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E L Ruddy Co Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Vegan Vegetarian, Coffee & Tea, Vegan
1371 Dundas Street WestToronto, ON M6J 1Y3
Neighbourhoods: Little Portugal, Beaconsfield Village
- Hours:
Wed-Fri 11 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 4 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
10 reviews for E L Ruddy Co Cafe
10 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2012
I have one sweet Vegan friend who I enjoy eating with. She cooks for me A LOT. We hardly go out to eat though, because where can vegans eat beyond the usual known veg places, like Fresh (boooorrrring) and Sadies (grrroooossss!) or places that only have one thing on the menu that they can enjoy? How much salad can one person eat? And because I'm a meat eater, I have to hold back and stop suggesting we go to Pizza Hut.
EL Ruddy is a great little cafe in the heart of Little Portugal where your vegetarian, vegan AND gluten-free pals are FINALLY satisfied!! FINALLY!!! I certainly don't mind indulging in BBQ'd tofu sammiches and amazing soups served in those cute Campbell's soup bowls.
One thing: don't go when you're starving on the floor hungry. Truth is, they don't seemed to be equipped or have the know-how at preparing food in large quantities. They are like home-cooking, not restaurant-cooking. This means you may be waiting a long time for your food when the cafe is busy. Like, long. Like, an hour. There isn't a big kitchen staff back there, so be nice about it. Hide some crackers in your purse and munch on those while you wait. -
Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2011
E.L. Ruddy is a small, cozy cafe on Dundas St. W. with lo-fi charm. It takes it's name from the business that use to be located here back in the day. In fact the left wall use to be the outside wall to what was E.L. Ruddy, you can see the outer building lettering on the inside of this cafe, cool. I really like establishments that work a concept harmoniously with their surroundings, so big thumbs up to this cafe.
The staff are friendly, service is good. I've only had coffee here but I look forward to trying their veggie fair (might have to sneak bacon in my pockets). The coffee in question is Ideal espresso. Not a big fan of Ideal but it's OK.
Really love the ambiance of the place with its retro knick-knacks on display, the old E.L. Ruddy on the wall, the 60's diner furniture. Low key and unpretentious I recommend dropping in for coffee or a veggie meal.Listed in: Eliah's Big List of Go To…
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Review from Nikkita F.
Stratford, ON
I really liked my experiences at E.L Ruddy.
This place is small and Antique Store-ish. They have cool store copies of all kinds of magazines, interesting books, Art done by Children for sale, and all kinds of Vintage things...A kind of European Cafe that sells pertinent items for the Vegan Cook, an cooks pertinent items for the Vegan. I love this place for so many reasons, I think the fact that they make amazing omelette's from Vegan Batter, instead of scramble is #1.
I am picky about Vegan food, as I am a fairly decent cook. I was impressed to say the least. I like that they serve a salad with the usual breakfast items. They bake their own bread on-site... AMAZING tasting, and also vegan. The Food Deserves a 5, but I couldn't do that because of something atmospheric.
My Photos speak for themselves in regard to the amazing food they are serving at very reasonable prices. The Service is great, and the ladies who work there are pretty accommodating, and recommend items on the menu. The ladies never know the special, and often have to go to the kitchen if you ask, but I am happy they're asking if they don't know.
I have a Singular Complaint, and it is because it could easily be corrected. It is VERY hot in this restaurant and the air is still, be it a fan or AC this would make eating there an even more pleasant experience.
The owner is amazing, and I will re-review them if they figure out a way to make the air a little less heavy. Dyson Fan Here we come!
I recommend this place for breakfast foods & good conversation. Occasionally the Lily Allen Music is WAY too loud, but that was only once...
PS: They have a communal table, HOW COOL... Many Photo's Included. -
Review from Val G.
Yay! A new veggie brunch spot. E.L. Ruddy is keeping good company with Sadie's and Calico. I joined some friends for a late weekend brunch there to check it out. On only their second weekend in business, E.L. Ruddy is still in its infancy but I think they did a pretty stellar job.
I had the Huevos Yelapa but sin huevos and con delicious marinated tofu. It comes with gluten-free corn bread, homestyle potatoes, baked beans and salsa.
To accompany it I had a soy chai latte that came in a big beautiful vintage mug. My friends enjoyed the 'boring breakfast', a huevos yelapa con huevos and the spelt waffles, which, FYI you can have with strawberries and maple syrup.
We did have to wait quite a bit for the food, but it was worth it. The service was friendly and attentive. I only wish the portions had been larger because when you eat brunch at 2pm you are truly starving.
The beans that came with the yelapa were more refried beans than runny maple syrup breakfast beans. I should have expected this in a spanish dish but I was kind of hoping for the saucy maple syruped variety that comes in a little bowl. Veg people rarely get to eat it this because it usually comes with a traditional bacon and eggs breakfast. Oh well, not a big deal.
The corn-bread was balls-out amazing! Thick, moist, dense and filling. A little bit of earth balance on top would have been the icing on that gluten-free cake. The potatoes looked fairly plain but were creamy and tasty, could have used another scoop of those.
Loved the atmosphere at E.L. Ruddy, it's like eating in a cozy bookshop. Prices range from $8-$10 and there are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Seating is seriously limited, so you'll likely have to wait once the rest of Toronto gets wind of this little joint. Love the bright orange exterior, you'll never miss that when you're driving/biking past.Listed in: Vegenomics, Veggie Brunch, Featured Reviews
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Review from Em M.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2011
best brunch of my life. friendly service, delightful attention to detail in regards to both the food and the atmosphere. sure my (delicious, inexpensive) breakfast took half an hour to hit the table, but who cares when you're reading a selection of cafe magazines and listening to Shocking Blue on the stereo?
I could pretty much just eat here every day. go, try everything, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Lauren T.
Toronto, ON
11/1/2010
A friend recommended trying E.L. Ruddy for brunch this past weekend. It's new so I hadn't heard about it! I was excited because I am so sick of vegan friendly places like Sadie's for brunch - so disappointing, but that's another review. E.L. Ruddy is cute, quaint, and vegan and vegetarian. Oh ya, and delicious. I get WAY too excited when I can eat nearly everything on a restaurants menu. I want to order it all or take it to go so I can try it later in the day when I'm hungry again. Alas, I didn't do that here, but I will be going back soon.
I had the huevos yelapa, which apparently is the most popular brunch dish. In fact, I and my 3 other friends ordered it! You can still get eggs at this place, but I had the vegan version with 2 very flavorful marinated tofu steaks. The corn bread is to die for. I want more. Now. They have 4 selections of soup on the menu that sound incredible... cashew cream tomato... all of which are vegan and g/f. And there are 4 main lunch/dinner dishes that I cannot wait to try. A vegan shepards pie and a risotto dish, just to get you drooling.
Service was great and my favorite part was the establishment itself. It's so cozy and eclectic I felt like I was in a house. Being that this is the first review I ENCOURAGE you to try this place and then let us know what you think. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
E.L. Ruddy is absolutely charming - I dare you to walk in the door and not gasp at its adorableness!
This cosy cafe out on Dundas West feels a little out of the way, but it's well worth the visit. From the mismatched vintage furniture and sugar pots to the shelves of books and nick-knacks lining the bare brick walls, the decor and atmosphere feels like you're just popping into a friend's place for a bite to eat. [Bonus points for the old signmaker's logo still showing on the wall - from which E.L Ruddy cafe took their name!]
There's a small menu - all-day breakfasts and a few salads & mains - but it keeps it simple for a small little cafe like this. Lots of vegan and gluten free options on offer, and a nice range of breakfasts. I opted for a vegan omelette, which was delicious & came with healthily sized sides of salad, home fries & GF toast. You even get a petite little bowl of fruit as an 'appetiser' with your breakfast. *Too* adorable!
I feel like E.L Ruddy's pretty much smack bang in the middle of the vego diner/cafe spectrum, equidistant from (the now defunct) Calico and Sadie's diner. Friendly service, delicious home-cooked options that won't grease you out entirely, and a very homey feeling means that I can't wait to get back and spend some quality time in this lovely cafe and try more of the menu (although those breakfasts will definitely be a lure in the future!).Listed in: Toronto Veg Eats!
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Review from Tofu B.
Toronto, ON
6/3/2011
First visit to E.L. Ruddy = success!
Cute-as-a-button (anti) hole-in-the-wall veg*n cafe on Dundas W is a great place to eat. In a world where everyone with a debit card thinks they can outfit a restaurant, this Value Village done right spot is amazing value in the heart of Little Portugal. Young, hip kids sit at the Formica tables chatting about their horrible lives, while other singles read copies of 'Harpers', 'Wired' or 'UTNE Reader' that are available on the shelves.
Ate:
Mexican Bean Soup: Nothing special, a little under seasoned for my liking, but almost exactly what I expected, which was good.
Vegan Grilled Cheese: Really good. Super thick house made grilled bread with correct amount of Daiya cheese.
Didn't have one, but I saw a cappuccino that looked like it came straight from Second Cup circa 1996. (Stay away).
Server was very nice with good recommendations.
Excellent value, good food, nice spot. Will be back again and again. -
Review from Toronto L.
Toronto, ON
7/9/2011
the Toronto Lover system:
5 stars = Must visit!
4 stars = Really good. I take my friends here.
3 stars = Somewhat worth it... if you have nowhere better to go.
2 stars = Below average. Attend only when necessary.
1 star = Do not visit!
E.L. Ruddy's has delicious food, lovely coffee, and one of the quaintest atmospheres you can imagine. They offer terrific vegetarian dishes. Go for breakfast, and try the eggs, beans, and cornbread. Most breakfasts hover around $10. The decor is a one room arrangement that feels a bit like someone's living room, but it's someone you know well. This is a really nice place that gets overshadowed, only in hype, by some of the more trendy breakfast joints in the area.
4 stars -
Review from Ceecee P.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
Really mediocre. As a vegetarian I was looking forward to checking the place out. I won't be going back. I ordered the huevos yelapas- eggs with refried beans, salsa and corn bread. The refried beans tasted like they were straight from an old el paso can- no spice or flavour. The cornbread was too heavy to be nice, nothing wrong with it, but nothing right either. The salsa was a thimble full of anemic tomatoes with salt and the hash browns were just plain potatoes fried. Everything was edible and fine, but with so many good brunch spots in the area (what up Lakeview?) don't waste your time or money going here.
