By The Way

I would have rated this place a zero if it was possible. To start with the man server who was working there was very rude and unwelcoming. He wasn’t willing to answer our questions in a friendly manner, and instead would laugh with sarcasm. We were also denied service because we only wanted to order lattes and desert. The male server said he couldn’t serve us because «I have a $ 5 minimum order per person right now» and that «this is not a café». However, our order would have been higher than $ 10 and this location is a «Café». So since we specifically went there for the desert, we asked for the desert to go but the server still said he cannot help us with that. We were pretty shocked at this point as this is the absolute worst café/​restaurant we ever been to.

I like this place and come here every now and then.
Their regular menu is quite boring, but they always offer daily lunch and dinner specials that aren’t horribly priced and sometimes offer exciting flavours. They also offer vegetarian options in these specials, so that’s always a bonus (though I once had an extremely bland veggie lasagna). Try their fried calamari– it’s great! I’d like to come and try their famous brunch one day (which they offer late into the day, I believe)!

Came here for dinner & drinks with a friend. There was room on the patio on a warm Friday night which is rare! We had beer & a burger/​lamb kabobs. They were fine. The better part of the experience was just sitting on the patio enjoying the sunset & people-​watching on Bloor. It’s lively but not extremely loud so you can have a conversation without shouting. This is a good place to catch up with a friend or maybe take a date.
Our server seemed a bit hard of hearing and busy with other tables, but otherwise service was okay. I’d come back for patio drinks but would skip the dinner menu next time.

I’m honestly surprised by the poor reviews from other people, I suppose it all boils down to what you order. However that being said, the service was amazing and our waiter was really attentive, he came by to check on us from time to time.
Came here for late brunch after making a regrettable decision of not making reservations at the two other brunch places we went to, I took a chance on By The Way and it didn’t disappoint. Tired as well a hungry and not in the mood to go hunting for yet another brunch place we decided come into By The Way. Although, it was packed we were quickly seated and brought menus. I order the Eggs Charlottine which is a smoked salmon and spinach eggs benedict. The order came with a side of fries. The dill hollandaise paired really well with the smoked salmon and spinach. The dill in the hollandaise sauce made it refreshing and didn’t make it seem so heavy. The portions were a good size. The décor was quite nice.

You know… I didn’t have high expectations for By the Way because of its Unilocal aggregate at 3 stars and the description of «Mediterreanean/​Middle Eastern» food didn’t tickle my fancy for breakfast.
Anyway, I was blown away by both the service and food! It was busy, we got lucky and were seated right away. I got the chorizo mushroom havarti omelette, which is one of the best omelettes I’ve had in a long time. My girlfriend got the huevos rancheros (or whatever it’s called), which she liked… but she definitely liked my omelette more because she stole about half of it. It’s okay, the meal comes with homefries AND a bagel! Nice touch, reminded me of montreal. So even though my girlfriend disregarded my love for breakfast, decided I’m fat enough and ate my food, I still walked away satisfied. MORE than satisfied. This place will now sit high on my list of choices for breakfast on the weekend!

Always wanted to check out this little spot near my place so I finally went for brunch last week. For the price (45 for two) it did not live up to my brunch desires. We got the steak and eggs and the huevos divorciados. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
I do have to say I love the atmosphere of the place, and the staff was great too, it just wasn’t my favourite spot I’ve ever been too. I do always believe in second chances though so maybe I’ll try going for dinner or lunch one day! Sadly Not everyone can be the queen-​b of brunch.

This is a favourite brunch spot in Toronto. Their patio is great for people watching and the service is fast and friendly. Eggs florentine w the special dill flavoured hollandaise sauce is a must try — divine! Recently renovated it is even nicer in the winter months. Cozy and reminiscent of Europe or NYC. Vegan and licensed. Enjoy :)

In the early days, By The Way Café was a cramped vegetarian restaurant. We walked by tonight to see it’s spruced up now, though still comfortably casual with soft lighting. And it claims to serve Middle Eastern food. So we went in for dinner. It’s been more than 20 years since I ate here.
I had a cranberry spritzer that was more spritz than cranberry. Buttered vegetables that came with my lamb chops were crisp, but in need of garlic or something. The grilled lamb chops however were sad, as if the chef didn’t know how to char the outside and leave the inside rare. You have to put the chops on a hot hot grill, that’s how. The squash lasagna was good, though much too squashy after the third bite. Not terrible food, just uninspired food.

AMAZING FOOD!
I have been here a few years ago when travelling to Toronto and recently came back. I was pleasantly surprised with how consistent the food was. Excellent each time although years apart. Great burger and their fries are to die for. Great job guys keep up the great Café!

First time I went (a few years ago) I wasn’t very impressed. This year we decided to give it another shot, they have upgraded their look and it is much more pleasing and inviting than it was. We go to this place for breakfast some times, the scone is delicious, the eggs are pretty yummy, coffee is good, service is good. All round a good experience. :)

This place is passable for brunch but very mediocre for lunch or dinner. It’s way too expensive for what you’re getting, which is basically the equivalent of what a slightly below average home cook would make in their own kitchen. Everything looks and feels dated. Skip it!

From the reviews and the pics, I thought it’d be better.
I had the smoked zuchhini in tahini for an app. The tahini was rather bitter!
chicken kebab with rice and salad: SOOO boring, i’ve had better food at the mall food court.
Don’t waste your money at this restaurant.

This is my first time back here since they did their huge reno. I must say, I’m impressed by the great flooring, different furniture and better set up! Our server was friendly and I ordered the calamari to start — spicy (boyfriend mentioned that it tasted like they just brushed them with chicken wing spices — good point). I then had the mussels. I was disappointed. This place isn’t cheap but the mussels were in a flavourless broth — which is the whole point. It’s not rocket science, I’ve made fantastic mussels in the past, with garlic and white wine and was super satisfied. I wouldn’t order these again. They had a tomato broth base but tasted like nothing. Boyfriend ordered the chicken breast with veggies (in the $ 23 range) it, however was super! I’d order that one again for sure. The bartender was really helpful when I’d explained that I wanted a beer that was similar to Hoegaarden and so he suggested a great one (from Quebec, actually — who knew?). I’d go back, but would definitely ask more questions about my food before ordering because it’s not worth paying that much for a mediocre dish.

I’ve been here for brunch and it was okay. Service was good. Food was mediocre.
I came here yesterday and was fairly disappointed. The chilled gazpacho tasted like canned salsa that they just poured into a bowl.
I came in here craving pasta but the servers highly recommended the fish… I believe it was called the BC snapper with veggies and rice… I’d say the dish was a ²⁄₅. It tasted really weird. The flavors didn’t really go together. It was sweet, then creamy and a bit sour from the artichokes. The sauce was what threw me off. If there’s a next time, I’d pass on this. But I really should’ve trusted my gut and gone for the seafood pasta.
The service was horrid. Good luck getting your glass of water refilled. I had to ask for a refill which is unheard of! The staff lacks customer service — or my server did at least — and fails to pay attention to detail.

My wife daughter (6mo) and me went there this morning-​already open 5min before opening hours. That was a good thing, as 15 min later nearly all tables were filled with people.
Very attending waitress which brought a included glass of tap water and took flawlessly the orders. The menu is reduced to two sheets of paper, but that is definitely IMHO the better option as offer much crap.
The eggs came perfectly stirred with potato-​mash (name here: fries), very very nice set up so the eye had its fun as the stomach.
All together: excellent service, good food, no point to argue about

We were there for breakfast this morning. Very limited seating only about 12 – 15 seats but being early it was not packed. I had an omelets and it was delicious. Came with hashbrowns and bagel.
Very good service quick and easy .
Very impressed.
Only downer was the debit machine was not working

OK guys so here’s the deal. The place is open earlier than most joints in the area so that is good for the rare times one is up before noon on the weekends. The fruit bowl that my partner ordered was quite good and she enjoyed it quite a bit. Service was average, nothing spectacular. Seating is ample outdoors and in but just my luck I got seated in the window where I was blinded during the whole meal. The coffee is pretty good, but not strong enough to knock out morning cobwebs. Finally my meal was fine but not fantastic because someone went overkill with the toaster on my English muffins. When you get your bill at the end you will be aware this is not one of the good value places in the area. Worth a stop if you like to eat outdoors in the summer on a patio or if no seat is available elsewhere.

This place is good. Had brunch yesterday (Eggs Charlotte) that was quite nice. Possibly the best brunch in the Annex. Big menu, tons of options. My friend had a lamb pita that he said was great as well.
GREAT patio, that features live jazz as well, which of course I’m a supporter of.
Decent coffee, and a very good latte. Our server was really great, offering up suggestions, quick coffee refills, even though she had a bunch of tables.
Will definitely be back.

Came here tonight (Fri), w/​hub and little one. They had both a highchair, and booster seat available.
We were welcomed from the get-​go, though it was.packed. A nearby church was offering a show later on, and the whole restaurant was filled.
Still, one of the two kind servers, made it happen for us. Despite not having a reservation, this time.
Eating out with a child can be tricky, so we searched the net and decided on this place based on its location and its menu.
Lots of choices– veg. and non-​veg. Prices were fair. Especially once you get to their dessert menu. An average of $ 5. for any slice of cake is unheard of for me!
There were dinner specials.
Above all, service was not only good, but basically impeccable. It’s my first time using the word in a review, but tonight… the service from one of the two male servers on duty (he wore glasses, and his last name matched that of a variety of apple; didn’t get his first name), was just that. Stellar, consistent, attentive. He just knew how to do his job, he anticipated and added considerate touches to ease our time there. It’s exactly what service should be about.
I knew I’d be Unilocaling kindly about this place.
I wondered if I was going to start this review off with «Are the servers at By the Way paid extremely well — you’d think so, given the high level of service we received this evening!»
Food itself was good, average. I’m a foodie (I love and try to seek out particularly yummy foods), and can be quite picky about foods. I had the linguine special, hub had a burger. Mmm, the thin fries came with a cool fresh dill dip. So good that I ignored the ketchup as I indulged in his frites.
My linguine had pesto, red peppers, artichokes. I think I was craving an alfredo feel to my dish, so I found the pasta to be dry.
Despite this, I still ate everything.
For dessert, we had a tart lemon tart. Nice crust, but a touch too tart for me.
I’d eat another one, sure. And another 2 – 3 if it was less tart.
Definitely, we’d go back. We plan to.
We’ll make RSVPs for next time, though.

A friend and I came for brunch on a Friday morning. The place was fairly busy but we snagged a table that had just opened up by the window. The waitress was very attentive at first. She got us our coffee and tea and returned a few minutes later to take our order. She was prompt with coffee refills and to check on us after he had our meals. She did the famous disappearing act that happens at many restaurants when it’s time for the bill. Not sure what happens with this phenomenon as you would think they would want to be paid and turn over the table quickly for the next patrons.
I had the Huevos Divorciados. A fitting meal for brunch as I had just wrapped up business at the court house to unfortunately file for divorce. This eggy dish is your typical Huevos Rancheros but with two different kinds of salsa — Salsa roja and salsa verde. It was a solid meal. The potatoes were tasty, the eggs cooked to perfection and a nice portion of beans.
The place isn’t anything fancy, but the brunch was solid.