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Lotus Inn
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
23 St Johns RdToronto, ON M6P 1T7
Neighbourhood: The Junction
(416) 763-4171
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 4 pm - 11 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- No
3 reviews for Lotus Inn
3 reviews in English
-
Review from Aeryn L.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2009
I rate my Chinese restaurants by the way they make their sweet & sour chicken balls. I have to say, Lotus Inn has made the best ones I've had since I've moved to the Junction area. And for that alone, I'll order from them again the next time I have a craving.
We ordered (over-the-phone delivery): sweet and sour chicken balls, breaded shrimp, chicken fried rice, shanghai thick noodles, vegetable lo mein, beef w/ black bean sauce and veg, spring & egg rolls.
Besides the chicken balls, I *really* enjoyed the beef w/ black bean, and the egg roll; the breaded shrimp and veg lo mein were good as well.
The fried rice kinda surprised me (in a weird sense). Every other place I've ordered from the rice would come in an aluminum container; this time, it came in a medium sized Styrofoam cup. Definitely less than what you'd get from the aluminum dish, and it was more expensive to begin with (by about 60 cents). There was also a hint of an after taste from the chicken itself I think, but it wasn't bothersome.
The vegetable spring rolls were fairly large, probably the largest I've seen (well worth the price of $1.45), and was packed with the veg; what I didn't like was the spice used. I've grown to enjoy certain spices, but when spring rolls come to mind, I think of them being more sweet then spicy. For those who enjoy spice on just about everything though, you'll most likely enjoy these.
I didn't try the Shanghai noodles - that's the hubby's dish, but he seemed pretty happy with them.
Price wise, most of the dishes were 30 to 60 cents more expensive than other locations (save for Ho-Lee-Chow, 'cause that particular franchise wins hands down for expensive product pricing every time).
BUT from experience, I'd say that extra bit of change per dish is worth it for a better take-out experience then their local competitors. And we received the lo mein for free (since our order was over $37 dollars).
So I think (after over ten years of searching) we've finally found our favourite Chinese take-out location!
Cheers!Listed in: While You're In Toronto
-
Review from Kat F.
2/16/2009 1 photo
Lotus Inn is a tiny takeout/delivery only restaurant in The Junction that serves up super tasty Chinese food. Their crispy Lemon Chicken and General Jors (a version of General Tso) Chicken are unmatched in taste. They also have really good vegetarian options like spicy deep fried tofu and curry tofu. You can request no MSG if you like.
Make sure you ask what your total is because for some reason they never automatically tell you and then it's a surprise when they come to your door! Quick delivery. -
Review from Darian S.
8/27/2009
My family and I tried this restaurant shortly after it opened. Let me start off by saying that the opinions expressed in this review similar to the opinions of my other family members.
We ordered the typical Westernized chinese food entres. This included Hot and Sour Soup, Mango Chicken, Pork Fried Rice and a few others. Rather then describe each dish separately, I can simply say when I go an eatery like this I tend to set my expectations on the low end of the scale and even those were not met.
I'm not too picky but really, how can fried rice be that difficult to make? All of the dishes were a bit tasteless and seemed as though things were quickly rushed together.
The interior reeked of bleach which can be positive or negative depending on how you take that and the take out area just wasn't that pleasant.
I understand that a new restaurant may have some issues to deal with however I have no plans to revisit anytime soon.
On the positive side of things, if you pick up your order, they do provide a 10% discount.
I am definitely open to the idea that this place will improve and maybe with another chef that will happen. However this is one place that has been added to my "keep driving and try another restaurant" list.
On a side note; As I am a small business supporter, I would be more then happy to be contacted by the owner/ manger and share my entire experience or even try this place again with the assurance that things have changed for the better.
