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Mad Dog Cafe
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
817 Gerrard Street EastToronto, ON M4M 1Y7
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
(416) 778-0303
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
11 reviews for Mad Dog Cafe
11 reviews in English
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Review from Su B.
4/17/2012
I just moved to a house around the corner and we have managed to do more than two brunches with a newborn baby. It's a great place to enjoy a yummy breakfast on a weekend or sit back with an espresso on a weekday. Has a quiet and relaxed retro vibe.
Their sandwiches are pretty good and I really like their coleslaw (which is their own recipe). I see myself spending quite a few afternoons there. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
I walked in and saw all these child friendly tables and chairs... oh and toys but luckily no kids or toddlers.
My cappuccino was one of the Meh one I had... milk was not frothed properly and resulted in a fail attempt of latte art....
Barista is way too indifference and way too laid back... I know I use a Indie Coffee Passport and not offering one of the those sandwiches...
Mad Dog Cafe does carries baked good from neighbourhood bakeries their cupcakes are from Desmond and Beatrice down on Queen and Broadview look quite delicious though...
Mad Dog Cafe is set up more like a diner that serves food... hopefully their food is better than their coffee! -
Review from Selene n.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2012
The first thing I felt when I walked in here was fear. The fear that comes when going for a lazy quiet saturday morning coffee and being greeted with a row of children's toys. Some places should just not be kid-focused. Some places need to remain for adults, a place where you can swear in a conversation with friends or talk about the awkward sex you had the night before and not get side glares. A place where you can enjoy a coffee and a book without the background noise of screaming children. Bars and cafes - it's all we have left. Why take those away from us??
Other than the kiddie clutter, Mad Dog was nicely designed. Though they seem to be more diner than cafe now - between all the breakfast foods and the children gear.
I had a great latte. Though I had it to go, running out the door, away from the loud child voices. Anytime on a saturday morning in a cafe is too early for me to deal with that! -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
1/30/2012 1 photo
Taste with your Nose. That's my First-hand experience at Mad Dog Cafe.
Open the doors to this Diner-esque Cafe. Immediately I can taste Eggs, Fried Eggs.
It came via Nasal bombardment as the full space envenloped in Eggy smellness.
Mind you it was someone else's Fried Eggs but the aroma was intensive. 2.5'd
Mind you again, that most Cafes I grew up in HK offers the same Foodstuff.
Western Breakfasts, actually you would call it Western only if you're in the East.
Sandwiches, in the East you'll get Luncheon Meat, here you get Smoked Meat.
Not like North American terminology of Cafe which mostly serves Coffee Bevvies.
Being in an Asian community, I can see glimpse of how MD Cafe came to be.
As a Cafe, my Single-shot Cappuccino was weak but not the worst of the bunch.
HK-style Cafe hiding beneath a Western facade within a North American Chinatown.
As a Diner, I see a relaxing comfortable neighbourhood chowspot.
Bring your Newspaper. Put your feet up. Enjoy.Listed in: 2.5 **Stars**, Coffee Drinks
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Review from Harding Y.
Toronto, ON
11/30/2011
Of course I'm biased because I live around the corner, and it's the perfect spot for me to spend my mornings drinking espresso and eating Montreal style bagels. Lovely staff, and the owner is working hard at building a community hub.
Also, it's a perfect spot to read or write, and free wireless so you can write your Yelp review while you're there! -
Review from Jen C.
8/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Mad Dog is a comfortable and relaxed space in a corner of Chinatown that is seeing signs of new life. The large and open cafe gains its charm from the refinished church bench, old stove, and teak furniture accents. As evidenced by the small collection of toys and appropriately-sized munchkin table at the centre of the room, families are welcome here.
I stood at the cash, debating on what to order. With Montreal-style bagels, sandwiches, and Kawartha Dairy ice cream on the menu, you're likely to find something that would suit. The one anomalous item that caused me to hem and haw at the cash: the bulgogi sandwich. It seemed strange to see this Korean staple listed, and irresistible because of its oddity. Of course I ordered this, with a side of kimchi to boot.
As my food was being prepared, I claimed a seat at a low end-table in the corner fronting the open front windows. Despite the shades of grey mottling the sky, the rain had been reduced to an occasional sprinkle, and the mugginess of the afternoon was tempered by a cool breeze. The sandwich arrived and is about what you'd expect - thinly-sliced beef sautéed with onions on greens in a fresh bun. The kimchi was also fairly standard, but kickier than I'd have expected.
To finish off my meal and loiter with my book, I got a cappuccino and a cookie. The cappuccino was really well-done and a nice way to wrap things up. I would definitely return. -
Review from Elvis A.
Part of the Indie Coffee passport this is a surprising find in this area. The setup is quite nice it was packed with weekend brunch crowd. It was noisy though with some kids running around but I am guessing they quiet down on weekdays.
They had plenty of baked goods which were quite tempting but purpose of my trip was try the Cappuccino here.
I ordered a double cappuccino with a sweetener. The barista picked up a glass mug which was kept nice and warm the way it is supposed to be.
Latte art was OK and I think it would look better if a different cup was used.
Milk could use little more frothing. Espresso itself was nice and mellow.
3 stars for drink and 4 Star s for the setup.
Will repeat. -
Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Popped in for my first stop of the second Indie Coffee Passport. A cortado wasn't on the menu, but I asked the barista (Stefanie) if should could make one, and she said "sure".
Then, in a move that I felt was quite clever, she asked me where I usually drink my cortados. She's quite familiar with many of the other coffee shops, and realizes that, as with every other espresso-based drink today, there are various ways to make them, and everyone thinks their way is correct. After discussing this, she made me a mighty fine cortado, apologizing that it wasn't in the traditional glass. (No problem, it wasn't on the menu after all.)
She was friendly and down-to-earth, and I'll definitely go back.Listed in: Coffee
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Review from Sabrina P.
Toronto, ON
11/16/2011
Mad Dog Cafe is a perfect little place with friendly staff and great espresso. It's perfect because its never over-crowded and the atmosphere is warm. It feels good to support an local, independent business owner!
Mad Dog not only offers a great selection of coffee and teas, they also have sandwiches, bagels and baked goods. From what I could see, the food looked pretty tasty. I believe that they source most of their ingredients, baked goods and bread from other local businesses - which is always a bonus!
It's a great place to visit in the summer as they usually have the garage-style doors open for street view.
The two reasons I can't give it 5 stars...they don't have skim milk :( ...and the ventilation where food is being prepared is not ideal.
BTW - they are cash only. Not good either. -
Review from Madelyn S.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2011
Mad Dog Cafe is nestled amongst a row of eclectic houses and shops just across the street from the local beer store.. Inside, it hosts wonderful staff, gorgeous furniture and a garage style door to have your favourite beverage el fresco on a fantastic Toronto sunny day.
The grinds are local - Toronto and Dundas (of all places!).
Service is great. Atmosphere is lovely. Cash only. -
Review from Lora K.
Toronto, ON
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tasty beverages and super-friendly service makes this a good place to stop for coffee I had both an americano and a cappuccino. The americano was fairly average, but the cappuccino was delicious. The Montreal-style bagels were very good and I'd recommend them.
The decor is a little kitschy, but very charming and it suits the place. This is a neat area and it's really interesting to see new businesses (that are actually worth going to) pop up. This one's worth a visit, for sure.
