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Real People. Real Reviews.®
Categories: Tex-Mex, Burgers, Vegetarian [Edit]
586 College StMon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 1 am
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We came here on the recomendation of my friend's hunky eye doctor. **sigh** Who said he loved the burgers at this place, and since we were in the area and hungry,we decided to give it a shot.
It is a rather small place, but it has a really nice patio out back which we sat on this beautiful and sweltering hot day. There was only one server for the whole place, yet the service wasn't too slow and she was attentive and friendly. We decided on the crispy chicken and avocado burrito, and the Utopia burger and this was the veredict:
Utopia burger- tender, moist and delicious! It comes with the works (tomato,pickle,onion,green onion mayo) plus 3 cheeses ( I think they were asiago, cheddar and havarti) plus grilled veggies (eggplant,zuchinni and red peppers). It was huge! I had a hard time taking a bite because it was so loaded with toppings, I could barely get my mouth around it, and it came with crispy, golden french fries.
Crispy chicken avocado burrito- very good also, but the leafy greens in it got soggy from all the sauce and mustard seed mayo it had in it, and I really don't like soggy lettuce. Otherwise, the chicken was crispy and had good flavour, and the avocado was creamy and delicious, all in all a really good combination. The burrito comes with rice and beans and your choice of either slaw or salad. I got the salad and it was good, though nothing exciting. Just greens with a balsamic vinagrette, the rice and beans were bland, and I couldn't bring myself to eat them.
The servings are really big, I cant immagine ever being able to eat a whole burrito, with rice,beans and salad. There are lots of options on the menu including meal sized salads, quesadillas, sandwiches, and a huge list of burritos and burgers. They also have a board with specials.
I'm excited to come back here and try some of the other things on their menu, maybe one day we'll catch the hunky doctor here during his lunch break :)
My only real complaint about Utopia is that it's not close enough to my house.
It's casual and cozy, and it's the perfect place to take a friend (veggie or meat-eater) for lunch or brunch. It's open for dinner, too, but I tend to go there more during the day. I've had many a hangover meal there, in fact.....
The best thing about the menu is the substitute option: vegetarians and vegans can sub in soy-based protein (breaded faux chicken or grilled soy nugget thingies, like the So Soya stuff), and even soy cheese, for the standard animal products. And the servers are all very savvy to veggie needs.
If I feel like being reeeally naughty, I order a vegan version of the chicken quesadilla with the grilled soy & soy cheese, and ask for fries instead of the salad & rice and beans. I'm not saying it's a healthy meal by any means, but holy crap is it good!!!
The menu has a lot of unique burrito and sandwich-y type fare, plus meal-sized salads and burgers, etc. The prices are good and the portions are excellent. And did I mention that the gravy at Utopia is vegetarian and delicious as hell?!! I'm not sure if it's vegan....will have to double-check that. So far, it's been one of those "don't ask/don't tell" things for me. Shhhh....
Also, the bottles of yummy Utopia hot sauce on every table are more-flavour-than-heat, and go well with practically everything.
I've probably eaten at Utopia 50 times (hey - I like what I like!), and the food and service have always been great. The food does take a little while to prepare, but that's ok by me, since I'm going there for good food, not fast food.
I love Utopia.
This is my go to when I am entertaining out of towners. They have such a wide variety on the menu, and everything my friends and I have ever tried was great! (Burritos, real and fake burgers, utopia nachos w/tufu, poutine)
Also, didn't realize how cheap it was. Went there with a group of four, we all got a pint of beer and one my friends had three shots of tequila (alki?). Anyhow, we left full of great food with a buzz on, and our bill was around 60 bones. It doesn't get much better than that!
Back patio is where its at. Sometimes you gotta wait. But it's worth it.
Went on a Friday night and it was packed so it took awhile to get a table but that was to be expected. This place is a casual little restaurant that has a cute patio at the back that goes along with a live atmosphere and friendly servers. The menu is vast here and they have a wide variety of options. Everything from burritos, sandwiches, burgers, quesadillas etc. They keep it simple and really cater to vegetarians (any meat dishes can be substituted for soy) - they have really good vegetarian options. Great prices for large portions but service is quite slow since food took a bit long arriving. I recommend patrons to stick with the Tex-Mex dishes such as the Nachos (which were amazing - vegetarian or not), Burritos and/or Quesadillas as their other dishes such as the burgers did not impress. Their patties are served dry and tasteless together with a cold/hard bun.
I love Utopia. There's not a long list of reasons why either. I was easily impressed and all it takes is the best homemade veggie burger in town, the crispiest hot french fries, and that they were open late when everything else in Toronto wasn't!
I'm usually not this easy to please, but that damn veggie burger did it!
I can't eat most of the stuff on the menu being vegan, but I still make sure I check out what everyone eats around me... and it ALL looked incredible. This place is reliable. Just forget about the fact that you might have to wait forever on the street depending on what time you go and that you might get snobby looks from the servers. It'll be worth the wait and scowls.
Awesome value.
Great for your vegetarian friends, too.
Tasty. Be sure to load on that orange hot sauce on the table.
Burritos are the way to go....although the salmon quinoa is interesting sounding...it can be somewhat dry.
The back patio is usually packed- so go to dinner a littler earlier than usual.
patpatpatpatpat
five out of five pats.
Had dinner here tonight with two friends. We got there at around 7:30 and waited half hour for a table on the roofed in "patio," which is essentially the same as eating indoors.
We got there and it took 15 minutes for our server to come to our table, even though she walked past it numerous times. When she finally came by we ordered drinks and appetizers. Big mistake. Once our apps arrived, I asked the person who brought them to us if we could order, and was told "I'm not your server I don't take orders." I replied as politely as possible, "Ok - well if you don't mind could you tell our server we'd like to order?" She tells me "she's right over there" and points off somewhere in the distance.
We finish our apps, and another 20 minutes goes by. Mind you, the server had passed our table twice during this time, and I tried to flag her down and she either ignored me or might have be deaf.
Finally she emerges to take our order. I ordered the chicken quasadillas (which were actually quite good.) Another 20 minutes later our food finally arrives. I must say, everything we ordered was really good, and very reasonably priced. The portions were quite large, and the menu has a great variety of things to choose from.
Once we were done eating, we waited patiently for our server to bring us the bill. The person who brought our appetizers came by twice to refill our water, and I didn't want to ask her to get our server again because of what she had told me last time. Our server eventually gets there, we ask her for our bill, she leaves and I see her pouring a tray of drinks to take to another table.
Now it is not normal by any means, for it to take 10 minutes to bring a bill to a damn table. Once the bill got there, I'm not even gonna say how long it took for her to take our credit cards, but it got to the point where I was waving the stupid thing in her face, which still seemed to have no affect.
Frustrated out of my mind, I went up to another server and asked her to charge me.
Needless to say, the food was pretty good, and it's unfortunate that the service was the most atrocious service I've received for as long as I can remember. I probably won't be back here for a while.
This place is great. I love busy little restaurants like this. I've seen Michael Douglas come out of here before so you know it has to be good. On this particular occasion, a friend and I started off with the Lamb Sausage Poutine. Highly recommended. Let me tell you, now that I have had a poutine made with lamb sausage and brie cheese, I don't know if I can go back to regular poutine. I have had the burritos here before and its probably what this place is most known for. They are excellent and I probably don't have to say much about them. So I decided to have the bison burger this time and my friend had the lamb burger. They were both excellent and I highly recommend them. This place doesn't just make great burritos.
Now, the service. I have read lots of people complaining about it but every time I have gone, its been pretty busy and they have like one server taking all the orders. She does a hell of a job, in my opinion. It's not easy in that little place. I think a little understanding and patience on your part will make your experience a lot more enjoyable. For me, it just means more time for my friends and I to hang out. If you're in a hurry, please go to McDonald's.
I realize this place has already been reviewed numerous times, but I had to comment on the "bad service" thing here. I went to Utopia last night for dinner with friends and it was great! I had to wave down the wait staff a few times but I didn't mind because they were always friendly and fairly prompt afterward with bringing the order. I was expecting terrible service based on the reviews but it wasn't bad at all.
I shared the Mumahari Dip roasted pepper with pomegranite molasses and walnuts served with grilled naan, the White Bean & Tofu Quesadilla slow simmered white beans & crumbled organic tofu in a spicy southwestern style sauce with cheddar & monterey jack and salsa, and the Chicken Goat Cheese Burrito marinated grilled chicken breast, goat cheese, sweet grilled peppers, grilled onions, lettuce, green onion mayo and salsa...everything was delicious!!!
Bottom line: if you're in the mood to dine and dash, flagging down the server works wonders and they don't get offended. I think they don't like to rush people; the casual atmosphere isn't necessarily "bad" service. The food here was all exceptionally tasty and well-priced for the enormous portions, which are great to share or take home for later.
Two simple words.
Veggie souvlaki.
Soy protein on a skewer garnished with spices, cooked to perfection, served Greek style, in a pita with tzatziki. If you add the hot sauce they bring to the table it's borderline orgasmic.
I love the back patio. Toronto hipsters at their best.
The service is stellar. When our waiter inadvertently brought out the wrong beer, in the true spirit of Canadiana, he apologized profusely.
Take the pickiest eater in the world here and he/she will find something to love.... for breakfast, lunch AND dinner.
Well, except for that friend of mine who was on some sort of 'dietary cleanse," but she doesn't count.
Easy on the wallet and located in the heart of Little Italy so you can grab drinks afterwards or go for a stroll.
At peak hours the line-up is plenty.
It's worth the wait.
I thought we would check this place out because of the great reviews on Yelp. I was looking forward to trying the veg poutine, as well as few other items, as we checked out the menu online ahead of time.
The place was busy, but no line outside. We got seated at the only table left...a small two seater by the cook's area. Service was so bad, we had to leave after sitting for 15 min with our menus and never being asked if we would like to order drinks. Waitress was a bitch, maybe just an off day for her or that time of the month, whatever the case she rudley told us (when we asked if we could possibly get a table up front by the window when one opened up) that no table would be opening up anytime soon as everyone had just gotten their menu...WOW! We had already been sitting their a good 5 or 10 min and we were the last to be seated so I guess everyone had been sitting for quite some time with their menus as well.
My hubby was hungry as hell and a cold beer or even a glass of water would have sufficed until we could get some food on our table.
The music in this tiny restaurant was blaring a little too loudly for such a small, cramped area. And I was not crazy about being able to watch the two cooks prepare the food from our table...they looked like total jokers and I'm not sure I'd want my food prepared or handled by them.
Won't go back.
Wasn't impressed, for the second time over.
I know that a lot of people rave and love this place but I don't really get why. As a non-meat eater, my options were not plentiful. Luckily I wasn't hungry and only ordered the small greek salad ($5) this time. I was okay. Last time I went, I had the vege sandwhich and again, was not impressed. I'd rather eat a Subway vege sub over this sandwich. My friend ordered a burger and liked it so perhaps the other options are good especially for the price point.
If you go here, go here because of the price, not because of the food!
Utopia makes a great casual meal. I ordered the daily special, which was a lamb burger with goat cheese, apple horseradish relish, wasabi mayo, onions, lettuce and tomato, and a huge side of homemade fries. My friend ordered the "Kissing Cousins" (clever) which was also a lamb burger with goat cheese, but without the wasabi mayo and the relish mentioned above.
Although my burger seemed a little heavy on the goat cheese, the entire combination was a fantastic taste explosion, and I especially enjoyed the generous spread of apple horseradish relish. My friend also loved his burger, and enjoyed the fresh salad that he had on the side instead of the fries. My fries were hot and crispy. I also had a glass of red wine which went great with my burger. Utopia has a small but reasonable cocktail menu, and 12 or so wines that are available by the glass or bottle.
This was a great experience - the food was hot and delicious, the service was fast, and the environment was comfortable. My friend did have to send his meal back because the goat cheese had been forgotten, but that was quickly rectified. We were full for hours afterwards, and the total bill after tax and tip (including my glass of wine) was under $40.
Don't think I've reviewed this one yet because it already had so many other reviews! But what the hell...I figure any place I've been to 10+ times deserves a review.
This is my favourite place on the Littly Italy strip. Mainly because it's one of the more affordable places and they do a great job of having some healthy options on the menu, which I always appreciate.
They have a great weekend brunch - most items are $8 or $9 and the portions are just as ridiculously huge as the normal lunch/dinner portions. The scrambled egg burrito is lovely, comes with potato wedges and a green salad. Awesome.
The regular menu has lots of options - mostly burritos (toasted wraps really), burgers and quesadillas. The burgers are great and you can request any of them be made with chicken, lamb or bison if you prefer that to beef. Lots of great ingredient and sauce options for both burgers and burritos, so there are endless flavour combinations.
I've never tried the nachos but I've seen them brought out, also HUGE and tasty looking.
The heated patio out back is great.
My only moans about this place is the wait for food is sometimes ridiculous. Utopia has an uber-small kitchen and thus probably cannot fit too many chefs in there at once. As a result, when the place is packed I've waited up to 45 minutes just for the food to come. Not cool.
If you are the kind of person who becomes a grumpy bitch when the food is delayed, avoid Utopia when it's busy. It's almost always busy. But if you have patience, this place is awesome.
Listed in: Places I can still %^$!% eat…
Utopia is another Yelp discovery for me and I'm so glad I found it. Large portions of delicious, simple comfort food that will please vegetarians and meat eaters alike. A casual and fun atmosphere. Reasonable, though not dirt cheap, prices. You can't go wrong.
The menu is large and consists primarily of many variations on burritos, quesadillas, burgers, and sandwiches. There are plenty of options for omnivores and vegetarians. Thankfully, the veggie options aren't your typical hippy rabbit food; no sprouts here.
To start we had the delicious (and vegetarian) poutine ($4.95); tons of gravy and cheese curds on a pile of decent fries. While not the best poutine I've ever had it was damn good and certainly the best veggie poutine.
For mains we ordered the Curried Chickpea & Potato Burrito as well as the Grilled Eggplant Quesadilla. The burrito was basically a huge samosa; good, but after a few bites I wasn't feeling it. The quesadilla was soooo good; perfect grilled eggplants and a delicious sauce.
The portions are huge and you'll definitely be packing up food to take home. Service is not the quickest ever but what's the rush?
Listed in: Poutine
My hubby and I went here for the first time tonight. We were very happy with our meals.
I had the roasted veggie and goat cheese burrito and he had the buffalo burrito.
My burrito was very good, chock full of grilled veggies and goat cheese. I was actually surprised by the amount of goat cheese as I'm used to places skimping on it. The rice and beans had a nice kick to them and the salad was tasty as well. The salad was more about the flavor of the lettuce mix than about the dressing. A good idea considering all the strong flavors that were coming from the other two items.
My husband liked his meal as well. Evidenced by his extremely empty plate!
Our server was also very nice and friendly.
The prices are beyond reasonable and I love the large variety of veggie and meaty dishes. I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm a huge fan of good vegetarian fare. This place has definitely earned a place in our restaurant rotation!
My first visit to Utopia was on a very busy night. They appear to be one of those places that is always busy, so I had very high expectations.
We were lucky enough to find places at the bar to wait for our table and enjoyed beverages and a light appetizer, while others were squished at the doorway.
I'm glad we were given lots of time with the menu while waiting, as there are way too many good options to choose from. I was torn between their grilled vegetable sandwich and a good burger, so I combined the two and got the burger topped with grilled vegetables. The burger was way too big for my appetite and I only got through half of it, but the portion I had was delicious. The burger was juicy and they were generous with the vegetables. The fries on the side were also good, but I hardly had room for them.
Very reasonable prices and no complaints about the service. I will be back to try some of the other items on the menu.
Been here a couple times and have yet to be disappointed. Prices are touch higher here than average, but you en
Le Burger is a deliciously juicy patty smothered with spicy Dijon, red peppers and brie. A bit messy, but the sauce has a nice little tangy kick to it that'll surprise your first bite. I rarely eat fries that come with burgers, 'cuz well they usually suck, but here, they had great flavour and had a great ratio of extra crispy burnt fries to non burnt.
The kissing cousins burger is a big favourite, the combo of a lamb burger topped with goat cheese is something to get your mouth excited. Definitely not your typical burger.
Pretty much everything I've tried on the menu has been fairly consistent in quality. I could go into more detail about every item I've eaten, but what's the point? They've all ranged from pretty good to great , so I have confidence you can't really go wrong here.
My only grip about the place is the waiting time. It's a pretty popular, so you might have to wait 10-15 min on any given night.
I visited Utopia Cafe based on the reviews of our fellow yelpers.. I think I have high expectations and I was a little disappointed..
We were there on a Saturday night at around 10 PM, The place was quiet.. no wait.. and we got great services!! Yes the services were excellent, our waitress was really attentive.
The veggie burger we ordered was really juicy.. I think this is the 2nd time in my life to eat a veggie burger. If they all tasted like that, I think I would always order one.
Tzatziki with grilled naan that we order is not too good.. I can eat that, but nothing I get excited about..... the naan was a little burnt.
The portion of the food was huge!! We could not even finish everything....
Maybe next time I would go read through all the previous reviews and takes some notes so I know what better to order!!
Listed in: Non Asian Restaurants That I…
This is one of my favourite spots for an easy-going meal, good beer, and a fun time.
The only real downside can be the wait during a busy dinner hour, but since they've expanded the back room that wait is a lot less frequent.
There are several excellent vegetarian options that are delicious and they can alter most non-vegetarian items if you prefer fake chicken, fake sausage, or a veggie patty. Their fake chicken is my personal favourite. Most dishes come with a variety of sides from which you choose (coleslaw, salad, fries, rice) and all are delicious.
The service is stellar, fairly relaxed and friendly. On the odd busy night, I occasionally feel a little rushed near the end of the meal but this is to be expected when there is a line of 10 waiting at the door.
The beer selection is limited by the number of taps they have but they typically have my favourite beers on tap so I don't mind much.
On top of all this, the prices are extremely good for a nicer than average, funner than average, and friendlier than normal restaurant.
Listed in: Best Vegetarian in Toronto, For lesbionic folks and their…, Where Vegetarians and Meat…
I'm not sure why I havent yelped about Utopia until now...it's one of my regular joints...or perhaps I am one of its regulars?...anyway, I have never been disappointed. Occasionally the service is slow but I am not in a rush so it doesn't bother me.
I HIGHLY recommend the fish and chips...salmon fish and chips! Great for boosting your Omega 3's. They have a pretty fair wine list for a cafe.
Also, they always seem busy which is good for turn over...not fond of fod that's been sitting around a few days.
Utopia and I have gone straight from second base to home plate - yesterday they kicked things up several notches with the ultimate: GOURMET POUTINE.
Seriously - the most solid poutine (meat or otherwise) I've ever had. Mushrooms (how they managed to make ME like mushrooms is still a mystery) and goat cheese on top of a mountain of veggie gravy, cheese curds and perfectly crispy fries for only $6.95. The appetizer portion is enough food for four people. The kitchen is open till 1am, so go here after a College Street crawl and satisfy your poutine craving!
Listed in: List Of Things For New Yorkers…, Best Toronto Restaurants For…, Cheap Toronto Eats, Bursting Burritos In Toronto, Vegetarian Poutine in Toronto
Hi Utopia,
Yup, you're still my favourite. Thanks for checking in.
Love,
Kat
Seriously ... I love this…
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I have this thing for Lamb so as soon I saw the Lamb Sausage and Brie poutine I knew I had to order it. At first sight I wasn't sure that the brie cheese would work out too well. But as the cheese mixed with the gravy, it got WAY better. Combined with the lamb sausage which had the perfect peppery kick to it, I was ready have a heart attack right then and there.
Service was a tad disappointing as for we were ignored for the first 10-15 minutes. Waitresses were slow to bring us water and menus (when other people seemed to have no such trouble).
Great food - no really, Great!
Be warned tho, it's small and gets very busy esp in the summer between 7 and 9.
Oh hey Utopia, what's up? (I also greet my bike this way and any other inanimate objects that I really like) Oh what? You're awesome? I thought so.
This place is my go to restaurant when I want guaranteed goodness in my belly. I've gone here many times and each experience has been excellent. The staff are friendly despite the constant business and the atmosphere and food make for an enjoyable meal. I've been working my way through the burgers and right now the lamb is my fave. It's pretty popular so expect to wait ten/twenty minutes or so during peak fooding hours.
Everything great about this place has already been said but I just had to add in my five stars to the mix.
Okay, I'm still so on the fence about Utopia.
The first time I experienced Utopia was through a takeout order. I went into the restaurant and asked if it was possible to order a grilled veggie with crispy protein added to the sandwich (which the hostess said she could do at an extra charge), with no mayo. Well I got the sandwich home, and there was mayo on it, and a couple of onions, plus the crispy protein. I don't think paying $10.00 for a GRILLED VEGGIE sandwich is quite right when in my mind and according to the menu, the grilled veggies consist of roasted red peppers, eggplant, etc. However, the sandwich was delicious. But I was annoyed.
When my sister came into town I decided we could go there as her boyfriend (who is a meat-eater) was incredibly hungry, I thought it would be quick, and would allow for both the vegetarians and the meat-eaters to be satisfied. We sat on the back patio and our waiter was terrific. He was very nice. The food came quickly, was piled high with fries. I had the veggie burger and it was okay, but lacked in flavor or spices or something, and I found it tough to eat.. like, how a steak can be tough to eat? My sister ordered the grilled veggie sandwich and it came as I had assumed originally it should, with lots of veggies and she seemed to like it.
I keep going to Utopia though. The spring rolls are really good, and I generally like the service. Probably the reason I keep going back is because the menu it stocked full of what I consider to be my comfort food. Lots of finger foods, fries, onion rings, and veggie options galore. And while I really didn't like the coleslaw (no flavor), I know I must order the crispy veggie chicken burrito before I do or do not give Utopia my final kiss of approval. But I know I'll be back. Within a five minutes' walking distance, and a stocked menu, how can I resist?
Can you open up a location on the east end?
Utopia deserves every single one of those stars. Fresh food, deliciously prepared, ginourmous servings, inexpensive and very often times quite healthy. I love that they give you a mountain of salad greens with the wraps. Oh yes, fantastic back patio-ish space...the planters could do with a trim but nevertheless, fantastic.
Poutine with mushroom gravy and goat cheese. Yeah, that's all I've got to say.
Utopia is my best friend. We're best friends. I've never had a bad dining experience in all the times I've gone. Utopia and I sit around, drink wine or beer and tell amusing little stories and we might make fun of people who act douchey in non-douchey situations. No wonder why Utopia's stuck around for so long. Utopia can be your best friend too. Go now. Have their melted brie with raspberry couli. Eat their burgers and salads. Laugh and be merry.
Utopia is another great place in toronto for great food at a reasonable price. you will deffinetly feel like you are getting value at this place.
A Latin and Mexican/pub fusion. Serving gollo pinto (Costa Rican rice and beans) with most meals selections. Huge selections of burritos, burgers, Quesadillas with interesting ingredients
Fav's include the chicken/feta burritos, utopia nachos (as big as your head) and their buffalo burger!
Great Grill on College. Their burgers are mouth-watering. Their veggie burger is one of the best in Toronto. Burritos are solid as well, but I stick with their specialty. The setup is tight for large groups (over 4) so better for a date than a birthday party. Patio in the back is pretty dope. Go if you don't mind a bit of a wait. It's worth it.
Obligatory Title Pun: I have two: "Hard TO TOP, YEAH?" or "There's NO PLACE like it." Second one's a bit of a thinker.
Menu Readability: Quite readable. Black and white as I recall, and divided into the appropriate sections.
Need to mention: There is a lamb burger here that makes me want to cry it's so good.
What this place teaches me about myself: I can rarely eat on College St; I have too many friends.
The poutine will f'n rocks your socks off. The burger I had was amazing. The atmosphere is awesome and really laid back. Prices won't hurt your wallet. Service was excellent!
I'm looking forward to going back and using their patio. I'll probably make my experience there a lot better (not that I had a bad one!)
Stumbled upon this place by accident. Had a delicious lamb burger and the best sweet potato and ginger soup ever. The poutine was okay (prefer a more meaty broth) and enjoyed the meal with a raspberry wheat beer. Will go again.
** 3.5 Stars **
So first off, I have to say the back room Utopia has is awesome, I walked in and was disappointed that all 4 tables at the front were taken and then I noticed a bunch of people in the back. A little step closer and I found a nice warm room drenched in sunlight and for 6 months of the year, this is as close to a patio as you'd get in Toronto.
Once sitting down and having a look at the menu I can pretty much sum the whole thing up in 3 words: Salads, Burritos and Burgers... and a whole lot of each kind! Just imagine a kind of burrito and burger and they've probably thought of the flavour combination, not to mention that you can add your own "gourmet" toppings. The food was pretty good for the price (most burritos and burgers around $10) but the rice and slaw that came with my burrito was pretty crappy.
Service unfortunately was really slow.. I think we were there from 2:40 - 4:30 and all we had was a burger and burrito (I can be described as a duck when I'm hungry... a.k.a.I like to devour my food without the whole chewing part).
All in all a pretty cool place to grab a burger but not much more that.
Utopia is delicious and perfect for those who eat meat and who won't and especially for when those two types of people want to dine together with no compromises!
The food is cheap and the beer and wine list is decent. The service is also pretty great as the place is fairly small so there aren't many tables to worry about, but that's also the downside since the place is small, you need to show up early or wait a while for seating because they don't take reservations.
3.5 would be best fitting. Really cute place, definately a hip spot to take a girl out on a date, and very affordable. The menu is simple, but effective. A hipster diner? A couple beers on tap, and a very tasty lamb burger. We also ordered the spring rolls and samosas, both of which where absolutely forgettable. The food is not fantastic all around, but there are some gems in the menu, and a friendly and inviting atmosphere makes you want to stay for maybe one extra pint.
Utopia is one of those places where you can never really go wrong! Their menu selection is pretty extensive, with options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, like some others have mentioned. You won't just get your average burger or burrito here, gourmet toppings and unconventional fillings make these meals well worth the already inexpensive price.
And yes, it's usually packed, and yes you will usually have to wait, but I'd say that's a mark of a good restaurant. It's gotta be worth it if everyone wants in, right? Their patio area is a bonus in the warmer months, and it's the perfect place to spend a few hours devouring a delicious meal and drinks.
A favourite place to go for either lunch or dinner in my area. I've never had a meal here I didn't love and that's saying something considering the giant menu they have PLUS their delicious daily specials. Love the burgers, wraps and veggie poutine!
They've recently re-done their back patio and made it a little nicer to sit at while their inside tables remain as comfy but close together as they always have. The service is also friendly and helpful, which considering how busy they tend to be...is always impressive. You almost always have to wait for a table but it never takes too long and the waiters do everything they can to make you comfy - whether putting you at the bar or just updating you on how long it will be.
My only complaint (and it's a small one) is how hot it gets if you get a seat inside (in any season) due to the number of people crammed inside and the kitchen being so close to the tables. But the food is so good, it makes up for it...especially if you get one of the coveted window seats!
One of those places that people in the know already know about. Some of the best wraps in the city. I'm a confirmed carnivor who has walked away satisfied with their veggie dishes. If you are looking for animal though they have a great burger.
We went to this restaurant on a recommendation from a friend, reading the reviews that say this place is awesome, and because we had a coupon in the Entertainment Book.
I wasn't expecting the place to be as small as it was, with only a few tables in the front (is a little crowded, and the back being a bit nicer, but I wouldn't call it a patio since it is totally covered. Be warned that this place is quite busy and don't be surprised if you end up waiting.
For our meal I had to try the things that everyone goes all ga-ga over; the poutine, the burger, and the burrito. My wife and I shared the gourmet poutine. The verdict was a positive one. It was really good, although I thought the gravy was a little salty, and the goat cheese gave the poutine a different cheese dimension. After eating this I would like to try the regular poutine to see how cheesy it is.
My wife ordered the Groucho burrito and I had a regular burger. My wife really enjoyed the burrito. It comes with coleslaw made with sesame oil and a bean and rice mix. I found that rice to be very bland. It was kind of dry and felt like it needed a sauce or something on it. As for my burger it was ok. Maybe I'm not as big as a burger fan as I thought, but the burger patty itself seemed to fall apart. That could mean that it was homemade, but I would say for me the burger is average and would rather have the burrito.
This place is a great value for the money you pay for your meals, with portions to make you full after you're done, but I don't share the same sentiment with the many Utopia lovers out there.
Utopia: Definition: a place of ideal perfection ....
Well, Utopia Cafe isn't perfection, per se, but it is one the best places in Little Italy for a weekend brunch get-together or a yummy lunch burrito.
Served Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4pm, the brunch is cheap (about $10/person) and offers a great selection including a delicious smoked salmon and swiss omelette, a Morocan breakfast and the classic steak and eggs for a protein-rich fix. This is one of the few breakfast menus that is filling, but doesn't feel like your soaking yourself in a vat of grease and bacon chunks. Mmmmm, bacon....
As for lunch, I've always enjoyed their burrito menu. There are about 15 choices including grilled chickpea, eggplant and shrimp-which are all de-lish and range in price from $9.99-$11.99. Or, if you aren't into burritos, other great meal ideas at Utopia are burgers and quesadillas.
What I truly recommend at Utopia is their brunch-you will not be disappointed!
Toronto, ON
Neighborhood: Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
Neighborhood: Leslieville
Neighborhood: Kensington Market
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