- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Dr Laffa
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean
401 Magnetic DriveUnit 39-40
Toronto, ON M3J 3H9
(416) 739-7134
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
15 reviews for Dr Laffa
15 reviews in English
-
Review from Alison F.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2012
This restaurant does not look like much on the outside, and is sort of out of the way to go to, but has great ambiance on the inside of the restaurant. definitely a great place to eat. The inside is very nice. Beautiful murals on the wall, friendly waitstaff. The restaurant is usually crowded no matter what time you go there, lots of people eating there. There is also a section for take-away too.
The laffa was so good. It was served nice and warm, and very tasty. I had the shwarma plate with fries, and I could not finish it, the portions are very generous. The prices are not expensive either. The waitress also gives you various toppings to go with your food (hummus, etc) . I definitely would like to go back to this restaurant again.. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Sometimes I don't really trust my GPS. I want to ask "Do you know where you taking me to??" This is one of those occasion when that it use it sexy European accent to ask me to turn right into this industrial area....
Dr Laffa is one of those places you would not know unless you read about it somewhere else (Yelp) or your friend told you....
Busy place during lunch hour as I waiting for my lunch date to arrive... and the first thing she said I have to have the Shakshuka.... "It is SOOOOO Good!"
Shakshuka is a breakfast/brunch dish or good as a hangover cure. Maybe she knows that I have a few beers the night before and I look like I just woke up. Shakshuka Special with Meguez Sausage ($9.99)... did make my tummy nice and warm... It tastes great with the fresh Laffa!! (btw it is complimentary!)
While waiting for my food, we were snacking on the free little plates of appetizer mainly pickled veggies. Free refills are offered and no wonder my date was half full even before her Rice with Beans ($7.99) arrived.
Service here is exceptionally good... and pricing is reasonable for a Kosher restaurant especially if you can eat a lot of those Laffa...
FYI, I can just eat those Laffa and be happy!Listed in: Kosher Diet Friendly Places!!
-
Review from Edwin A.
2/3/2012 5 photos
It was a pleasure to watch the making of a laffa today.
From behind the ordering counter I watched as the round dough was transformed ; from a round ball of dough taken from stacks of silver trays prepared the night before, the dough was patted back and forth expertly by the bakers hands, then pressed against a round mold to give it it's shape. It was then careful placed into the taboon, a traditional clay oven to cook.
Each laffa takes about 4 minutes to cook and each sandwich is made with a fresh warm toasty piece of laffa. :)
I ordered a falafel on a laffa (5.99); the bread was thin and nougatty. The sandwich was very filling and glad I had them cut it in half. I couldn't finish it in one go.
Next time I will try some other selections. The chicken shawarma was a pretty popular choice with patrons, also the Sabich (fried eggplant and hard boiled eggs).
Inside it's a full fledged dine in restaurant; the difference is that you order at the counter first and you bring the food to your table. On the menu they have soups, appetizers, sandwiches, and main courses available. -
Review from Adhish V.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/8/2012 1 photo
Since I wrote this review I've been here twice again and it has always been PACKED. I tried the chicken shawarma and schnitzel hoping to see what everyone else seems to be seeing. I'm getting more used to it but still don't think its anything that special.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/12/2012
I went to Dr Laffa after reading so much about it btu have to say that I was a tad bit dissapointed.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Graham R.
Toronto, ON
9/14/2011 2 photos
Went to Dr. Laffa last week with a group after hearing some great things about it. I am a huge sandwich fan so when I was told this place was an Iraqi sandwich place I was very curious. Though after being there I think it might be more Israeli than Iraqi. It is kinda hard to find as it basically operates out of a loading dock at a factory but don't let this fool you!
I had the Sabih sandwich on laffa bread (around $6.50) which was a kind of fried eggplant dish served with veggies and a hardboiled egg topped with a spicy mango chutney. The taste was awesome and the portion was MASSIVE (I was still full the next morning from it)! The only thing wrong with this place is it is located so far from my house. If I go back I would like to try the meal version (laffa on the side) w/ toppings laid out on the plate, but sandwich style was very good! I definitely reccomend checking them out.
Note: This place is entirely vegitarian / kosher. They are going to be opening another location soon that serves meat dishes which I can't wait to try.
Overall: I would rank them a 4.5 out of 5 but rounded up with the stars system on here since a full 5 star review would have to really blow me away. -
Review from Zach S.
Toronto, ON
2/18/2012
Great hummus, service and very clean. Food is killer. Busy by noon.
-
Review from Isaac E.
North York, ON
12/8/2011
I've been hearing a lot about Dr. Laffa since it opened. And I was wary of it.
It's located in the middle of an industrial area, hidden in the middle of G-d knows where and I couldn't see the place survive in its current location.
I was proven wrong SEVERELY. The taste and the atmosphere of Dr. Laffa is something to be admired. It isn't your typical restaurant but its so good that you don't want to leave. Get the laffa pita its made in front of you and it is absolutely FANTASTIC. When I was there they were giving out samples to people in line of different things they offer which I HAVE NEVER SEEN AT A KOSHER RESTAURANT (HINT). They give a really good reason to return. And that reason is the food. They are also priced below the kosher competition in Toronto ($11 for a Shawarma Laffa + Drink vs. $17 for a Shawarma Pita + Drink). Check it out, that is if you can find the place. -
Review from Ziyi C.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2011 1 photo
This place serves wraps/sandwiches, kabobs, chicken shawarma, laffa, pita etc.
Came here based on Graham's review. i initially went to the loading dock (which is now just their kitchen) and got sent across the street where they have opened a restaurant. (the sign fooled me as it was the first thing i saw)
There is a counter where all the food is prepared with a bar top perpendicular to it, and some regular tables around the edges. The layout is somewhat uncomfortable as it gets busy (there is not enough waiting space) Everything tends to be ordered at the cashier, however, I did see waitresses running around.
There is a menu. But I had to find it, which was randomly on the bar top.
Ordered the sabih (ovo-vegetarian) with laffa (which is like a large chewy naan) which consisted of falafel, fried eggplants, hummus, lettuce, tomato, red onions, tabbouleh, tahini, hot sauce, egg. Boy it was the largest falafel sandwich I've ever had. The laffa should be eaten right away as it gets soggy after a while. You definitely get your moneys worth.
I will have to come back and try out more items. -
Review from Patricia S.
North York, ON
11/11/2011 4 photos
I've been hearing a lot about Dr. Laffa recently, and its new 'dine-in' location so I have finally made it out for dinner with a friend this past week.
What makes Dr. Laffa special? It is the laffa, which is a crispy flatbread seasoned with za'atar, made in a tabun oven. The best part is it's complimentary - think of it as the Iraqi version of a bottomless bread basket. You can eat as much as you want! We ended up eating two.
The new location offers an extended menu, with a full selection of appetizers, main courses and desserts.
Along with the laffa bread, you're served a number of complimentary appetizers mainly consisting of marinated vegetable dishes with white cabbage, purple cabbage, corn, carrots, pickles and olives. Some sweet, others sour and spicy.
If that wasn't enough, you also get delicious dipping sauces skhug and amba.
We found eight different varieties of humus to choose from, so I went for sautéed mushroom humus. I truly enjoyed this dish.
For the main course, the main choices are shawarma, kabab or other grilled meats. We ordered lamb chops.
With your dinner you get to choose a side of french fries, potato or vegetables. The lamb was made to perfection, just as I expected. Fair warning, if you are not into fatty meat on the bone, I would not recommend you order this dish.
We tried the grilled eggplant. The skin was overly charred, but the eggplant was very soft and tasty.
The meal was very filling, definitely a great dinner. I also liked the "family" atmosphere. The food was good but a bit pricey ($28 for the lamb), but overall, I would still recommend this place. -
Review from Eric C.
Thornhill, ON
2/13/2012
It's located in an interesting/warehouse filled area. Don't let that detract you, it sticks out like a sore thumb in a good way once you find it. I got there just before the dinner rush came. The staff did an amazing job and were friendly and available despite how crazy it was (20+ people in line for seats/takeout).
This was my first time going despite hearing for months amazing reviews from friends. We both got shwarma dinners which TBO is enough for two people quantity wise. A helpful tip is they let you split the side dish so you can get 1/2 rice and 1/2 french fries etc. It was extremely tasty and while you wait for it, they bring out a few small appetizer salads which were also great.
The laffa was amazing...if anything that's a reason to go there. It lives up to the hype, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Mika D.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2012
Great place for Israeli and middle eastern food. I wish it was closer to the downtown core though and would offer more seating places - it is almost impossible to get a seat! The location is kinda strange as well, in an industrial park. Having said that, their laffas are amazing! you can't stop eating :)
We ate there with a few friends, we got some laffas and salads and we munched away. We each paid about 8$ for a really filling meal, which we couldn't finish.
Everything is fresh and super tasty! Please open a location downtown... -
Review from Blair C.
North York, ON
12/12/2011
Great food, but be patient.
Went to see the "DR" last week for lunch with a couple of buddies...firstly, the place is packed at lunch.. we arrived around 1:00 and it was like we had walked in at noon. If you are luck y enough to get a seat at a table (there is a long takeout line and some counters for single diners) you'll probably have to wait a while to get a) menus, b) order taken, c) bill.
The food is fantastic, we had Shakshuka, Shwarma and the Humous with Beef... all were killer flavours and way too much food. I had the Shakshuka with lamb merguez and it was, for me, just enough and amazing flavours.
Unfortunately our waitress disappeared a couple of times and we had to spend a lot of time waiting for the bill...kind of ruined the experience.
I'd suggest that anyone in a rush for lunch go someplace else, anyone looking for great food at a great price take a swing by the only restaurant on Magnetic Drive. -
Review from Daniel S.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2011
Dr. Laffa serves up one of the best laffa sandwiches in the city! His shawarma is delicious: tender, flavourful and served generously... All wrapped in fresh laffa bread that can't help but illicit memories of my trips abroad in the middle east.
Unfortunately, this doctor's specialty is strictly food. I waited in line for over 25 minutes before being noticed by a server who's ability to smile was questionable. After another 20 minutes I got a table... but had to fetch my own chairs.
Food came slowly and intermittently and neither entree was as-ordered. Place is loud, and fluorescent lighting resembles a fast food joint.
Maybe it was an off day but there weren't too many happy patrons leaving the doctor today.
Diagnosis: I would only return for take out and only before the 6pm rush. I was never a fan of cramped waiting rooms... -
Review from dakota r.
Toronto, ON
8/14/2011
I love this place!!!
Vegetarian/vegan delight! But everyone will love it here, for sure.
Difficult to find, because it's in an industrial plaza at Dufferin & Steeles, but truly worth it. Lunch time, expect a line up due to limited seating. Counter/table service.
Super-fresh ingredients, these guys take the "falafel" to a whole new level. Get the sibeh sandwich on fresh Laffa bread...My wife and I shared it and were both stuffed. They'll add every kind of salad they make to it (plus a hard-boiled egg, if you want it) so ask for the works. It's vegan, if you get it without the egg.
Did I mention it's only $6??!
Laffa is similar to Indian Naan bread, in that it's made fresh to order in a cylindrical oven.
Haven't tried the shakshuka yet, but plan to next time around.
Don't forget to try the awesome cookies (kept near the back, in 12pack containers).
Beware: use the washroom at your own risk :(
They're closed Saturdays, which is a bummer, but open until 7 (I think??) every other night.
You won't be disappointed!! -
Review from Erica P.
Toronto, ON
11/3/2011
I came here after reading BlogTO's review. They've moved across Magnetic Drive from their original location, to a small-ish restaurant that serves meat as well as veggie dishes. We got there at around 12:30, and it was very busy. The menu has a selection of appetizers which come with laffa, sandwiches (can be made on either a pita or a laffa), and dinner plates. My companion and I had originally intended to get sandwiches, but were told by the waitstaff that we'd have to do take-out in that case -- I'm not sure if that's because it was so crowded, or if it's a general policy now. Instead we split two of the appetizers: a falafel plate and the shakshouka, which were both delicious. The falafel plate was 7 falafel balls with tahini dipping sauce, and the shakshouka was delivered to the table in a hot skillet. Both came with Laffa, and there were some small complimentary snacks as well (pickles, coleslaw, and a corn/pickle salad thing). Other appetizers that looked great were the grilled whole eggplant with tahini, and the hummus with fried eggplant - however, we were too full to eat more this time. We'll be back - maybe for brunch on Sunday, with some of that Turkish coffee on the menu. Word of warning though: they're closed on Saturdays. If you're ordering appetizers or sandwiches, prices range from $6-12 per person. Dinner plates cost more.
