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OT: The M-Fing Food Thread

CH1 said:
totally different menu in the US....Yanks go there for their corn dogs.

AW Canada has rebranded itself --- as a more contemporary chain (grass fed beef, beyond burgers, etc).

about 5 yrs ago, they were hard to find, but now everywhere downtown.
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When I was there, I think there was only the one in Yorkdale. Maybe the first one in Toronto?

Back when carbs meant nothing to me, I would stop by there maybe twice a week coming back from U of T.

I legit miss those days. Very nostalgic.
 
BeLeafer said:
Pandemic not all bad ...

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I dislike their coffee (they over-roast their beans to mask the meh) but I give them credit for helping create the indie coffee scene in Toronto.

Pre-Starbucks, if you wanted to avoid the mediocre chains like Second Cup and Coffee Time, there was JetFuel, some good espresso joints on College Street, and the odd out of the way place.

Having just moved from Montreal, I was horrified because I was used to good coffee in every neighbourhood.

Startbucks started the coffee convo in the city and now every hood as very good coffee.
 
CH1 said:
I dislike their coffee (they over-roast their beans to mask the meh) but I give them credit for helping create the indie coffee scene in Toronto.

Pre-Starbucks, if you wanted to avoid the mediocre chains like Second Cup and Coffee Time, there was JetFuel, some good espresso joints on College Street, and the odd out of the way place.

Having just moved from Montreal, I was horrified because I was used to good coffee in every neighbourhood.

Startbucks started the coffee convo in the city and now every hood as very good coffee.
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That plus they've done an amazing job turning an absolutely heinous product into a viable mega business. Good on them.
 
CH1 said:
I dislike their coffee (they over-roast their beans to mask the meh) but I give them credit for helping create the indie coffee scene in Toronto.

Pre-Starbucks, if you wanted to avoid the mediocre chains like Second Cup and Coffee Time, there was JetFuel, some good espresso joints on College Street, and the odd out of the way place.

Having just moved from Montreal, I was horrified because I was used to good coffee in every neighbourhood.

Startbucks started the coffee convo in the city and now every hood as very good coffee.
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Not sure where you were. I have spent most of my 30+ years here living/working around college or bloor/annex. So, never had a problem finding good coffee spots. But it could be different elsewhere, I'm sure. The reason I cheer them going is because they've hurt those guys.
 
I remember when Starbucks tried to take over Dooney's spot at Bloor and Borden (place was my second living room). The entire neighbourhood revolted.
 
BeLeafer said:
Not sure where you were. I have spent most of my 30+ years hear living/working around college or bloor/annex. So, never had a problem finding good coffee spots. But it could be different elsewhere, I'm sure. The reason I cheer them going is because they've hurt those guys.
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yeah...the annex was a bit of an outlier, decent for coffee (Dooneys and others) but I lived on Queen West and it was a wasteland.

People from Citytv would lineup to grab caffeinated sludge from a variety store...
 
CH1 said:
yeah...the annex was a bit of an outlier, decent for coffee (Dooneys and others) but I lived on Queen West and it was a wasteland.

People from Citytv would lineup to grab caffeinated sludge from a variety store...
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Yeah, QW sucked ... for more than just coffee. Further west (other side of bathrust) going back to 80s/early 90s used to have some good spots but not much for coffee.
 
Little Italy had good brew. Black Cat Cafe/il gato nero was the best coffee in town. That goes way back. I lived in that area for over a decade.
 
BeLeafer said:
Little Italy had good brew. Black Cat Cafe/il gato nero was the best coffee in town. That goes way back. I lived in that area for over a decade.
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For sure...my point is nice coffee should be available within walking distance, for all. I don't want to take a street car for 15 mins just for 3 sips of nice espresso
 
CH1 said:
For sure...my point is nice coffee should be available within walking distance, for all. I don't want to take a street car for 15 mins just for 3 sips of nice espresso
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I agree. That was walking distance for me, but point taken. Don't think the answer is mega exploiter of labour though.
 
BeLeafer said:
Did you ever check on the Swan when you lived down there? Golf buddy was a partner in it. Nice spot.
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Used to go there quite a bit. That place was ahead of its time -- quality, no fuss food without the fancy napkins and required expense accounts.

That's now the norm...but back then it really stood out.
 
BeLeafer said:
I agree. That was walking distance for me, but point taken. Don't think the answer is mega exploiter of labour though.
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They actually are relatively progressive -- at least in Canada. Talked to some employees -- health/dental/eyewear benefits for those working 20hrs/week
 
Wayward DP said:
did it go under or just quality went to shit?

I did visit the second location downtown and was disappointed with the experience. but the original was great as ever last time I visited (admittedly a while ago, and admittedly very intoxicated)
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They sold , I think to the Magen guys, and expanded and it just isn’t the same.
 
Are the Magen guys actually a thing over there?

I'm surprised to see their name just dropped casually like everyone would know who they are.
 
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