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Gandhi Cuisine
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
554 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2B5
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
(416) 504-8155
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
108 reviews for Gandhi Cuisine
Review Highlights
"They don't hold back when it comes to roti stuffing."
(in 87 reviews)
"Despite the butter chicken coma, it was always worth it."
(in 42 reviews)
"It's always between the butter chicken and saag paneer."
(in 17 reviews)
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108 reviews in English
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Review from Brad F.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2011
Perfect.
Mixed veg rotis are stuffed with delicious veg curry and priced reasonably. I would eat this everyday if I could. Great for take out when you don't feel like eating in the tiny table area or a quick meal on lunch hours from work or take out when you just don't want to cook.
go with the medium if you want any kind of heat.
Friends of mine have said it's THE best place to get rotis downtown and so far I have to agree with them.
Bring cash, no debit. Samosas and pakoras are great as well. -
Review from K C.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2012
I've heard great things about Gandhi Roti, so while close to Queen & Bathurst on a chilly Friday, my stomach told me it wanted to try Gandhi Roti.
I'm not going to lie. After pulling up in front of the store-front, I thought "This is it?" It is definitely a hole-in-the wall deli. But I've had enough experiences at hole-in-the-walls that I knew I shouldn't judge so quickly.
I was happy that at the high-hunger state I was in, there was no line-up when I walked in, around 3pm. I wouldn't have had the patience to wait! Not knowing which to choose, I asked the kind lady behind the counter which she would recommend as a vegetarian option, and she suggested the Saag Panner.
After about 10 minutes, I was presented with my Saag Paneer Roti - wow, I really didn't expect it to be that large! But my eyes were delighted at the size. I was very satisfied with the melt-in-the-mouth spinach, I loved the smooth, medium-soft paneer, and even though I asked for no spice, the hint of spice actually added a nice flavour.
The plus about the take-out box is you can seal it again and devour the rest later, and it keeps it clean if you're eating in your car.
4/5 for the food experience only, not for the ambiance.
I will come back here again, but will make my way to try Mother India as I'm influenced by the recommendation from other Yelp members.
p.s. I may not be the best judge of food when I'm hungry... -
Review from Devan R.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 12/27/2011
SO disappointing to write this review. Before I begin I would like to mention that I have been eating at Mother India for the past few months, and it's an easy 5/5.
Years ago I would eat at Gandhi once a week or at the least once every couple weeks, I then took a long hiatus from the venue and today was the first time I ate there in over a year. Brutal experience.
I called my order in approximately 20 minutes before I knew I would be there. I was there in 15 and it was ready as I walked in, great! I ordered the Butter Chicken (medium) which is actually quite hot, even if you enjoy your heat. My gf ordered the Chicken Tikka mMasala (mild) she does not enjoy the heat. So I walked out of GR with arguably their two most popular rotis, and as I began to drive home neither of us could wait, we had to dig in.
Brutal.
My BC sauce was ok at best, the voluptuously creamy, rich and sweet sauce I was accustomed too was nowhere to be found. Worst of all the chicken was extremely dry and chewy, I was utterly shocked. Even the roti was hard and stale, I thought how can this be happening to me! I looked over at my gf's roti and I could see the vibrant red colour of the CTM and figured it was bang on as it has been in the past. She told me it was bland and as I tried a bite I could barely taste anything, I thought I was dreaming. If indian food is anything it is certainly not bland, with the wide array of unique and bold spices correctly executed the flavours are almost always blinding. The CTM was completely under seasoned and all I could taste was an after note of cumin, so disappointing.
Gandhi can no longer hold a candle to its sister restaurant Mother India. Every time I've eaten at MI it's always been nothing shy of incredible. Maybe it's the high volume of customers at Ghandi that is affecting the quality of the food.
I will never go back, especially while Mother India is around.
So disappointing.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/16/2009
Ghandi Cuisine has been the number one reviewed restaurant on Yelp for some time, and I knew it had… Read more »
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Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2011
Dee-lish. What a great little hole in the wall. Always popular, my goodness, the line ups around diner time, they have clearly built a strong returning clientele.
Note to everyone. It's very spicy. I ordered medium, I can take spicy but holy spices galore, I thought my brain cells were on fire. Not my usual style but I am going mild next time...
Recommended ones: BUTTER CHICKEN ROTI, SAAG PANEER ROTI, or the ALOO GOBI ROTI. It is all sizable portions, I can eat and bring some for lunch!
In a word, YUM! -
Review from Ares X.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2012
Not bad!
First of all, you can see the roti being freshly rolled out, and your filling being freshly cooked (not coming out from some bucket).
Portion was the perfect size for what you are paying for. I had the butter chicken roti. Was good, a little more salt and it would have been perfect. The roti itself was very good.
I should warn you guys, if any of you get "hot" on the spicy scale, remember it has to come out eventually! I definitely felt cleansed after eating a medium.
Will def be coming back here to try out the other rotis. -
Review from Justin T.
Toronto, ON
2/9/2012
Best roti ever! Butter chicken is awesome, haven't gotten around to trying anything else on the menu.
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Review from Anita K.
Toronto, ON
12/1/2011
Which came first? The Butter Chicken or the Roti?
It doesn't matter - because Gandhi's has mastered the mix!
Varied to your individual spice tolerance (spice options have narrowed in recent months - but I will not hold it against them!), Gandhi's offers you a fusion of fresh, chewy, aromatic rotis filled with a full and flavourful stuffing of your choice.
My choice? The Butter Chicken Roti hands down!
Anytime I'm feeling sad or lonely... Gandhi's has definitely become my without-a-doubt comfort food.
It's unfortunate that they aren't open on Saturdays, but I will not hold that against them either.
***Caution - As other yelpers have mentioned, err to the low side of the spice scale if you are unsure as 'Hot' is pretty crazy HOT. -
Review from Susan C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 12/3/2011
I'm here to inform you that Gandhi is now OPEN ON SATURDAYS!
WOOOOOOT!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2011
This restaurant goes under the list of "yelp made me do it"...and the reviews are true - THIS… Read more »
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Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/11/2011
VIBE
I avoided the ramshackle yellow sign reminiscent of the 70s for years. Big mistake. Inside there are these chairs covered in some grey corduroy fabric (also from the 70s I assume) and the lighting is off. But who cares about the vibe? Let's talk food.
I EAT
I only get one thing here and it's the butter chicken roti. I feel like I get a good amount of chicken; at the same time the buttery, creamy sauce makes me forget about everything, so I can't really estimate. But it's a tad pricey at $13 to $15 (with a pop). That said, I'm always satisfied after I have my roti and have learned never to judge a book by its cover.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
I love the food here. I won't do a Bollywood dance to celebrate my love of their roti but I think it would be quite entertaining.
PS Call ahead 20 minutes to order, so you don't have to wait. -
Review from Thu N.
North York, ON
10/21/2011
I went to Gandhi's for the first time this week for lunch and got the lamb roti! The pakoras in the display case look sooo good but since I've been warned about the large portions I decided to pass on the pakora...this time.
The lamb roti was so flavourful, medium spicy was VERY spicy but so good. I could barely eat half of the food so for less than $10 it's great value if you're like me and can get 2 or more lunches out of it! I'd go back for the quick take out service. -
Review from Zoe R.
9/17/2011
Rotis are good, allow some time for your order to be ready (15-20 min).
Prices are fair. About $7 to $13 each roti, plus taxes.
Comes in mild-medium-hot. I was cautioned that the hot is *really* hot.
I ordered the potato roti and managed to eat half of it for lunch. Felt full at that point. Partner ordered the chicken roti, medium, and felt full after finishing off the whole roti... though had digestion-related issues the next day.
This was one of my fave roti places a few years back. I've tried other places since. I'm happy others are still really liking Gandhi's, though.
I'd happily go there again. Once in a long while, Gandhi is still a place worth ordering take out food from. -
Review from Gloria B.
Toronto, ON
10/21/2011
I like the taste and quality of the food here. I usually get the Potato Roti, which is always freshly made and hot when I get there.
For optimal service, call in order in advance. They usually take 10-15mins depending on your order. They always have had it ready for me when I went to pick it up.
The spice level is interesting. Medium is quite hot, but the food is still very good for a tiny little whole in the wall in downtown area. -
Review from A L.
10/21/2011
If I was in Toronto for takeout, or had to suggest a place for someone at a low price range, it would be Gandi's without a doubt.
The super sucky part is that Gandi and Mother India were my first experiences with Indian style roti. They set the bar super high, meaning I was just facing disappointment after disappointment for the next couple of places I had roti. Those jerks.
Of course beware the spice level if you are a novice, but definitely beware missing this amazing place if you're ever in the area and want takeout. -
Review from Donald Y.
12/12/2011
Huge roti! Bit too much sauce but still plenty of meat, and for the price you can't complain. Be careful though, I got cocky and it ended up being alot spicier than I thought it would be.
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Review from Jon O.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
*NOTE* It's spelled Gandhi's, not Ghandi's. I'm an idiot.
Do we really need another 5-start review for Gandhi's? Sure, why not?
I can't possibly read all of the other reviews, but I'll try to throw out a few lessor-known tidbits and personal stories for your enjoyment.
- If you've never been to Gandhi's, beware of the spicy scale. Here's a comparison to usual spicy levels at Toronto restaurants:
Gandhi's Mild = Regular Mild
Gandhi's Med/Mild = Regular Medium
Gandhi's Med = Regular Hot
Gandhi's Med/Hot = Regular Suicide
Gandhi's Hot = Regular Kamikaze
Gandhi's Extra Hot = I have no clue because you'd have to be insane to order it.
- Gandhi's is NOT open on the weekend, unfortunately
- However, the owners also run a restaurant called Mother India where you can go if you're going to break down without some of that mind-blowing Gandhi's flavour on the weekend
- All of the roti is made fresh in-house on their old-school roller
- If you and a friend show up to bring back an order of 16 roti for the office they may give you each a can of Arizona for your troubles
- They only take cash, so be prepared (even if your bill is over $200 like our usual office run)
- It's basically a take-out joint since there is only seating for about 10.
- I like the saag paneer, but I keep coming back to the butter chicken. It's unbelievable.
STOP READING AND GO GET ROTI. -
Review from Betty T.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2011
Most delicious roti I've ever had!
It's a hole in the wall restaurant, with very little sitting room. But for $12, they serve the best chicken tikka masala roti I've ever tasted. Spice level is just right and the naan is so fresh.
I suggest calling ahead for your pick-up order (they quote about 20 minutes) and you will be on your way to the best roti experience of your life.
And oh, they are not open on weekends. Been there, tried that and it's no fun to be disappointed. So plan your Gandhi adventure for a weekday :) -
Review from Graham R.
Toronto, ON
9/14/2011
I ate here after it was highly recommended by a few friends of mine. I went with the Butter Chicken Roti as that seemed to be the most popular item.
The price was somewhat steep at around $15 and the wait was quite long (which I don't mind if the food is amazing). I found the butter chicken itself was just ok (I have had much better). I asked for it to be medium after reading all sorts of reviews that medium here was like a hot or extra hot in other places but didn't taste any spice to it whatsoever. The roti itself was probably the best part and was full of flavour. The only other complaint I had was that I felt they were somewhat cheap with the amount of chicken in it and thought they used more potato as a cheap filler not really living up to the $15 price tag. The portion is massive though and is way too much for 1 person, but overall it was tasty. I won't be rushing back but I would definitely give something else on their menu a try next time. -
Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
find comfort in roti, and Ghandi's is the best in Toronto. It's a bold statement, but I stick to it.
I should say, however, that I almost never eat in the restaurant - one because it only fits a handful of people, and two, because I don't think curry will be bringing anybody to my yard anytime soon. Ha. Seriously, there are some foods that can really stink up your clothes - Korean barbecue and Indian food are the worst -and this East Indian roti shop is no exception. Take-out is your friend.
The menu has a wide range of varieties from saag paneer (spinach) to butter chicken, all of which taste amazing. How do I know that? I've tried every single one. Cross my heart.
A word to the wise: while my spice tolerance is off the charts, Ghandi's will bring me to my knees. For some reason I can't take it. So I settle for a mild-medium roti ride to bliss.
There is bad news: It's not open on weekends. -
Review from Chris A.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2011
I tried so hard not to give this place 5 stars, but it's stronger than me!! I need roti. I need Gandhi. Ok, I'll give it 4 because of the high price and useless receipts. Also because I haven't tried anything else but rotis and lassies.
If you are not used to the spices, you'll hate it on your first visit. Way too strong.
On your second visit, love begins to blossom in your ragged little heart.
By the third visit, it's crack! You want it every day.
I could never find a roti like that, and my brain automatically starts comparing every Indian food I eat with those creamy beware-it-will-explode -style filled crepes. Best lunch option in town for me.
At the menu cover, and also taking care of the restaurant, there he is: nobody knows his name or where he comes from. Legend says he's Chef Gandhi: the Moustache, the Myth. The Magnum P.I. of the Rotis. -
Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2011
Had the potato roti and the chicken roti one other time.
You could tell that the chicken in the chicken roti was not cooked with the filling because it was really dry. I also didn't like the fact that the chicken were cut into small diced pieces. Made it seem like there was no chicken at all. The potatoes in the potato roti were way over cooked and couldn't taste if there were potatoes in there or not.
The hot spice really carried the dishes because it takes away from the actual taste of the so called "roti". Really be careful with your selection of spice level because it is really spicy. The roti, which is not really roti but a thin layer of naan, did not go well with the filling. Which by the way they should not call roti but naan. Portion wise it was a little too much that you get sick of half way though. If you want a crispy spicy mush, this is the place for you. -
Review from Jason K.
Updated - 3/24/2011
- bumping to 4.75 stars as they have seem to re-introduced a roti that takes up the entirety of the container again... consistently
- that missing 0.25 stars is still for not being open on the weekend.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/10/2011
- bringing them up to 4.5 stars as my last couple of rotis were back up to filling the entire… Read more »
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Review from Max L.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
My god this place is good! Even though it's a good 25 minute walk from where I work, we make a point of going there once a month to pick up rotis because they're crazy-flavourful. I always get the lamb roti (very rich and savoury) but I've also tried the chicken, chicken vindaloo, and saag paneer rotis and they're all excellent as well.
I would recommend going one step in spicyness less than you would usually order (eg I usually order food medium, here I order mild-medium) so that you can fully taste the wonderful curry filling without being overwhelmed by the heat.
The meals are cheap and large enough for two lunches... people eat here but I'd recommend calling ahead and doing takeout, as the ambiance isn't exactly existent. -
Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
My experience at Gandhi Cuisine is somewhat difficult to quantify on the 5 star system. On the one hand, the roti was delicious, on the other, however, we have the pakora... which I didn't finish, and not because I was too full.
So here's the thing in a nutshell: I decided to get the day-old lamb roti, just as an experiment, then, as an afterthought, added a pakora for snacking on until I got home.
I assumed the pakora was made fresh (or at least recently). No way. It was dry and spongy, the sort of thing that happens to deep fried dough after it's been sitting a long time. I can only guess that it was at least "day old", which just isn't cool.
The roti, as said, was delicious, and you would have fooled me had you told me it was fresh made. Tender, massive, tasty... with melt in your mouth chunks of lamb. It was at least 4 star worthy. Odd how the day old tasted fresh, and the fresh tasted day old. Messin' with my mind, man!
As the restaurant should be graded on more than just its specialty, I've gotta dock it a mark for that nasty pakora. Sorry, Gandhi...
We also just tried Mother India, though only had the roti (delicious, as expected). I'll wait on reviewing this sister (mother) restaurant until I've had a couple other menu options. I'll avoid the pakora, however, as it looked exactly the same as the sponges at Gandhi Cuisine. -
Review from Real B.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you ask for spicy than rest assured you will burn... Their rotis are so stuffed that you will be stuffing your face over 2 meals... ;-)
Best roti in the downtown area IMHO. Filled to the brim! Closed weekends thou - what's up with that? :( -
Review from helen y.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2011
delicious chicken tikka masala...
a little salty for my liking but no doubt one of the best tikka masala ever! -
Review from Alex K.
Toronto, ON
6/7/2011
What is there to say about Gandhi Roti that hasn't been said before? I used to work at an office around the corner and every Wednesday was Gandhi Wednesday. We would spend all morning talking about what we were going to order. Always, always, always chose EXTRA spicy butter chicken, but it's not like you can go wrong with any of the other options. At noon we would place the order and usually wait about 20-30 minutes before sending someone down to pick up. In fact, our boss is in the BlogTO picture of Gandhi waiting for one of those very pickups. The wait at rush time can be gnarly, so ordering ahead is key.
And then we would feast. And oh, how we would feast. Finishing a whole Gandhi roti is a spiritual experience which leaves you in a kind of half-dream state wondering whether what just happened *actually* happened or whether it was all just a wonderful spicy dream. The rest of the afternoon would be spent talking about whether we had conquered the roti or whether the roti had conquered us. Usually it was the latter.
Despite the butter chicken coma, it was always worth it. An absolute must. -
Review from poohbear c.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/20/2011
I tried the lamb roti and chicken roti in mild. I think what they meant by mild was no spice at all. I didn't taste any ounce of spice.
It is a little hole in the wall which I don't mind if the roti was really good. I'm giving it 2 stars because I have had way better. Each roti cost 8.95 before taxes.
If I was in the area and wanted roti I would go here out of convenience but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for an "meh" roti.
The roti was fairly large but it wasn't jam packed on the inside or anything. Service was good the order didn't take too long and they seemed pretty efficient -
Review from Alicia V.
Toronto, ON
4/3/2011
love love love their Roti's! Yes, you can wait a while when you're wanting a roti during the lunch rush, but it is well worth the wait. It's a good idea to call in your order.
I have tried several different roti's and I've had plates with rice, but I always find myself at the mercy of the curry chicken roti.
Be careful not to order hot your first time you go there. If you typically love hot food, try out the medium because it's sooo hot. I looked at a guy like he was crazy once when he ordered hot, I can only assume it will actually tear you apart later...you know what I mean. -
Review from Ashleigh G.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2010
The best indian roti in Toronto - they've truly perfected it. Made fresh to order, my favorite filling is Muttar Paneer.
Though lacking in feng shui, it's a pleasant place to sit while you wait to take your food home and the service is friendly.
They mean it when they say "hot". It's taken me years to work up to medium-hot. -
Review from Bryan T.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2010
The Saag Paneer roti (ordered 'very hot') is one of my favorite things to eat in Toronto. Unfortunately the Toronto Star recently sent one of these to a lab for analysis, and found that it contains 1500 calories, 75 grams of fat, and more salt than Wendy's 'triple baconator'. (Search the Star's website for the word 'outrageously' and read all about it.) I wouldn't have expected it to be a health food, but this is beyond the pale. I've more or less cut Gandhi's out of my routine. I don't know whether all of their rotis are this outrageously unhealthy, but plainly nutrition isn't a consideration in preparation. Strangely, I once overheard the owner explaining to a patron that they use minimal oil in food preparation. I gather he was bullsh*tting.
There should be better regulations in place so that diners could have access to nutritional information when ordering; it should be part of the cost of doing business as a restauranteur in Toronto. -
Review from Tina D.
11/20/2010
Butter chicken was delish! And, so was the mixed vegetable.
I would recommend ordering it mild to medium spicy. Anymore, it's just spicy curry and you'll probably get a stomach ulcer. Make sure you have milk with you. My boyfriend and his brother can usually handle the heat but they were humbled after coming here. We shared the two portions with 4 people and thought it was adequate. Although, we did have a nice dessert afterwards. The portions are pretty large and I'm glad we were able to portion control it since we had 4 ppl. It tastes good but if you keep eating you probably won't feel too good after. It's probably packed with tons of calories.
I would go back but I would like to try the other roti places as well. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2010 ROTD 9/16/2010
I have been eating Roti at Gandhi for years, except tonight, it seems as if they have made a change.
There is a new sign on the bartop that says something like "You can now order in MILD - MEDIUM - MEDIUM HOT - HOT - HOT TO VERY - VERY HOT"
which I didn't see until pickup as I called to order in advance. I was expecting the Gandhiness of yesteryear, and was terribly disappointed when I returned home to find my "medium" roti to be mild at best.
I ordered a "Hot" Chana in 2005 and was surprised to find my taste buds ever recovered. Now I think "Hot" may be a necessity. Gandhi has changed a bit in the last few years. They added another table, lost the booths, got more drinks, a price increase, A New Bronze Ganesh on the wall to replace the aging Toronto Star articles, a variety wider of chutneys - but for the most part the wonderfulness has stayed the same.
The meat Rotis are not as good as the veg. The Mixed Vegetable Korma is fantastic day 1 and less so next day. The Saag Paneer is epic at any time, even cold, and the Chana is heavily laced with tomato/cumin and delicious. The Chana needs to be spicy.
The trick with Gandhi is call ahead and pick up. It gets crowded and hot in there and your outfit will smell like curry for the remainder of the ay if you stay inside for even a few minutes.
Its true though, best roti ever. Well, Mother India is pretty much the same - but just too far west for me.Listed in: Best of the Best, On a Dime Dining, Indian & Pakastani Food, BOOM ROTD!
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Review from Isabella L.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2010 1 photo
There really isn't much to say about this as I'm sure by now you've read a million great reviews about it already. So I'll tell you now. Believe the hype. I've been here many times, and thought I should finally write a review ha.
Portions are meant for two.
Price is reasonable.
They don't hold back when it comes to roti stuffing.
Very limited seating.
Personally, I love beef/goat in roti. I just think it absorbs the seasonings and whatnot a lot better and the way the meat breaks down is just perfect. I preferred the goat roti over chicken. But both were really good. Mild-medium was just right for me.
My ONLY concern was when I came back another time and the roti had shrunk and was oversalted. But that was on a bad day and I forgive them. -
Review from edwin h.
Scarborough, ON
9/11/2010
I'm a bit remiss that I had not discovered this place long ago. I can't thank the friend who introduced me to Gandhi Cuisine enough. Admittedly, late to the game of extolling it's virtues, i can only say that there is Outstanding roti here!
Gandhi Cuisine is a simple clean shop with not more than a couple of bare tables and a bronze bust of Mahatma himself staring down at you as you order. The roti is made fresh as you order and within its lightly crisp n chewy blanket is the most wonderful filling ever. I had the chicken 'something' roti (apologies - its the second chicken one on the menu) roti and it was delicious.
Plenty of veggie choices are available, and you bet I will make many return trips to try them all! -
Review from e c.
9/3/2011
The place is tiny but perfect for take out. I always got two meals out of a roti. Love the mutter paneer roti. I always try to stop in when I'm in town. Spicy will burn your face off, which is how I like it!
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Review from Cameron O.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Like the other reviewers, my last meal on earth would be the butter-chicken roti.
Be warned, the spice levels are NOT dumbed-down to Toronto levels. The HOT while delicious left me struggling to continue eating because my lips/tongue/mouth were zinging. Even the medium can be pretty punishing depending on the mood of the kitchen that day. Mild or medium-mild are my recommendation for the un-initiated.
Warning: if you like shiny, new, clean looking places, you won't like the looks of this place. It's well used, perhaps to the extent of being "beaten-up" looking.
That aside, the fantastic roti make up for any sense of evil you might get from the lack of decor.
What's bad about this place? They don't have to be open 11am to 3am because they do enough business from 11am to 6pm and they are CLOSED on weekends!!!
Also since it's a take-away place you will only find 2 tables with limited chairs.
Ghandi's is absolutely freakin' fantastic. -
Review from Kat F.
*sigh*
I just never go to Gandhi anymore now that I know about its hotter younger sister, Mother India. Even though I've moved to Queen East, I stay on the streetcar well past Bathurst for an extra 10 minutes and go to Mother India instead (same owners/food without the lineups, open on weekends, and hey, actual seating!).
At Mother India I pay the same overpriced amount, but I get to sit down at a table, have unlimited water refills, and I don't have to ask for real cutlery to fight through through layers of roti.
The last few times I went to Gandhi I couldn't help but think they were being really cheap. A half-full carafe of water on the counter seemed to only be there for health reasons, you had to ask for proper cutlery (they only keep the used and dirty cutlery on display) and no napkins are provided. Cost cutting to the point of stinginess.Listed in: Best Toronto Restaurants For…, Curry Fix: Top Indian…, Best Roti In Toronto
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/11/2009
All TGTBT* things must come to an end. It's true, Gandhi has raised its prices, and the difference… Read more »
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Review from susan c.
9/4/2009
I have a certain contrary nature that makes me disagree with you just cuz. 4 out of 5 dentists recommend chewing Trident? I'd be that one dissenting dentist just to screw with the figures. Yes. I'm THAT person.
I think that's why it took me so long to try the roti here. To date, Gandhi Cuisine has been hogging the #1 spot in the Best of Yelp restaurant section ever since my arrival in June '09. Everybody loves it on Toronto Yelp. Oh yeah? Well that just makes me NOT want to love it.
But I did try it and sigh. I think I love it.
Butter Chicken: too salty but still love
Malai Kofta: love
Saag Paneer: really love
So why only 4 stars? $37 for three TAKE-OUT roti. That's why.
It's a tiny, hole in the wall joint so you'd think the money they save on low rent and not having to pay for waitstaff, dishwashers, tableware, etc. could be passed on to the customers.
Or maybe they could throw in some free chutney and pickles.
Or maybe -- OK, OK...It's good stuff and the contrarian in me should just shut up now. -
Review from Miriam W.
4/1/2009
The last time I was in Toronto my friends were discussing putting together a roti tasting. I've had roti before so I really didn't pay much attention to this talk, much less think I'd have a life-altering experience if I ate some.
And then along came Gandhi and its medium-spicy butter chicken roti. First off, the thing's enormous - easily two meals worth of tender chicken enrobed in creamy curry and all wrapped up in awe-inspiring roti.
San Francisco has the Mission-style burrito (something I dearly love and miss.) And as I sat on the floor of my hotel room tucking into my butter chicken I realized that Toronto has an equivalent.
Toronto has Gandhi's roti. -
Review from Hana B.
8/21/2009
So I finally went to Gandhi's to check out what all the hype was about.
The place is a small hole in the wall, harder to find right now because of the construction nearby, but if you know where to look you'll find it. I got there on a Monday evening, a lot of people were getting takeout, but my friend and I decided to share a Chicken Korma Roti and sat down. There were 4 tables, somewhat greasy, but generally clean. From my experience i would definitely go for takeout next time to avoid smelling like curry afterwards. Our order was ready in 5 minutes and brought to our table.
I expected the roti to somewhat be an individually portioned wrap for some reason. But its a HUGE 'romali' roti (as it is called in India) with about 2-3 servings of curry in the middle, folded into a rectangular shape, almost like an envelope for the curry. I found this method of serving a bit ridiculous. It's really hard to eat with a fork and a knife because the proportion of curry to roti isn't quite right, and for the 1st 10 bites, there is WAY too much curry, making it quite salty, but by the time you are halfway into your meal, you discover hidden layers of roti underneath all that curry, and it somewhat evens out.
The food overall was delicious! (a liiitllee bit salty for my taste but that might be because of the excess curry). I'll be returning here to try some other options, however always with a friend because of the portion sizes.The $13 is pricey for an individual meal that isn't good for leftovers (soggy roti? no thanks). Maybe next time I'll ask if i can have the roti and curry separately, or get the curry with rice, which would fix the problem that makes me take off a star.Listed in: Indian food in the GTA
