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Kale
Categories: Restaurants Vegan Restaurants Vegetarian Vegan, Vegetarian [Edit]
2366 Yonge StToronto, ON M4P 2E6
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
(416) 792-5253
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 8 pm
Sat 11 am - 5 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
11 reviews for Kale
11 reviews in English
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Review from salitabebe b.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
Have never eaten the prepared foods. Can only vouch for the freshly squeezed juices.
YUM! Prices are a tad higher than most establishments. But i come back because they make the best kale / apple / lemon drink in the city!
My only complaint. - business hours are unconventional. They're not open at all on Sunday. And not until 11 on Saturdays. A fact i always seem to forget, until i land on their front doorstep facing the closed sign, left wailing "Noooooooooooo!" At which time i promptly making my way to the inferior Booster Juice nearby.
Open earlier & on Sunday, PUH-LEEEEEEEASE for the love of good food and juice! You are a restaurant after all, weekends are prime time!
Lastly, web-site does not list hours. Kinda imp info. Update your site so web-savy masses can support your biz - one of the few healthy food ports in the city. -
Review from Selene n.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2011
I was super excited when a vegan place opened up in my old neighbourhood. And then I went there and excitement turned to super disappointment. I've been to Kale a few times now and am always left feeling like I should have gone elsewhere.
It's a serve yourself, pay by weight style restaurant. So you can't even say that you're paying for service, as there is none. They have very limited choices, and what they do have is super BORING. Rice noodles with some seaweed mixed in...steamed kale...stew...brown rice...a VERY basic green salad...YAWN.
And for these incredibly boring options that you've served to your self, you pay an insane amount! You're looking at 13-15$ for a plate with very little food on it - not even a full meal. RIDICULOUS. -
Review from Janine W.
Toronto, ON
5/13/2012
I decided to go there because I had a coupon and because I read the food was decent.
So with coupon in hand and hubby with me we went. I had heard it had a smaller selection of food than le commensal but that the quality was better.
I would agree the quality is better than le commensal. I liked that they had some things off the buffet you could order like a veggie burger. But just to try it out, I took from the salad bar. Since it is by weight and I am grateful I have a coupon because most things are heavy. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, squash in millet, advocado, leek in vegan so tofu quiche. Anyhow, it was good..kale of course. Some reviewers called it boring. I would say, it is lightly spiced or I'd call it more clean tasting food. Nothing is hiding behind the spices. Toronto is a bit over the top when it comes to spicing whether it's for indian or thai food. This is not that kind of place.
I think it's a great place if you're trying to eat well and healty. I like that there is a juice bar though I didn't have any. It is pricey but if you can afford it, it's a healthier way to eat.
We did try the day old muffins which I figured might be dry because they were made with tofu. I could eat them as they reminded me of other vegan baked goods I have had but hubby couldn't. He likes the way I bake vegan better. :)
I would be curious to try their soups next time but it was a warm day and I didn't feel like soup. -
Review from Emily M.
Updated - 12/13/2011
ya...it's still a one! I've gone back a few more times just to see if the selection or anything has improved. But sadly a small meal will still cost you $15-$20 (pay by weight) and you will receive bland under seasoned limited options!
I want NOTHING more than an awesome or even mediocre vegan/veg restaurant in my hood, but sadly this is not it.Listed in: veg veg veg...!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/26/2010
I love the idea of this place and the food is decent but for me the prices are just TOO much. To get… Read more »
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Review from Val G.
I've now eaten at Kale Organic Eatery enough to say they consistently deliver delicious and quality vegan buffet-style food.
I wanted to update my review to mention how exceptional the vegan pierogies are in particular. My favourite ones are the squash and millet and the sweet potato and quinoa. They are garnished simply with sauteed white onion but have a really great flavour.
On my most recent visit, I picked up a bag of the tofu/potato pierogies frozen to try at home. They were more like the cheese/potato pierogies you get at Polish places but went well sauteed in olive oil and onions with some tofutti sour creem.
Other fab dishes are the asian noodle salad, the roasted potatoes, the bean stew, the greek tofu salad, the artichoke casserole and I'm a big fan of squash millet puree (the thing on the left in my photo).
Some of the blander items that I always get for health purposes are the tofu slab, the steamed kale and broccoli and the beets. It would be great if they marinated the tofu before grilling it and dressed the veggies lightly. I think it would make it more appealing to the palate of the average, vegetable-starved North American.
The prices are still towards the steeper end, like any pay-by-weight place but most things are organic so I take that into consideration. A plate of food from the buffet usually costs me between $12-$15.
Luckily, I have the Toronto Vegetarian Association Discount card, which saves me 10% off my meal. :)
The place is always clean and bright and I love that I get table service of cutlery, napkin and water even when I'm just doing the buffet thing. The staff have always been very nice to me too.
They also have a made-to-order menu that I've yet to try with veggie burgers and wraps. Who am I kidding though? I can't resist this buffet.Listed in: Vegenomics
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/23/2010
Kale is a pay-by-weight mainly take-out, lunch and pre-made dinner joint. It's nice for a casual,… Read more »
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Review from Stu B.
Toronto, ON
6/10/2011 21 Check-ins Here
I visit Kale 2-3 times a week with good reason(s).
1) Vegan, organic, and healthy. Not a lot (any?) of places that can say the same thing in that neighbourhood.
2) The food is good. Not complex flavours, but tasty. If it wasn't good I wouldn't go here 40-60% of the work week. It's buffet-style (by the weight) and there is Kale there every day (get the tofu dressing on it).
3) It's nice in there. Doesn't feel like a cafeteria or buffet place. Bright, pleasant, and really nice staff.
4) Desserts. Holy hell...vegan, organic desserts. Some gluten-free. So good. -
Review from Wendy H.
Toronto, ON
12/8/2010
The first time I came in here I was like, "whoaaa attitude, lady. I'm serving myself here and you only have to ask if I'd like a juice. What's with the stink face? Are you getting enough B-12? I'm concerned about you."
But the other guy was terrifically nice and the food was wonderful.
The second time I came in here I was like, "yaaaay, Screwface is nary to be seen! Instead this nice other lady is smiling at me! Yes, I WILL have a juice, thank you."
And the other guy was still there, still terrifically nice and the food was still wonderful.
Serve yourself at the hot/cold bar; it offers all organic, all vegan options, and fresh juice. The selections rotate often and it's usually difficult to contain your excitement about items. There's a beauty of a dessert/drink/take-away bounty at the cash register, including kombucha, coconut water and prepped sandwiches.
Note: since you're paying for fresh, organic ingredients the price can be considered steep by some. A plate will cost about $10-$12 (although I managed to get mine to come under $7 last time!)Listed in: I'm A Dirty Hippy
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Review from Min Min T.
Scarborough, ON
In less than 6 months, three new vegan/vegetarian restaurants have opened up in Toronto. Kale, located just 5 minutes north of Eglinton, definitely helps make uptown more friendly for herbivores.
Similar to Le Commensal near the Eaton Centre, Kale also serves their food buffet-style, for $2.40/100 grams. Aside from that minor detail, Kale distinguishes itself from Le Commensal in every other way. The food here is entirely organic, vegan and homemade by a small family that runs it. Their selection, although a lot smaller, is made from scratch and you can taste the ingredients, which isn't masked by excessive salt or heavy sauces.
The seating here is limited, with only about 6 tables or so. The sleek interior and minimalistic decor makes it feel chic, a far cry from their flagship store, the miniscule and rather uncomfortable food bar, stuffed inside the back corner of the Noah's Natural Foods at Spadina and Bloor.
The buffet bar is split into hot and cold items. A regular-sized plate will cost approximately $10; while the price seems a bit much for the amount of food you're getting, remember that you're paying for quality of ingredients. It's no more expensive than eating at the Spadina location; at least you won't be sitting elbow-to-elbow on a shaky wooden barstool staring at a blank wall, with your winter jacket hanging awkardly in your lap.
Regulars of the original location will be happy to see their favourites here too. The roasted sweet potatoes are absolutely delectable and the tofu stirfried with tumeric and cabbage was great too. As well, there was brown rice and fresh, leafy kale. To top it off, the daughter of the owners offered us a free bowl of tomato-and-dill soup to us for free - being Friday evening, it was the end of the day and her alternative option was to chuck it out.
As for drinks, go for juice mixes that are listed on the menu; if you decide to choose-your-own, you'll find yourself paying $8-10 for a glass.
A quiet eatery to have a healthy meal and served by people who put heart into their food.Listed in: Herbivore Heaven
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Review from Jenn G.
Scarborough, ON
10/6/2010 1 photo
YUMMMMM
Me and my company were walking down yonge, when I spotted this restaurant. I remember reading some positive reviews on yelp, so I decided to I wanted to eat here.
There was a nice selection of food. We both got a little bit of everything.
I love how everything was organic, vegan, and FRESH!..
We also ordered juice (i believe it was 1 and 9) and I wasn't all that into it, plus it was very expensive...to me.
*I did take pics, so I will post them up soon*
By the time, me and my company were done, we were satisfied.
(my company who hates veggies LOVED it!!! which is HUGE)
*I was thinking...uhh...who is this person? Did they put some crack in the food?*
One of the best things that we loved is how we didn't overeat.
You ever got that feeling when you eat in a buffet and by the time you are done, you feel disgustingly full...you know...belly hanging out and you feel like you can barely walk? (i've been there a couple of times, haha)
Overall, I would give it a 4/5
Can't wait to come back =)
note: I have been to Le Commensal and I have to admit, I kindof like this better though Le Commensal has a bit more selection.
I heard that not everything at Le Commensal is fresh and plus it is a little more pricey, from what I remember. -
Review from Letrell S.
Toronto, ON
9/28/2011
Delicious and Healthy. I've been several times and enjoy the large selection on the buffet line.
Desserts are yummy, too.
I can only give them three stars because of the snotty service. They aren't very friendly and I never feel like they value their customers. -
Review from Jonathan K.
Toronto, ON
1/5/2010
Kale is a winner.
As Min Min T. notes, Kale is similar to Le Commensal in that it is a pay-by-weight buffet, but it really is a different experience. The food is fresher and tastier, and the atmosphere is much more inviting. Think: not a cafeteria.
I felt like a hearty lunch on this snowy afternoon, and I admit that I hesitated before deciding on Kale. I was pleasantly surprised, not only because the food was excellent, but also because there were enough hearty options to leave me satisfied. I was told that the menu changes daily, based on what organic produce is fresh and available. That said, if they have pierogis, you should definitely try one. The steamed Kale was also very good. That may not sound like a culinary miracle, but I was very glad that it wasn't under- or over-done.
The friendly service is another strength. I felt taken care of, even though Kale is a self-service buffet.
The food and service at Kale are very satisfying. The care comes through in every aspect of this restaurant, and it's worth a visit.
