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Joey Don Mills
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
1090 Don Mills RdToronto, ON M3C 0H2
(416) 445-6391
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
67 reviews for Joey Don Mills
Review Highlights
"Lobster Grilled Cheese: so buttery and delicious."
(in 14 reviews)
"...Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Molten Lava Chocolate Soufflé and the..."
(in 1 review)
"Baked apple pie for $7.49."
(in 3 reviews)
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67 reviews in English
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Review from Frank L.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/19/2012
I have been to this place a few times. The first impression is that it is a upscale restaurant located at Shoppe at Don Mills. The décor is modern and classy. The waitresses are all very good looking. It most likely is one of the hiring criteria. That's not all for their quality. The last time when we went back again, the same waitress remembered us and could repeat what we had ordered. Amazing memory! In addition, they are always very polite and smiling.
The flatbread is very oily. You can see the sizzling oil on top. The famous Baja fish tacos cannot be missed. Although I did not try the sushi, it looks good. The dessert chocolate lava cake should be ordered even though you are full.
This is the restaurant that you will come back often1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2010
We park and find that there is valet parking. Once entered, the restaurant is very spacious with… Read more »
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Review from Nao C.
North York, ON
1/3/2012
I'm usually wary of these loungey Americana bar & grill chains, but Joey left me impressed! The space feels huge yet comfortable, in that you could see the entire first floor but at the same time your own table feels private enough.
I got the ahi tuna sandwich, which came with fries. The fries were pretty average -- your standard fries -- but the sandwich was really really delicious. The portion was big enough that I couldn't finish my sandwich (packed it at the end), but not in a way where you feel grossly bloated at the end. I didn't get to try any other food, but the menu overall looked pretty impressive, with a lot of interesting fusion flavours.
I just got black tea for drinks, but that wasn't bad either. (Can't go too wrong with black tea, right?) My friend and I both got tea with milk and sugar on the side and they didn't serve us anything to stir with! This seemed like a rather obvious oversight but wasn't a big deal.
I don't know how I feel about a place where good looks are SO obviously part of the hiring criteria, though. I definitely appreciate the professionalism of a waiter presenting themselves at their best, but you don't need a 99% thin white woman waitstaff to have that professionalism! I digress though. It was maybe a poor decision to place our group at a table right in the direct sunlight but the waitstaff was friendly and helpful enough otherwise.
It's a little expensive for a mostly casual joint, but if you factor in the nice ambience and food quality, I think it's worth it when you have the money to spend. -
Review from Lauren M.
12/28/2011
I like this Joey slightly more than the downtown (Eaton Centre) location, but I think that's just because this one doesn't have as many douchebags hanging about!
This time I tried the "steak and sushi" dinner, which was actually quite good. A 6 inch tenderloin comes sliced alongside a rainbow roll. Roll was nicely presented and fish was fresh which surprised me. I got to eat my steak with chopsticks, heaven!
We tried the rare tuna fish tacos for an appetizer. I was disappointed they were served in some kind of deep fried crispy shell, but otherwise these were delicious!
One of the things I dislike about these Joey restaurants is the sluttyness of the waitstaff. Okay, fine - at the Eaton Centre location, the sexy waitresses suit the atmosphere. But at this location, the clietele is primarily families - lots of people bringing their children here. Is it really necessary to have waitresses wearing hoochie gear serving kids? Lets stay classy, Joey! -
Review from Karyn B.
Vaughan, ON
12/15/2011
I really like Joey Don Mills
I have been here 3 times now and each time I try something new
Everything I have had is delicious!!!!
I had the beach salad and I have had the viva salad
BOTH were great!
lots of toppings, the viva salad had lots of rotisserie chicken and the croutons and torittila were a nice addition
i also have the lobster grilled cheese.. REAL lobster (unlike at crappy Moxie's)
and i have had the ahi tuna tacos (app) .. also really nice and tasty..lots of great flavour
the burger is quite nice too
everything is tasty
imagine nicer and better food but a similar price range to a milestone's or moxie's i guess
the only thing that sucks is that they dont take reservations (at least not for lunch when we went) and that can mean a really long wait -
Review from Chris T.
East York, ON
12/21/2011
3.5 stars
After reading the menu and chef's history I was really excited to dine here. I ordered the ahi tuna tacos, lobster ravioli and my gf ordered the calamari and Fettucini Alfredo. The food had a lot of taste and a great mix of textures from the taco but it just felt like it missed the mark. The tacos were difficult to eat for me but the fresh herbs gave it an awesome flavour. We asked for extra sauce but never got it which disappointed me. The rest of the food was great and this place would get 4 stars if the waitress didn't forget my sauce. I may be tight but I do expect quality service from a restaurant with the high quality calibre chef.
Would I come back? Yes I would give it another go but in hopes of experiencing the potential it has. -
Review from Vivian W.
10/7/2011
This is the first restaurant I tried at the Shops At Don Mills plaza! I can say I am a fan!
What I like the most is their roof top patio. Too bad it's only open during the summer / fall. Their theme is green, you feel like you're having a drink in a small garden. They got trees surrounded the whole patio, so it makes you forget you're at donmills, you won't see commercial buildings from the patio. I really liked it, it's a very cool place to hang out with friends.
However, being said that, it gets really packed on Friday nights too. If you plan to come in at 8:30pm or 9pm with a group of 4+, don't expect to get a seat, the wait is always at least 30 mins to 1 hour
Food - I think there is room for improvement. Only a few items on the menu really attracts me.... they have quite a bit of fusion dishes, which i am totally not a fan of.
Drinks - it's a bar, so they do have lots of good selection.Listed in: 30 days challenge
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Review from bold c.
Toronto, ON
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Recommendation - Cruise and Meet
30 Sec Summary
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1. Models for waitresses
2. Food over-priced 150%
3. Over priced drinks
4. Nice Eye Candy
5. Food was creative and tasty -
Review from maverick m.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2011
THE GOOD: The view and the food. Wait staff must be hired from a modelling agency. How can so many good looking people congregate in one restaurant? I must have accidently walked in the 'good looking people' club. I would normally scoff at a place like this but was out voted. To my surprise, the food was fresh and well prepared. We had lots of appetizers. It was a great way to spend the evening and elevate the class of a work function.
THE SO-SO:
Prices and parking. Expect to pay a premium for appetizers and the view. This is the good-looking-people's club afterall. This place is at Shops at Don Mills. Parking can be a real pain and with good reason. The area is a breath of fresh air for North York. Lots of well designed walkways, buildings and nicer shops.
THE BAD:
Line ups. They tell you there is a wait even when there seems to be lots of seating. Interesting strategy: low supply = greater demand. -
Review from Angela H.
Mississauga, ON
10/6/2011
First thing you notice-the waitstaff. I'm like, uh, is it just me or are all of the waitstaff here GORGEOUS?! Guys and dolls folks, both sides here. Once you peel your eyes off them and unto the menu, you'll be surprised with the offerings.
A step up from the regular lounge menu, we especially liked the asian fusion dishes. We had the ahi tuna burger, the lobster grilled cheese, viva salad, and california club. I'd eat the tuna burger and viva salad again. Pass on the rest.
Can't wait to go back. It's definitely a fun place to go with a group of friends. So put on something nice, share a bunch of plates, and order a few bevvies. It's definitely a fun Friday night. -
Review from Mel C.
9/22/2011
I've been dying to dine at this restaurant because the first time I came across this restaurant when it newly open, there was a long line up (and all I wanted was dessert). So my friend and I vowed to to come here on a less busy day for lunch or dessert.
We came here for lunch and I got a lobster ravioli. I thought that it was a bit too salty. My friend ordered a salad and she absolutely loved it. Even though my ravioli was a bit salty, I'm not going to completely write off this restaurant because there were so many other choices on the menu that I want to try. As well, the service here was good so with that in mind, I will give this restaurant another try. -
Review from angie c.
7/26/2011
This is only a review of drinks and service, I'm sure I'll end up putting something in my tummy sometime soon and then update the review.
I work near here and without the Shops at Don Mills my coworkers and I would have absolutely nowhere to go for drinks. Joey is an easy choice for our after-work gatherings. The roof-top patio is gorgeous, but we most recently went last Thursday when you couldn't have paid us to sit inside. We were a group of around 10 and the hostesses were inventive in figuring out a way to seat us all. Our server was friendly and comfortable with a large group, separate checks and people coming and going at different times.
Thursday's drink special is some sort of ginormous double vodka soda with slush and goodness. I enjoyed one and had I had the foresight to have not driven to work that day, it would have been a few. -
Review from Sara K. P.
Toronto, ON
7/26/2011 2 photos
Was not terribly impressed by the service here. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon about 3 ish, the place was moderately full but we could definitely see there was lots of capacity for seating. The hostess could give a toss that we were waiting to be seated as she gabbed away on the phone.
Well we waited and waited as server after server, manager after manager passed us by until finally I waved at hostess like I was flagging signals to emergency land a plane to get her off the phone. Finally after much ballyhoo we were seated. Whew!
Despite the lackadaisical service the surroundings were pretty posh and modern, for a sports bar I'd say it was very aesthetically pleasing.
I kinda agree with Tony F's observations regarding Joey's Fembot Bimbo servers or Fembos, as I've dubbed them. Was terrified one of them would wipe out with tray of drinks in tow, as some Fembos hobbled around amateurishly in their heels. I've seen 5 year old pageant divas walk with more confidence! I digress...
The menu is actually very drool worthy as much of the food is of the deep fried or smothered in richness variety. Let's see...hubby orders the Lobster grilled cheese and for myself I order the cheeseburger sliders and the Yam fries. The food is so-so. My sliders and yam fries were pretty ordinary...hubby's lobster grilled cheese is decadently delish, and definitely heartburn friendly.
Not surprisingly the highlight of my visit to Joey's was the bathroom. It was a treck up a myriad stairs to get there but ahh what a sanctuary! An oasis of mirrored splendour with high dark wood stalls and petrified trees acting as sculpture adding natural warmth to the tiled and serenely sterile scheme.
Joey's is a "classier" flatter chested version of Hooters with a better menu and nice decor. A great destination for "dudes" and "bros" with lowered dining expectations, who are willing to forgo service for a leggy, albeit 2-dimensional experience .Listed in: Thrones when you're away from…
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Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
I'm quite a fan of Joey, to be honest. Although slightly too pricey for my liking, I can always count on Joey for a good meal.
One thing that I love is that they offer you complimentary appetizers while you wait (and the wait is usually longggggg). I've snacked on their gyoza, Italian flatbread, sliders, apple pie and sipped on red wine while I waited for a seat. I'm glad that they take reservations now, but you still have to book many many days ahead!
Some of my favourites include:
Lobster Grilled Cheese: so buttery and delicious!
Baby Back Ribs: I love the ribs at Joey! incredibly fall-off-the-bone tender and flavourful!
Lobster Ravioli: creamy and rich, not the healthiest option but absolutely delectable!
Mushroom Soup: very intense mushroom flavours. You can order it with a salad and a wedge of garlic bread for $12.99
I also used to love their Italian flatbread, but they've since modified that item, and I like it less now because it uses salami instead of Italian sausage.
Services is usually great, and the place gets very busy. The only thing I have to really -
Review from frank t.
Richmond Hill, ON
9/14/2011
We walked in with our 11month old and a stroller, surprisingly we were greeted and seated immediately with the server taking the stroller into consideration. Ordered new york steak and flat bread, the steak was ok, cooked perfect but they put fresh herbs and seasoning on the steak that over powers the taste. The crispy mash is excellent so is there flat bread.
Service A++++
Food Quality A+
Price is Standard
2 steak dinners, flat bread, 9 oz wine and ice tea $115 with tip. -
Review from Ed C.
North York, ON
11/1/2011
The Waitress here are hot. They all look like models. Long wait for tables for weekend's dinner. If I plan to eat here, I would go as early as I could to avoid long wait. I like their food but love their Tuna burger the most. check out the funky drink menu too. Free valet parking too as with most of the eatery in the mall.
Comment from Keiko R. of Joey Don Mills 11/24/2011
Next time try our Sushi Cones - delish! More » -
Review from Eileen C.
Scarborough, ON
5/25/2011
I went there on a Saturday for lunch and was very impressed with my food- tasty, large portion etc. Our waitress was attentive and quick.
My only issue was that I question how clean the dishes are- my coffee cup looked "questionable" and my friend's cup came with a big lipstick imprint on it- how the person unloading the dishwashe could miss that is beyond me. Gross.
The washrooms however are awesomely clean! -
Review from Sarah H.
Toronto, ON
I work near Joey's so I have mostly only been there for lunch. Service for the most part is pretty good. Since i was there on a lunch break today, we made sure to tell the server that we had to be back at the office in an hour, they made sure to bring the food and bill quite quickly.
Today I had the Tandoori Chicken flat bread (which I've had before) and the sweet potato fries. Both are great (but the sweet potato fries I find are a bit expensive for the serving - $7.99).
Overall everything was great, and they have complimentary valet service (which is good, since parking at the Shops on Don Mills can be a little annoying). -
Review from Mikey D.
Abbotsford, BC
12/20/2011
Only in Toronto for 4 short months, I knew nothing of the restaurant scene. A friend took me to Joey's for my birthday and showed me a wonderful time. The food was scrumptious and the staff very friendly and not had to look at. Even with the wait(one time) I loved all 3 subsequent visits. Back in BC now and already missing the place.
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Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2011
Went for lunch today in a group of 6. We all enjoyed our meals. Quotes about;
Appetizer - CHILI CHICKEN in light tempura with chinese chili sauce and cool cucumbers.
"Nice combination of sweet and spicy!"
LUNCH SALMON grilled medium-moist salmon with maple butter sauce served with aromatic rice.
"It was very good. Best I've ever had. Mention that it was done perfectly. Try the rice...it's delicious."
AHI TUNA SALAD seared rare ahi tuna, mango, amorosa tomatoes, fresh mint, peanuts, crispy noodles with a chili lime dressing.
"Good flavours. Fresh and well prepared. Peanuts may have been a little off."
CLASSIC FETTUCCINI ALFREDO with fresh cream, garlic and grana padano parmesan.
"Very good. Just the right amount of sauce."
SPAGHETTI WITH KOBE BEEF MEATBALLS seasoned with rosemary, toasted fennel & fresh basil with rich tomato sauce.
"Awesome. Beef was tender and delicious. Nice complementary flavours."
BAJA FISH TACOS crispy fish and shrimp in corn tortillas with guacamole, cilantro & mexican hot sauce.
"They were pretty good."
BOMBAY BUTTER "CHICKEN" served with toasted almond basmati rice, grilled naan bread and lentil papadum.
I had the vegetarian, soy-substitute version with brown rice. It was tasty, if not particularly authentic. The papadum and rice were good, the naan a little weird.
Regular coffee - "OK".
Decaf coffee - "Excellent". (Pretty sure this was a decaf Americano.)
Americano - "Not good." Served in a glass mug, which is a big pet peeve of mine.
Our friendly server, Lauren, brought us a scoop each of the coconut, vanilla and maple ice creams for us to taste and share. A nice touch. Lunch for 6 was 150 bucks. A tad over-priced, methinks, but it's well prepared and the service was great. -
Review from Raymond W.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2011
The reservations were for 16 people, that turned out to be asking for too much. The place advertised itself as a restaurant, and the exterior suggested that was the case. How I would describe it would be: "Toronto's most tolerable sport's bar." Imagine Spice route, but where all of the yuppies wore jerseys instead of suits.
Maybe they weren't yuppies at all..more like middle-aged professionals. Muppies?
Plasma screens decked the halls like it was Christmas, really made me wonder why they bothered to decorate the place at all. There's about five girls by the door, and ten waitresses working the floor. All of them wearing cheap black tube-like dresses, it really did feel like Spice Route, only louder.
I only saw one blonde Woman roaming about in a zebra print shirt, probably the manager. When I asked her for a serviette, she didn't seem to understand my request. "What is your definition of a serviette?" She asked.
"Something to place on my lap" I responded.
She unfolded a napkin made from recycled paper and placed it on my lap. "There you go!"
"How industrious." Resisting the urge to strangle her, I smile.
I had the Blackened Basa fillet with rice, and Gyozo (dumplings), it exceeded my very low expectations. The music was unbearable, I had to use my outside voice. I was at such an intimate distance to my friend when speaking to her, it was almost..umm, intimate.
Don't get the Alfredo, regardless however your server praises it.
I almost swallowed my fork from the sudden bursts from vivacious reactions of the sports fans at the bar.
If it weren't for the company, I'd probably..well, there's a lot of probability there lets just say.
I paired my meal with a raspberry cocktail, the drink was fine, the raspberries were revolting.
Joey, the name of the bastard child of an one night fling between King Street West pretentiousness, and Bay Street's desperate attempt to appear as if the people who worked there were real human beings. -
Review from Ryann O.
North York, ON
3/10/2011
I absolutely enjoy the restaurant experence at Joey's from beginning to end. As soon as you walk in the front doors, you are AWE-strucked with the dim ambiance, relaxing vibe, and young scenary. Definetly a place for young adults and recent graduates to spend our hard earned money.
I would highly recommend the Ahi Tuna Taco's to start. They add a tuna sashimi that is always fresh and tasty. The taco in itself was a crunchy shell with a zesty & tangy sauce with a hint of chipotle. I personally enjoyed the Baha Tuna tacos (similar but with soft shell) and the Burger Sliders were bomb too. The burger meat was significantly more tastier than anything you could find at moxies or milestones.
For Entree you could either go light or heavy. For a lighter selection, I would highly recommend the Grilled cheese lobster sandwhich. The combination of a melted cheese with freshly cooked lobster is out of this world. The lobster was not overcooked and was soft enough that you could taste the lobster by its juice on every bite. The heavier recommendation would be the Blackened Basa fish which is actually a white catfish. This is cooked to PERFECTION! I have never tasted a more deliciously made fish as it was seasoned to perfection. Also it was not overcooked so much that it was flaky, but not undercooked so much that it was too chewy. It was made perfect. Also it lies on a bed of rice where its juice just gladly thrusts itself upon and a side of veg.
For dessert, the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is unbelievably good. I recommend this to anyone that comes to this fine establishment. If you only have a small appetite, forget everything else, unbuckle your belt, and order this cake. You will not regret it. -
Review from Imran N.
3/26/2011
If i was being forced to go to a sircorp chain restuarant (alice fazooli's, jack astors, etc) i would force my friends out of it and go to Joeys on Donmills.
It's an interesting place, in the newly renovated don mills centre, and it seems progressive for the area.
The food is not bad at all - not amazing food, but well priced and interesting enough.
The ambience of the restaurant is nice and upscale and the service is quite good.
What springrolls did to chinese food is what Joey's did to the $20-$30 chain restaurant sector.
For foodies around town, you're not going to have your socks rocked, but more than likely your group will enjoy themselves, especially if many of them are not real foodies.
It's a super busy place though, just to warn you.
It seems a convenient venue for those large group birthdays and out of town guests that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on but still want the experience to be somewhat memorable. -
Review from Karen G.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2011
I would give it a 3.5 if I could, with the -.5 for only hiring artificial-looking waitresses that make you want to say "I'll just have a water and leaf of lettuce please - hold the dressing".
That said, the food here is delish and the menu offers up some very neat and different choices for those who are sick of the usual offerings from the restuarant chains. My favourite are the flatbreads - tandoori chicken is a straight up party in your mouth, and a ton of characters are invited. The mix of the spicy tandoori with the cool yogourt is perfect, and I will never complain about sundried tomatoes being included in any of my dishes. The shrimp flatbread is also a great choice - the amount of shrimp vs. toppings is perfect, no flavour is too overpowering.
I also highly recommend the salads for lunch - but don't kid yourselves into thinking they're low cal. My favourite (name escapes me, but it has the word "Beach" in it) comes loaded with warm candied pecans....mmmm!! The porition size is also perfect for lunch.
The place is busy and does not take reservations during the lunch hour. If you can manage to grab a spot and maintain your appetite while old buisness men lear at waitresses who are likely the age of their own daughters, it's a tasty spot with amazing, out-of-the-ordinary food that won't break the bank. -
Review from Jen I.
Mississauga, ON
2/24/2011
I just went there on a business lunch today and it was *Delicious*. After reading some of the reviews here and knowing my love for all things 'grilled cheese', I knew I had to try the Lobster Grilled Cheese.
SO GOOD. Lobster, Crab, Brie and Cheddar. It sounds odd but totally worked. Their prices weren't bad at all. The atmosphere was young and fun, not intimidating. It was packed in there at noon but it didn't feel hectic.
Everyone is right about the waitstaff as well, beautiful girls were everywhere (which isn't a bad thing, even Monk's Diner on Seinfeld only hired Chesty Leroux's lol) but they do their jobs well to boot so everyone wins. I'll definitely bring clients there in the future. -
Review from Christine W.
Markham, ON
2/8/2011
I get many requests for this restaurant from my customers so I figured I should try it out.
I brought my favourite shopping buddies and we headed out into the cold. I warned them in advance of the "models" that worked there lol. They seem to contain them to the lounge so it wasn't too obnoxious.
I liked the decor and the location couldn't be better.
We started with the Earth and Turf. What a fabulous idea! Why don't more restaurants think of combining calamari with deep fried veggies? Very very good. My friends both had burgers and I had the chicken club on a ciabatta bun. All of it was great. My yam fries with lemon aioli were so good! Had I not eaten every single of one I might have had room for dessert. Oh well good excuse to go back! The burgers were apparently very good and very big. It's always shocking when not one of us orders dessert but we were really really full. Oh and the best part was the bill - $25 each. Not too bad considering the location.
We will definitely be going back. -
Review from Adam G.
7/27/2011
Sometimes I go into a restaurant with a bad attitude that its going to be a wretched experience. Joeys had the feel walking up it was going to be snobby posh place with gut wrenching food. I love being surprised! As soon as I walked in I was greeted warmly by the host. It seems that they try to hire only attractive people at this place, which is probably one of their competitive advantages. We went upstairs to their lovely rooftop bar areas. Its a huge area where it could be a restaurant all by itself with its vast room. Drinks were served quickly with their beer selection being above par. I also love it when places serve beer in the companies beer glass. Our appetizers were tasty having the goat cheese dip and the calamari. The calamari also had some fried asparagus and onions rings hidden in. The chips for the goat cheese dip came in a fryer basket which was a lovely touch. They put time into putting nice touches and excellent presentation into their food. Our waitress always made sure our drinks were full and was always promptly at our attention. She even warned us when a large group came in that she might be a little behind and asked us if we thought we would need anything soon. Nice job! Overall a great spot to go and a beautiful patio. I will be back if I can.
Pros
Good Food
Great Service
Fair Prices
Good Beer
Cons
None -
Review from Belinda I.
North York, ON
Great atmosphere and crowd. Friendly staff. Great drinks. But the Food quality had went down. The Ahi Tuna in my ahi tuna club is now half the size, and it was pretty watery.
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Review from J H.
Toronto, ON
6/29/2011
to be clear, i did NOT eat here. also to be clear, i went with the intention of eating here.
i arrived with my dining partner on a sunny afternoon. walking in, we see about 5 employees huddling around the host stand in water-cooler mode (chatting). they look at us like we have shocked them by our presence and interrupted their party. one finally acknowledges us, awkwardly mumbling a salutation. we have to push the issue to make clear we are here to eat, and would like a seat. we are told to go get our own seat (worded more pleasantly). so we do.
and we sit, and wait. and wait. and wait. and WAIT. ten minutes go by and we flag down a server (it was relatively empty; the servers had definitely seen us) who seems totally confounded and confused by our presence. he seemed to have no idea what to do with us, so we ask for menus and water. five minutes later they come. at this point we are annoyed. another five minutes later we get up to leave, apologizing to the server, which was unnecessary. twenty minutes in restaurant-land is WAY too long to wait to place an order. and it wasn't busy!!!!!
so, i can't review the food. what i can review is the ridiculous situation of being ignored by 5 host(esse)s who would rather gossip than seat us, causing me to choose a seat where i am squarely ignored and seem to cause nuisance and imposition to the servers.
apparently joey restaurants are in the top 20 "places to work" in canada. hey, what 19 year old college student wouldn't love to work somewhere that you're paid to stand around and live in your own world? -
Review from Amanda P.
North York, ON
8/4/2011
I've been to Joey's several times and not once have I been disappointed. In addition to the excellent food and atmosphere, this is a restaurant that really understands good customer service.
It's hard to get a reservation at this place, especially on a weekend night. The hostesses on the phone will usually tell you to "arrive before 6 p.m." to get a table, but who wants to eat dinner at 6 p.m. on a Saturday? Anyway, though the wait can sometimes be long (I've waited up to an hour), the hostesses usually bring out plates of appetizers from the kitchen and let everyone in the waiting area have a sample. I've tried four or five different items, as well as small glasses of wine, while waiting for a table. It's a small gesture, but it makes the wait so much more pleasant!
I've always found the waiters to be really friendly and helpful, and they are constantly recommending dishes to try (which are always delicious). I've never had to fight to get a waiter's attention or been faced with one who's rude or unpleasant.
I'm not really one to comment on décor, but I will say that they have a great outdoor patio and I would highly recommend a seat up there during the summer months.
Some of my favourite menu items include the Ahi Tuna Burger; Ahi Tuna Salad; Baja Fish Tacos; Prawn Curry Bowl; Lobster Ravioli; and, of course, the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake for dessert. Also, Caesar lovers will be happy to know this place makes a great one - comes with a spicy green bean and just the right amount of celery salt!
Would highly recommend this place for a casual night out with friends. It's reasonably priced for the quality of food you're getting (prices are in line with what you'd pay at say, Jack Astor's) and it's a fun atmosphere to enjoy a meal. -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2010
I was actually pleasantly surprised by this place. I had to meet a friend here for dinner because he doesn't live or work in the city, and we chose this place (I chose it based on the yelp reviews actually). I have to thank my fellow Yelpers, because it was quite good.
Despite the cheesy staff in their little black dresses (or as Rita coined it, LBDs), everything was really good. You certainly know you're not downtown just from the age, size and attire of the other customers, but that's cool by me. Don't need the "hip" factor all the time. In fact, it was refreshing!
We all shared the tuna tacos, sweet potato fries, a tandoori chicken flatbread, and the lettuce wraps with chicken. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. This is a damn good chain. While the vibe feels like Jack Astors, the food is much better. I don't live anywhere near here, but I can totally get why this place was packed on a Tuesday night. These semi-suburbanites must be thrilled to have this place in their hood. I have tons of choices by me, and I wouldn't mind having Joey around either.Comment from Keiko R. of Joey Don Mills 11/4/2010
We were thrilled to hear you enjoyed your recent visit to… More » -
Review from Julia H.
East York, ON
9/15/2010
This place is really good! The best restaurant in the area! The food there is really tasty - especially the Ahi Tuna Club sandwich, Lobster Ravioli and the tandoori chicken flat bread.
They also have mock chicken for those who are vegetarians.
Gorgeous patio for the summer time. -
Review from Josephine T.
North York, ON
9/18/2010
This restaurant was a real surprise. The food was better than I expected. It's an upscale restaurant and definitely a great addition to the Shops on Don Mills. We were there on a Saturday night and the place for packed. Our wait was 40 minutes so we left them our cell phone number and went for a walk around the shops. When we got the call we came back. The food was amazing. We had the Ahi tuna tacos as an appetizer then we had the maple salmon, the lobster ravioli and the steak. We all love the food. They had a crunchy mash potatoes which is just a spring roll wrap around mash potatoes as a side with our food. Then we had a chocolate lava cake with ice cream. The food was actually really really good.
This restaurant was so good I would recommend it to anyone in the area. Definitely better than any Milestone or Pickle Barrel. There is also free valet parking so don't worry about finding parking here.
Prices were not cheap but it wasn't ridiculously expensive as well.
Try this place you won't regret it. -
Review from Eleni D.
Toronto, ON
11/19/2010
I really don't like Joey.
The food is delicious and reasonably priced. It's a great place to watch a game and grab a drink. Yummy eye candy abounds. It has ample free parking. The servers are nice to everyone, and on numerous occasions my group has been given free appetizers, wine samplers, and desserts. It's so fantastic, it is has quickly become the go-to Friday night hangout for my uptown friends.
As I said above, I don't like it.
Joey is not that easy or pleasant a trek for this car-free downtown-gal. When my friends suggest it as their hangout-of-choice, I grin and bear it. I'll trek up there for a birthday or another special event - other than that, I'm hanging with my downtown friends. Sorry Joey.
I hear Joey is coming to the Eaton Centre soon. If that's true, I think Joey and I will be back on good terms.Comment from Keiko R. of Joey Don Mills 11/19/2010
Hi Eleni, JOEY will be opening at Eaton Centre Summer… More » -
Review from Sheila B.
Toronto, ON
7/2/2010
The one thing I hate about these types of "restaurants" is that the patrons have to be so attentive to the staff to make sure they get it right..I don't care about seeing pretty girls who can barely walk in stilettos, boys who want to be loved by the pretty girls or have undertrained teenagers working in the service industries. We come to dine and be with the group of friends or family with us, not to be a babysitter of the damn waitress/hostess/bartender.
The food is cookie cutter pedestrian fare and this is just a cover-up for a well oiled chain restaurant. You can impress my 13 year old but it's me with the Visa card who will pay.
We had: tuna tacos, roast chicken, steak, fettucine alfredo, calamari, lettuce wraps (working for your food with this one). All over priced .... and nothing new and exciting.
The waitress was so "undertrained" ( I'm being nice here), I wanted to say why don't you sit here and I'll go get everything. I don't want to be insulting but she was dumb as a fence post!!!!!
If your one of those 20 something guys on the prowl this place is perfect for you, go mosey up to the bar and have a few. You may even get lucky. -
Review from Ben Y.
Toronto, ON
9/18/2010
Had dinner at Joey Don Mills on a Friday night, great location, lots of free parking also accessible by the TTC if you're the type.
Restaurant was packed, but had a great atmosphere, exactly what you expect out of a restaurant of this calibre. Great looking crowd, both customers and staff. I was worried the staff would be under-trained as mentioned in other reviews, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary and found them to be friendly and attentive.
The food on the other hand was just at par for the prices they charge. The menu was very uninspired, felt like a smaller version of "The Cheesecake Factory" except with higher prices and no cheesecake. I would of liked them to use more local ingredients other than just vegetables in their entrees. I did enjoy what I ate, but felt like I could have eaten it somewhere else for half the price.
If money isn't an issue to you, or you want to take someone out to a nice looking place, then I would highly recommend this restaurant. The menu is simple enough that everyone should find something they may like.
I would go back for lunch if I were in the area, but wouldn't specially return for another dinner. -
Review from Joanne S.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2010
Myself and my boyfriend :)
Service - REALLY horrible when you come in. They offered us the patio or the dining room. It was a nice day so we asked for the patio and had to walk up a lot of these really steep stairs, that's not a problem. Problem was, once we got up there nobody offered to seat us. Are we to just pick a chair and a menu ourselves? Walked back down and told her we'd sit in the dining room. Nice waitress, a little too....informative? Every time we ordered she would tell us what we were ordering, which was the same information that was already in the menu. But she was very attentive and she was a good icebreaker on a first date, after we hadn't seen each other in forever (damn long distance relationships).
Food -
Chili Chicken - we shared, it was REALLY good! No complaints.
He had Lobster Ravioli - It was forgettable, he wished he ordered what I got. I let him eat my fries :P
Ahi Tuna Club is the BEST ever thing, I've EVER eaten at a chain. Not on the menu online, but it came with some sort of aioli on it that was just the best.
No dessert, we were stuffed. He got his leftovers to go and it came in this cute little box.
Also a little note on the area, it can be a bit pretentious...but if you don't care and dress decently you won't have a problem fitting in. Parking was a bit of a hassle but not that big of a deal. It was also hard finding the place after we parked the car, thank goodness for maps!
EDIT: read another review...valet parking? Huh. Good to know :) -
Review from Rita E.
Their drinks menu is a good read. Cracks me up every time.
I've been to "Joey" in Edmonton, and this one was a definite upgrade!
I like to call these restaurants LBDs (Little Black Dress, not to be mistaken as Loser Buys Drinks) because the servers are always in black dresses/short skirts. My (male) coworkers get a kick out of it. I just like the friendly faces. Anyway, I'd feel bad for the loser that ends up buying drinks here.... kinda steep... unless the winner ends up liking the daily special.
FYI, Bellinis are Tuesday's special. Mmmmm!
So I ordered their mushroom soup & boy did it come out fast! I also ordered their lobster grilled cheese. It came with a side of cocktail sauce. I tell ya... grilled cheese is one of my favorites when it come to comfort food. But lobster grilled cheese.... I just about settled in for a nap. They didn't skimp out on the meat or the cheese. Much appreciated. It's a little on the oily side, but that's where the acid in the cocktail sauce plays in so well.
They usually serve it with fries on the side, but you can swap out for veggies, like I did -- asparagus, lightly salted.
I'd say it was an excellent meal.
Will I be back? You betcha! -
Review from Cisilia C.
Scarborough, ON
8/19/2011
We walked in and we were greeted warmly. The patio had a 45 minute wait so we sat in the restaurant. The girls here are VERY attractive and VERY tall haha. Not that i'm short but wow. they were tall. lol our waitress was sweet and recommended the calamari. I would have to say the calamari here is one of the best i've had. It had the right seasoning wasn't over fried also they had 3 pieces of fried asparagus and the dressing is this red pepper aioli sauce. I got the fish tacos and my friend got the original burger. He said that the middle of the burger was slightly dry but the fries was very good and that he liked the thousand island dressing on the burger. my fish tacos were DELICIOUS. it came with 3 fish tacos and on each other there fried onions, fried pieces of fish, guac, fried pieces of shrimp with cilantro. since i dont eat hot sauce i had these just the way they were. honestly i found them delicious.as night approached, the restaurant started to get busier and it was slightly hard to wave down our waitress for the bill and after we did ..it toke a while for it to come.
but all in all i would definitely come back again. -
Review from Tony F.
Updated - 5/10/2010
If you didn't get my ZZ-top reference in regards to the legs, you 1) haven't been to Joey's 2) arn't a child of the 80s.
I almost feel badly for the girls as they're in little black skirts with heels all day. They're all smiles when they're taking your order, but their faces say other wise when they're moving between tables and the kitchen. They also remind me a bit of the old Robert Palmer video, and yes I am addicted to Love.
I'll tell you what else I'm addicted to. The Mashed Potato deepfried in an Egg Roll wrap. Genius! This was the signature creation of Chef Chris Mills when he went to to Japan to be on Iron Chef. I had the steak that accompanied that mash. It was cooked to a proper medium rare, but a bit flavourless and under seasoned.
I also caved in and got the berry peach Bellini which was very tasty.
Overall I was very satisfied, but nothing about this place makes me fall in love with it. The service is good, the decor is nice, the food is decent, and the grade "A" Alberta beef is nice (and I'm not talking about the steak). But there's just no spark. Joey Don Mills will be a good friend, but she'll never be my lover. Okay.. maybe a few one night stands here or there.Listed in: Meh!, Lyrical Miracals
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/4/2010
She's got legs, she knows how to use them
She never begs, she knows how to choose them
She only lets… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer O.
9/17/2010
Visited my family in canada and the first thing i heard when we got there was we're going to dinner at Joey's and they have LOBSTER GRILLED CHEESE!!!! i was already sold i didnt need to look at the rest of the menu when i got there. i already knew what i wanted.
the place was packed but we had reservations...so please, have reservations. very nice, modern hip place. Theres an upstairs outside seating which looked lovely. semi casual dressy setting. youd kinda stick out with just a t-shirt and shorts on.
looked at the menu and i couldnt stop looking at lobster grilled cheese so of course i ordered it. it looked small when it came but it was the perfect size. crunchy buttered layer on the bread on the out side...and chessey lobster goodness on the inside. they werent shady with the lobster either. french fries had that perfect crunch everytime. i was in food heaven for that 30mins. also tried my sister in laws raspberry iced tea....and it wasnt your usual lipton rasp iced tea....it actually had iced tea with rasp puree or something in it. it was amazingly refreshing.
overall, the next time im in toronto....im coming back to try more for sure!
