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Simon Sushi
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
409 Spadina AvenueToronto, ON M5T 2G6
Neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Downtown Core
(416) 977-2828
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
20 reviews for Simon Sushi
20 reviews in English
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Review from Matt H.
Toronto, ON
8/25/2011
This is the definition of "cheap fill you up" sushi. Simon sushi is a great place if you're on a budget and want the most bang for your dollar. Hell, they even give you free edamame with a sample sushi to start!
Domestic beer here is cheap (under 4 dollars) and basically everything on the menu tastes good, and if it doesnt, you're in the wrong place for what you want (cheap sushi). The addition of ramen noodles is good too. On a few occasions I've ordered the sushi boat for me and 2 other friends and we've been really full while leaving a few bits of sushi left.
Friendly staff (unless it's really busy, they can be scrambled) and Simon is usually rolling the sushi for everyone.
This is my go to spot for cheap sushi, leave your high needs at the door. -
Review from Fern H.
12/9/2011
I had to run some errands on my lunch break and needed to grab something fast in the area. A sudden craving for sushi led us to Simon Sushi.
This busy Chinatown sushi joint was packed with hungry U of T students and lunchers a like. We ordered from a long list of lunch specials (all $6.50) - California & Crunchy Rolls and the Teriyaki Beef Bento Box. Our meals came with free green tea, miso soup and salad which is pretty standard.
Service is quick and food came not too long after ordering. The bento box is definitely the better value for the money and big eaters. It comes with rice, 3 pieces of sushi, 6 pieces of tempura veggies and tender pieces of medium done beef teriyaki. The sushi special wasn't anything special. Standard, run of the mill rolls, slightly better than getting them at Loblaws.
The bill was accompanied by fresh chunks of orange. They were sour but it was a nice added touch. Overall, not a horrible experience for us as described by a few reviews below.
Simon sez eat the passable sushi. -
Review from Flouny S.
Toronto, ON
12/3/2011
I can't understand why people come to this place. When this place first opened up barely anyone went. Now when I walk by I see tons of people inside. I guess this goes to show you that if there is a lacking presence of good sushi places people will settle for anything less than stellar.
The beef tepanyaki was ok but the rice definately wasn't that great. It was too soft and almost mushy.
You should definately try other options in this area. If you have a sushi craving, either go to Bloor St or just settle for something else in the area that is just as good. I suggest going to either New Ho King for chinese food or even mother's dumplings.
Satiate your sushi fix another time and keep on walking, there are other places to eat and waste your money on. -
Review from N Y.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2012
3.5/5 stars!
I really like Simon Sushi! This place serves miso soup to every customer who comes in to dine. I used to work in the area, so I would get their lunch specials for $5.99. For lunch, I've tried the avocado/cucumber rolls with yam rolls; House noodle soup, crispy rolls, bento box, etc. All delicious.
I have also been here for dinner a couple of times, and it tends to be a lot less busy during this time. The great thing about dinner is that the chef gives a complimentary piece of their suicide roll as well as edamame!
The atmosphere is sort of run down a bit. They really should renovate and fix up the walls and decor. The service is decent; however, most of the waitresses don't speak English very well, so it's difficult to make any special requests if you have any. -
Review from Myrem D.
Mississauga, ON
Updated - 8/31/2011 4 photos
WOW.. from 'myeh' it turned to 'NEVER AGAIN' in less than 5visits.
The food is HORRID!. Edemame was cold. From the skin you can tell it's been out for a while. *Barf*
the deep friend claifornia rolls could easily be the worst mush mixture I have ever tasted. Now I know, if ever there is a time I need to puke, I will picture this dish and just like that...the hurling feeling comes to the pit of my stomach.
I am so so sad. This is the end of this place for me.
There should seriously be an option of NO star rating.
xoxo
M.4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/24/2011
hmmm...
There seems to be a trend here. Slowly this awesome place is turning a tad picky and choosy… Read more »
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Review from Maha K.
6/15/2011
From the outside, this place looks like a holed-up shack. A shack that should have a "CONDITIONAL PASS" or "CLOSED" flyer from a city health inspector stamped outside its door.
You really have to have some insane motivation to cross the street to find out that it's actually open. 1/5 stars shouldn't be enough to make you do that.
Simon has a $6 sushi lunch special.
In Chinatown.
Sushi and Chinatown sound good, right?
China's pretty damn close to Japan.
The sushi couldn't be THAT bad.
Lest we forget that knock-offs from CHINA make headline news for being impregnated with lead, I'll tell you that this place is bad. I should have just killed a salmon with my bare hands and eaten it Bear-Grylls style right outside on Spadina.
I think my lunch would have been a pleasant experience that way.
The sushi is mushy and tasteless. The miso soup looks like fish piss and tastes like absolutely nothing. The salad dressing made me wonder if China also makes knock-off Kraft salad dressing.
I really don't know what I was thinking. All I know is that I'm bringing lunch from home for a few days to recover. -
Review from Susie H.
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Put simply, this place offers excellent food at even more amazing prices.
I eat here all the time and have sampled most things on the menu.
First point of attraction: $6 lunch special, and "lunch" actually goes until 5pm. I go to Japanese places for lunch all the time and this place has the most well-assembled bento boxes and sushi specials of anywhere in the area. There's also a great soup special which is huge. Also included for lunch is miso soup, green tea and orange slices for dessert.
Dinner/regular menu is obviously more expensive, but they throw in lots of freebies, which is really nice: you get edamame, maki rolls (usually suicide or salmon skin), and ice cream on the house on top of the usual miso, green tea and orange. There are lots of great sushi, maki, sashimi, and meal combos. There is also quite a large assortment of a la carte items. Also vegetarian friendly!
The service is good here. The waitresses here are average, most of them are attentive and prompt, but some are extra friendly. The best service, however, comes from the chef/owner, Simon. Sometimes if it isn't too busy, he will come and ask you how your meal was, and if you order lots of food or he recognizes you as a regular sometimes he gives you extra sushi or appetizers for free. He really knows how to take care of his customers!
As for the food, both from the kitchen and sushi bar, it is excellent. The meats, especially the fish, are very fresh. I eat here all the time and have never had a problem with the quality of the food.
My recommendations: K-10, S-5, Oyako Don, Salmon Salad Roll, Crunchy Roll, Sashimi/Sushi Bronze, Gyoza, Yam 'n avocado roll...there are so many good options, it is pretty hard to go wrong!
(Also side note, they don't accept debit here) -
Review from Susan D.
Toronto, ON
12/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
We came for sushi, and it was disappointing. I'm from Vancouver, and so I keep dreaming of finding the kinds of cheap, tasty sushi deals I know about out there. But this wasn't it (being an optimist, I intend to keep looking and will post here if I find such a place!).
We both ordered off the lunch special menu ($5.99)--the california roll and spicy tuna roll combo. The california roll was okay--adequate, but nothing special (and I've had many cali rolls through the years, in Vancouver *and* Toronto!).
The spicy tuna roll was about the worst I've ever had (it's usually one of my faves)--not spicy, and the tuna tasted odd, as if it had been placed beside something and been contaminated with the flavour of the other item... or something. It tasted wrong. Since raw fish was involved, after the first piece, I decided not to take any risks and set aside the rest. So did my companion.
Now *this* is the positive part (i.e. why I gave them three stars instead of two)--where I expected a "too bad" kind of attitude, because it was a lunch special, the server actually conveyed our disappointment to management (I had been debating about whether to complain or not, but then the server stopped by to ask how our meals were going and so we told her that we weren't going to have our tuna rolls because they tasted odd). We were able to substitute the tuna rolls for the yam avocado rolls, which were pretty good.
I should say that looking around at the bento boxes that were being served to many other people there, they looked really good! Generous quantities and people seemed to be devouring them pretty enthusiastically. So perhaps if I were forced come again, for whatever reason, I'd have one of those instead. -
Review from Denise S.
Updated - 9/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
UPDATE: The lunch specials have increased by a whole $0.50 ($6.49) and they have shiny, new menus (instead of those laminated pieces of paper). Otherwise, nothing has changed.
Listed in: Oishii!, Chinatown Cheap Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/5/2011
Good lunch spot if you work in the area and need something that is reliably fast. They are… Read more »
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Review from Tara A.
9/26/2009
Yum! My BF and I frequent this sushi joint. For under $10 you can get a bento box that is full of goodies... teryaki, dumplings, 6 pieces of sushi, shrimp and veggie tempura and the list goes on and on.
The waitresses and the the chef (Simon!) are so friendly and they always give you more than you ordered.
This place is great for take out or for eating in.Listed in: Favourite Restaurants in my…
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Review from Calvin S.
Markham, ON
1/25/2011
For optimal experience, go for the sashimi. NOT SUSHI. NOT ANY KITCHEN MATERIAL.
Simon will cut the sashimi thick if you request so, so you get to enjoy more of it. Also, it's fresh, VERY FRESH. After you're done, you look at the paycheque...yeah it's that cheap!!!
Haven't tried the Lunch Specials too, but since it's $5.99 don't tell me you'd expect a cosmopolitan class special that would fill your stomach and beyond. Oh wait, it's Simon Sushi, he can easily dish you that.
The miso soup here is unique. They use ACTUAL seaweed, not those wakame you can easily get at T&T.
Sometimes the cheapest prices do bring the best quality of foods. -
Review from Dan D.
Toronto, ON
8/11/2010
The sushi is quality, the service is great.... but most importantly - the PRICES ARE AWESOME.
Sometimes I just want a sushi lunch without having to pay $20+. This is the place. $5.99 lunch specials are amazing. They don't skimp on the quality at all. I split 3 lunch specials with a buddy and we eat like kings for under $20 total.
I will go back often.
Awesome. -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
10/28/2008
I was ordering from Simon Sushi for about two years without ever knowing where the place actually was -- we got a flyer in the mail and since they delivered for free, they won our love.
The food was always good, sometimes a little warm (which is not a great temperature for raw fish), but generally decent. It always came within the time they told us it would, but they never really offered a lot of extras (soy sauce, extra rice, etc).
When I finally ended up in the actual restaurant on Spadina for lunch, I had the same opinion. Everything was OK. I guess I've eaten a lot of sushi, and the only thing about Simon Sushi that stood out was their lunch is REALLY cheap. I remember it being about $5 for some combos. Not bad at all, but it wasn't a huge portion of food either.
Basically, if you're stuck on Spadina and are craving sushi, Simon works. It's DEFINITELY better than Sushi Star across the street, so stick with Simon and everything will be fine. But if you can venture out past Bathurst on College, you'll find better places. -
Review from Monica F.
9/26/2010
Visited here the other day and had the $5.99 lunch special.
What can I say other than you get what you pay for.... I wasn't disappointed because I knew I wasn't going to get AAA quality ingredients. It's not horrible, but of course, there are obviously better Sushi places to visit in T.O.
Water with lemon came without asking, and our servers were alright. (Simon greeted us with a "hello, sit anywhere you'd like" upon entering)
I ordered the Salmon Box and it was the tiniest piece of salmon I have ever seen. I wasn't expecting a huge portion, but the portion that I did receive was almost funny it was that small. It didn't taste all that fresh to me, either.
The 3 pieces of California roll that came with it weren't that good, and were falling apart.
On the plus side, the tempura was hot and crispy... and I've never had a green pepper tempura before so that was a first!
My friend ordered the California roll/Avocado Yam roll special and he liked it. But he doesn't eat sushi a lot, so what does he know? lol
I would probably come back here again for a cheap lunch/dinner special. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
1/7/2009
I'm not a fan of raw fish, so please don't chew my head off if you have a bad sushi experience here.
Blah, blah, blah, enough with the prelogue: my opinion here is purely based on their chicken teriyaki and simple rolls, the latter of which are some of the best I've tasted in Toronto. JW's right; you can't really go wrong with their avocado rolls. The California rolls are pretty great, too. I know, I know, boooooh-ring! But I don't care. Sometimes the best things are found in simplicity. (Ommmmm. Enter zen moment)
The chicken teriyaki was also fab. At most other restaurants, the meat is either not cooked or plagued by large clumps of fat. None of that here. Everything on my dish was placed there with conscious intention and attention. And with their $5.99 lunch specials running to 5:00, you can have a pretty good early dinner without breaking the bank.
I dine-in experience is best: the environment is homey, and the people who work there are some of the friendliest servers in this city, saying (er... screaming) hello like they actually mean it. -
Review from Em J.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2010
Avocado! Fake crab! Orange fish eggs! If you love California rolls, get yourself to Simon Sushi around lunch time. For $5.99 you get miso soup, a small salad, six pieces of California roll, and six pieces of another choice -- I went for the 'crunchy roll' which had salmon, avocado, and tempura batter bits inside. You can also choose chicken or salmon teriyaki, which comes served in an impressive box with tempura and, you guessed it, California rolls. All and all it's not a bad deal.
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Review from Angela L.
10/16/2009
Although the $5.99 lunch deals are fewer and farther between in this part of the city than others, Simon Sushi doesn't seem to need any significant competition for motivation. With 10 choices each of rolled sushi and cooked options to choose from, it's kind of hard not to find something that you might like. Otherwise quite regular California rolls are garnished with an eye-catching sprinkle of tobiko. Tempura yam and avocado rolls come generously stuffed.
The only subtractors were the gratuit sides. The rich, creamy dressing atop the green salad was unfortunately heavily watered down for a lack of proper post-wash drainage and the miso soup was one of the blandest I'd ever had.
Meanwhile, dinner at Simon Sushi has yet to disappoint. Despite usually being a lot busier than during the day, everything still arrives artfully plated. The large and colourful menu makes sharing multiple dishes with friends a good way to try a bunch of items. -
Review from Natasha G.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2011
Worst sushi I've ever had. The water glasses were dirty and had spots of grease on then like the dishwasher has never been cleaned. The plates also had a film of grease on them. Even the walls next to our table were filthy. Any rolls we ordered with tempeura were burnt. Slow service, unfriendly staff. Prices were on par with other sushi places in the city. I will not be going back
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Review from Maria P.
Calgary, AB
2/24/2010
Good place, especially their pretty cheap lunch specials, where you can get sushi or bento boxes (teriyaki beef is my favourite). Usually everything is fresh, but once fish in sushi tasted like yesterday's, and that was sad. Also, my husband and I notice that when you order a lunch special and you are alone, they serve you very quickly, but if there are two (or more) people for lunch, you have to wait for a while to get your orders.
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Review from Marvin D.
Toronto, ON
5/26/2010
The only positive thing I have to say about this place is that the owner (I think he is anyway) Simon is pretty friendly. He says hello and goodbye to most of the customers. But this alone cannot convince me to go back for two reasons.
1) rudeness. I had the chicken terriyaki once. It was very obvious that the chicken was too old. Anyone who's had expired chicken in their fridge know that undeniable stink. This crap smelled like that even though it was doused in terriyaki sauce and burned on both sides. Even my dinning companion smelled it across the table... Instead of freaking out, I just assumed that it was an oversight and calmly asked for a replacement, explaining the reason. Instead of apologizing for this, as she should have, the waitress gave me the dirtiest look and YANKED the food off the table. She did eventually came back with a plate that didn't reek of poo, but she tossed it onto the table with even more attitude than the first time. So maybe she was new/inexperienced, however, nobody else apologized for the behaviour, the oh-so-friendly chef Simon didn't make an appearance. I never went back after this incident.
2) before the shitty terriyaki incident, I had tried their lunch menus on two incidents and was sorely disappointed on both times. YES it's only 5.99, but you truly got what you paid for here. The portions were TINY, the tempura (in the bento) was soggy and cold. The rolls were 80% rice, and they tried to replace any "good" bits like fish, crab, or avocado with huge pieces of cucumber. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the quality of the Sushi on Bloor 5.99 lunches either, but that's way better than what they try to sell at this place.
