Francis R.
Toronto, ON
6/9/2010
Yes the pics are wrong for this place, it's a tiny joint !!! The food here is excellent given the price. Basic but very tasty !!
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Review from Tim F.
5/6/2010
This place holds innumerable memories for me. Biryani House is like your favourite hole in the wall Indian restaurant, complete with surly waiter (yes he's the only waiter so learn to love him), ridiculously over-sweet yet equally addictive mango lassi, super-small dining space and impeccably delicious food. While it's moved from its previous location on Roy Square (damn you 1 Bloor East!!!!) and the new place is definitely less charming, the eggplant curry is still heartwarming, the multitude of chicken curries still delicious and the waiter still angry.
I find that dinner is better than lunch, but the lunch specials are very good value and tasty and there's that corridor park running along the east side of Yonge that could make for a good take out spot. Dinner with a good friend in this cozy little space can be magical.
