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Java House
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Nightlife Bars Pubs Coffee & Tea, Pubs [Edit]
537 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2B6
Neighbourhood: Queen Street West
(416) 504-3025
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
58 reviews for Java House
Review Highlights
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"They have delicious all-day breakfast (and, I'm told..." In 3 reviews -
"Youthful and vibrant atmoshpere and a wonderful patio." In 24 reviews -
"...but tasty food (oh, that avocado and brie sandwich." In 3 reviews
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Dave T.
Toronto, ON
2/21/2012
Came with a party of 6. With 6 or more, friendly waitress reminded that with this size of a party, bills are not divided, and 15% tips are rolled in, which is the case for most places anyways.
$14.95 for pitcher of Sangria or premium import? That's unheard of. We ended up getting 7 entrees, 1 appetizer, two pitchers, and multiple glasses of juice and pop. Total bill out the door including tips was $128. That's crazy cheap! The Sangria is awesome, and the pad thai is so tasty. -
Review from Karly G.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2012
The only reason I'm a repeat customer is because the beer is ridiculously cheap. Do NOT eat the food. I've had a handful of friends fall ill after eating there and I've personally witnessed kitchen staff use the bathroom and walk out without washing their hands. (not to say they didn't wash them once they got back upstairs, just sayin)
Go for the beer, stay for the patio. -
Review from Brianna R.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2012
Cheap Cheap Cheap CHEAP Beer. The Place is a bit of a dive -- but I like that. It gives it some character.
I love that you have to go through the kitchen to get to the dodgy bathrooms.
Food is okay, very cheap. The Thai food is what to get -- if you order anything that's not Thai based the kitchen doesn't really know how to make it very well.
Overall -- I like this place and I go here strictly for the prices. -
Review from Cindy H.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2012
That's right folks--I am giving this somewhat of a dive full marks. Is the food and service great? Naw, not even close but this place is better than the sum of its parts. I have dined here a zillion times and at no point have I ever had a 'five star' dining experience but damn it if i don't have a memorable experience each and every time I visit. I once waited so long for drink service that my friend and I drank an entire bottle of wine that we just happened to have brought with us and no one seemed to notice. Oops! Not my finest moment, for sure, but you gotta love a place so forgiving and unpretentious that you could do that type of thing and not feel bad about returning the next day for breakfast. You should know that I am the type of person who wouldn't dream of walking into a restaurant with a take out coffee in hand.
Gotta LOVE Java House. It's consistently cheap and entertaining. Awesome house salad dressing; my fav restaurant dressing actually.
I have nursed every problem and celebrated every victory I have had over the past few years over a pint of sangria at the Java House. It's become a Queen West institution and it's way 'cooler' than any of the contrived 'cool' spots on the strip.
BTW: please don't follow my example and buy a bottle of wine and drink it there. We were celebrating and we truly waited over a half hour before we resorted to desperate measures. Ummm, I also for reasons unknown took a bunch of 'lost and found' scarfs home that night (they were later returned, no harm done) so ummm, really really not my finest moment. Sorry Java House!! -
Review from Simone M.
4/5/2012
The only reason I'm giving it three stars is because this place used to be so much cooler a few years ago. Their menu hasn't changed at all, still the same totally satisfying and extremely affordable food there always was. If you're on a budget, you can't beat Java sandwiches. But they've become less a coffee shop and more of a restaurant over the years. Really touchy about anyone hanging out too long.
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Review from Joy S.
Woodbridge, ON
2/9/2012 1 photo
I've walked past this place a million times and never once stopped. Went today for a quick 10min coffee break from shopping and grabbed some drinks.
Big,quiet,relaxing place.
yummmyyyy drinks!!
..the washrooms was hilarious -you literally have to go through the kitchen,down a stairwell that turns into a basement on ACID!
You have to see it to believe it!
WHAT A PLACE..
Very good coffee!! -
Review from Eiko A.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2011
Java House is the place I go when I'm craving veggie pad thai and other Asian food -- they do it particularly well and I love how many veggie options they offer.
My rating is really 3.5 stars -- it's not spotless, and the service is pretty nonchalant, and I hate walking through the kitchen to get to the bathroom (normally don't care about stuff like this, but it's kind of..icky). However, it's one of my favourite go-to places.
- super cheap
- great beer
- they don't seem to mind if you sit and work/read for a while
- food is good; again, the Asian food is great; other menu items are a bit less so
Would I take out of town guests to Java House? No. Am I there almost every week? Yup. Enough said. -
Review from Linda M.
7/11/2011
After finishing our meals at Epicure Café, my friend and I still had plenty to catch up on so we headed across the street to Java House. Contrary to the establishment's name, we opted for booze. $14 pitchers of sangria? Yes please!
When we got there on a weekday evening, the patio was pretty busy but we were promised a table within 10 minutes - and they delivered! A good first impression goes a long way. As soon as I looked at the menu, I spotted the sangria and the decision was made. It definitely wasn't the best sangria I've ever had, but it was pretty good! No fruit, but I didn't really expect that from this place. It was a nice casual atmosphere on the patio, and we were served by about 4 different servers. At one point one appeared at my shoulder but was speaking so quietly I didn't even realize she was there! But for the most part, we enjoyed our pitcher relatively undisturbed.
The strangest thing about Java House for me was the bathrooms. You have to walk right through the kitchen to access the stairs down to the bathrooms. At that point it's typical not-so-lovely-Toronto-dive-café-bathrooms, but how can it be sanitary to have people walking through the kitchen where food is being prepared? Is that not some kind of health violation? Minus one star for that.
All in all, a nice place for cheap drinks if you're not feeling too fancy. -
Review from Emily K.
Toronto, ON
7/22/2011
Found out about this place last summer when I was living close by and I fell in love with the cheap beer and food.
They have a great patio, I've never sat inside. Every time I've gone I've always managed to find a spot on the patio. While the chairs are just the plastic variety that are very uncomfortable, I can overlook this because of the cheap beer. They have a good variety on tap.
The sandwiches at this place are pretty decent, and the Pad Thai isn't too bad either. And while I tend to enjoy my own homemade hummus, they don't do a bad job! It's not fancy, as other reviewers have mentioned, but it is very chill.
Take note that you do have to walk through the kitchen to get to the washrooms at this place which are located in the basement. Don't be shy, just walk through!Listed in: Cheap Eats, Good for drinks
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Review from Eric L.
Scarborough, ON
2/14/2012
This place wasnt exactly one of those WOW ITS SO NICE resturants. First impression was that it was some dingy little place but i decided to go in since it was really chilly outside. The decor was eclectic but warm and pleasant. I ordered a linguini and that was probably one of the best pastas ive ever had! i was really surprised. Like the reviews below the bathroom is in a really wierd location but it added some charm to this tiny resturant.
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Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2011
I can't get over how inexpensive this place is! It's a great place to have a couple coffees, a quick bite, or a beer on their patio in the summer.
For $3 the hummus and pita is absolutely delicious. $6 for a big chicken wrap and hearty bowl of soup.
The place has a really artsy feel to is with material for wall paper, hipster servers, and a chilled out atmosphere.
It's quite informal (don't expect professional service), but it kind of adds to the charm.
I am a big fan of this place. Do yourself a favour, check this place out. -
Review from Danielle F.
Toronto, ON
2/7/2011
It's cheap. It can be as short or long as you want it to be. It's good.
I've been to Java House a few times and I've always walked away satisfied. The food is dirt cheap and they have mad deals for every day of the week. Saturdays it's something like two entrées and a pitcher of sangria or imported beer for 23 bucks? Unheard of! I like everything I've ordered. It all comes out true to the menu, expect not a lot more.
The service is quick on their feet and I like the space. It's feels almost like a fancy lunch spot but not quite there. Notice the patchwork of fabric on the ceiling. It's all in the details!
A fun spot to refuel during a nice jaunt in Queen Street West. -
Review from Annie C.
Kingston, ON
12/23/2010
Love the Java House. Great to stop in for a bite to eat and a pint (or two, or three) before heading out for the evening. Or just re-locate your evening here!
Anyway, the menu is pretty diverse. I'm a fan of just getting a few different appetizers and splitting them all around. Their spring rolls are pretty awesome. Also super cheap.
The atmosphere is nice and cozy as well. If the weather is nice definitely set up shop on the patio and get ready for some A+ people watching.Listed in: Drinking on my Own...
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Review from Tara Z.
9/19/2011
I know it's weird, but I love the graffiti in the bathroom stalls here. There always seems to be something relevant every time I go in. (On Sunday, it was "You are what you love, not what loves you.") The rest of the place is great, too--inexpensive but tasty food (oh, that avocado and brie sandwich!) and cheap beer. I've heard there's some sketchy ownership deal, but I can't bring myself to care when I'm only spending $4.50 for a pint.
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Review from Angela L.
1/26/2011
It's been such a long time since I had been to cheap and cheerful Java House that I almost completely forgot that it existed. With its casual atmosphere and super low prices, it's a great spot for larger groups to hang out. Until my most recent visit, I had never come to Java House in less than a handful before. The two person booths felt like they were made for small children when our winter coats and gear were added into the equation. Once we were settled in though, the service was good and everything else was a-okay.
The Thursday night $8.95 entree plus premium draft beer special is just unbeatable. How do they even make any money off of this? Promptly after our friendly server came to take our orders, our drinks and appetizer salads drenched in a glowing ginger dressing were served. The salad roll appetizer which we ordered to share came soon after, still warm from being freshly made and was sided with a bowl of flavourful hoisin sauce.
Our mains were just as big as I remembered them to be. My Singapore noodles with shrimp were less curried and quite a bit sweeter than what I would deem authentic, but just right for my mood. My dinner date's spicy salmon which was grilled to perfection and served on a bed of rice was reportedly exactly what she needed for her climbing-induced hunger.
Regardless of whether you're a starving student, there is something about the laid back vibe here that not many other places can emulate. While I don't miss the days of being in school, it was sure nice to come in and enjoy a cheap meal and a pint in the timeless setting. -
Review from Keeley-Ann H.
Mississauga, ON
5/22/2011
So this is my kind of dive lol I mean the decor in this place is so old and outdated, im pretty sure there is carpet on the walls hahaha but none the less a gem! Its one thing to look shabby and be shabby, but this book you dont judge by the cover. The people there are your typical casual diners just looking for a good sit down booze and drunk eats time. The beer is super cheap, probs the cheapest pitchers in town. The food is even cheaper AND its actually pretty good. We shared a pad thia, risky eating that in a cafe type, but it was up to standards lol looking at the other food at other tables it looked like there was more we could have tried that would have been equally good. For sure this is going to be one of the summer spots for cheap beer and decent food and a REDICK price. Like you can never complain about cheap drinks that do exactly what they are intended for right!
for sure going back. -
Review from Jenn W.
7/1/2011
Decent cheap food.
Super rude service, just like Lindsay L. experienced.
Interesting cheap menu, basic pub grub with a ton of Thai inspired dishes.
Wouldn't bother coming back ever unless I was in desperate need of cheap eats & all grocery stores were closed. -
Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2011
I have walked by this place so many times but I had never gone in because of the exterior. With the graffiti writing I thought they weren`t looking to me as a client. At the same time, the name is java house and i can`t ignore the thought me it might be a great coffee house.
Oh, i wasn`t right in so many ways.
This is a place to hang, meet your friends and if you are going to eat - it really is about filling up for a low price.
The coffee, is something to drink not for coffee hounds especially when you see second cup coffees being drunk. That pretty much says it all.
I can`t get over how inexpensive eating at this place is. Judging by alot of twenty somethings this is a huge reason why they are busy.
you can loiter here. work on whatever- your book, your papers and heck hang endlessly with your friends. The servers won`t pester you.
Very chill and strangely comfortable.
PS.....um bathroom is not the best -
Review from Anne B.
6/1/2011
I must start this review by saying that my 4 stars would be 5 if this place wasn't a cash only establishment. As an individual who RARELY carries cash I found that to be somewhat irksome.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the food, services and prices at Java House. They have delicious all-day breakfast (and, I'm told, pretty delicious Thai food as well)! I had the French Toast when I was there. It came (very quickly, might I add) with home fries and fresh fruit. Everything was very tasty and well prepared!
The other great thing about Java House is that drinks are CHEAP. I got a gin and tonic for something ridiculous like $3.50!!
The waitstaff was cheerful and helpful. When we first arrived, I was not a fan of the table we were seated at (it was wedged in between two very noisy tables). When I made my grievance known to the server, he was very accommodating and immediately moved us to a quieter table.
This is a great place if you're looking for good reasonably priced food and drinks. -
Review from elffie t.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2011
Java House is great. Food is cheap, but decent-ish quality. Beer is also cheap. I recommend the avocado shake - which i have never seen anywhere else. Also - grilled cheese, pad thai, brie and avocado sandwich are very delicious. Cash only, but there is an ATM in the building. The stairs to the washroom (although they HAVE improved them in the last year) are still a bit of a death trap, so take your time when descending.... Also you have to go through the kitchen to get to them, which i swear must be a healthcode violation, but so far so good..
In summary - Pretty awesome! Although i would consider this a dive bar. Awesome for a dive bar, and pretty awesome for a restaurant.
Oh - also, they have a great patio. -
Review from Brittany L.
Toronto, ON
6/12/2011
I love this place because you always know what to expect. They are who they are and its great...no fluff no razzle dazzle just good cheap food with servers who do their job well but are not over the top or in your face. By far the cheapest food in the city and LOTS of great items on the menu. The patio is great as it is right on Queen street and there is a lot of street action to see. Drinks are super cheap and good. To get to the bathrooms you have to walk trough the kitchen which is cool. You can see what they chefs are preparing each time you need a pee.
Cash only, but once you know that its fine. The cash only policy helps keep prices low.
One of my most visited places in the city.
4 stars instead of 5 because some food items can be bland (the veggie wrap for example) -
Review from Vivien L.
4/28/2011
I've been here a couple times and I've always had a good time here. It's a very chill place and the food is somewhat basic but I don't mind because it's so cheap! The servers are nice and very laid back, and really you can stay for as long as you want without getting hassled to leave. ANOTHER big plus is that it's open late which is good for me because I always mysteriously get hungry at midnight. but a minus is the washroom.. I'm too scared to go there, I haven't been but it seems like it wouldn't be too nice...
Regardless, I can't wait to come back during the summer and hang out on the patio! -
Review from Erin S.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2010
Java House is perfect at what it is. You see it, and you're like "ah, right - that's where I want to go." And then it exactly meets your expectations. There is lots of beer, and the food is fine and cheap and there are lots of choices. And seriously - it's fine. It's better than average for bar food, even. You're not going to your local five-star restaurant here.
The ambiance is excellent, and it's busy but not too loud. In the afternoon you can chill out and read, and in the evening you can meet up with friends and be happy indefinitely. The waitstaff is good-looking and just surly enough. Yay! -
Review from Brad R.
Toronto, ON
5/4/2009
Super cheap food menu (though I've never actually eaten there) Good pint/food combos as well. Cheap liquor menu as well (pitchers for around $13) and you can get pitchers of Sangria. Inside decor is a bit run down and (as somebody else mentioned) the walk to the bathroom shows a kitchen in quite some disarray. Needless to say the atmosphere is about as laid back as you can get, and sometimes consequently so are the servers. But at that price you can't expect my drink to be filled at all times anyway.
Patio is great on a sunny day! Good place to start out to keep things cheap, and move on to something a little nicer for food. -
Review from Geofferson M.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2011
One of the more popular places in Central King West for the hipster crowd and the patio is almost always rammed in the evening during the summer. Since I switched to a mostly vegan diet in the last 4 months, I was pleased to see a few options on the menu for this. Tonight i tried the vegan style Singapore noodles and added Tofu (an extra $2). It was a big portion with lots of tasty veggies, some tangy sauce came on the side and the tofu was crispy and pretty good. Prices are extremely reasonable and the menu is quite diverse, including a very cheap brunch menu. They have a daily special. It's a bit of a hole in the wall in appearance, but I'll definitely be back for the value!
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Review from Keith B.
7/30/2009
I am reluctant to say that I either like Java House or dislike it - the food is really not that great (and in some cases awful) however, it is dirt cheap and doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not.
As mentioned in other reviews, they practically give pitchers of beer away here. The food is also very cheap - the first few times I came here I was convinced they left something off the bill. One thing to note though, is that this place is CASH ONLY. I have gotten stuck with the bill numerous times because many of my dirtbag friends didn't have any cash.
The service here is hit and miss. Sometimes you will wait forever to order drinks and sometimes you will get a very friendly (and attentive) server.
The food is very simple, but I suppose it is a good value. My favourites on the menu are the stuffed french toast (order this with the 'soup of the day' - it is cream of broccoli EVERY day but it's tasty) and the curry chicken.
All in all, if you are looking for a cheap place and have low expectations (for food and in life) you might want to consider hanging out here. -
Review from Rubina K.
Toronto, ON
8/7/2009
LOVE their pad thai & fried tofu.
Yes, this place is a dive & the washrooms are a bit sketchy...
But in comparison to all of the ketchup-laden pad thais in this city, the sauce on their pad thai tastes almost authentic.
In the least likely of places. Go figure. -
Review from Christine T.
9/8/2009
My lunch time experience today was divine. A pint of Stella with the Chicken Curry hit the spot. The Pad Thai my lunch partner enjoyed looked great...
Maybe it was the outside patio scene, maybe it was that little bit of San Franciscoesque fog still floating around but this place serves a great lunch that's without pretense and without attitude. The Java House isn't just for a beer or breakfast anymore, at least not in my book.
Need wi-fi?? Squat on Second cups' signal x the street..While you order that second beer. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
4/11/2009
do yourself a favour and go to the bathroom before you decide to order any food.
Their kitchen is seriously issuous, being open with all the ingredients lying out there as you pass by to go to the washroom. open vats of tomato sauce...i would SERIOUSLY not choose to eat here.
HOWEVER, on the drinking side, there is a seriously nice patio in the summer and it is always full. I get why people come here..i don't get why people eat here.
The food experience is even worse than the red room and green room. Not great and even though it is dirt cheap you don't really come out feeling like you got any value. -
Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 9/30/2009 1 Check-in Here
I had food for the first time here and I will say for the price it is pretty good. I had the crispy chow mien noodles with chicken. It was quite a large portion that was served to me and although it was not the best Chinese food I've had it was still pretty good.
For the price of things at this place you won't see me complain much
Other dishes that were ordered in our group were:
- Vermicelli noodles with spring rolls (FYI does not come with meat). VERDICT: OK but my dish was better
- Pirogies combo. VERDICT: good
- Schnitzel. VERDICT: not bad
- Avocado and Tomato Sandwich. VERDICT: tasteless.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/22/2009
I am probably giving this maybe a star too much, but relative to Tortilla Flats (which is on the… Read more »
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Review from Tom B.
9/1/2009
Not much to dislike about this place. Good food during the day and good beer at night.
I went to Java House twice in a two-day span last weekend. Friday lunch: vegetable omelet that was pretty good. Saturday drinks: pitcher of Mill Street Lager that was delicious.
Service was great and prices were right. The only problem was that it was cash-only and their ATM didn't accept American bank cards, so I had to make a mad dash to the TD ATM on Spadina (in the rain) in order to foot the bill. However, it was soon forgiven. I'll be back when I'm in town. -
Review from Corey V.
Bolton, ON
4/25/2010
Java House. The pit stop for broke students .Cheap Booze.
Cheap Food. Everything a student really needs (screw textbooks).
The chicken curry is damn good, but the caesar salad and quesadillas tasted the cheap 5 bucks they were.
Service was tolerable, and the scenery was eclectic chic, very befitting of the neighbourhood. -
Review from tokill a.
Etobicoke, ON
8/21/2009
For cheap food, Java's good. Keep in mind though, it *is* cheap food. Uninspired, kind of a boring take on asian inspired cuisine in general...also, if you're in a rush, this isn't the place to go. The Wait Staff are lackadaisical at best.
I've been there quite a few times, and I'd say the only reason I would go back would be dictated by two factors: 1, I have time to kill, no where in particular to be anytime soon, and 2: Not a lot of money to burn. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
1/1/2009 1 photo
I like my divey places, but I prefer that in a bar sense, not really a restaurant sense. And sometimes the Java House makes me feel downright dirty.
Their food is so cheap I feel like I've eaten there for free, but that doesn't mean I leave thinking I've gotten my value. If I was a student with sawed-off taste buds, I would probably make this my local hole, especially given the food + pitcher combination specials. Seeing as my taste buds are all in tact, I would never eat here again. Drinks, yes.
I only come here when I'm seeking an unpretentious hangout spot with a couple of friends, that's it. It's a community hangout, attracts a vibrant clientele, and its summer patio is a great way to spend an evening.
Stay away from the food, and you'll be fine. -
Review from sunnee s.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2011
i love this place (during the summer) because ...
- one . it has one of my fav lunch patios .
- two . brie & avocado sandwich . YUM ! i never got around to try anything else cuz this is all i want to order . every single time . perfect summer sandwich . i love how fluffy & toasty the bread is too .
- three . not too nice, not too rude servers . i dont feel overwhelmed nor ignored . i feel so comfortable, just chilling for hours without worrying about what they think of it .
- four . super duper cheap .
- five . exterior . i guess this can both be a pro or a con depending how you look at it, but after the first time, i feel comfortable w the graffiti & the other exteriors . it makes the place seem a little ... cozy but in a different way than usual .
it gets a star off though because ..
one . i just dont feel the same way about it during the colder months for some reason . i think it has something to do w the patioo ..
two . washroom . bleh !!!!!! -
Review from Mucous M.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2010
This is not a place where you go to eat a fantastic meal. It's a place where you go to grab a nice hot meal for cheap and down a lot of beer. It's a bar more than a grill, really. That being said there are some awesome things on the menu. You really have to know what you're going to order.
Like: the entrees are almost all very good. My favourite has to be the curry. The avocado and brie sandwich isn't the best in town but with a greek salad on the side for ~$5 it's a good deal for a healthy and filling meal. But... the quesadillas suck and the perogies too. So, stick with the beer and entree combos and things like that.
The best thing on the menu has got to be the fruit soothies. It's something like $6 for 2 oz of any spirit you want, fresh fruit and in any combination you want (I like avocado/banana), sweetened condensed milk, milk and ice all blended together. Really it's a great deal for an alcoholic smoothie like that.
Youthful and vibrant atmoshpere and a wonderful patio. I feel very relaxed by the place whenever I go there. PS: the sangria is very good. -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
12/3/2008
I have such a love-hate relationship with Java. I used to live right around the corner and Java was the closest (and cheapest) place nearby. To say I went there everyday is an understatement. After all those experiences, I think I've overdosed on Java forever, because I haven't gone back.
Java has the same menu as Green Room, Red Room, and Nirvana. Same owners, same stuff. Basically this place is a godsend for any student -- you can eat and drink for under $10 on any given night. Their food is literally so cheap it doesn't make sense. And then you taste it, and you're like, "Oh. Right. This is why it's cheap."
The things I actually do love there are their deep fried tofu, the pad thai with shrimp, and their avocado brie sandwich (with the soup! mmm soup). Most of their entrees come with a side salad that looks so sad you want to fluff it up and make it happier.
But they do have cheap beer, cheap sangria and cheap food. I love this location because they have the little booths for two on the left -- very cute for dates.
Two things to note:
1) CASH ONLY. They have an ATM at the back that looks kinda sketchy so make sure you have cash on you.
2) When you go to the washroom, it is super weird because you have to walk THROUGH the kitchen and you see all the little Asian ladies making the food. Very awkward situation.
Oh yeah -- if you're in the area, Java's not all that bad. Just don't come expecting mid-blowing food and you'll be fine. -
Review from Amber B.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2011
LOVE this place! Like someone else said, 4 out of five only because of cash only. Certainly not fancy, but for what it is, it's A +. Good food, good sizes, FANTASTIC prices, excellent daily specials, decent variety of food, pretty good service, too! Love to go here for the patio or for cheap eat and drinks with friends. Recommend the pitcher of sangria to share & quesadillas!
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Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/2/2008
The Java House is both a great spot for a light lunch or for an evening drink with friends.
I first started coming here for the occasional lunch. They have a few different sandwiches and other light fare that makes them a worthwhile destination. They've also got some decent Asian food like chow mien.
In the evening (well, all day really) you can enjoy cheap pinks and pitchers. Throughout the week they have different deals that make their good prices even better. Tuesday is a pitcher of beer and a plate of wings for about $13. Wednesday is a pitcher and nachos for $13.50 (and yes, they are decent nachos.)
They have a big patio that is often filled during the week, and always filled on Friday/Saturday. Sitting inside isn't bad either, with a variety of diner-esque booths for 2 or 4 people throughout. -
Review from Claudia B.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2010
I went with a group of 12 people just to have dinner on a Thursday - Dec 2010
FYI this is a CASH only place.
This is a personal peeve of mine in this day and age. I feel a restaurant of the size and history of Java House should have a credit card & debit machine. Having an ATM that will probably charge $2.00 for transaction fees is not a solution especially for those on a budget.
Atmosphere:
It was fine. There is the front half of the resto which is more cafe style with table and chairs. We sat in the back half which had booths and a more restaurant dinner vibe. It was dim enough and candle lit which I feel is always a plus. Unfortunately the booth I was sitting in had a spring or something poking through the worn cloth in the middle of my back. In a large group like we were in changing seats would have been too much of a hassle.
Service:
Was decent. Dealing with large groups I always try to be more understanding (having been *screamed* at by a customer in a party of 20 when I worked at a terrible restaurant in Georgia where we seemed to never have the food we specialized in, or the essential liquors for normal drinks etc)
My friend to my left before ordering asked explicitly if the enchilada thingy could be served w/out meat of any sort, or just full of vegetables instead. Server said no problem, I believe in our table she was the only one who a specialized order. Her meal came and there was some meat in it. Once that was picked off, she realized she didn't have any sour cream. She requested some of the server, but the server seemed unable to give her any with her Mexican dish without charging. This to me was ridiculous. Anytime you order a taco, quesadilla, enchilada, burrito or almost any Mexican dish you can expect a heaping dollop of sour cream. As a previous server, I would have not thought twice to go back to the kitchen and scooped some in a bowl or something. Maybe the manager is super strict about such things - but as my friend told the server it should be noted on the menu that the meal does not come w/ sour cream.
The server did keep track of our drinks and maintained our waters well, and our meals all came our in short wait. They checked on our table that magical amount of times - not too much to be annoyed, not too little to have us annoyed.
Food:
I order the Thursday special, an entree w/ premium beer. I choose the Shanghai Noodles w/ shrimp and a Steam Whistle beer for $8.95. The salad that came out before my entree was probably the biggest disappointment of my entire meal. There were maybe 12 large and roughly cut pieces of romaine lettuce, a sprinkling of julienne carrots, and the nice (but very few/small) surprise of bean sprouts. I liked the dressing, not sure what it was though. Looked like a dark italian but tasted more like peanut/Asiatic sauce. My meal was alright. The shrimp had the tails on, which I guess is a positive or negative depending on one's preference (for me I prefer no tail). Only part of my plat principal I didn't like was that the egg over my noodles had not been 'scrambled' into the rest of everything else. It was a fried egg laying on top of my noodles & veges. Not a huge deal, but maybe this was their 'presentation.' It seemed everyone enjoyed their food just enough. Nothing to write home about, but satisfied our hunger pangs.
Bang for the Buck?
For the relatively cheap prices of their food and variety listed on the menu, you get your bang for your buck. Your food comes out in a plates wanna-be fancy style, decent size portions, in a nice sized restaurant in a funky part of town. Don't expect a thrill. Come for a cool motif painted wall on the exterior, and to fill your belly before a night of drinking.
Another place I won't recommend out-rightly, but if someone were to say they were going I wouldn't discourage it. I probably will return because my friend is there often, but will order something like fries and not a whole meal.
