- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 10 pm
Fri 7 am - 8:30 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
28 reviews for United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"I dream about their whitefish salad, that's how good it is." In 4 reviews -
"...classic tuna, chopped egg, cream cheese and lox, all with..." In 6 reviews -
"...come back here for other Jewish cravings and to try their..." In 7 reviews
Loading...
28 reviews in English
-
Review from Isaac E.
North York, ON
3/7/2012
I've started a tradition recently with 2 of my friends.
Essentially we go to a place like this early every Wednesday morning and get breakfast. I was hesitant to go here because it's a bit out of my way when I have to head to work in the other direction. I'm converted to United Bakers. It's not packed in the mornings and the service is great. I don't feel rushed and am able to get a great meal at a great price.
I usually get 2 eggs sunny side up with potatoes and a Poppyseed Twister Bagel and a cup of Coffee. I love the place and I love this tradition.
Can't wait for next Wednesday! -
Review from Jon S.
Toronto, ON
2/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
It's hard to hate this place. What they do well is always amazing. The pea soup is legendary, and the salads are great.
A beginner should always try the pea soup; it would be stupid not to. The breakfast options are generally good too -- omelets, bagels, etc. (no bacon/sausages, of course). Scrambled egg sandwiches on bagels are a great take-out breakfast option. The kreplach are delicious for those seeking comfort food, but should not be ordered by those on a health kick. In terms of salads, the spinach salad and Greek salad are big and delicious. And the scoop platters (egg salad, tuna salad, etc., with vegetables) are a good choice to order with the soup.
The service isn't always stellar. Several of the waitresses, it seems, have worked here longer than I have been living; and some of them can be surly if you catch them on the wrong day. But it wouldn't be United Bakers without this.
Be well aware that it can get packed around lunchtime on weekends. Even with a big plaza parking lot outside, parking may be tough to find at those times, requiring a few loops around and some muffled cursing at inconsiderate people who (seem to) think their rush is more important than yours... but it's kind of all part of the charm.
If the frenetic lunch rush, the waitresses, or the terrible parking etiquette intimidate you, get a Jewish friend to take you through it. :) -
Review from BURB G.
Newmarket, ON
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Haven't been here for a while. The food was pretty good. I had the large Greek salad "tossed" which actually doesn't mean tossed it means chopped. Haha the waitress neglected to tell me that. The ambience was a little more "meshuga" than usual. There was a woman sitting at the table behind us saying that if a man sends you a text message it is a virus.
All in all it was good. Not sure what happened to their bagels they are not boiled anymore and weren't as tasty as they used to be. -
Review from Paul H.
North York, ON
4/11/2012
Best dairy resto in the area. Must try the pea soup. I also love the pizza bagel. Portions are big and food is hearty.
-
Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
6/17/2011 ROTD 12/9/2011
If you're a member of Toronto's Jewish community, walking into United Bakers for weekend brunch is like walking into an episode of "this is your life". The restaurant is dotted with community mainstays, friends from high school or camp, and relatives you'd just rather avoid. Sandwiched tightly in green plastic booths, this is not a place where you can expect to have a private, quiet conversation. In fact, between the bustling bakery up front, and the servers trained by Oscar the Grouch, you can't really expect a quiet anything.
But that's part of United's charm. United Bakers is a Dairy restaurant-the lactose-friendly answer to the old school Delicatessen. Out of respect for Jewish dietary laws, United's menu is limited to dairy, egg and fish-based meals. A polite notice on the website and menu requests that customers refrain from bringing meat on the premises. So if you're expecting bacon and eggs, you're out of luck. Don't worry-you won't miss the bacon.
Ordering brunch presents a series of challenges. Egg platters are fine, but omelettes are more interesting. A mushroom version arrives with plenty of thinly-sliced fungi, while good cheddar leaks through the side of a cheese version. Lox, eggs and onions sees properly caramelized onions and chunks of fresh smoked salmon. It doesn't smell fishy, and the lox retains some of it's silky texture since it's not overcooked. Sides include salad, tomato and cukes (the former still winter-mealy, the latter firm and crisp), and what may be the best undiscovered french fries in Toronto. I suspect they're frozen, but they are consistently crispy and golden outside, and fluffy inside. You also get a choice of bread or bagel. As I always say, GO BAGEL OR GO HOME.
Lunch and dinner work best when you stick to the basics. Pastas and fish are OK, but most tables opt for a soup and a scoop. United's pea soup deserves it's reputation. Melty peas, chunky veg and the occasional noodle warm the soul. It's a richly flavored soup and a closely guarded secret recipe. I suspect the secret involves a veggie boullion cube, but it works. Bagel platters and sandwiches find their way to most tables along with plates of those fries. The tuna melt stands out. Piping hot atop a massive twister bagel, it could be shared between two people, along with a cup of that soup. Greek salad deviates from the Platonic ideal, with iceberg lettuce and hardboiled egg but then, it's all buried under so much deliciously creamy feta cheese you probably won't notice.
Coffee is fine when it's fresh, barely drinkable when it's not. I try to time refill requests for when they brew a fresh pot. I'd ask politely if they'd put a new one on, but value the security of my person.
It's a bakery, so the best desserts are whatever's fresh. I have a soft spot for the Dobush cake (dry sponge with light-chocolate frosting, enrobed in crackling dark chocolate) and the Apple Bowl (a hot, whole apple wrapped in puff pastry).
United closes at 9 on weekends, but it's best not to tempt fate. A late night coffee and pastry stop sees our waitress ask repeatedly if she can pack our stale cinnamon buns to go. In another joint, I'd walk out and not return. Here, abuse is part of the fun. -
Review from Payam Z.
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
There is no doubt United Bakers is a neighborhood institution and somewhat of a unique establishment in Toronto.
I first checked out UB on Christmas day for brunch when no other place in town seemed to be open! Other than the large portions, the egg dishes were not extraordinary in any way, although I was quite impressed with the French fries (they were McD's style!) and the availability of honey dew!
What I personally liked about UB besides the old school feel was the bakery counter. UB bakes THE best Challah bread I have had in Toronto by quite some distance. The density, texture and taste of the Challah has clearly been perfected over many years, I suggest you try it here.
Aside from the Challah, the rye bread was also fresh and tasty and the poppy seed danish (pictured) was out of this world! I will stay away from the donuts next time as they were a bit too greasy and not that special!
Other notes are that there is a quick turnaround and the wait time from brunch is not too bad, and I experienced decent service during my visit. -
Review from Heather B.
Scarborough, ON
5/5/2011
If you go to this place at ANY time of day - You would think that people in Toronto don't work.
Boss took me out for lunch here and we had to wait 20 min for table.
This place is a gold mine.
Although it's packed the service it quick and they don't forget about you.
I had the potato pancakes plus the pea soup (which is their specialty apparently - very tasty).
Not much to look at in this place because it's a greasy diner, but you're in and out quite fast so they can clear people out and get the next ones in.
I will have to come back here for other Jewish cravings and to try their other homecooked meals!
Mazel Tov !!!! -
Review from Paul F.
8/6/2011
I did a take away and was happy to experience a Toronto institution. The gefilte fish (pepper) was my friends favorite. I also tried the cabbage bundle- served veggie without the meat as this is a dairy restaurant.
I also tried the oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies. Both thin and good. Next time I want to eat in and get the full on United Bakers experience. Enjoy. -
Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
7/16/2011
This is a bit of a delayed review (5 days), but I guess I was a tad underwhelmed by my breakfast.
The eggs and onions were ok, the home fries sub-standard, the coffee pretty average, the bagel excellent. That's my meal.
2 of my breakfast-mates had the blintzes, and loved them.
I still like coming here though...the vibe is like comfort food for my soul.Listed in: Breakfast places, Diners, Greasy Spoons and…
-
Review from Monica B.
Toronto, ON
9/17/2010
I'm really surprised with all the rave about this place. I've been here a few times and always walked out with a bad experience.
First off, I feel like I'm eating at a cafeteria with service- sorry. The service is good and efficient and the food portions were small, inexpensive, and bad tasting. Now, I always came here with a bunch of friends, and they did not like the place either. I've had several of dishes here and my food had either been overdone, underdone, dull tasting or cold.
I really tried liking this place, it's too bad. I won't be back here again. -
Review from Jeff M.
North York, ON
10/2/2011
I took a minute to read the reviews already here and it was interesting. There are those that get United Dairy and those that don't. Yeah it is like a time warp, yeah the food for the most part is so so and yeah the waitress look like they walked off the set of "Alice" . But that is not what UD is about. Like Tom's Restaurant in Seinfeld, the lunch counter at Woolworth's or Fran's down on college st. UD is about the over all experience. It is about the chat, the people, the taking a moment to go back in time. Not every dining experience is about acting like some overly pretentious faux foodie and for that reason UD is a four star winner and a frequent feeding stop. I'll have the tuna melt on a twister please, with mayo on the side for my fries.
-
Review from Kat F.
DATE OF MEAL CONSUMPTION:
Saturday, March 20
DATE OF MEAL DIGESTION:
Monday, March 22 (ongoing)
OK, I lied. It's Tuesday and I'm still digesting my Tuna Reuben (pictured). Apparently my stomach halved itself and I became some sort of python over the weekend, unable to swiftly break down food particles using mere stomach acid? I've never seen a larger sandwich. You know how most tuna melts have an ice cream scoop of tuna/mayo on them? This scoop must have been the size of a football helmet. It was immense and smothered in melted cheddar cheese. I barely made it through 50% of my poppy seed twister before tapping out. It was allegedly served with a salad though I couldn't bear to look past my own plate.
The menu is massive and you won't miss the lack of meat. There is (white)fish, cheese, eggs and Polish/Jewish/Eastern Euro fare galore.
The latkes (called placki kartoflane where I come from) were outstanding, and thankfully my Babcia isn't around to hear me say that. They were served with sour cream (yes!), applesauce AND ketchup. Take your pick. On my next visit I'll stick to a plate of these.
The owner was milling around the restaurant chatting with families and making sure everybody was happy. It's been a while since I've seen this sort of hospitality in a restaurant. Either the owner is absent, counting money in the back room or lording over his/her employees. This owner was happy to be running the ship and proud to see so many smiling, sated faces.
There are thousands of lively, shouting children here on weekends. Expect a bit of a wait, and come armed with earplugs and livestock tranquilizers. -
Review from susan c.
3/23/2010
"See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation and that's really the most important part of the reservation, the holding. Anybody can just take them."--Jerry, "Seinfeld," episode: The Alternate Side
That's exactly what happened to our group of 11. United Bakers *took* Shari M.'s reservation for 11 people at 12 noon but didn't really know how to *hold* the reservation. That's how we wound up waiting nearly an hour for brunch.
While waiting, I carefully strategized what I was going to order: a bowl of soup and smoked whitefish on a bagel. I even scrutinized the bread bins in the takeout area to see which bagels looked optimal for my brunch. The sesame bagels looked too doughy and under-baked while the plain ones lacked the requisite healthy shine. Their signature twisty bagel looked more like a braided Kaiser roll. Pfft. I decided that I would order a marble bagel because it looked the chewiest and shiniest of them all. So, I'm a bagel snob. Sue me.
When we finally got seated, I was the last one to order only to find out THEY WERE OUT OF SMOKED WHITEFISH! I was crestfallen. Like here was my crest, and there it went, boom, on the floor. I settled for the lox appetizer.
Luckily, United Bakers were able to redeem themselves a bit with their bowl of beet borscht ($4), served with boiled potatoes and sour cream which satisfied the now ravenous mob of proletarians on the brink of revolting in my stomach. The lox appetizer ($8.50) appeased me with 5 strips of melt-in-your-mouth lox to go on my pre-ordained marble bagel which remained pretty good untoasted. I also got about 4 tablespoons of luxurious cream cheese for an extra $2.50.
Our waitress was a cheeky older lady full of back-sass and vinegar. I loved her. The vibe there is noisy and hectic. I estimate that the roving busboys and busgirls offered to refill our coffee cups six times.
Would I make the schlep from downtown again? Yes, but not with 10 other people and only after I'd confirmed they have smoked whitefish in stock.
P.S. The restaurant is Kosher-style, i.e., they have dairy and fish but no meat. Do not come here expecting bacon and eggs.Listed in: Brunch Is Overrated
-
Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/20/2008
If you are afraid of hordes of Bubbie's and Zaidie's don't go here. If you are afraid of loud noise, don't go here. If you don't like some of those loud Bubbie's and Zaidie's staring at you while you eat, then don't go here.
But if you can withstand all that, enough, to taste their rich, thick pea soup, or potato soup, then go here. You can even get those soups in takeout. Along with a host of other baked goods up front.
There are loads of seats, though you might have to wait for a little bit, because it is always packed.
I've had your classic tuna, chopped egg, cream cheese and lox, all with bagels and they are healthy portions and fresh and tasty. Ive had a croissant tuna melt which wasn't bad - a little soggy from what I remember.
But if you want great Jewish food - and I believe it is kosher-style, not Kosher - you should come here and expect very attentive and brusque service - these ladies tell it like it is and at the same time know how to deal with complainers. The parking lot is the worst though, always packed. But worth getting over to sit down for a little herring. -
Review from Noel D.
11/29/2009
My parents love this place and have taken me here twice so far and both times were enjoyable. Waitresses on both nights were very nice and efficient. Judging by the amount of people dining (young and old) as well as the line up for the bakery, it's safe to say this joint is popular for a reason.
The food is delicious. I recommend getting the soup-of-the-day as the potato (on Sundays) is very tasty and my parents tell me all the soups are just as good. Tonight I had the club sandwich with lox and cream cheese on rye bread and it was the bomb -- it melted in my mouth. Lots of coffee refills, too. I dig this place -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2008 1 photo
Picture this: it's any month, 2008, you are waiting in line in a packed, garishly lit, immense room, ethnic ramblings are bouncing off tables, booths, and walls, elderly ladies in uniform are pushing you out of the way to get past you with trays of strange food, someone calls "Erin, party of two," you look up at the mirrored ceiling and you see your own reflection, you scream, it's your turn, you have a seat at United Baker's.
The U.B, a Kosher dairy restaurant in the Jewish area of Toronto, has been a tried and true for decades. The place offers hearty soups, traditional Jewish staples like smoked whitefish, lox, potato pancakes, and cabbage rolls. They also have regular Joe foods, like eggs, grilled cheeses etc. But my go-to is the Greek Salad. Even if you have an appetite like refrigerator Perry, don't stray from the small, it is massive. If you are really hungry get a twister bagel on the side.
Let's put it this way, if United Baker's was on Mount SInai when Moses lost his temper, he would have gone into the restaurant calmed down with some rye toast and a bowl of pea soup, come out refreshed, and those cursed broken tablets would have been spared. -
Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
I likes me this place. What I like the best about it is the craziness.
Some fellow Yelpers and I headed to Bathurst & Lawrence after much Kosher talk to get our bagel on. A reservation was made...but reservations don't count for much at United. If there is a large group, go before noon and these hard working ladies will ensure you get seated. You may wait a bit, but the experience makes it worth your while.
The latkes are quite good - prob some of the best I have ever had! Nice and thick and not too greasy. They are served with sour cream and apple sauce on the side.
The twister bagel (I feel it is mandatory to do a twisty dance when you describe it, and while you eat it - particularly if it causes rolled eyes from Dale "as an economist" M), was gouda. A little more "bun" than "bagel" but this puppy was huge. I was only able to eat half.
I had an omelet and salad as well. Both were fine, but as other reviewers said, the flavouring is a bit bland here.
Note that this is a dairy restaurant, so no meat in sight. If like Danielle "my backup singer" P, you are hankering for some gravy (and duh...who isn't 24/7?!), you won't get any here. Its okay, its okay, put the protest signs down, cause what United has done is made this luxurious dip. It looks like ass but tastes like heaven. Susan "purveyor of fine bagels" C believes it is a combo of mayo, sour cream, lemon and some other tasty treats. I would have to agree with her. But regardless, it is fabulous.
If you are in the area (please check out Winners in this plaza!!!) and want to have huge portions, go here. If you want some mystifying fast service and almost snarly waitresses that you will fall in love with, go here. -
Review from Ariel G.
7/4/2009
Its a great place to meet for a quick 'nosh'. This place is only dairy, so no meat. Their baked goods are great, the breads fresh and tasty and the portions substantial. The only negative was that they make their so-called greek salad with shredded feta, but I should not expect a good greek salad there. The service is good, but a bit hurried.
Their dark rye is awesome, as is the cabbage borscht. This place is always busy, and noisy, but it is a landmark.
I will continue to go there. -
Review from Ashleigh B.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2010
One of the best Greek Salads north of the city. Ingredients include iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, pitted olives, celery, egg, cucumber, green pepper, feta cheese, and onions (I ask for without). Ask for your salad chopped and mixed so that you don't have to go through the tedious and often injury provoking behaviour (choking) of cutting your celery or just eating it as is. In addition, ask for the creamy spinach dressing on the side. It's good for a dip here and there.
If you're really feeling adventurous, order a scoop of tuna on the side for some additional protein.
My move: Small Greek Salad tossed and mixed with both dressings on the side. A pumpernickel bagel toasted with cup of cream cheese. When you get the bagel, scoop out the middle, add cream cheese and Greek salad in the grooves and, with your fork, add some spinach dressing for some added flavour. Of course, never leave the middle of your bagel uneaten - it's embarassing. Take the middle section and dip it in the dressing. Amazingness all around.
Go early (before 11am) or late lunch (2pm) to avoid the lines.Listed in: Best Greek Salads in the City
-
Review from Carla B.
8/20/2008
Even though I have not been in Toronto for more than seven years, I still lust for their delicious soups, decadent whitefish salad, and scrumptious challah.
Don't be daunted by the long lines - the tables turn quickly! -
Review from Hailey E.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2009
YUM! I agree with all the positive reviews of this place. Though the line-ups can be daunting, the comfort food is worth the wait. Pea soup is delish! Greek salad, also one of my faves -- with that creamy dressing. And bagels... lots of bagels. Makes me long for Sunday morning brunch now, just thinking about it.
Don't kvetch about the lineups... or the schlep up north (from downtown)... just sit back, sip your coffee and indulge!! -
Review from Richard T.
Toronto, ON
9/7/2008
If its a classic, dairy restaurant greek salad you want, yes, this is as good as it gets in Toronto. You can get good and even very good greeks at The Pickel Barrel, Centre Street Deli, New Yorker Deli or Zupa's (most underrated deli in the city), but the absolute best is at UBs.
Its generous in proportion (my two small kids share a small sized salad; the large comes with a bagel) and has just-the-right amount of feta. They keep it simple: iceberg lettuce, a couple of tomatoes slices, a couple of cucumber slices, about 3 black olives, and one hard-boiled egg). And the dressing is perfect but sometimes they don't stir it enough, so you get it a bit more oil then oregano. -
Review from Jasmine L.
North York, ON
9/17/2010
One of the other reviewers for this restaurant was right...this place feels like a cafeteria with service. And the food tastes like cafeteria food too! I don't understand why people love this place.
-
Review from Tamara K.
Cote Saint-Luc, QC
12/28/2009
I looooooove this place!!!! Everytime I'm in Toronto I have to have breakfast there. I love the grilled cheese on challah bread. Everytime I visit I have that with fries and a chocolate milkshake. In fact this weekend I will have it woohoo!!!!!
-
Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2009
I come here for the attitude and the cream cheese and lox on the ginormous twisty bagel. Sometimes I would make up an excuse to travel the friggin' 35 minutes from my downtown east-end residence to get at their whitefish salad. Parking is an accident waiting to happen and I get some wierd, "What's the Chinese girl gonna eat?" looks but damn, it's so worth it.
-
Review from Gabriel D.
8/19/2008
How many Dairy Delis have you been to? Odds are it's zero. Well, United Bakers is, as far as I'm concerned, the dominant dairy deli in the world. I dream about their whitefish salad, that's how good it is. No trip to Toronto is complete without this place...
-
Review from Charls F.
Vancouver, BC
11/19/2009
Tried to go in for lunch on a Saturday with hubbie and the in-laws and the lineup was out the door. Went back on Monday and we all shared a serving of 6 latkes, hubbie ordered the tuna melt on a twisted bagel, Mother-in-law had cream cheese and bagel and Father-in-law and I both ordered the cheese blintzes. The food was okay, hubbie and I thought the food was a little bland and I like my latkes more lacy rather than pancake like, but ma & pa in-law really like this place. The portions are huge - we all took home portions of our orders and the lady who served us was really sweet and nice. A solid place for blandish home Jewish cooking. It's a busy place and the parking lot is a bit of a nightmare.
-
Review from b J.
5/17/2010
Classic establishment in Toronto with Jewish dairy foods. Whitefish salad was mild, good. Blintz was large decent tasting - a little dry inside but helped with sour cream. Bagels were fine - nothing special unless very fresh - our sesame bagel was great, but poppy a little old. Spinach salad decent size and great tasting.
