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Rustic Cosmo Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1278 Queen Street WestToronto, ON M6K 1L4
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(416) 531-4924
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 9 am - 4 pm
Thu-Fri 9 am - 10 pm
Sat 10 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Noise Level:
- Average
About This Business:
This place has been around for more than 20 years! Their roaster is small so they roast all the time. The smell is amazing (so is the coffee). When John… read more »
10 reviews for Rustic Cosmo Cafe
10 reviews in English
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Review from Sheena L.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
An immediate priority when moving to a new neighbourhood is to seek out and find a new "office," aka coffee shop in which to write. A quick stroll landed me at Rustic Cosmo Cafe. I popped in to see what it was like and ordered a Cortado, my latest (apparently pretentious) espresso preference. They didn't know what it was but attempted to make me a beverage that resembled a long macchiato. It was alright and the vibe was fun, so I decided to return the next day to take post and write.
It was busy that morning, but I found a table and they promptly brought me a menu. I ordered a skim cappuccino, but they consistently only have 2% or soy so I was forced to get that instead. It was alright, but I'm truthfully not that into their espresso. Though I continue to order it regardless.
Then I ordered THE BEST BAGEL IN THE WORLD! Although many of their sandwiches have people names, I was not too thrown off biting into my delicious Sarah. Sarah consisted of the best multigrain bagel I've ever had (seriously), generous amounts of avocado, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a perfectly-cooked fried egg. It was only then I realized there was booze here. BOOZE? My mouth watered for a mimosa, but my deadline reached out and slapped me across the face and said ORDER COFFEE, so I did.
I've returned a few times and I've learned the ways. If you want food, go as early as you can. They seem to run out of a lot of ingredients around 1pm, which is a testament to fresh quality but can also be an inconvenience if you're dying for something in particular. That said, everything I've tried there so far has been delicious!
There are no wall outlets, so make sure your writing device is fully charged if you plan to camp out for a while.
And bring a friendly face! Everyone here is incredibly nice. -
Review from Coy W.
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dropped into here for a greasy breakfast. The space is pretty cool and the staff are very friendly.
I ordered a bacon and egg breakfast with whole wheat bread and home fries. This might be my favourite bacon and egg breakfast on Queen in WQW. The bacon and eggs were cooked really well. The bread was tasty and the homefries...have cheese in them!
The price is right and the food is solid.Listed in: 2012: 366 Day Challenge
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Review from Meagan T.
Toronto, ON
3/8/2012
Neat little place, if youre in the neighbourhood. Cozy, if a little outdated atmosphere. But retro is hip now, right?
The menu makes me so happy. I strolled in for the first time, hoping for something that resembled a sandwich. I was pleasantly surprised to find there are a bunch of different sandwiches and bagel sandwiches on the menu with fresh ingredients, and they are DELICIOUS. It is apparent that things are homemade, and there are a lot of ingredients you wouldnt find on the menu at your average coffee shop. Think avocado, aoli, and like 6 different kinds of cheese. I was impressed to note that they have a quiche of the day, and the folks working were discussing what kind to make for tomorrow. I have not tried it, but may have to now. As other reviewers have noted, the coffee is not spectacular --but it still beats Tim Hortons.
The staff were pleasant, and seemed to know many of the people riding the tail end of the lunch rush. I dont know if I would go for a sit-down meal, at least not with great expectations. Actually, I would say in general, that as long as you dont arrive with great expectations, its a pleasant surprise in a hit-and-miss neighbourhood. -
Review from Anna W.
Parkdale, Toronto, ON
5/9/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This is a go-to breakfast spot for me in Parkdale. Why? Because it's cheap and delicious. I usually skip out on their bigger breakfasts and order a Sarah bagel (avocado, cheese and egg) when I'm on the fly because it's under $5.00. That's right, under $5.00 for breakfast. Can't really beat that. And the service is super friendly.
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Review from Parker M.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
Super friendly staff, cozy, owner's always there, all day breakfast, home made jam, quiche... What more could you want in a cafe? Maybe that it stay open longer (closes at 4pm).
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Review from Nathan W.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2009
Rustic Cosmo, predating the current wave of gentrification in the area as prompted by the Drake Nexus, has been a Parkdale fixture since the 90's. Back in them days, as the old timers tell it, Queen Street west of Dufferin was a dangerous, untamed Killzone where newly arrived immigrants bravely eked out a perilous living amongst mutant crack babies, retired Mossad agents, roti fetishists, granola, design students and worst of all, artists.
Thankfully, those days are gone and a golden era of condo dwellers approaches. However, for those who want to viscerally experience a real connection to the past, Rustic Cosmo awaits.
Firstly, the décor has not changed in years. I have a vivid memory of eating brunch there one day around 2004 and realizing that the walls were painted with the exact same vivid purple we had just painted over in our new place. Only took two primer coats and three more of the light buttery yellow paint before that gruesomeness was banished. Having said that, I want to make it clear that in the Rustic, either the purple works or I'm so used to it I can no longer tell if it doesn't. Other features from late 80s, early 90s? Wood booths, de rigueur exposed brick and pressed tin ceiling.
For reasons like that memory, I can't really judge Rustic like I would other places. It's a neighbourhood spot, serving faithfully for many years. It's the default brunch spot where I could probably stroll in wearing my pj pants and not get a second look.
Food wise, they knock out their dishes with admirable consistency. Basic menu is a collection of bagel sandwiches and various breakfast options. Most plates come with a house mesclun mix salad with a balsamic heavy dressing. With breakfast options you also get home fries. Their home fries are just ok, with precooked potatoes briefly sautéed with what looks like a grainy mustard. For the record, I prefer my homefries to be a varying mass of crisp edges and soft creamy potato. Sunday is best for brunch, when they add a pretty decent eggs benny option to the menu.
The all-important coffee? Drip varies in quality (though it has been richer lately) and espresso based drinks are just "meh". This despite the impressive eagle topped espresso machine. Toronto has gone through several coffee revolutions since Rustic opened and they are now being judged by a much higher standard.
Service over the years has ranged from stellar to addled. However, I'd like to stress that without fail, servers are friendly and attitude free. I'll forgive the occasional lapse if their hearts are in the right place.
In summary, if you find yourself in the nabe, it's worth a visit. Don't expect fireworks, but don't be surprised if you enjoy the place. My rating reflects the warm fuzzies that live in my heart for Rustic. -
Review from Gaurav S.
Toronto, ON
2/17/2009
Just west of Dufferin, on Queen, in what used to be Parkdale, sits a lovely little gem - Rustic Cosmo Cafe.
Nice little booth seating along the left, warm coloured woods, an open kitchen/cash area, a nice sized patio out back, this place has everything I'd want it to have. Warm vibes, comfort food and great coffee.
After a couple of visits, I found the servers (although SUPER nice) to be a bit forgetful. Forgot the coffee, forgot the sugar, no cutlery... that sort of thing. It happened on two separate visits, but I'll still go back. Like I said, they're SUPER nice.
The brunch is medium, the sandwiches are better. There are a ton of menu items including quite a few veggie options. There's definitely something for everyone here.
The prices are at the higher end of average for the meal sizes.
I really should give Rustic 3 stars, but there's a little something about it that makes me go back time and again. Whether it's just for a coffee, or a full meal, Rustic Cosmo Cafe has a put little spell on me. -
Review from Roanna Z.
10/17/2009
Waaaay out there on Queen past where it's cool there lives a little cafe. Breakfasts on frigid mornings, soups to slurp and booths to slide into.
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Review from Tony O.
Toronto, ON
5/6/2009
Lovely, cosy little place, friendly staff but...I'm afraid to say, very ordinary coffee. Bitter and flavourless and weak. For a cafe that specializes in coffee, that's pretty darn slack.
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Review from Kat F.
2/18/2009 2 photos
I agree with Gaurav below when he says the servers are a bit...um...forgetful. Luckily they're also pretty friendly so it's easy to overlook. I've only been to Rustic Cosmo for brunch and it was pretty good. There was no wait for a table and the food was decent. I had your standard eggs benedict with homefries. Unfortunately I was unable to stomach more than a bite of the homefries because they were peppered with the most bizarre spice combination ever - I don't know what precisely made up this spice blend but it was unpalatable.
