By Becca Lemire and Haley Cullingham
When you just can’t bring yourself to cook, or you’re so tired of caf food you think your head might explode, here’s where to eat on a student budget. A lot of these are under $5.
Mother’s Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave. (416) 217-2008
Quite simply, the best dumplings in Toronto. Their new location in Toronto offers tons of seating, and no matter how many dumplings you order, it seems impossible to spend more than $15 a person for an entire meal. If you’re rolling solo and just need a quick, warm feast, grab an order of Chive and Noodle dumplings for $6.10, or a green onion pancake for $3.55
http://www.mothersdumplings.com/menu.html
The Empire
1018 Bloor St. W. (at Rusholme) 416 532 5511
The tastiest and cheapest falafel sandwiches, chicken & beef shawarma, bbq chicken and lamb shank sandwiches I’ve found, all $2.99-4.99. Freshly made beef and veggie samosa’s for under $1. Crispy, perfectly seasoned, and slightly different every time, which tells me they are home made.
Utopia Cafe
586 College St., 416-534-7751
Huge portions of creative comfort food, and nothing is much over $10. Favourite include the veggie-gravy poutine for $4.95, Grilled Salmon Salad for $10.95, or the Pesto, Mushroom and Asiago sandwich for $7.95.
http://utopiacafe.ca/index.html
Ciccio’s Pizza
796 Dundas St. W. (at Palmerston) 416 363 8686
Authentic slices with multiple fresh toppings for only $2.75, tax included. You can get a drink with that kind of deal! Usually they have bruschetta (my pic), hawaiian, pepperoni and roasted veg to choose from. Dining for 2 and you can split a homemade Italian pasta for just under $5/person.
New Generation Sushi
493 Bloor St. W. 416-963-8861
With two locations, a small one near Spadina and a more spacious one near Bathurst, New Gen serves up delicious sushi for reasonable prices. The Spicy Vegetarian Maki is not to be missed.
http://www.newgenerationsushi.com/index.aspx
Bar Nazareth
969 Bloor St. W. (at Dovercourt) 416 535 0797
Huge Ethiopian plates of seasoned meat or vegetables, comes with Injera (like naan or roti bread, but softer and not fried) and cheese. Dinner for 2, just over $5 with tax and tip. Don’t knock Ethiopian food until you go here.
Perola’s Supermarket
247 Augusta Ave. (at Nassau) 416 593 9728
Mexican staples like tacos and papusas in the back of this Kensington Market grocery store, Friday Saturday and Sundays only. Get 2 freshly made ones of your choice for $5. Choices of pork, chicken, veggie and cactus (!).
Banh Mi Ba Le 2
538 Dundas St. W. (at Spadina) 416 977 2168 –
Choose from over 10 different types of Vietnamese subs, both veggie and meat. Get ready to be stuffed to the gills for only $2.25, or live dangerously and buy 2. A favorite of Chinatown.
Chinese Bakery
433 Dundas St. W (at Huron) 416 260 0305
With a $5 budget, get up to 15 buns at one of Chinatown’s cheapest and best bun places. Meat or veggie, sweet, salty, savory, get your dinner and dessert and probably a drink too, without going much over a crisp fiver.
Tom’s Family Restaurant
996 Queen St. W (at Ossington) 416 535 4955
Hungover and need breakfast? Go to Tom’s for the food, stay for the atmosphere. Head to the back and chill out in the dining room. Breakfast special before 11am is only $3.99 including coffee, among many other satisfying items on the menu for $5 or under. Small pints of beer for a toonie.
Island Foods
1182 King St. W (at Dufferin) 416 532 6298
Never been to the Caribbean? Just swing by Parkdale. And when one goes to Parkdale, one must get a roti, and Island Foods is one of the cheapest, and tastiest. Veg choices for under $5; be prepared to spend more on the meat. Sit by the window and people watch, but maybe not for too long