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36 reviews for The Combine Eatery
Review Highlights
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"and I met for fish tacos and had a great night." In 25 reviews -
"The sweet potato pie was more of a bread pudding with a..." In 2 reviews -
"as Chris P notes make sure you get hot sauce." In 9 reviews
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36 reviews in English
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Review from Erwin M.
Ajax, ON
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stumbled in here with DW one day for lunch. We were greeted by a really fun, polite server. Atmosphere is casual, space is small, but cozy. DW had the fish tacos, and I had the pulled pork burrito. The good thing about this experience was that our server suggested a certain hot sauce to go with our meal. Think of it like a wine pairing, but with hot sauce. Her taste in hot sauce was on the ball because the pairing was great. We tried different sauces, but the one chosen for us went the best with our meal. It's a little pricey, but well worth it. Would definitely return (in fact I've been here twice already)
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Review from Matt H.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2012
Heard about this place from a friend. I don't know why she sent me here. As a former South Florida resident I have seen both ends of the spectrum as far as Baja / Latin inspired food places. I'd compare the Combine's food to that of the Taco stands we have on the beach in Florida, just with a much more expensive presentation.
I had the Chipotle Chicken Burrito with a salad. The salad was way overdressed. The chicken was dry and sort of bland. The selection of hot sauces and salsas at the table are what reminded me of the street meat taco stands in FL. When in doubt, load up on hot sauce. Good selection of sauces but not what I look for when having a "sit-down" meal
My friend had the Fish Tacos. He also said they were bland and was grateful for the hot sauce. The fish was obviously nearing its due date and was very fatty. His fries were fresh and hot on top, with a layer of cold and undercooked ones on the bottom. The food had obviously been sitting on the window with cold fries until they finished a new batch of fries and just threw some fresh ones on top.
The server was nice enough. When we commented on the blandness of the food she looked embarrassed which leads me to believe its not the first time she's heard it. We ordered beers when we arrived, then watched and waited until the bartender (manager?) was done taking shots with other patrons for him to pour them for us. He also raised his voice to our server on the floor when she mentioned our blandness comment. Seems like he was more interested in acting like someone who runs a restaurant.
The decor is somewhat nice. Alot of wood. Looks like it could be an Irish pub.
All in all, I probably wouldn't leave downtown to check this place out again. Having been in the food industry for 10 years now, it just seems like it needs a few more years to fully develop its concept and streamline its operation. They also should considering learning to use spices and seasoning. -
Review from Maddie R.
12/27/2011
Hmmm... this place was... good.
The food was fresh and plentiful. We tried the So-Cal fried fish tacos and the lobster tacos. The plates came with three plentiful tacos that were perfectly filling and visually they looked colourful and appetizing. Tasty,yes, but there was just something...missing. Inside were tomatoes and cabbage (seemingly the same as the coleslaw I had on the side) and the fish-slash-lobster. They needed some bite- cilantro or onion or maybe some fresh lime on the side? The lime creme fresh was nice yet subtle. The lobster was delish-very fresh. The fish was kind of bland.
To me, these tacos are just a little too bland for all the hype- the selection of hot sauces were necessary for this lapse.
Two plates of tacos came to $40 plus tip (including one sparkling water). All in all, I'd rather go somewhere more authentic (and cheaper!) for tacos, but I'd be happy to return to try more of the menu. -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's a shame the food at Combine isn't better, because everything else about the place -- the service, the decor, etc -- is really great. I came here because I was a bit homesick for SoCal/Baja-style fish tacos and had heard Combine did them up right.
I'm going to call no on the fish tacos, unfortunately. The breading was soft and not crispy at all, as if they'd been fried in oil that wasn't sufficiently hot. The chunks of fish were also way too fat and large, so the tacos were also very unwieldy to handle. Accompanying salad was also overdressed. The poutine we ordered was also pretty okay - it arrived slightly lukewarm, and skimpy on the cheese.
The prices were actually quite high given the fair to middling food. I was a bit aghast that the fish burrito was $17. A burrito! Oh, well. Given the decor and space, I guess the rent's high. But they might want to step up the offerings a bit.
I don't know if I'd go back. Maybe. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/14/2011
VIBE
It's very wooden at the Combine eatery. From the mahogany floors to the pictures on wooden panels against the brick backdrop, The Combine has a simple vibe. I went on a weekday afternoon at 2:30 so the only people there were two girlfriends and a mother/daughter duo. Cute.
I ATE
The Fish tacos. Everyone raved about the fish tacos and they were hearty. BUT I felt they lacked a bit of flavour. I shouldn't be wanting to put salt and pepper on my fish. That said, the fish was grilled very nicely. I would never eat these on a date, however. With the overload of toppings, it was a bit awkward to eat and I probably wouldn't get a second date! The tacos come with an order of coleslaw or salad. From what I saw, the salad was your basic iceberg, tomato variety so I got the slaw, which wasn't too creamy and had a sweet flavour to contrast with the sourness of the lime in my tacos. The tacos were $20 (with tax and tip).
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
All things COMBINED, I say The Combine has a bit of work to do, especially for the value of what you're getting. Best fish taco so far for me has been South of Temperance. I hope Toronto steps up its game in the fish taco department.Listed in: Danforth/Riverdale, 30 Day Challenge, Mexicana
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Review from Vivek S.
I came out to the Danforth last night to try these legendary fish tacos with a busload of yelpers. Solid Mexican eats are a rare find in Toronto, so if when you find a place that even approximates the fresh and delicious flavours that one can find south of San Luis Obisbo [1] you want to hold on to it as tightly as a renfaire nerd with his first girlfriend. I can easily say I was not disappointed with Combine Eatery.
Though we were a large group, our server handled us with grace and, dare-I-say-it, aplomb. Since everyone at our table was ordering Fish Tacos so I did the sensible thing and dare-I-say-it: ordered something different. You wouldn't believe the flack I got for this at the long table of yelpers. You would think I kneed a baby in the face, or checked into Pickle Barrel.
Anyway, my grilled shrimp tacos were incredible. The shrimp was cooked just right and the pico de gallo was really fresh. You will be advised to try one of the MANY hot sauces available. There were no fewer than five different varieties being bandied about the table; I liked the brown habenero which had some serious kick, and the dark green jalapeño.
This might be the Combine equivalent of blasphemy, but think I liked the shrimp tacos better than the fish ones. Grilling the shrimp gave it some 'edge' while the fish tacos were comparatively mild in flavour. Neither were anything to sneeze at however. (Don't sneeze on these tacos!) I can't wait to come back and try some other selections.
Obligatory Title Pun: Ending Toronto's SO-CALLed taco drought. [2]
Menu Readability: Quite readable. Everything is carved into sections and tacos are front and centre.
Need to mention: Our server brought our group separate bills without prompting. AMAZING!
What this place teaches me about myself: I would sooner knee a baby in the face than sneeze on one of these tacos. (How are these even expressions?)
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[1] AKA "The Happiest Place in America." Go Mustangs.
[2] I was advised by Eric L not to use "taco" or "combine" in my OTP. -
Review from Elaine K.
8/18/2011
I am coming back here for SURE.
I came here last night with 14 other yelpers. We pretty much took up half the restaurant. No problem for the server. We all got our drinks and the correct food orders AND separate bills.
I had a hard time deciding what to get, as everything on the menu (and everyone else's table) looked incredible. I went for the fish tacos, as that's what we were all there for.
Three tacos on a plate, with a size salad, $14.95. Served with at least 7 varieties of hot sauce on the table. My kind of place.
The fish was perfectly cooked, springy and lime-y, the coleslaw in the taco was also a great touch. The tortilla itself, however, was on the dry and crumbly side. It fell apart as I was madly cramming tacos into my face-hole (I was super hungry). I think I may have been missing out on some flavour, as I couldn't have the lime crema or the monterey jack in the tacos. The salad had a nice, light vinaigrette on it and the veggies were all very very fresh.
After dinner, Amy (co-owner) came over and chatted with us. She's incredibly friendly and laughs a lot, it really was the topper to a great evening.
Next time (yes, there will definitely be a next time) I'm going to try out some of their other items, namely their meatloaf.... -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
What you've heard is true: Combine Eatery serves up the best fish tacos this side of California.
I met up with a dozen other Yelpers tonight. This UYE was so popular that we took up almost an entire wall of the restaurant. Well, almost. It's not a big place: including our group, it was a full house and a line-up had formed midway through our meals. Come here on a Wednesday or a Friday night, this place will be hopping for a while.
My experience of fish tacos is somewhat limited but I can tell that you won't be disappointed. I ordered the So Cal style grilled fish taco with coleslaw. The coleslaw was OK, a little too vinegary for my taste, but the fish was yummy.
Since I like to put hot sauce on everything, I made sure to dollop my food with drops of the XXX spicy habanero sauce for that kick. Even if you're not a fan of hot sauce, they've got milder versions but do add some: it will make your meal taste that much better.
I didn't order any drinks but for the meal, price-wise after taxes, it seemed reasonable. Fish, after all, can be expensive. Even after eating every morsel on my plate, I could have eaten another taco because they were that good.
Since it can be difficult for any restaurant to accommodate a large group like ours, the staff was fantastic, patient and attentive. The best part: we were all given separate bills. We were a group of 20, who does that?! Apparently, Combine Eatery can. -
Review from Kenny T.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
Went last night for a girls' dinner - fun and casual - good spot for that sort of thing. The room is a bit too bright and slightly uninspired - heavy wood tables, etc.
Our apps were really good across the board - I think that they are all best for sharing. Folks raved about the Quesadilla and the poutine was yummy - all are very large portions - simple presentation. Our mains were hit and miss - the salad and steak burrito were only so so - despite the other reviews here the fish tacos were a hit. The slaw is good too...again, very large portion! Deserts were also surprizingly good...try the banana bread pudding or the cheese cake - skip the creme brulee.
Only one server for the whole room and one missed entree - left me so so on service - friendly though.
I would go back, but more for a midweek casual meal than a big night out...definitely a good addition to the Danforth - and a nice alternative to Allen's... -
Review from nikki c.
Toronto, ON
8/25/2011
Combine served me up my very first fish tacos, and what can I say...you never forget your first.
The tacos were absolutely delicious. I really liked that for the fish you had your choice of grilled or fried; I'm not big on fried food, and I HATE bugging servers to alter the menu items for me, so having this choice on the menu right off the bat was great. The corn tortillas were also very tasty, and reminded me of the foods I ate in Mexico. They didn't hold together very well, but Chris P assured us that's just par for the course.
And if you like hot sauce, you won't be disappointed -- I think there were at least 9 different kinds at our table!
Staff were very friendly and as other yelpers have mentioned, any server who can handle a crowd of 14+ and 1) bring everybody the right order 2) bring everyone the correct bill, truly deserves a medal.
Be careful when ordering booze here though. I didn't check the prices and my glass of house wine added about $8 to the bill.
Will be back to try the shrimp tacos soon :) -
Review from Chris P.
All hail the fish taco!
Outside of La Jolla (San Diego), CA this was the best plate of fish tacos I've had.
They just opened on July 11th but after a week and a half they seem to have things together. I didn't experience any of those new restaurant growing pains that you normally see within the first few weeks of opening. Everything was top notch.
Upon entering I was greeted by Amy, one of the owners, who gave me a very enthusiastic "Welcome to Combine". Because I was alone she asked if I would like to sit at the bar, which I did. Albert, the other owner, was behind the bar and quickly got me a pint of Big Wheel.
Their menu is southwest inspired with salads, burritos, burgers, tacos, and many more things to choose from. Each entree will run you approximately $12 to $20, but average at $14 or $15.
I went with the fish tacos (grilled not fried). Yes, I know what you're saying; "Chris opted for tacos over a burrito?". True story. That's because these guys do a So Cal style fish taco and I have yet to find anything like it in Toronto. Though there are two places in San Diego where I've had better fish tacos, I would come here in a second because they're such a close second place to the other two.
The server asked if I wanted hot sauce (ofcourse I did). I was pleasantly surprised when she brought out 4 different options and they were actually real hot sauces (not that Frank's redhot crap). Further to my hot sauce enjoyment was when Amy came by with a fifth option, saying it was her favourite. It WAS the best option.
Combine is clearly benefitting from the press and word of mouth they're getting. By 7:00 on a Friday night the place was full and they were having couples wait at the bar.
After my meal, while I was enjoying a pint of 416, Amy stopped by to see how everything was. We chatted about how I was just in and going back to So Cal and enjoy the fish tacos there and that hers were fantastic. She explained that she worked at a restaurant in OB (Ocean Beach for you non-So Cal travelers) for two weeks to learn how to make a good fish taco.
For the fish tacos and two pints my bill was just over $32. Great value for the quality and service you receive here.
Can't wait to go back!Listed in: My Favourite Reviews, The best of YYZ, You & Me, ROTD's, Fish Tacos
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Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was excited to come here as I've heard so man good things about fish tacos. I was a little disappointed at the price point, and was hesitant about coming - but my Yelp sense got the best of me, and I had to review the place one way or another.
$15.95 you get 3 fish tacos, in a crunchy corn tortilla, either fried or grilled, with coleslaw or salad. At first, I wasn't even sure I could finish 3 on my own, but they were smallish in size and I did.
I'm not sure how to eat these. I picked it up with my hands, and it ended up dripping along the other side, or falling apart. I ended up eating 2 of them, with a fork, but really defeats the purpose of the taco and eating it so that all the flavours meld together? I made a mess for sure. This isn't a first date kind of place.
Flavours were good, and tasted good, and I was definitely sated, when I was done. At $20 including tip and coffee, this isn't a usually dinner/lunch haunt for sure. (psst, I really liked the coffee here !! haha)
The decor was nice and rustic. I like flat wider tables, and it was at a good height (not sure why I noticed that today).
It's definitely something different, but would like it more if you could get tacos individually instead of making it 3 =meal. It would allow for more variety, and ability to order starters. I would come back again, but only if I needed a place to eat in the area.Listed in: Thanks Yelp!, OCT 2011 - 30 days Yelp…
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Review from Steph L.
11/6/2011
Who would have thought it, fish tacos are all the rave these days!
Combine Eatery has been popular amongst the Yelpers. I finally made it out here to check out the legendary fish tacos.
On Friday night this place was packed!
The menu has a good variety of items...items other than tacos that sounded great! I was going to get the fried shrimp burrito, but the waitress told me I'd be too full and I have to try the tacos.
For an appetizer, we had the special: Duck and blueberry poutine!
Lots of shredded duck meat, curds (could have used more curds), gravy which was pretty sweet from the piles of blueberries.
It looked like a festive holiday version of poutine.
The fries were a bit overcooked but other than that, we weren't disappointed and it was a gigantic serving.
Tacos: Three tacos for $15.95....
They were good though. You can get the fish deep fried or grilled.
I went with deep fried, I might as well, I had poutine as an appetizer.
The fish was moist and soft, lightly crispy, salty but not overly flavourful.
I tried my friend's carne tacos. A lot of meat, a lot heavier than the fish tacos, and harder to eat. I preferred the fish.
What are these hot sauces people are talking about?!
I didn't get any!!! =(
After the poutine we were full. After the tacos, we were beyond full.
But I still wanted dessert.
Beignets with walnut crusted ice cream, apple/walnut sauce with fresh whip. That's one heavy dessert.
The fried donut things were a bit overfried...but when smothered in sauce, they softened up. The apple sauce, ice cream, and donut mix was a great cheerful dessert.
This is a great place for dinner! But I might hunt around for a hole-in-the-wall place to be my regular taco spot. -
Review from sarah l.
8/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place was BUSY on a Thursday!
Brooke N. and I met for fish tacos and had a great night. The interior reminds me of New York; tables close together, loud, woord, bricks, good food. We ended up talking to the tables on both sides of us as different food came out ('oh my god, what is THAT??') and it was a really fun atmosphere.
The good:
- the fish tacos were great
- as Chris P notes make sure you get hot sauce
- the ambiance was lively and happy
- good draught list and the beers were the right price
The bad:
- The mojito wasn't great
- The coleslaw is not special - definitely get the side salad instead
Overall, this was an outstanding night. Great food, great company, great ambiance (but LOUD - NOT suitable for a date) great staff. The tacos were just a little bit too expensive ($15/3) for me to be heading back there on the regular but they were delicious and I will still return for sure (on the semi-regular). -
Review from Lauren M.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was here with the rest of the huge Yelp gathering for a fish taco feast.
The tacos were pretty good but I thought somewhat overpriced for the portion size. I had just come from the gym and I could have eaten a lot more! I am not a fish taco expert by any means but I didn't like the tortillas too much and the tacos were a bit bland, but they were definitely fresh.
This place is busy but the staff was exceptionally friendly and accomodating enough to do seperate bills for all 14 of us! -
Review from Eric L.
8/18/2011
We came here with a party of 14, and I don't think any of us were disappointed.
Almost everyone had the fish tacos and they were a big hit. The fish tacos are apparently the best in Toronto. Even though it was my first time having them, I must agree.
The service was surprisingly attentive for having a packed house. My water was filled up frequently and the food was brought out within an hour, totally reasonable since we showed up with 14 people during dinner time.
I will definitely come back when I have a craving for fish tacos. -
Review from Karl R.
8/31/2011 1 photo
Me and my trophy +1 Nikki ventured here Monday. Rumors of us madly pawing each other on the way out are just that: Rumors. Rumors I requested Sarah L to spread via Twitter but she seems to have dropped the ball on that. But Sarah isn't telling tales out of school that this place is unusually busy at what you assume are slow times. This place is busy on a Monday night too.
The fish tacos were fine but, frankly, nothing I couldn't make at home. $16 later I was still feeling peckish. The slaw is unusually spicy.
Our server was a neophyte and interpreted our "could we get the bill" motion for "where's our food?" They might be a victim of their own success. We got the food okay but there was little in the way of a table check up to see if we wanted more drinks, dessert, etc. -
Review from Suzie G.
East York, ON
9/26/2011
SoCal/Mexican eats on the Danforth? Now this is a much-needed addition to my 'hood. The Danforth is obviously filled with Greek restaurants, but those who don't know the area as well may not realize that we've got a wide variety of other cuisines as well, from Thai to Italian to Chinese to Japanese...and now some Southern-California-style Mexican food! I didn't even realize how much we were missing it, but now I don't know how we went on so long without it!
I had the delicious Chipotle Pulled Chicken Burrito (served with guacamole, win!) with a side coleslaw. As some other reviewers have noted, the slaw was definitely on the vinegary/peppery side, but I thought it complemented the dish really well. My boyfriend had the Veggie Fritter Tacos which I stole a bite of and enjoyed, too. We started the meal off with a plate of taquitos - a dish I'd somehow never tried before! Basically, they're a Mexican version of spring rolls, filled with potatoes and other goodies and deep-fried. Um, yum.
Service was friendly and prompt - definitely still signs that they're a new restaurant and super eager to please. I'll be back when I need a break from my other Danforth standards...and I need to try a mojito next time, and some dessert! -
Review from Kendra M.
Toronto, ON
9/2/2011
On a Wednesday night, I was searching for a dinner venue, and decided to check out the newest addition to the Danforth restaurants. I called ahead; they don't take reservations, but do 'call aheads' and they assured me there would be room for our party; there was.
I ordered the fish tacos, having heard a lot about their yumminess on yelp reviews. The tacos were delicious. Three small tacos, with a side garden salad, is just the right portion as well. Also at our table, someone ordered the Danforth burger. It looked amazing and I want to try it next time. It comes with fries and salad (a winning combo; who wants to choose anyway?). The bun was made just up the street at Dough Bakery, and the patty was large. A choice of toppings made this burger an excellent meal choice. Another diner with us had the tacquitos (an appetizer; she wasn't as hungry). All said, all of our meals were well plated and delicious.
We all opted for a dessert, and they do make mean desserts. Choices at our table included: peach beignets with almond encrusted vanilla ice cream, sweet potato pie, and lime margarita crème brûlée. Yum!
The service was attentive and the atmosphere casual, hip and clean. Will definitely be coming back here soon. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
8/22/2011 6 photos
It sounded a little sad if I coming back to The Combine Eatery just for their hot sauces??!! But only if they have the XXX extra hot habanero...
I don't know about you guys... but I found it a little boring to just eat Fish Taco here as there are so many different items offers in the menu. After twisting the arms of Vivek and Rafi I nicely convinced them to order Carne Asada (Beef) and Fried Shrimp Taco! And I have this special Jennifer K's Trio Combine Tacos ($14.95).
Fish - a little bland... I need to drown that in hot sauce... but it was fresh and if more seasonings would be added will make the taste more complex
Shrimp - has a great kick since it has sauces already.. a little sour, sweet and tangy... (thanks Vivek for sharing)
Beef - really tender slow cooked in a tomato based... most filling of them all... (thanks Rafi for sharing)
Services are excellent!! Separate bills?!! No automatic gratuities??! Accept All credit cards?!
I want to be back and try out other food items on the menu..but I will probably skip their tacos....
I don't know why Tacos are so expensive in Toronto.. the Mexicans must be laughing and wondering why we paying so much for their street food...Listed in: UYE Sends Me Here!
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Review from Aaron C.
Victoria, BC
8/5/2011
Went to this new Danforth establishment for the first time this past weekend. Loved it.
In the Mediterranean Sea of Greek restaurants that litter the Danforth from Broadview to Pape, there are few solid alternatives. The Combine Eatery, a mere three weeks old, fills that void very nicely.
The service from the minute we walked in was great. We were greeted warmly and developed a wonderful rapport with our server throughout the meal.
My friend opted for a cheese burger, but I was fortunate enough to experience their amazing fish tacos. Emphasis on amazing. Strong emphasis.
Seriously, this place is fantastic, and our meal was great start to finish. Anyone who happens to be in the area looking for a great place NEEDS to come here. Fantastic. -
Review from Lilliane G.
Toronto, ON
8/18/2011
Joined a pack of fellow Yelpers on an excursion to try their fabled fish tacos.
We were greeted and seated by one of the owners...she was very friendly and chatted with us briefly. Our server came by soon after and took our drink orders, then our food orders. Service was quick and efficient and we were all provided with separate checks (WOWSA).
The menu had a number of tempting items, and I was tempted to have something other than the fish tacos, but I was there to try them, and try them I would.
You are given the option to have the fish grilled or fried for your tacos, I chose grilled, the person sitting across from me ordered fried (he had tried the grilled option on a previous visit). I didn't try the fried fish, but my table mate indicated that he preferred the grilled option.
The tacos themselves were fresh and delicious and portion size was ok. The fish could have perhaps been seasoned a bit more, but it was tasty all the same. The side house salad (coleslaw is another option) was fresh, but a little too dressed for my taste.
Of note, the seemingly endless array of hot sauces to dress your taco appropriately...yay for that!
The decor was simple and elegant (exposed brick walls, clean lines, rustic wooden tables and church pews, great lighting), the menu had a lot of options (not just tacos but meatloaf, mac & cheese), their bar menu looked good.
The only downside would have to be the sub-zero temperature of the restrooms...seriously, do they hang sides of beef down there? -
Review from Edwin A.
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted to like the place, such friendly hospitality. I think I got a hug here. :)
Unfortunately it had fell short of my taste expectations.
Yeah there is a good selection of hot sauces but the heralded Fish Tacos were just alright.. they left me hungry.. the tasteless slaw inside of them didn't help either. On top of this I had even more 'slaw on the side. Eek I should have ordered fries.. screw the carbs!
The table service could be improved it took forever to leave to pay the bill..
Perhaps it wasn't a good time (Fri night).. the kitchen is small, if entire restaurant puts in their orders be prepared to wait a long time before getting your food.
I'll try again though but this was my honest take the first time around.. -
Review from Jennifer H.
Toronto, ON
7/27/2011
My hubby and I had the pleasure of eating at this 3 week old resto in our neighbourhood last night.
It was a pleasure to get to know Amy and Albert (the brother and sister co-owners) and to experience the beautiful esthetic of their space. They were both extremely friendly and good humoured. Albert even offered us shots of Tito's vodka, which went down extremely smoothly!
The fish tacos were yummy and the atmosphere was very relaxing.
Go! -
Review from Isabel J.
Montréal, QC
2/16/2012
I ate here last night, the restaurant had a strange vibe. Maybe the servers weren't happy to be working there. The burger meat tastes cheap, my date said he could get a better buritto at a food stand in kengsinton market. I believe him. Can you give a restaurant no stars?
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Review from Greg P.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2011
Two glasses of Malbec and a plate of lobster fritters, to get things started. Wow. Finally, great food. Crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. Great taste and texture. These could become my new food group.
Entrees. For me fish tacos (fried) with house side; for her Combine meatloaf with garlic mash and slaw. Three choices of hot sauce at the ready. I am impressed with this place. Very impressed. My mustard vinagrette was perfect and everything was fresh. Great balance of flavour in the tacos and did I say fresh; as in homemade tortillas fresh. My significant other could not finish her meal, so I rose to the occasion. Amazing meatloaf. If you have never experimented with blending ground meat, you need to try this. Now. Meatloaf, burgers....etc. It adds another level of flavour to the plate and helps maintain moisture. The wrapping of double smoked bacon, just melts in your mouth.
In a world of poor mega portion platings, (1 kebab and 4 cups of rice) this was spot on and is just what this area needs. Close to transit and great food. It would have been a 5 star if it wasn't for the inquisitive wasp and the noise. We were only 1 of three seatings in the place at the tme and it was LOUD. Some may like that kind of environment, not me.
Grab some friends, go here. Everybody order something different and sample. The service is top notch and very friendly. It doesn't get much better than this. Enjoy. -
Review from Christine W.
Markham, ON
Loved this place!
The food was very good and the drinks were fantastic but more importantly the service was outstanding.
We all started with cocktails - Margaritas and Mojitos. The Margarita was made with bourbon and rimed with crushed bacon and salt (yes I said bacon). The Mojitos were fresh and minty. The one thing I we all really like about the drinks was that they were not too sweet.
We ordered two apps for the table - Lobster Fritters and Braised beef short rib poutine. OMG the poutine was out of this world!! The fritters were good but there was no lobster flavor. I think next time I would just order the vegetable fritters.
For mains we had fried fish tacos, steak burrito, jambalaya and grilled pork chop with red potato salad. The jambalaya and the pork chop were features. The burritos was very nice. The steak was a nice medium rare and it came with guacamole and lime crema. Fish Tacos were delish! The corn tortillas really make a difference. The pork chop feature was really good. My friend found it to be a little fatty but for those of us who love pork fat it was perfect. The only dish that fell short was the Jambalya. The sausage in the dish had great flavor but the overall dish didn't seem to come together.
You would think by now we would be full but we sucked it up and ordered dessert. Two sweet potato pies, beignets and a Patron creme brulee. My word it was good. The sweet potato pie was more of a bread pudding with a bourbon carmel sauce. The creme brulee was one of the best I've had - it had a lovely fresh citrus flavor. The beignets were tougher than I expected but still good.
I would like to point something out about this place. No the food isn't cheap but the quality of the ingredients justifies the cost. Our meal with tax and tip was $200 (for four). The food was really good but what sets them apart is the service. The restuarant was fairly busy and there was only one waiter who had the assitance of the owners Amy and Albert. Yes there were times when we seemed to be waiting awhile for things but they made sure that we never felt forgotton. They went out of their way to talk to us and make us feel welcome. I've been to some really nice restaurants and had some incredible food but I've never been made to feel as welcome as did at The Combine Eatery. -
Review from Aileen P.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
I read about how amazing their fish tacos were, so on a Friday night, five of my friends and I came hungry... and were disappointed.
I had the grilled fish tacos, and it was mediocre at best. It was bland, and definitely needed some hot sauce and/or salsa that they had provided on the table. Without the hot sauce, it was dry and almost tasteless. The creme fresh was good, but it did not make the dish worth it. The tortilla was rubbery and tasteless.
The service was hardly service. The waitress came by at the beginning, took our drinks and waited half an hour before taking our orders. When the food came out, she failed to give us cutlery. We all ate, and sat around waiting at least another 45 minutes before she came back for dessert.
I was craaaaving beignets, so I ordered their apple beignets for dessert... and the dessert is the only reason why I am giving it 2 stars and not 1. It was actually quite delicious - and am craving them again today.
Suffice it to say, unless I want a long drink and beignets, I'm not coming back. -
Review from Tim S.
Etobicoke, ON
8/17/2011
Yelpers hit the nail on the head with this place!
Great local beer on tap (Mill St, Steamwhistle, etc)
I started with the mussels, which were dynamite. There were 4 corn fritters on the side which went very well with the sauce. My guest had a caeser salad that was tasty and well made.
We both went for tacos, lobster tacos, and the vegetarian tacos. Both came with a lime creme sauce which was fantastic. The vegetarian soft tacos were quite good, they had tomatoes, cilantro and the lime creme. They were much like falafel or veggie ground, and was quite good. Asked for hot sauce, and got 4 varieties. Real varieties too, not Frank's, etc.
Only complaint about the lobster tacos, was they got quite soft, quite quick. They fell apart from the juices if not eaten quickly. But still VERY tasty.
Service was decent. There was only the one main waiter, so was a bit slow sometimes, but was still very attentive.
Dessert was a brilliant blueberry beignet that was fantastic.
You wouldnt know this is a brand new restaurant, very well run so far and will definitely return.
I do see how it can get a bit loud. We were there on a Tuesday at 7pm, and was half full and very loud. -
Review from Maheen M.
9/11/2011
We out on Friday with a few friends to try this place. I find out that they do not take reservations but you can "call ahead" 30 minutes before you plan to arrive and they will try best to hold a table for you. I was travelling from work and arrived 30 minutes earlier than when I was supposed to meet up with my friends, so I grabbed a table and got a drink while I waited.
Food
When my friends arrived, we decided to try out as many dishes as we possibly could to share.
Appetizers
Poutine - very good, rich, lovely beef gravy. The shoestring fries were surprise. Would order this again.
Lobster Fritters - ok - they were cornmeal like, could not really taste the lobster. The sauces they were accompanied with were great, one hot and creme fraiche like.
Entrees
Fish Tacos - Grilled and Fried - highlight of the meal made delicious corn tortilla, I preferred the grilled fish tacos to the fried. Coleslaw was fresh and peppery which also yummy.
Dessert
Key Lime Creme Brulee - recommended by the owner, it was very good, smooth, a bit tart and perfect sweetened. The sugar top crust was the right crunch. I wonder how their desserts would taste like after experiencing this one.
Service
When I initially got there, there was a bit of confusion because I was ahead of a family with a baby in a stroller. I grabbed 4 empty spots on their large communal high stool table and waited for about 10 minutes till someone noticed me. After that, service was much better, they were attentive. The owner was very sweet and thanked us for our patronage.
I highly recommend this place for fish tacos + more; Combine Eatery adds another dinner alternative on the Danforth. -
Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
8/21/2011
To begin with, my actual rating for this restaurant 3.5 out of 5. I went for an early lunch on an overcast Sunday and got there just as the place opened at 12. My partner in eating crime and I were the only ones there, so I would expect to get good service and we did. The server was very pleasant and another person (perhaps the manager/owner?) made a point of coming over and chatting with us about the food. She was a little intense, but had good intentions.
We made the trek specifically to try the fish tacos. My partner having recently traveled to L.A. was interested when hearing they are the closest Toronto equivalent to what he had, and loved, there. When we got there, we decided we had to try the shrimp, the grilled fish, and the carne asada. The server seemed a little surprised at our gluttony, but I assured him we had skipped dinner last night and hadn't had breakfast, so we were up for the challenge. And we were! No take home today!
I enjoyed the shrimp tacos the most. The carne asade was a little chewy, and the fish was a bit underwhelming. I understand that the fish's lime marinade is purposely kept very simple, but I think it needs a little more depth. Having said that, it was cooked very well - perfectly flaky. I did enjoy the variety of hot sauces and I did put them to good use. The house salad was pretty bland and the coleslaw was okay, but could be more interesting.
Our bill for the three dishes, no drinks, and a 20% tip came to $64 which I feel was a bit too expensive for the meal we had. Having said that, we did order what would normally be eaten by three people.
I'm glad I got to try it anyway even if I'm not raving about it. -
Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
8/21/2011
Combine's claim to fame was supposed to be the fish tacos but they ended up being a disappointment. The service was great and the atmosphere was really nice. The price was too high.
*** FOOD ***
I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos, which are shredded beef tacos. To drink I had a pint of Amsterdam 416. I also tried a fish taco from a friend.
* Carne Asada Tacos | $15.95 *
The beef was really tender and came in a thick sauce that tasted like beans. Other than the taste of beans, the sauce was bland. There were some finely diced tomatoes but not enough to add a more robust taste. The tortilla was soft but didn't fall apart while eating. Hot sauce had to be used to add flavor. The dish comes with a side of coleslaw which was refreshing and a bit vinegary. The tacos are smaller than the size of a fist and there are only 3 in a dish.
* Fish Taco *
Once again, hot sauce had to be used to add flavor. The fish is fresh and well cooked. However, it was the most bland since it was grilled and not marinated or seasoned.
*** SERVICE ***
Service was great, especially for handling a table of 14 people. I arrived a bit later than everyone else and I was quickly greeted and asked if I wanted anything. Once I was ready to order, our server, Lisa, was very attentive and came to take my order. She gave suggestions when I asked. She was very helpful and sociable.
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
Combine is clean and has a modern and rustic look. The furniture is wooden and the walls are brick. The light fixtures have the wire routing exposed, rather than inside the wall so that it can be seen. The restaurant is about medium sized with seating for ~30-40 people. Seating at the front has a big wide open wall that almost feels like a patio and allows easy passage to the street. The feel of the restaurant is casual dining.
*** PRICE ***
The tacos are overpriced.
* Carne Asada Tacos | $15.95 *
* Pint of Amsterdam 416 Urban Wheat | $6.85 *
** Total (AT&T) | $30.00 **
*** EXPERIENCE ***
I came here specifically for the tacos. They were for the most part bland. Combine offers more than just tacos, so there may be a redeeming dish on the menu. The service was great and the atmosphere was nice. The pricing is a bit too high especially for 3 small tacos. I would be willing to try The Combine Eatery again for a different dish but I would avoid the tacos. -
Review from Aaron B.
Toronto, ON
11/6/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Great atmosphere, very kind staff and engaging. The drinks come and come which is great, if only the food was quicker I wouldn't have drank so much. The grilled fish tacos are exellent !!! and a strong addition to the the Danforth which is overpowering with Greek food. I was impressed and I recommend you check it out. If you love fish tacos this is the place for you, they make all kinds, fried and grilled.
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Review from Jasmine L.
North York, ON
10/19/2011
Well, the fish tacos were not as yummy as I imagined them to be after reading all the other Yelp reviews of this place. My friend ordered the pulled pork burritos and I though his tasted very good. Overall, it was a good experience, but the absolute best part of our lunch was the dessert. We ordered the pumpkin pie, not expecting anything out of the ordinary, and man, it was the most extraordinary pumpkin pie I have ever had!!!!! This pumpkin pie tasted like it was made with real pumpkin, and the crust was crumbly and had a slight caramel/molasses taste. It was serve with whipped cream and berries, and the slice was not a slice, it was more like a chuck! The pumpkin was cool to the mouth and the texture was heavenly!! I would come back to this place just for the pumpkin pie. Alcoholic drinks at this place were way too expensive and coffee was blah.
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Review from Barb G.
Toronto, ON
8/17/2011
Agree with the other reviewers - go here for the fish tacos. Amazing!
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Review from John S.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2011
Despite being leery of any place that calls itself an "eatery", I have been to Combine twice now (with 2 and 3 people) and ordered different items each time. Sad to say it's hit and miss with nothing in between: either wonderful fresh flavours, or utterly bland. Decor is also lacking flavour. Gotta say if you're depending on a hot sauce for flavour then the food is not doing its job. Also: what's with the pepper mill pushing in a Mex-ish restaurant??? ...another signal that Combine doesn't stand behind their flavours.
