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- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- None
16 reviews for Swatow Restaurant
All Reviews
Swatow Restaurant
6/4/2010
I'm not an expert connoisseur of Chinese food but this place seemed better than most of the others I've been to. The service is lightning-fast and the food was fresh and tasty. I went with a friend but we had more than enough; the portions are quite generous. Maybe I'm out of touch because I prefer these "classic" dishes to some of the "Asian fusion" fare I've had, but it's kind of refreshing to go somewhere that serves simple, consistently good food without the need to innovate.
I'm not sure if they serve Chinese mixed veg in their dishes but I got regular broccoli in the Cantonese noodles I ordered; maybe I'll ask for Chinese broccoli nest time. My friend and I both noticed the lighting here is exceptionally bright, but we didn't go for romantic ambiance - just great food!
Swatow Restaurant
3/28/2010
It's the sort of restaurant Chinese people like: good food for cheap. Don't expect any fancy decor, its not fusion, just classic Cantonese comfort food. I tried the braised beef and wonton, and it was great - beef was tender and the wontons were tasty.
I'm Chinese and am mostly unimpressed with Chinatown, but Swatow was an exception and I'll be back to try their other selections. The restaurant is named after a city near chiuchow, so chiuchow-nese food there should be good.
Swatow Restaurant
8/30/2010
Yum! For a quick, bite, go for their shrimp dumpling noodle soup! It's made up of delicious, plump shrimp dumplings that are pretty much a more glamorous version of wontons, plentiful noodle, and as a bonus, greenery in the form of a couple of stalks of Chinese veggie that's not lettuce. I find that places like these don't often include quality veggie with their already cheap offerings, so I'm very happy plunking down my dollars at Swatow for their delicious noodle and quick, no fuss service.
Swatow Restaurant
8/15/2010
We visited for late night eats this weekend. It was packed as usual and brusque and efficient was usual. Of 6 of us at table we each ordered something different and did not share dishes. One girl could not stomach the taste of her food and ate only two bites. The rest of us ate normally and paid the price.
I was kept awake half the night with stomach cramps. One guy got ballistic diarrhea most of the next day and two others in the group were also ill to their stomachs.
I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Swatow? Just say NO!
Swatow Restaurant
10/8/2009
Swatow is a very good Chinese restaurant located in Chinatown. They don't do anything new or spectacular and if you are not familiar with the area you will probably walk pass Swatow not knowing that you just passed by one of the city's most reputable Chinese eateries. I'm not lying, anyone I know who goes to Chinatown, knows Swatow. They might not eat there or they may even hate this place but they know about this place.
I have been going to Swatow ever since I was a little kid because my dad is a friend of the owner. The always relaxed owner can be seen many nights in his restaurant talking with customers and even serving dishes. When I was little I always felt special my dad knew the owner but when I grew I found out that almost every regular here knows the owner. I believe his name is Peter and the guy sure is a character.
The restaurant itself is one of those shady looking dive restaurants. The place is tiny, crowded, and the tables and chairs must be older than Chinatown itself. I have to admit that I love the atmosphere here because it is something that hasn't changed in ages.
The food here is its selling point. It is really good and non-pretentious. It comes to your table quick and fresh. My favourite things here include the seafood chow mein and the beef brisket on rice. The chow mein noodles are crunchy until they soak up all the sauce. It is crammed with seafood toppings and veggies. The beef brisket is covered in a wonderful sauce and it's piled on a bed of rice. Both are served in large portions and are very filling so it's nice to share with a friend.
I do have to agree with other people here when they say that they come here only when they are drunk. I have noticed me coming here after a night of drinking more often than coming here during the day. That's not a downside though because that just means this place is open late and can understand the slurs coming out of a drunk party goer.
Swatow is great. The food is great. The owner is great. The business hours are great. Yup, if you are new to the area and walk pass this place thinking its just another Chinese restaurant, you just foolishly passed by one of Toronto's great eateries.
Swatow Restaurant
7/14/2009
Y'know when you're out past last call and you'd really like some greasy chinese food? What you really want is to go to Swatow. Open way late and a big menu with lots of tasty choices.
I consider it a bonus that it has a cheap fast food atmosphere (in fact, I always feel like I'm in a Wendy's) because when it's late, I'm probably a bit messed up myself and wouldn't feel right some place nice.
Also, I was once in there with an 80 year old woman who turned to me and said "There's too much skin on this chicken." I replied "that's not chicken, it's tofu." She looked at me and said "I don't care what you call it, but I know chicken, and this chicken has too much skin." Apparently the tofu is chicken.
Swatow Restaurant
4/21/2010
Not at good as 'Taste of China Seafood Restaurant' across the street -nor as charming. seriously, just walk across the street their General Tso is way better!
Swatow Restaurant
12/22/2009
What do you want from a Chinese food restaurant? Fast service, relatively inexpesive eats, and... Yeah, that's about it. And this is what Swatow has. This place serves up consistently good Chinese food with good portions, nothing fancy and don't go for the ambience but DO try their Hot and Sour soup because it's one of the best in the city. This is not a date restaurant but good for friends and a quick dinner.
Swatow Restaurant
2/20/2009
Introducing me to Swatow was one of the best things an ex-bf has ever done for me. I've been frequenting Swatow for over 15 years and it's never let me down. It's basic and to-the-point Chinese food with no nonsense service. It's oftentimes busy so don't be alarmed if you're asked to share a table. I'd rather share than wait.
Get the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup, Stuffed Tofu, Stuffed Eggplant and the General Tso's Chicken.
They don't take Debit or Credit here so make sure to bring cash. Also, don't be surprised if you see Susur Lee here late at night. He comes here often and he always gets the noodle soups.
Swatow Restaurant
10/2/2008
This place has EXCELLENT Chinese food. It's hard sometimes to navigate around Chinatown and find a good place that has great food at a great price. Well this has both. The food here is phenomenal. I always get the chicken noodles and veggies and it's delicious. The lemon chicken is also super duper tasty.
They're no frills here though - the service is fast but not the friendliest. But they are quick and the food is always hot and consistently tasty. Don't run around China Town looking for a place to enjoy some authentic Asian cuisine. Head here and dig in to some really delicious grub!
Swatow Restaurant
5/11/2009
One of my favorites in the downtown T.O. chinatown, and its quality hasn't gone down over the past decade. The kong xin cai and beef chow fun make a good late night snack. If you only have USD, the owner will quote you a fair exchange rate.
Swatow Restaurant
1/16/2010
For years I scoured Chinatown, eating one terrible meal after another (without knowing it), until I had my first encounter with Swatow. From the outside, it looks like every other average Chinese joint on the Spadina strip, but let me tell you why it stands out from the rest. My favourite thing about Swatow is that in the 2 years I have been going there, they have gotten to know me. They don't bring me a fork anymore, they know I always get pea shoots so if I forget to order them they remind me, and when I go without my boyfriend, they ask me where he is. Sweet no? Other good things include speed of service, consistency in quality, and a relatively inexpensive bill at the end. Watch out they take cash only. They are open at all hours of the day and night. Once I had the pleasure to eat there at 3 am - the place was packed! At one point that song "lean on me" came on the radio, and one of the servers turned the volume up, and everyone in the restaurant started singing in unison. It was unforgettable. Order the pea shoots, the clams in black bean sauce, and all their crispy noodles are delicious.
Swatow Restaurant
8/15/2009
This place is the best and I know many of you agree. The food is great, the service is friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. I've been going there for so many years that most of the workers there know my name and it's great to have that familiarity. I have my staple dishes when I go there but your eally can't go wrong with much there. Highly recommended!!
Swatow Restaurant
2/5/2009
This restaurant has tasty food. The menu is a standard sampling of dishes for a Chinese restaurant in North America. I tried several of the basics including sweet and sour pork, General Tso's chicken, a dish with scallops and broccoli, and a crispy noodle dish with mixed seafood. Even though the restaurant was full when we ordered, our food came out quickly. All the dishes were very well seasoned and I thought the vegetables were fresh and tasty. The General Tso's chicken was my favorite even though I thought the chicken could have been chopped into smaller pieces. The scallops were cooked perfectly.
Swatow Restaurant
2/17/2009
This place only barely passes because you're never hear unless you're hungover or drunk. This is old-school quick and dirty Chinese food. Most of dishes are greasy and come out hot. I still love it whenever I need that fix but please people...this is by no means "good" Chinese food.
Swatow Restaurant
11/2/2008
Try the noodle in soup with beef brisket and wonton. Couple that with an order of Chinese salted doughnuts for dipping. Heavenly. Hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant best for take-outs, quick dash or drunken after-party meal.
