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Gale's Snack Bar
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
539 Eastern AveToronto, ON M4M 1C6
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat 12 pm - 5 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
8 reviews for Gale's Snack Bar
8 reviews in English
-
Review from Adrian C.
Saint-Lambert, QC
3/25/2012
This place is unbelievable! Great home cooking at yesterday's prices. Try the hot turkey sandwich.
-
Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2012
Sorry, no one else seems to want to say it, but this place is a DUMP. I've got nothing against old, character-filled greasy spoons...I've been to most of them in Toronto (see http://www.yelp.com/li...), but I'm also a fan of minimal standards of cleanliness.
Translations of other Yelper's comments;
"Well-worn stools" = dirty
"...dingy, grubby and nostagia-filled" = dirty
"...dripping with atmosphere" = dripping with grease
My wife and I both had grilled cheese sandwiches and fries. The sandwiches were made with Kraft singles (acceptable at this price) and had the taste of a dirty grill (unacceptable at any price). The fries were good and the malt vinegar was a nice option. (2 grilled cheese, 2 fries, 2 pops = 8.15.) The waitress was friendly and good natured.
Gale's is even smaller than it looks in the photos. 3 tiny booths and about 7 stools. Lily Y. has the right idea. If you are tempted by this place, taking out might be the best move.
All that being said, I'm glad we went. Once.
NB I'm rarely this harsh in a review. I think it's in response to other Yelper's 4 and 5 star reviews. I understand that they may be swayed by the nostalgic element of Gale's. If you want to experience a nostalgic diner from a similar era, go to People's Food, Avenue Diner, or George St. Diner. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
1/2/2012
I'm giving this place four stars just for atmosphere alone. It actually deserves an extra half star for its price. I've been meaning to come to this place since the 80s and now it's off my Restaurant Resolutions list. You can take a peek here: http://wp.me/p1t9bx-k0
HOURS: Mon-Fri: 10-6 (give or take); Saturday: Noon-5. Closed on Sundays.
No website. No phone.
VIBE
Gale's isn't exactly central. Located at Eastern and Carlaw, it's downright intimidating to come here even for a local. It really does look like one of those places where motorcycle gangs hang out (do those still exist?). To add to the "should I come here?" question are their hours. I couldn't find them anywhere online nor do they have a phone number so it's kind of a crap shoot coming here.
Luckily, they were open and I immediately got transported back to 1965 (that's how long they've been open). It smelled musty. The smell was a mix of fuel and batter. It is your typical diner. Old pepsi signs; booths; stools at the counter; and "American Pie" playing on the sound system.
Ida immediately greeted me and smiled and from there,my fears dissipated. We had a good conversation about the diner. Then her friends came in and started reading her passages from the Bible.
I ATE
I admit I was being a bit snobbish about the food. So I erred on the safe side and got fries and a hot dog. The hot dog is basically boiled from the pack they got from the grocery store and I was asked if I wanted relish and mustard (both please!). The fries were a hefty portion and home cooked. I loved that she asked me if I wanted malt vinegar. I couldn't finish my portion.
And on the vintage cash register, the grand total came up to $2.50. $2.50! Amazing.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
It's not fancy. It's not the best food. But there's a lot of heart here. And for those prices and history, I really hope they're around for another 40 years.Listed in: Dive Bars
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Review from Vivek S.
Forget you, laws of physics: time travel IS possible. All you have to do is step through the rickety front door of Gale's Snack Bar at Eastern and Carlaw and you will be transported to a bygone era. This is a diner through and through, dripping with atmosphere, local characters and prices that will make your jaw drop.
This is 1983 pricing. I mean, there wasn't anything on the menu more than three bucks. I'm serious. You can choose from hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, fish 'n' chips and other diner fare. You can also get shakes (for a mothaflipping dollar) and pies. The pies might have been homemade, but this was not confirmed.
Every piece of furniture seemed to be at least fifty years old. That said, it wasn't grubby and the cheerful server behind the counter was quick to wipe down the counter as we sat down. Despite the rough appearance (and some salty customers) I didn't feel out of place there.
I had a fried egg sandwich which was just a fried egg on toasted bread. It was perfect: the egg wasn't overcooked and the bread was toasted just right. That's part of the magic of a mainstay diner, over time they can elevate simple meals to an artform.
This place is too far out of my way to be a regular haunt, but I can step a little lighter now, knowing that it exists.
Obligatory Title Pun: You'll be BLOWN AWAY by the prices.
Menu Readability: It's a hand-painted yellow sign above the counter.
Need to mention: Two fried egg sandwiches, an egg salad sandwich, a coffee and diet Pepsi came to about $6.50.
What this place teaches me about myself: I have tasted value; and it tastes like the intersection of Eastern avenue and Carlaw.Listed in: First Name Basis, Cash Only, Leslieville Locals, Dirt Cheap Eats
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Review from Alan F.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2011
This really is as good as it gets if you want cheap diner fare. The most expensive dish on the menu is 3.75 (I've noticed that there prices have gone up slightly in recent times) and it's totally worth it.
I doubt this tiny hole in the wall will ever be award a Michelin star but for those Torontonians who can still appreciate the simple meal of a grilled burger with that bright orange kraft single melting on top, a side of fries and a few cups of coffee to wash it all down before heading back to work, Gale's is definitely the spot. -
Review from Monsters K.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2009 4 photos
Gale's is the pure essence of diner. Prices that haven't changed in 20 years, grotty interior, but good solid food.
A hamburger costs $1, a slice of pie 80 cents.
Make some time though, things don't happen fast. -
Review from Dani L.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2010
Gale's is dingy, grubby and nostalgia-filled. It's a cool spot, a throwback to times gone by, when Eastern Ave was an industrial wasteland (not an offshoot of trendy Leslieville).
The pleather stools along the snackbar are well-worn, as is the menu with unchanged prices since forever ($1 milkshake, anyone?). I always fret that Gale's will be gone one day when I pass by, yet it stays strong.
The majority of regulars are elderly gents who appreciate the warm service and economical cheeseburgers and coleslaw. They'll even tell you stories if you spark up a conversation (it helps if you're a girl). -
Review from Lily Y.
Toronto, ON
3/25/2011
I finally got a chance to try out this place.. even though i live 15 minutes away from it. It was quite busy when i arrived. Once i placed my order it was packed and ready to go in less than 10 minutes. I ordered 2 hamburgers and fish and chips all came to 6 bucks! The burgers were small but hey I'm not complaining when its under 2 bucks.
Next time i think I'm gonna try out their milkshake and pies!
