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Danforth Dragon Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Restaurants Indian Chinese, Indian [Edit]
861 Danforth AveToronto, ON M4J 1L8
Neighbourhoods: The Danforth, Greektown
(416) 461-9238
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Danforth Dragon Restaurant
17 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff D.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2011
Danforth Dragon has brought the fiery fusion of Indian-Chinese Hakka cuisine (a spicy take on traditional Chinese food that includes the flavours of coriander, chilies and curry) to diners in the Pape & Danforth area since 1999.
Complete with the kitschy decor you'd expect, the Dragon creates a serene oasis for Hakka food-seekers. I've only ever ordered take-out, but regardless of time, day or night, there are always plenty of dine-in customers.
Overall, the dishes are full of flavour, especially if you like a little spicyness with your Chinese food. Personal favorites include the chicken pakoras (succulent pieces of meat mixed with Indian spices & delicately deep-fried), crispy ginger chicken (small chicken bites lightly battered & fried, seasoned with stir-fried garlic, ginger and hot chili, if desired) and the always delicious Szechuan chow mein (thick noodles stir fried with chicken, shrimp, shredded onions, carrots, cabbage, green onion & bean sprouts).
Danforth Dragon is located at 861 Danforth Avenue (@ Danforth and Jones). -
Review from Good T.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2012
I entered the mouth of the dragon full of anticipation but exited very disappointed. Granted I only ordered the Chilli Chicken, but that's the cornerstone of Hakka cuisine. The Chilli Chicken tasted like deep fried chicken in tasteless brown sauce with some cut green chillies tossed in. It was pretty flavorless except for the spicy chillies. Bah humbug!
Chilli chicken should be a tad garlicky, a tad cumin-y, pepper-y, vinegar-y, onion-y and ergo easily delicious. It's very, very easy to make. Can't believe DD messed this up.
DD if you can't add 1+1, I shudder to think how you are doing multiplication and long division! -
Review from Thomas M.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2012
Short Review: Order the Spicy Fried Noodles, somewhat a Hakka-fusion and it was surprisingly decent, in a way that I did not have a headache after eating it. The price was average about as average as other Chinese restaurants could get.
However, I did like the mango ice-cream served when you pay the bill, it's quite a nice complimentary treat. -
Review from Chris T.
East York, ON
10/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Bland bland bland. We ordered delivery and everything has no seasoning and we ordered stuff loaded with sauce and ingredients that should have taste. Even the egg roll had a weird taste like old oil. Only thing good was the steamed rice haha.
Next day i threw all the leftovers in a frying pan and made my own stir fry which tasted way better. -
Review from Nicole C.
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had been wanting to try Danforth Dragon since I moved into the area, walked by and was like: WTF is Hakka food!!??!!
Since then I had been intrigued. Fast forward to almost 3 years later and accompanied willing participant to try it out with me (the hubs wouldn't do it...he's all "Indian chop suey? NO!".
So with glistening eyes full of temptation and ready to be fulfilled with deliciousness I ordered a noodle dish and my friend ordered some sort of sweet and spicy meat and we dug in.
Whon whaaaaaaa. Its Chinese food. And not even good Chinese food, just okay Chinese food.
I was expecting something a bit more spicy and Indian inspired but I kinda just got a whole lot of China town in my mouth (which on second thought could be kinda gross....hmm). Perhaps the spices were running low in the kitchen? -
Review from Lawrence H.
Toronto, ON
9/13/2011
It was possibly one of the best guy TV nights ever: Nadal and Djokovic battling it out for the US Open tennis finals, not one but TWO Monday Night Football games, and last but not least - the Bachelor Pad season finale. OK, so maybe the latter doesn't make most guys' lists...with so much quality TV on, one cannot possibly labour over dinner so there was no better time to call DD for some Chinese delivery. My neighbor recommended it a few weeks prior.
The food was delivered in 30-45 minutes as promised. No delivery charge for orders of $30 before tax. The DD website is helpful with fairly accurate pictures.
The Good: Chicken Pakoras (anything in ball format and deep fried must be good), Crispy Ginger Chicken
OK: Manchurian Fried Rice (how do they get the rice that red?)
Pass: Szechuan vegetables... I normally don't order veg at Chinese restaurants but needed something to offset the other items
Here's a useful tip - Chinese takeout goes really well with sparkling wine or white wine. The acidity makes for a good offset to the grease.
We heard the Crispy Ginger Eggplant (from the same deep fried goodness family as the Crispy Ginger Chicken) was to die for, but thought it would be too heavy to order that on top of what we had. Look forward to trying that and other dishes.
4 dishes came to $36, with plenty of leftovers for a 2nd meal. -
Review from Adrian P.
East York, ON
11/29/2010
This might not be a high class restaurant, but for cheap, tasty and greasy Chinese food I can't name a better place in the city.
The service is always great, whether it's delivery, pickup or sit-down, and I've yet to try something I don't like here.
I highly recommend the spicy Hakka Egg Rolls, crispy ginger chicken, and chicken pakoras. -
Review from Gord M.
East York, ON
12/2/2010
I blame me for the average review.
After passing by DD countless times, usually in favourite of the deliciousness of Square Boy, my friends and I finally decided to drop in for dinner last Friday.
I'd never eaten Hakka before, but we liked the description enough to give it a whirl, ordering everything labelled Hakka from the menu. Now, this was a good idea in principle, but I think we would've been better served asking our server for some guidance.
The good: Manchurian soup. a great hot and sour soup base with chicken. The hot and sour base was less viscous than most (a good thing), but it could have used a little more heat. Overall really tasty.
The bad: Manchurian chicken. I didn't like the consistency of the sauce and the chicken really turned me off. Goopy and spongy isn't good.
The average: everything else we tried. pork spring rolls, sizzling beef and fried paneer, though the latter was a bit above average with the nice green chutney.
The service, as everyone else has mentioned, was great. Very attentive and friendly.
In the end, I'm still going to give it a chance, but this time I'll do so with the assistance of the staff and if you haven't been, I still say you should give it a chance too. -
Review from Justin W.
11/18/2011
This isnt a bad place to check out if you are in the danforth area and dont feel like traveling far. It was my first Hakka experience. I went and got crispy pan friend noodles but they wernt and crispy as I liked. The menu wasa pretty extensive combo of Indian and Chinese food.
-
Review from Jay D.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
I have never ate in but have done takeout several times. The service is fast and friendly. I imagine eating in would still be a pleasurable experience.
I have tried several items on the menu and it ranged from OK to delicious I want to keep ordering this! I am a meat loving eater but I actually found the vegetarian dishes in general better then the meat dishes. But overall, I enjoy the food and will keep going back and trying other dishes.
I do have some favorite dishes such as the crispy ginger eggplant which is so yum. The deep fried vegetables balls are great too. I also like their hot sauce which you can buy in a jar for home. -
Review from Jasonand S.
Leslieville, Toronto, ON
10/11/2011 1 photo
Delicious food and excellent service at affordable prices. The pakoras are to die for, the crispy ginger chicken is out of this word and the chili chicken will have you crying with its spiciness while wondering why you just can't stop eating it - because it's so damn good!
Recommended for people who likes real Chinese food and embrace Indian food's heat, you won't be disappointed.
If you like your food bland or think Chinese food is about sweet & sour chicken balls, skip it. -
Review from James E.
York, ON
Have been the the DD two times now. Both times the service has been wonderful. They have a delicious Pakora and a their Ginger Chicken is delightful with a carmalized-like coating.
However, if you are looking for a traditional Chinese place, this is not what you are looking for. This food is Indian/Chinese and is very different than what you might find at a typical Chinese restaurant. -
Review from Leslie W.
4/17/2010
BOTTOM LINE: Seemed more "Chinese" than Hakka, but damn, those chicken pakoras really hit the spot!
Cost:
-$15-25 for dinner (tax and tip included)
Atmosphere/Decor:
-Typical asian decor: drabby but functional.
Ordered:
-We asked the owner/chef to make recommendations because it was the first time we had Hakka cuisine.
1. Chicken pakoras - The best thing recommended! Juicy, fried chicken balls with a crunchy outside and tandoori-esque inside.
2. Fried paneer with green chutney - I generally like paneer dishes,
but this one seemed a bit stale.
3. Crispy ginger chicken - Tasted more like "General's Tao's" chicken and had a bit too much breading.
4. Szechuan chowmein - Labelled as a "Hakka" dish, but I couldn't taste the curry. It was more like your standard Chinese noodle dish.
Service:
-Owner/chef was friendly and open. No complaints.
Conclusion:
-Overall a good introduction to Hakka cuisine (especially those chicken pakoras), but now I'm really curious to try the "better" ones talked about in uptown. -
Review from Crazy C.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2011
I love Danforth Dragon! It's the only place we order Hakka from. Order the spicy egg rolls and ginger beef, my fav.
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Review from Chris L.
East York, ON
1/13/2010
I can't stand by and have the dragon diss'd. The chili chicken is amazing and the chicken pakoras are out of this world. Totally unique. Don't go here expecting sweet and sour chicken balls and standard Chinese fare. Investigate the Hakka menu and don't wimp out. Nice folks too...gotta help them stay in business. I'd weep if they weren't around. Do it!
-
Review from michael t.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2008
This place gives the illusion that it will be good Asian food. But that is were it ends. The food is mediocre at best verging on bad. While the restaurant is conveniently located at Jones/Danforth, I would suggest to keep walking until you hit another restaurant.
-
Review from James K.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2009
Nothing special. Beer is cheap, food is mediocre. Skip it.
