The Combine Eatery

Came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. The place is nice and the staff was great.
I ordered the Cobb salad and it doesn’t disappoint. I love how there’s chorizo as one of the toppings.
Also they’re fries are yummy. Next time I go I’ll have to try the adobodl marinated steak burrito.

Not very often am I taken aback by the sheer dullness of a plate of food, but the Combine seems to excel in this territory. My partner and I went there last night for our anniversary based on the favorable reviews on here. I don’t know, maybe we have high expectations when we’re shelling out $ 70+ on a meal? Maybe innocuousness is something people value highly on here? I guess we didn’t get food poisoning, so that’s a plus. But I gotta say, aside from the atmosphere & service which were both quite good, the food is nothing to write home about (unless it’s to warn your family not to bother spending their hard-​earned cash here).
I wish I had taken a photo of my partner’s chicken tacos… Three flour disks with plastic-​looking sticks of filet, literally Way Too Many Tomatoes and a heavy-​handed application of crema. Not appetizing. By her account, not worth the repetitive hand-​motion to lift to her mouth. I know that there are lots of new ways to interpret the taco — but is the «we haven’t done groceries in a week, can we make tacos with this?» approach feels a little unseemly when you’re charging $ 18 for it. Apparently it didn’t taste like anything… I didn’t bother trying.
I got the burger, and although I don’t expect to have my mind blown by any meat sandwich, I don’t want to be totally bored by it. Meat was kinda dry and charred. Side salad was like «what’s the point?».
Overall I would like to compliment the restaurant for providing good sustenance. I went in hungry and left not hungry. They served us food and we left and will probably not come back.

Hello all, I was researching for somewhere for big groups to dine and came across an article on Blog TO. Although The Combine Eatery was not on the list, one of the comments stuck out to me about why this establishment should be on the list. And let me tell you, that was the best advice I have taken in awhile about a restaurant. The food was great the atmosphere was wonderful and last but not least the staff was extremely pleasant. The owner Amy made my experience one I will not forget!!! Me and my friends are now customers for life, can’t wait for patio season!!!

Date friendly atmosphere, tacos were a bit small

Amazing service and great food. Whether you’re looking for an amazing brunch or consistently delicious dinner, this is the place to be.
Head chef — Danilo — knows how to smoke a mean brisket, so be sure to take that dish on if available.
Small criticism — avoid the old fashion if that’s your drink of choice. You’ll be disappointed.

Had the burger with cheese and it was really good. It was a big patty with fresh toppings. The restaurant is in a great location if you are going to a show at the danforth music hall which is right across that street.

Yummy fried chicken sandwich, but HUGE! (Can be a good thing for leftovers.) Quite spicy though. I had their lemonade with a kick to drink and that was quite good too. Solid dinner place.

on a recommendation, I came here for the tacos.
So what did I order? The fried chicken sandwich. And then next time, I ordered the fried chicken sandwich. The breading is phenomenal and it is cooked superbly — crunchy with a nice juicy chicken breast. Eventually I’m sure I will make it to the tacos, but for now I am happy to go back. The staff is incredibly friendly, the food is great, and the drinks are awesome.
I strongly recommend you go and try the tacos — then tell me how they are because I am addicted to that fried chicken sandwich.

Went here yesterday. I was going to a concert across the street. The place was pretty busy but we got a table right away. Its really nice on the inside. Although its a little small and tight.
The waitress who first helped us wasnt good at all. She didnt say the specials or soup of the day until we asked. The waitress who helped us after though was great!
I ordered the chicken chipotle burrito with fries. I skipped on an appetizer as the waitress told me the portions were filling. The chicken was extremely well seasoned and tasty. The meal it self was filling and I was pretty hungry since I didnt eat a lot throughout the day. The fries were also tasty and the lime sauce it comes with was great for dipping. Im not a fan of guacamole so i cant say much for that.
For desert I had a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake and it was delicious! I was torn between the cheesecake and the brownie but the waitress really recommended the cheesecake so I went for it and do not regret it at all. It was perfectly creamy and flavourful.
Overall, this place is a little pricey but the food was delicious and I would return again if I was going to another concert since its convenient. I don’t really find myself in this area ever but if I did Id return.

I go to this place oftentimes, since I live a few blocks away. They bill themselves as southwestern cuisine place, though their southwestern-​themed dishes are not the best I’ve had.
However, one surprising discovery here — their burger is awesome! The patty is huge and bulky, well chosen meat, not too fatty, not to lean, and didi mention it is huge?
Use their southwestern dishes as appetizers and then gorge on the burger!

This is such a cool little restaurant on the Danforth. The restaurant is dimly lit with great décor and the service was laid back, quick and friendly.
True to Unilocal recommendations I ordered The Fish Tacos, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The portion was huge, the fish was cooked to perfection and the taco was full of great flavour and beautifully presented. The coleslaw that comes on the side is really tasty too.
It’s definitely worth checking this place out.

I went here for a lovely Sunday brunch with a great group of ladies. The Combine Eatery is a very nicely designed restaurant with a great atmosphere. Most certainly the best place to sit is in their back patio.
The service was attentive and very friendly, which was pretty important because the back patio can be quite hot and we needed those water refills.
Their brunch menu is fantastic! There is a marvelous selection of creative dishes. I even learnt that fried chicken and waffles are a thing! Clearly I have been out of the continent for too long.
I had the open-​faced pulled pork sandwich with pico de gallo and eggs. It was pretty darn delicious. If I was to be picky I’d choose another kind of bread (the one they use it’s a bit too thick). But my friends had the fried chicken & waffles and the eggs benedict. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied and stuffed.
My only complaint with this place is that it is very expensive. The brunch portions were pretty decent (although they may seem deceptively small but believe me when I say it’ll fill you up), but it’s still about $ 15.95 for each dish and about $ 8 for each drink.

Came here for the tacos since they hit most top ten lists. Place wasn’t too crowded and had comfortable seating. Kids came with us and no one was giving us the evil eye.
They did not disappoint on the tacos, I would list them top five. They have Toronto craft beers on tap which is always a plus for me.

Our first two brunch destinations were packed, so we eventually stumbled upon the Combine. It was a decent experience for a walk-​in without any prior research.
The good: I like the look of the restaurant. Casual, warm, charming. I sat near the windows and enjoyed the plentiful sunshine and lovely woodwork.
The meh: My friend and I both got the bacon waffles and fried chicken. My other friend ordered the eggs benedict with peameal bacon. I didn’t really taste the bacon in my waffles, and felt that the chicken could have had more seasoning. My friend seemed to like his eggs benny just fine.
Would I come back? It wasn’t a bad experience, but it also wasn’t anything special food-​wise. If I return to Toronto and am looking for a brunch location, I’d probably look elsewhere.

Third time visiting and while I like the interior and the service (sometimes), the food is overpriced and not very good. I don’t know why I keep coming back. I want to like this place, but after today I won’t be back.
Just went for brunch and they only have coffee, no espresso-​based drinks. We had one veggie salad, one coffee, and one plate of veggie fritters and a few pieces of soggy bacon = $ 45. No thanks.

I live in this neighbourhood and I had no clue they had been there for 2 years. The server raved they had the best tacos. No they are not the best in the city. The meal was great even though I don’t remember what I had now. Ribs maybe? I won’t be running back there anytime soon.

Wanted to like. So didn’t. I should never have thought that I’d have good «southwestern» food in this city after living 4 years in San Francisco and 14 in Austin, TX, but then, somehow I thought I’d get something close or at least some comparable kind of customer service…
Here is the note that I sent to this establishment for which I received no reply… I didn’t even mention how I thought it was an utter rip-​off to get 3 tacos for 18 dollars or that the sliced chicken w/​mixed greens salad was likewise a horrible value for $ 18 Meh salad. Especially considering that the meat was typical factory meat…
*crying one tiny southwestern tear*
Hi,
I just wanted to share some feed back on our dinner experience last Sunday. My husband and I took our sons to try your dinner options.
Our younger son, almost 10, couldn’t find anything on the menu so he ordered a side of beans and rice plus a tortilla. He made a burrito, took one bite and said he did not care for it. I let our server know he didn’t like it.
Is it your policy to charge for refused food? The sides were nearly $ 10. The [single!] tortilla was charged as an open food item at 1.95. That’s nearly 12 dollars for something he refused upon tasting (as well as pretty inexpensive ingredients).
We were disappointed that the meat you use is not raised on pasture or certified as humane, but we’re finding this to be the case in Toronto for some reason.
Yours sincerely,
Hoa

The fish tacos were fine but, frankly, nothing I couldn’t make at home. $ 16 later I was still feeling peckish. The slaw is unusually spicy.
Our server was a neophyte and interpreted our «could we get the bill» motion for «where’s our food?» They might be a victim of their own success. We got the food okay but there was little in the way of a table check up to see if we wanted more drinks, dessert, etc.

It sounded a little sad if I coming back to The Combine Eatery just for their hot sauces!!! But only if they have the XXX extra hot habanero…
I don’t know about you guys… but I found it a little boring to just eat Fish Taco here as there are so many different items offers in the menu. After twisting the arms of Vivek and Rafi I nicely convinced them to order Carne Asada (Beef) and Fried Shrimp Taco! And I have this special Jennifer K’s Trio Combine Tacos ($ 14.95).
Fish — a little bland… I need to drown that in hot sauce… but it was fresh and if more seasonings would be added will make the taste more complex
Shrimp — has a great kick since it has sauces already. a little sour, sweet and tangy… (thanks Vivek for sharing)
Beef — really tender slow cooked in a tomato based… most filling of them all… (thanks Rafi for sharing)
Services are excellent! Separate bills?!! No automatic gratuities??! Accept All credit cards?!
I want to be back and try out other food items on the menu. but I will probably skip their tacos…
I don’t know why Tacos are so expensive in Toronto. the Mexicans must be laughing and wondering why we paying so much for their street food…

All hail the fish taco!
Outside of La Jolla (San Diego), CA this was the best plate of fish tacos I’ve had.
They just opened on July 11^th but after a week and a half they seem to have things together. I didn’t experience any of those new restaurant growing pains that you normally see within the first few weeks of opening. Everything was top notch.
Upon entering I was greeted by Amy, one of the owners, who gave me a very enthusiastic «Welcome to Combine». Because I was alone she asked if I would like to sit at the bar, which I did. Albert, the other owner, was behind the bar and quickly got me a pint of Big Wheel.
Their menu is southwest inspired with salads, burritos, burgers, tacos, and many more things to choose from. Each entrée will run you approximately $ 12 to $ 20, but average at $ 14 or $ 15.
I went with the fish tacos (grilled not fried). Yes, I know what you’re saying; «Chris opted for tacos over a burrito?». True story. That’s because these guys do a So Cal style fish taco and I have yet to find anything like it in Toronto. Though there are two places in San Diego where I’ve had better fish tacos, I would come here in a second because they’re such a close second place to the other two.
The server asked if I wanted hot sauce (ofcourse I did). I was pleasantly surprised when she brought out 4 different options and they were actually real hot sauces (not that Frank’s redhot crap). Further to my hot sauce enjoyment was when Amy came by with a fifth option, saying it was her favourite. It WAS the best option.
Combine is clearly benefitting from the press and word of mouth they’re getting. By 7:00 on a Friday night the place was full and they were having couples wait at the bar.
After my meal, while I was enjoying a pint of 416, Amy stopped by to see how everything was. We chatted about how I was just in and going back to So Cal and enjoy the fish tacos there and that hers were fantastic. She explained that she worked at a restaurant in OB (Ocean Beach for you non-​So Cal travelers) for two weeks to learn how to make a good fish taco.
For the fish tacos and two pints my bill was just over $ 32. Great value for the quality and service you receive here.
Can’t wait to go back!