Restaurant
guides come in all shapes and sizes. The problem is they all focus on
the same restaurants - trendy, expensive and gourmet ones. Now don't
get me wrong, this is great for planning that romantic evening with
your latest consenting adult.
But what about...
The
couple that eats out 4 times a week because they are at work until
8 every night.
The
backpacker looking for a cheap dinner on Queen West.
The
new home owner who forgot her lunch.
Not
to mention students, tourists, and everyone else in town who wants to
grab a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner without breaking the bank or
eating another Happy Meal.
There
are plenty of places to eat great food in this city and many of them
are affordable... aka cheap, but most of the really good ones are hidden.
restaurants
that are good quality, great value and recommended. Over 900 restaurants
have been recommended through this site by our contributors, celebrities
and readers.
Is it good, is it cheap, does it have at least
one seat?
Good Quality
It
doesn't have to be haute cuisine, but it has to be a place you would
go back to. Not the kind of place with stuff that makes you wrinkle
your nose and say "Here, smell this..."
High Value - aka Cheap
We
don't care if the place also serves $29 a plate dinners, but if the
average price of a meal including taxes and a drink (pop, beer, wine,
tea) comes under our price range we want to know.
Price
Range - including a drink and taxes
Breakfast
for under $5 - including coffee
Lunch/Brunch
for under $10 - including beverage
Dinner
for under $15 - including beverage
At least one seat
There
are a lot of great spots in town for takeout and delivery and many amusing
street meat vendors. But if it doesn't have at least one seat, bench
or stool, then it is cheap food not cheapeats. We do consider food courts
spots - but only if the food is exceptional.
Independent
Hand
Food, Fast Food and Street Food are all okay but don't tell us about
McDonald's please - we know it's there and we try to ignore it!
"Written with
such a great sense of humour and
really very informative... it reads like you've just asked your
best-friend where is the best place to go eat in TO..."
Paul Castle - CBC
