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Whole Foods Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Health Food Store Grocery, Health Food Store [Edit]
87 Avenue RdToronto, ON M5R 3R9
Neighbourhood: The Annex
(416) 944-0500
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for Whole Foods Market
Review Highlights
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"...nutritious options (massive salad bar, tofu, tempeh, etc." In 11 reviews -
"I have attached a pic of my Harmony Organic chocolate milk." In 35 reviews -
"...with selections you just can't find anywhere else." In 3 reviews
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59 reviews in English
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Review from Alex S.
Toronto, ON
5/25/2012
Ok, so let's get the nasty stuff out of the way first: a lot of people pun this place "Whole Paycheque". Yes, if you were to do all of your grocery shopping here it would be expensive. But I'm predisposed to calling it "(w)Holy Foods". Here are three reasons why:
1. Customer service counts big for me.
Here's a specific example: there was a sale on shrimp. I didn't know how to devein and clean them (don't judge; admitting this to you is an important part of the story!). The woman behind the seafood counter cheerily showed me her technique, and then told me to loop 'round at the end of my shopping. When I did, she had cleaned and packed up my order. She saved me time, money (cleaned for the sale price of uncleaned) and generally provided an uplifting data point to prove that PEOPLE ROCK.
Today I was in for an obscure nutritional supplement, and I had two staff members helping me not only to find it, but also to learn more about it, and then to discuss ways of incorporating it into my diet. No matter how busy it is, I always can find a staff member willing to be patient with my questions.
2. Shop the sales
If you follow the path of the yellowy-orangeish signs that spell out in cursive "sale!"...you can score big. My favourite kombucha, for instance, was recently on sale for over a dollar off what other stores charge for it. I have great success with 2/$5 frozen items, bulk items, and sales on produce.
3. It's not just about the money...
it's about the brands that Whole Foods carries, and the range of product selection within the brands, and the cost-to-pain-in-ass-factor-of-finding-this-product balance. Travelling and wanting a natural dose of potassium? I know of no other place in the city that sells my beloved (seriously: it's more than feelings of "like") bananas dehydrated in lime. I'm not vegan, or someone who needs to adhere to a gluten free diet, but I know my friends who fall into both categories appreciate the diversity of stocked product that caters to them. It's worth paying a premium for those special items.
So, sure...I might not go here for my staples, but Whole Foods certainly features regularly on my shopping roster.
Worth noting: since the renovation the layout of the store makes a lot more sense. The "marketplace" components (bakery, amazing rows of hot and cold salad bar items, cheese wheel complete with samples, quick grab prepared foods, pizzas, sushi, etc.) are one one side of the store, with an easily accessible cash. The rows of more standard grocery items, the fish and produce sections are to the other side. BaddaBAM, logic reigns supreme.
Yelp note: it's an awkward place to park, so keep in mind that there's underground parking (which the cashier will validate), and an elevator that takes you straight up into the store. -
Review from Susan N.
Toronto, ON
4/15/2012
Okay, yeah, so it's in the city's most scarily upscale mall, which attracts a fair share of scarily upscale customers (it's remarkable how many Yorkville residents don't seem to be aware that when they're out in public they might need to share the space with other people now and then). And, okay, there are a few very strange gaps at this Whole Foods (heck, do they sell ANY types of soy cheese?!). And, yeah, if you want cheap, you're best off looking elsewhere most of the time. And the aisles are a little small. And it's also worth noting that when particular items sell out, they often take forever to be brought back in.
That said, this is a very decent Whole Foods. For one thing, the bakery is AMAZING. I mean, I thought their baguettes were the Best Bread Ever, but that was before I'd tried the herb-and-garlic fougasses. Then I thought their herb-and-garlic fougasses were the Best Bread Ever, but that was before I'd tried the garlic sourdough half-loaves. Then I thought the garlic sourdough half-loaves were...and so on. I love bread and I'm kind of picky about it, but this is the best selection of it I've ever seen. It's also not expensive! Cookies are another highlight (though I miss the biscotti they used to bring in), and the muffins are also dangerously cake-like (and probably not very healthy, but never mind). Good gluten-free selection, great produce, good meat, etc. Meanwhile, the new renovations have left the store looking very sleek and able to offer lots of great take-out options. The staff is always helpful and usually friendly (as others have noted, they often hire disabled people, which is wonderful). The place is clean and tidily organised, with little surprises here and there (e.g. check out their selection of Papyrus cards hiding to the left of the bakery). It's enough to keep me going back. -
Review from Kat S.
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
In the states we call WF 'whole paycheck'. Here I would call it 'whole salary'. It's so much more expensive than the stores in the states.
Also the selection is wonky. They don't have gluten free chicken nuggets, or justin's nut butters. While this one is huge, its aisles are tight, and tiny. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 2/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Since I last wrote a review, I've been around, and got an understanding of prices and products...
Yeah, some of the stuff here is overly expensive, but for organic produce they have a great selection. It's like Loblaws compared to No Frills, where Whole Foods is compares to Fiesta Farms.
For some produce, they have Organic and Conventional. I like that option since things like Lemons, wich a hard rind, i don't really care it's organic or not.
I bought a bunch of things today on sale. If you're looking for Gluten Free items and alternatives, there's really no big significance between here or Big Carrot.
Today I got 2 for $5 Gluten Free Waffles, $3.99 for Earth Harvest Non Diary Spread, 2 boxes of gluten free crackers, Liberte Yogurt, 2 lemons and $2 for 4 Almond Milk. total was $23.00.
Also, just because it says 2 for $ doesn't mean you have to buy two. You buy one, and you get it at that price.
It's convenient, and parking is free if you buy $25 worth of stuff.
They also have a holistic dispensary which was very helpful with my questions.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/19/2010
I went to the bakery that's on the upper floor of whole foods and I should have expected what I got,… Read more »
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Review from Daniel H.
Mississauga, ON
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not a huge connoisseur of Whole Foods, but I would like to think that I have been to a few (including LA and Santa Monica).. None of which had the presentation that this location offers... I mean WOW..
I was floored when I walked into this location. The meat counter/sausages seemed like they were prepared that day and each item in the produce section looked like lined up soldiers from the red guard.
I just loved the old school market feel of this place, very nice. -
Review from Sara K. P.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2011
Came to Whole foods with hubby the Sunday before Thanksgiving as I'm notoriously the godesss of NON domesticity...aka a lazy slob!
I did do a semi-review of Whole foods a few months earlier and admittedly it was a bit of an angry rant;
http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
I should take it back because on Sunday I was like putty in Whole Foods organically able hands ... I mean you could spend the whole day there marvelling at the hard-to-find or unusual culinary wonders like Ewenity locally produced maple sheep's yogurt or my fave nosh the "Food Should Taste Good" sweet potato tortilla chips. The bread and pastries section is seriously my idea of a Red Light District.
I highly recommend you indulge in the sins of the sour cherry danishes and the mini/ one serving trifles complete with it's own retractable spork "me love it longtime!"
It certainly helps that the renovations have opened up so much more space, expressly in the brilliant prepared foods section where there is a bar/station for virtually everything from pizza to olives, sandwiches, the Legendary salad and hot bar and they even have a stir-fry bar!
Getting back to the business of feeding my guests for Thanksgiving, I picked up multiple pre-preped entrees like Turkey with gravy, ham with apple sauce glaze (because hubby is a dastardly pork eater!) ginger mashed potatoes, spring veggie medley and Brussels sprouts, plus an apple pie. This cornucopia of a meal cost 63 dollars altogether, which is not bad as it generously fed 5 people plus enough for leftovers.
Kudos to the uber friendly hipster-cashier, as he tried to give me my last chance to ditch the brussel sprouts (hubby's choice) and was super gracious that I wasnt feigning the usual Yorkville schtick because I packed my own groceries gasp! I'm a bit obssessive compulsive about packing groceries as I fear leaving it to hubby always results in broken eggshells or everything being smothered in nut butter? Cashier-Hipster went on this whole informative spiel about how the Asians are masters of neatness regarding food storage and taught us some Japanese culinary hygiene(?) terms that I have since forgotten.
Wow an anthropology lesson and yummy groceries cool... very cool indeed Whole Foods! -
Review from Garland S.
North York, ON
8/11/2011
Grocery shopping here can be a pleasurable experience if you hold several consecutive digits in your bank account. Today was my first time at a Canadian Whole Foods Market location(The first one being in Beverly Hills) and it trumps their competitor Pusateri's by a landslide. They offer a wider range of fresh organic as well as rare exotic food items and is much more spacious than said competitor.
The one difference I noticed between the Yorkville and Beverly Hills Whole Foods is that the latter stocks clothing items such as hemp made shoes and shirts. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
3/18/2011 2 photos
Whole Foods Market inside Hazelton Lanes is a great place to browse around. Though everything seems more expensive, but it is in Yorkville and they carries only organic products both comes in a price tag.
I just love looking at all those neatly arranged colourful products in the fruits and vegetables sections. And those all marinated and ready to put in your grill or oven meat looks so fresh. Of course if you don't even want to turn on your stove, you can just get the precooked food and you have a wholesome meal!
The coffee section is one of the best I seen in all the food market I been to. You can buy beans in bulks and there are over 10 selections or pre packaged coffee, of course all the coffee beans are organic too.
Whole Foods Market was surprising busy on this Thursday early afternoon, so I guess price is not a factor for a lot of these people here.
But for now, I am back to my Chinese grocery stores and seeing what's on special this week!Listed in: Grocery Store I Visit, A Day in Yorkville!
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Review from Michael T.
Toronto, ON
5/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I have grown really tired of WFM.
The proportion of truly healthy (organic or GMO-free) foods they offer to standard stuff is dismally low.
They are incredibly expensive for what they actually offer. They sometimes are double the price of Loblaws/Sobeys for staple items. (They used to try and sell a 4L bottle of Canadian Springs Distilled Water for $4.29 when even Rabbas only charges $1.99 and Sobeys has a quasi-permanent sale of $0.99 for their own brand!)
They have these extremely annoying TV monitors blasting pseudo-information at you.
The supplements section has truly poor selection and the staff parrots the marketing info they have been given without actual knowledge. It's several steps below the Big Carrot dispensary which in itself isn't that great.
The prepared foods are simply _unhealthy_ and don't taste that good.
The produce section poorly managed. So much drastically unripe or overripe fruit! So few choices of organic vegetables. So much non-local produce!
Ob-positive: they are open most holidays and later than most on Sundays, and have free parking. The cashiers are quite pleasant, given the large influx of Yorkville rudies and uglies...
Convenience has a price, not only on your wallet, but on your health... -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
5/4/2011
Why are so many people who poison themselves to look "better" (?) customers of a "healthy" grocery store? What is with the huge selection of unhealthy snacks at a "wholesome" supermarket? These and other questions come to my mind whenever I visit Whole Foods in Yorkville, which isn't that often due to inconvenience, price, and the utterly delusionally rude and previously mentioned botoxed clientele.
There are a couple of good reasons to shop here too, including the huge selection of fresh organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables. They also have a pretty good butcher and lots of prepared foods, which would be a nice option if you worked nearby. I have also found the staff friendly and helpful, and they usually do have lots of people on staff to assist, which is more than you can say for a lot of supermarkets in Toronto. (Metro, I'm looking at you!)
If I am not in search of something unique, however, I don't see much need to visit Whole Foods, especially because of the other customers. Now, I am a huge fan of "Walking Dead" and other zombie pop culture, but I didn't expect so many other fans to pay homage in my local Whole Foods. There have been recent reports (http://www.bloomberg.c...) that Botox causes brain damage, and I have seen the evidence at Whole Foods Yorkville.Listed in: Yorkville
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Review from Yvonne T.
3/18/2011
Ah... Whole Foods... Conveniently located in Hazelton Lanes for the rich folk who have nannies shopping for them, for those trophy-wife, stay-at-home mothers who can wake up, roll out of bed, and just go downstairs to grab something before they spend the next 5 hours of the day at the gym to workout their killer bods... All these reasons are why Whole Foods exists. They certainly picked the right location, because if you're going to make a weekly grocery trip to Whole Foods - you had better have some deep deep pockets!
For the average white-collar, 9-5PM office worker like me - it is worth it to peruse and occasionally splurge on the many offerings Whole Foods has to offer. They have a hot bar serving up Potatoes Anna, Quiche, and whatever it is they decide will be offered that day, as well as a salad/soup bar.
It is self-serve and the food is weighed per gram and therefore can be quite pricey. The quarter-chicken combo is quite the steal, a quarter chicken (dark or white meat) plus 2 sides comes to about $10.00 and is quite filling.
They also have a coffee bar as well as a prepared foods counter that is just visually stunning. I will give it extra points for cleanliness and ease of navigation as everything is neatly stockpiled.
The only reason why it gets 3 stars is because once you rip past the pretentiousness of the supermarket, and take out the organic factor, it really is just your everyday supermarket. They just charge big money for the experience!
If you do decide to park at Whole Foods, your parking will be validated provided you show your receipt. -
Review from Emily L.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2010
Let me say this up front: I LOVE LOVE LOVE Whole Foods.
I've been a cursory customer of several in the states, and shopped primarily at WF while living in Vancouver. I'm not a super foodie nor do I subscribe to all the health hype surrounding organics!. I'm a mostly health conscious, semi-skeptic, that loves great tasting food! I love trying new products and being exposed to new options, and mostly, I love choice. This is why I love WF. Delicious, delicious choice. I'm happy to pay for the premium of quality + variety.
This is why I'm disappointed with the Yorkville Whole Foods. I'm fully aware that this is still a premium grocery store, but I simply found myself wanting more... perhaps I've been WF spoiled?
The bakery section is minimal for artisan breads; it primarily concentrated on loaves. My boyfriend, whose one true love was Vancouver WF Carrot Cake, was more than disappointed at the recipe they use here - "rolled in sawdust", I believe was an exact quote.
The prepared food sections, usually brimming with meal ideas for quick sides, raw/vegan/other dietary options, was sort of anemic, unimaginative, and has been fully picked over every time we've gone.
Large area for cheeses, but once you looked closer, not that exotic (or even not so exotic) of choices. Not being a cheese snob, I promise! I was just looking for Dill Havarti!
I love the WF in-house brand, 365! I'm sure it's a matter of space, but I noticed that their full array of products wasn't on the shelves (insert sad face)
The seafood counter was slightly lacking in stock (no mahi mahi), but I will fully give this one to the West Coast's emphasis on seafood selection.
Good things:
There weren't many in-house made pantry items (hummus, pesto, to name a few), but we got a couple to have as staples in our house. Not necessarily remarkable, but fresh.
As usual, the produce section was fresh and varied - I truly believe that there are some organic products that just TASTE better. And I'm happy to have WF to offer me those options.
Lifestyles products section was fairly well stocked, and the meats section looked well stocked and fresh.
Staff as always was knowledgeable and super friendly.
I guess at the end of the day, no matter how hard I try not to compare WF Vancouver and Yorkville, I just have certain expectations! Grocery shopping at WF used to be an absolute delight - now, a muted delight. I apologize if this biased review makes this review somewhat unhelpful - please take it with a grain of artisan lavender rosemary sea salt! -
Review from Helen Y.
Vancouver, BC
2/2/2011
i had real hard time finding certain organic/natural products in Toronto, or at least not in one place.. in van i used to just pop into capers or Whole foods to find my fav products, produce, dairy product, so on and so forth..
Whole food yorkville have pretty good selection, i was pleased..
solid selection of meat and produce, and pretty good selection of dairy products.. would def make it my regular shopping place! -
Review from Alana C.
4/8/2011
I've been shopping here a couple of times because I was trying to add some more healthy things to my diet. The only things I would really buy from here are produce, meat and dairy. All the other packaged foods (cookies, cereals etc.) and frozen dinners can be purchased for cheaper elsewhere.
I remember I bought a box of cereal and it came to $7 but the next day at Bloor St. Market I saw the same cereal for $4.79. I just can't stand price gouging like that. That being said, their produce, meat and dairy are always the best around and I would get all those items from there if I had more time, money and effort to dedicate to grocery shopping. -
Review from Anna K.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2010
I'm a big Whole Foods fan. I don't buy very much here and not very often but there are certain times I have to go there and certain items I have to get here. They have the best meats, really good bulk foods and a wide variety of cheese and seafood.
As far as location, this location is pretty cramped and in the basement of a shopping center. There are so many people in the store that it's frustrating to get around during the busy hours... actually, most of the time. That said, it's not the best for leisure shopping because there are people racing around grabbing soy milk and veggie chips out from under you. It's in one of the riches neighbourhoods in Toronto so there is a little bit of a snobby crowd that shops there but the staff are always so nice and helpful.
I like to go on Sundays because they have a lot of free samples around and I like to have a little lunch while I shop :-) -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
11/5/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's full of the strangest mix of customers you'll see in any Yorkville store. Yes, it's kind of a pain in the arse to get to.
With that out of the way..
Pros:
- Decent range of speciality frozen goods
- Decent range of speciality dry goods
- Great variety in their bulk section (usually with ingredients listed, which is UBER helpful)
- The little seating area to tuck yourself away and chow down on the buffet offerings
- Occasional decent specials that offset the crazy costs of some products
Cons:
- Their refrigerated vegetarian/vegan offerings tofu, tempeh etc - lack in variety somewhat
- Bakery is small and variety is pretty limited
- Not as great range of stuff as US Whole Foods stores, it's true - especially in the buffet/deli area!
- Produce is not of a quality any better/different than a decent Metro or Loblaws for the difference in cost.
- Frustratingly cramped in some areas
I will pop in every so often to grab a bunch of stuff if I need it & know I can't find it elsewhere, or my go-to vegan store Panacea is out; it's definitely no regular stop for me!Listed in: Groceries etc - Toronto
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Review from Karen S.
2/23/2011
Yum! Organic, wholesome, and some of the strangest ingredients to a gourmet beginner experimenter like me. I'm on a homemade foods kick recently and have been sampling the recipes from the plethora of cooking blogs online. Doing so has definitely opened my eyes and taste buds to things that simply aren't normally in my pantry. My dilemma though was that I didn't even know where to begin to find the ingredients! Brown rice syrup? Cocoa nibs? Fortunately, someone pointed out Whole Foods to me. I had always come here for the salad bar, but for some odd reason just never made it around to buying anything from the shelves for home.
Whole foods is pricey for sure. However, finding that elusive ingredient in the aisles gives me a certain satisfaction when I finally set my eyes on it. For random, organic, good-for-you edible goodies, I heart Whole Foods! -
Review from Spiro P.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2010
No wonder why they call this place, "whole paycheck," because you actually spend your whole paycheck shopping here. The prices are astronomically high.
Even though all of the produce is organic, the prices are calculated at every 100 grams. This means that you have to multiply everything. by 4.54 to figure out what the price is per pound.
Does this sound ridiculous? Of course, it does. But if Whole Foods listed the price at per Lb., no one would shop there anymore because it is cheaper to buy organic at a farmer's market, or at a supermarket like Sobey's or Metro. -
Review from Susan C.
Toronto, ON
5/2/2011
I'm a fan of this supermarket!I love their prepared food section. It doesn't taste bland like the prepared section in a Sobeys or Lobaws...WHOLE FOODS IS TASTY! (And I love how it's self-serve!) Oh, and don't forget their muffins or their whole bakery section.
Also, they have tofurky, soooo much better than meat...yum!
Yes, this supermarket is quiet pricey...which is a reason why I'm only there once every month or two... but, this place makes me happy (:
TOFURKY! -
Review from Teresa H.
Stouffville, ON
2/24/2011
Yep its pricey but, you get what you pay for. Every single item is organic, the store is super clean, staff is fantastic and you leave knowing that what you bought is good food. If you dont feel like cooking or dont have time they have a variety of hot food items to take home.
Parking is free if you shop here.
I go here as often as I can -
Review from Mike F.
Toronto, ON
10/16/2010
Yes, this place is expensive.
But the quality of food is exceptional. One of the best selections of natural and organic produce. Super nice employees, love the customer service.
I just wish they would bring back free parking (although you get 90 minutes if you purchase $25 or more). -
Review from Jackie P.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love grocery shopping. If you said, I'm going to give you an unlimited shopping card for two hours to shop at either Dean & Deluca or Bloomingdales, I would pick Dean & Deluca.
Whole Foods, like Dean & Deluca is on the higher end of grocery shopping. You better come with plastic that can take the price tag. Everything at wholefoods is grossly overpriced but to be fair you're shopping there for their organic, imported and gluten free selection. Or, you just don't value being economic and spend frivolously.
The highlights: Great prepared meals section. Really diverse salad bar, at least six choices for homemade soup and a wide range of hot food selections that are for the most part healthy. You can get a lot of the organic fare at whole foods you'd usually have to track down at multiple health food stores. They usually have a nice meat, fish and seafood selection although one time I bought shrimps that were very sandy. Their dessert section is stoked with all types of gluten free, sugar free, dairy free and the good old fashioned with all of the above. That's my kind of dessert. They use paper bags and don't charge you. Yeah for the environment...but keep bringing your own reusable.
The low points: PRODUCE! It's not good. Either they've run out of it, it's going bad or they don't carry it. I really expected more from them. To top it off, it's outrageously more expensive then any other produce you'll buy in this city (besides Pusateri's). The price at Whole Foods is also a low point but it comes with the territory, so it shouldn't be a factor.
I still shop at Whole Foods because I can find dairy products and specialty imported products that I can't find anywhere else. I also love their soups! Worth every penny. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2008
Whole Foods, did something happen to you at the Canada-US border? Why are you so different up here? Why does no one care?
Seriously, this is the strangest Whole Foods I have ever stepped into. Normally, I get a little excited about this grocery store, what, with their awesome vegan puddings and crazy multi-cheese pepper bean chipotle hummous babaganoush extravaganza dips. I bow down at their hot buffets, salad tables and soup displays.
But this branch of the US-based grocery staple barely competes with the lame-o chains that plague our city. Here are the reasons why Whole Foods in Yorkville sucks:
* It's in a BASEMENT. What self-respecting store would choose to put itself in a basement other than Kernel's Popcorn or a place that sells Canned Moose?
* Ill-maintained buffet tables. Have someone, anyone, give the chow a complimentary stir. It needs some attention.
* Too expensive! Okay, so this applies to all Whole Foods, but it seems more offensive here because the place is so uninspiring. I know your produce looks infinitely nicer than the ones I see rolling into the Chinatown gutters, but $3.99 a pound for peppers? Did someone put me in a time machine marked 2018? I think not.
Grr. -
Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
SLAP MY ASS AND CALL ME SALLY!!!
I went to Whole Foods today to load up on good, organic food. I have been super busy, haven't had time to cook and haven't been eating properly. I made an executive decision to treat myself to a big shop at Whole Foods. Costly - you betcha, but the quality is outstanding.
I went to Whole Foods for convenience as well. I was able to get some cut veggies, fruits and the best pork sausage stuffed mushroom caps ever.
The mushroom caps I had for dinner with some roasted green beans. Saweet jeahusus it was good. Enough for me to have as left unders for lunch tomorrow at work.
What I really loved was the chocolate milk I bought as a treat. I have attached a pic of my Harmony Organic chocolate milk. Best chocolate milk I have EVER had. Go buy stocks in this stuff or something!!Listed in: Push the Grocery Cart
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/27/2009
I heart Whole Foods
The staff are exceptional, the meat, OUTSTANDING, the selection, great, the… Read more »
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2008
I live in Yorkville so Whole Foods is my local supermarket.
We used to have a Loblaws over on Yorkville and Yonge but it's condos now. For a long time there was NO grocery store in the neighborhood, except for the Green Grocer at Bay and Bloor which is the Sears of grocery stores.
Along comes Whole Foods with it's eco-friendly tag lines and gourmet products like Toronto was getting a favor.
Here is what you need to know if you're looking for good organics, specialty products, vegetarian stuff and fresh food when it comes to Whole Foods:
1. The produce is crap. I get that this is good for Americans, but Americans have terrible standards when it comes to fruits and veggies. This Whole Foods is always out of staples (like onions) and it's way over priced. You want good organics try Kensington Market, the fruit stands at Spadina and Bloor or the Farmer's Market on Wednesdays at City Hall. Half the price, twice the quality.
2. If you're vegetarian like me, or health conscious at all, then Whole Foods has great selection in the staples: sugar-free peanut butter and soy milk are two things that I love, but i get frustrated when I can only find one brand in other store. Just because I don't like milk, doesn't mean I don't want variety in my soy milk choices. Similarly, spices, nuts and cereals selections are great at Whole Foods.
3. If you're not into white people food, good luck. When you can't find variety in your hot sauce in a grocery store, you're in a white neighborhood. Just deal with it. Whole Foods is great variety for its bulk customer: mainly white + rich. If you're looking for variety in your Mexican food, don't go to Whole Foods.
4. Fresh food. Here's where the trial and error really begins. The sushi is middle of the road. The salad bar is hit or miss (for example: the sesame cucumber noodles are amazing, but they couldn't cook tofu to save their lives). The soups are generally good, but it's the hot food that's the real gamble. Again, the white rule is a good one. They can make chicken, but forget their curry, it's bland. And never ever buy pre-cooked fish, fish can't be sitting under warming lights or in warming trays because it overcooks.
My favourite part of Whole Foods is their cheese guys. They really know their cheese and the fresh, wild caught fish is totally worth the price. Oooh, and finally, they have a good little bakery counter for truffles and cakes. Two things I like decadent and small. And so does Whole Foods.
My most hated thing: $17.99 for cat litter. Are you kidding? Even the President's Choice Green line is $6.99 (in comparison to $4 approx. for the others). Let's keep this in check, your cat is going to crap on this product and you wanna charge me almost $20? The joke is on you if you buy into that.
All in all: you can get 90% of the products at Whole Foods in Kensington Market or St. Lawrence for a third of the price. -
Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
2/15/2011
Best salad bar EVER. It's so delicious it actually makes me want to eat healthy. They have a great variety of salad items and seasoning and all of the freshest and highest quality. This is the real deal, none of that Kraft dressing on top of Cesar Salad garbage. Their fresh bread is super yummy too, although their cupcakes are nothing special.
Yes, the prices are ridiculously high but seeing as they're located right in Yorkville, what else would one expect? Choices choices choices, Whole Foods is full of them, most of them being organic (if you're into that), and they have a lot of food items you'll have a hard time finding elsewhere. Lastly, their seating area is pretty spacious, and always clean, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a seat to chow down on your delicious salad or your hot meal.
There's a Whole Foods currently being built in the Yonge & Sheppard area, I'm so excited! -
Review from Christine T.
8/20/2009
Organic blah blah blah..Whole Paycheck is NOT all about organic people. Ya want organic? Saunter your wealthy white selves over to where the REAL foodies shop= St. Lawrence Market.
The Whole Foods "365 Organic Chopped Spinach" labeled "A Product of China". On front of the package the label reads "USDA ORGANIC".
I just always assumed those well-heeled shoppers read the labels. So much for assumptions. -
Review from Karl R.
3/13/2010 5 photos
Let me say straight up, I'm not a fan of the organic food hype. Our non organic food supply is *the* safest, cheapest, most nutritious food supply in all of human history. Sure there are problems with e.coli etc but then sometimes nuns commit murder. It's not a perfect world.
That said, Whole Foods Market is a great little place to grab a Saturday brunch. They have a hot table near the cheese section. You grab a Styro...errr I mean recycled cardboard container, load up whatever, grab some buns or cornbread, and hit the check out. The food is charged out by weight. It's not super cheap. A Styro...errr recycled cardboard container full of food plus a hunk of corn bread came to $16 with tax. But I'll say this it totally hit the spot and stuffed me for the rest of the day. There's lots of seating around the corner and a nice window for people watching. The people watching/environs can't be beat. It's in the middle of the toni Hazelton Lanes.
Anyway, I'd sure be back.Listed in: When you're alone and life is…
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Review from Helen L.
Toronto, ON
9/4/2009 3 Check-ins Here
I used to do an internship in the area and the only thing that made it bearable was the fact that I can walk to Whole Foods at lunch to shop and eat lunch (they have the best salad bar!)
Yes, I know people call this place "whole paycheque"...but this is Yorkville! Of course it is expensive! At least there is free parking! I don't buy anything there that I can buy cheaper somewhere else and not everything is more expensive there. For the price you are paying, you are getting the convenience of having an incredible selection of organic fruits and vegetables with selections you just can't find anywhere else...and they offer this all year-round! When I go to other supermarkets, I find that the organic stuff sometimes look kind of sad or bruised (especially in winter) but that's not the case at Whole Foods!
Another great thing about Whole Foods is their amazing selection of bath/body/hair/make up products. I've been gradually switching all my beauty products to more natural brands and the girls at Whole Foods have been a great help and resource. Not only will they make great recommendations, they will also send you home with loads and loads of samples!
My only wish is that they open up more locations in Toronto...hopefully, one near me! -
Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
8/21/2008
We have all heard the reference "Whole Paycheck" when it come to Whole Foods..and while that may be true..I would rather spend my grocery allowance here then a Safeway any day!
Whole Foods offers a great selection of foods that are natural and organic..along with a few of your good old standbys like Helman's Mayo or Haagen Daus...the produce selection is INCREDIBLE and the deli offers fresh meats that look good even while still raw! The bakery section is my favorite...just try and go there without getting one of there yummy treats..I suggest a cupcake with the 3lbs of icing on top..it's not too sweet and goes down easy :) They also offer a great self serve buffet with a salad bar and great hot eats as well...careful with the salad bar..they charge you by weight and if you're like me you may get REALLY excited and add a little of everything and all of a sudden you have a $25 salad..
I like this location in particular because they have a great coffee shop separate from the market itself..it has a small selection of their great pastries and a cooler filled with yummy pre-made sandwiches and salads that make it super convenient if you are in a hurry and just need to grab coffee and lunch to go! -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2009
There are so many places in this city of ours where you can get delicious, fresh, local produce. Or where you can get delicious, fresh, local EVERYTHING.
And Whole Foods tries to trick you into thinking their produce will be good, with their ridiculous displays and their pyramids of fruit. But they're LIES, all LIES. They ship in their fruit and veg from all over the world, and just because it's certified organic doesn't mean that it's going to be fresh, or good. You're more likely to find better produce at St. Lawrence Market or ANYWHERE else (hell, even Chinatown).
I feel like it's so trendy to be health conscious and "GREEN" that people are just buying into whatever bullshit society feeds them about nutrition. And gosh-darnit, this place is called Whole Foods! Whole grains, those are good for you, right? So...this place...good for you? No. Good for the economy, bad for your wallet, and not good for you, either.
This place is overpriced, overhyped, and just overdone in general. If you're too lazy to go explore all of the great organic products at other stores in the city, then just go to Whole Foods and hand over your wallet. -
Review from Kevin D.
Toronto, ON
3/17/2009
I personally don't think its worth the money to shop at Whole Foods.
You're paying for a piece of mind and to keep up appearances in my humble opinion. There are dozens of other retailers who specialize in organic produce, etc that deliver at a better price.
I just don't think Whole Foods is the be-all end-all in organic shopping. -
Review from Erin B.
8/12/2010
Whole foods was much bigger than I expected and very, very shiny. In a sentence, it feels like Disney Does Health Food! Though i'll admit to being enticed by the many fair trade chocolates and the beautiful display of colourful veggies, i couldn't shake the feeling that the whole place is a big, sneaky marketing scheme to make rushed torontonians feel better about their impact on the world.
Aisle after aisle of prefab crackers, cereals, pastas and all the other prepared goodies your little heart could desire. And all labelled organic/fair trade/gluten free/whatever. Which doesn't always mean what we want it to, and even when it does, none of those things mean healthy and wholesome, not actually.
There's a fresh meat and seafood section boasting organic stuff and a small bulk food section (also mainly organic). For my money I'd rather hit up local markets for local, organic meats, and buy basic ingredients to make my own.
Summary? Expensive and inauthentic. Someone wants us to buy these things because they know that we all want to do 'better' but won't put in much effort. And, judging by the following that Whole Foods has around here, they're right. -
Review from Letrell S.
Toronto, ON
9/21/2011
Oh, how I want to love this place. I've been shopping there for years but have noticed a steep decline in the quality and freshness.
Yesterday I purchased watermelon that was mushy and dinner rolls that were stale. I've had milk spoil 2 days after bringing it home. Their "ultimate burgers" were almost inedible.
I shop there because I thought paying extra means better quality and fresher foods. No so. My last 3 shopping experiences have been consistently disappointing.
I think it's time to break up with Whole Foods. Big Carrot? I wish St. Lawrence Market had more organic choices. -
Review from Christine K.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2009
Things That Make You Go Hmmmm....
Now don't get me wrong I like fresh fruit & vegetable the same as the next person, even a little organic thrown in but why pay double? I don't need to be "seen" but this seems to be one of the selling points of shopping at this - yes very nice, very clean, very hip grocery store.
My fav spot to shop still is Kensington market - sorry Whole Foods -
Review from Daniel B.
12/13/2009 1 Check-in Here
Having lived in Austin for years, I've grown absolutely accustomed to the first-world-glory that is Whole Foods.
There's only one reason to go to Whole Foods Market. The fantastic selection of wine and beer. A wonderful mecca of inexpensive hand-picked choices each expertly paired with great cheese and foods.
I eagerly wander into the filthbucket that is Hazelton Lanes in search of the wonderful liquor selection....
One aisle of organic doodads. One aisle of overpriced vitamin-horse-tranquilizers... where is it? Where is it? A lovely display of Flaxseed laxative muffins.... WHERE IS THE BOOZE?
I ask one of the beautiful robots... "Excuse me? Where do you keep the wine?" Silence. Confused look. She calls the manager.
"I'm sorry sir. This is Canada, we do not carry alcoholic beverages at the Market here."
The Market gets two stars. -
Review from Martin W.
1/10/2011
This is where I do most of my grocery shopping. It is expensive but some of the food is hard to find elsewhere. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The only thing I don't buy here is the meat as I find it unjustifiably expensive and limited. Overall I am pretty happy with my shopping experiences at whole foods.
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Review from Sanita M.
7/25/2011
Extremely expensive store. I used to live in Yorkville so I was going there time to time, however I never paid less than $50 for just regulat groceries for myself. It is really overpriced store and I am glad I do not live there anymore so I can shop in other stores where I can spend $25-$30 for the same products. I still give 2 stars as they sometimes had nice organic products it is difficult to find in other stores, but thats about it. I am not so rich to shop there.
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Review from Margaret M.
Toronto, ON
5/1/2009
I absolutely love yorkville whole foods market!! Its my favourite place to walk to in the mornings because everything in there looks so fresh! I don't usually go there if I'm buying a lot of groceries, but for specialty/health items and brands they're one of my first choices. My favourite part is probably the "market" atmosphere of the store with a salad bar, fresh cheese and tons of fruits and veggies. Plus everything is always clean and they make healthy food look delicious. Although it is a bit pricey, so is organic/health food in general- at least with whole foods you know it has a good name whereas some other Toronto health stores have questionable produce that I wouldn't feed to my friends.
Minus one star for some pricey items, not the most economical place to buy groceries. -
Review from D I.
5/20/2010
Well, apparently Whole Foods is ridiculously expensive North of the border too.
Anh, whatever, I still like it, no sense denying it.
