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Written By
Posted Jul 10, 2024
Toronto’s never been a bargain basement dining destination even at the best of times. But lately it’s gotten downright scary… Yes, we can all commiserate with rising costs, rents, temperatures and stress levels, and yes, we’re prepared to splurge if, and when, the desire hits. But what about those moments when you don’t have the time or inclination to shop til you drop and cook up a storm? All you crave is the simple pleasure of going out and being nourished and cared for by an honest to goodness professional cook… without maxing out your credit card.
Even in these inflationary times, such places do exist all over this fair (yet cher) city. And to prove they’re not one-offs or aberrations, we’ve rounded up a whopping 30 of them.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does attempt to represent Toronto in terms of all its wonderfully eclectic neighbourhoods and exceptionally diverse cuisines.
And while there are various definitions of “cheap,” we decided to play hardball and define cheap as a dish or item priced in the single digits – i.e. under $10 (yes, you read that correctly!).
You might think such a price point is impossible in this day and age. But never underestimate the resourcefulness, creativity, generosity and sheer magic of Toronto’s chefs. At the following joints, spots, take-out counters, sit-down restaurants, hidden gems, holes-in-the-wall, trucks, stands and stalls, you can truly get a meal for under 10 bucks. Not necessarily a banquet, but definitely more than a bite. Something that will satiate you, make you lick your lips and maybe even restore your faith in the power of a $10 bill.
Tiem Banh Mi Huy-Ky
There’s lots of cheap(-ish) banh mi to be had in TO, but the $5 a pop sandwiches at this Gerrard East mainstay feature super fresh bread stuffed generously with the well-seasoned likes of BBQ pork spiked with lemongrass and topped with a crunchy, tangy medley of pickled carrot, white radish, cukes and cilantro.
Tiem Banh Mi Huy-Ky
There’s lots of cheap(-ish) banh mi to be had in TO, but the $5 a pop sandwiches at this Gerrard East mainstay feature super fresh bread stuffed generously with the well-seasoned likes of BBQ pork spiked with lemongrass and topped with a crunchy, tangy medley of pickled carrot, white radish, cukes and cilantro.
Rosedale
4 Crescent Rd
Black Camel
Why shouldn’t ritzy Rosedale be home to one of the best deal eateries in town? The Camel is famed for its gourmet sandwiches, all of them just a tad over $10 (we recommend ponying up the extra 90 cents for the celebrated BLT with pesto mayo, pancetta, arugula and roasted tomato). Under the $10 limit, piping hot chili ($6-$8) will keep your stomach and wallet feeling full.
Black Camel
Rosedale
4 Crescent Rd
Why shouldn’t ritzy Rosedale be home to one of the best deal eateries in town? The Camel is famed for its gourmet sandwiches, all of them just a tad over $10 (we recommend ponying up the extra 90 cents for the celebrated BLT with pesto mayo, pancetta, arugula and roasted tomato). Under the $10 limit, piping hot chili ($6-$8) will keep your stomach and wallet feeling full.
Tacos 101
Julio Campos’ one-man taco shop offers a streamlined menu allowing him to perfect specialties such as broth-soaked birrias, Michoacán-style carnitas, and a renowned al pastor taco, in which tender pork shoulder shavings are carved from a spit and piled onto double corn tortillas alongside avocado, onion, cilantro and fresh pineapple. All tacos are priced from $6-8.
Tacos 101
Julio Campos’ one-man taco shop offers a streamlined menu allowing him to perfect specialties such as broth-soaked birrias, Michoacán-style carnitas, and a renowned al pastor taco, in which tender pork shoulder shavings are carved from a spit and piled onto double corn tortillas alongside avocado, onion, cilantro and fresh pineapple. All tacos are priced from $6-8.
Sunnyside Provisions
This Roncey convenience store skews intimidatingly gourmet until you realize that the prices are invitingly convenient. Hearty hot sandos – roast beef with cheddar, gravy, spinach, pickled red onions, and horsey mayo -- are all under $10 and a side of hand-cut fries is only $3. Add some fish – Nova Scotia beer battered halibut – to your chips, for a mere (and miraculous) $9.
Sunnyside Provisions
This Roncey convenience store skews intimidatingly gourmet until you realize that the prices are invitingly convenient. Hearty hot sandos – roast beef with cheddar, gravy, spinach, pickled red onions, and horsey mayo -- are all under $10 and a side of hand-cut fries is only $3. Add some fish – Nova Scotia beer battered halibut – to your chips, for a mere (and miraculous) $9.
Nom Nom Nom Poutine
“Nom nom nom” are the joyful sounds the Cookie Monster would make if he traded in cookies for former Montrealer Marc Perreault’s lip-smackingly robust poutines, served out of a shipping container at Market 707. The Traditional – with fries, curds and Quebec sauce (i.e. vegetarian gravy) -- makes for a more-than-generous meal and costs a mere $9.29.
Nom Nom Nom Poutine
“Nom nom nom” are the joyful sounds the Cookie Monster would make if he traded in cookies for former Montrealer Marc Perreault’s lip-smackingly robust poutines, served out of a shipping container at Market 707. The Traditional – with fries, curds and Quebec sauce (i.e. vegetarian gravy) -- makes for a more-than-generous meal and costs a mere $9.29.
Plan B Handmade Burgers, Boerewors and Braai
Likely to be your Plan A if you get a sudden hankering for hard-to-find South African specialties such as boerewors (beef sausage) and braai (banquet-worthy barbecue platters). But for $10 and under, you can snag some very satisfying South African basics: an Old School Burg’er or an Old School Boerie Roll slathered in ketchup, mustard and mayo.
Plan B Handmade Burgers, Boerewors and Braai
Likely to be your Plan A if you get a sudden hankering for hard-to-find South African specialties such as boerewors (beef sausage) and braai (banquet-worthy barbecue platters). But for $10 and under, you can snag some very satisfying South African basics: an Old School Burg’er or an Old School Boerie Roll slathered in ketchup, mustard and mayo.
Phamily Eats
Working out of a stall inside the East York Eats food hall, Peter Pham has transformed his favourite teenage snack – Jamaican patties – into that of many Torontonians. A three-pack of beef, curry chicken or vegan (mild or spicy) costs $10 and easily makes for a meal. So do the single pot pies, filled not just with chicken but the likes of beef pho short ribs, with options above and below the $10 mark.
Phamily Eats
Working out of a stall inside the East York Eats food hall, Peter Pham has transformed his favourite teenage snack – Jamaican patties – into that of many Torontonians. A three-pack of beef, curry chicken or vegan (mild or spicy) costs $10 and easily makes for a meal. So do the single pot pies, filled not just with chicken but the likes of beef pho short ribs, with options above and below the $10 mark.
Mister Yummy
Inside the innocuous Crossways Mall food court, Mister Yummy has been a “hidden gem” for over two decades. This tiny Korean noodle and barbeque restaurant has a killer lunch special where for just under $10 you can fill up on crisp veg, stir-fried with your choice of protein – chicken, pork, sausage or tofu – bathed in a punchy sweet chili sauce and served atop a king-sized bed of rice.
Mister Yummy
Inside the innocuous Crossways Mall food court, Mister Yummy has been a “hidden gem” for over two decades. This tiny Korean noodle and barbeque restaurant has a killer lunch special where for just under $10 you can fill up on crisp veg, stir-fried with your choice of protein – chicken, pork, sausage or tofu – bathed in a punchy sweet chili sauce and served atop a king-sized bed of rice.
Miss Fu in Chengdu
Miss Fui is known for its Chengdu-style skewers and modern Sichuan street food as well as very decent prices for its main dishes. Stick to the beaten path with dandan noodles and ground pork sauce or chongqing hot and sour sweet potato noodles or go rogue and try the boiled duck blood in spicy sauce.
Miss Fu in Chengdu
Miss Fui is known for its Chengdu-style skewers and modern Sichuan street food as well as very decent prices for its main dishes. Stick to the beaten path with dandan noodles and ground pork sauce or chongqing hot and sour sweet potato noodles or go rogue and try the boiled duck blood in spicy sauce.
Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery
Tucked away in the Village by the Grange’s food court, pretty much everything on Manpuku’s varied menu of salads, rice, noodles and curries is under $10. While some dishes are understandably on the small side, not so the hefty bowls of ramen and udon (the curried beef in smoked bonito broth is a fave), especially when you factor in the noodle refills.
Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery
Tucked away in the Village by the Grange’s food court, pretty much everything on Manpuku’s varied menu of salads, rice, noodles and curries is under $10. While some dishes are understandably on the small side, not so the hefty bowls of ramen and udon (the curried beef in smoked bonito broth is a fave), especially when you factor in the noodle refills.
Parkdale
216 Close Ave
Loga's Corner
Tibetan
Momo-ficionados from all over the GTA routinely descend upon Loga’s in search of steamed and crispy fried dumplings, hand-prepared and pinched by and a crew of eight Tibetan grandmothers and topped by a killer hot sauce made by Loga and his wife, Dolma. Yes, they come because these momos are routinely praised as the best in town, but it doesn’t hurt that they’re among the most affordable with an order clocking in at under $10.
Loga's Corner
Parkdale
216 Close Ave
Momo-ficionados from all over the GTA routinely descend upon Loga’s in search of steamed and crispy fried dumplings, hand-prepared and pinched by and a crew of eight Tibetan grandmothers and topped by a killer hot sauce made by Loga and his wife, Dolma. Yes, they come because these momos are routinely praised as the best in town, but it doesn’t hurt that they’re among the most affordable with an order clocking in at under $10.
Tibetan
Laziza Mediterranean Cuisine
Open til 2am, this Bloor West (near Dovercourt) standby is a favourite late-night pit stop for post-party (or anything) shawarma fiends. However, night (or day), the crispy falafel also delivers with piping hot, well-dressed falafel burgers and wraps available for under $10.
Laziza Mediterranean Cuisine
Open til 2am, this Bloor West (near Dovercourt) standby is a favourite late-night pit stop for post-party (or anything) shawarma fiends. However, night (or day), the crispy falafel also delivers with piping hot, well-dressed falafel burgers and wraps available for under $10.
JABS
Before opening this simple burger joint, JABS (Just Another Burger Joint) had achieved cult status for its messy, but excruciatingly tasty smash burgers. For $9, you can chomp into the single, classic and Oklahoma versions, made with hand-ground beef and potentially slathered with fixings both regular (lettuce, onion, American cheese) and exclusive (slow-cooked sweet onion jam and secret JABS sauce).
JABS
Before opening this simple burger joint, JABS (Just Another Burger Joint) had achieved cult status for its messy, but excruciatingly tasty smash burgers. For $9, you can chomp into the single, classic and Oklahoma versions, made with hand-ground beef and potentially slathered with fixings both regular (lettuce, onion, American cheese) and exclusive (slow-cooked sweet onion jam and secret JABS sauce).
Hot Pork
Owner of this deli/charcuterie, Michael Synowicki, grew up making sausages in the basement with his dad and admittedly has pork in his DNA. Grilled to order, his sausage breakfast sandwiches – $8-$9 – are plied with cheese, eggs, mayo and hot sauce, substantial enough to sustain you til dinner time. Eat in situ or sprawled on the grass at adjacent Trinity Bellwoods.
Hot Pork
Owner of this deli/charcuterie, Michael Synowicki, grew up making sausages in the basement with his dad and admittedly has pork in his DNA. Grilled to order, his sausage breakfast sandwiches – $8-$9 – are plied with cheese, eggs, mayo and hot sauce, substantial enough to sustain you til dinner time. Eat in situ or sprawled on the grass at adjacent Trinity Bellwoods.
Heavenly Pierogy
Although the pierogies are reputed, the “heavenly” alludes to this Ukrainian eat-in/take out kitchen’s location inside St. Volodymyr Cathedral’s banquet hall. For $10, you can dig into a robust soup (borsch, lentil and spinach, white bean and mushroom) and still have enough for a hearty pampuskha bun filled with split yellow peas or green onions and eggs.
Heavenly Pierogy
Although the pierogies are reputed, the “heavenly” alludes to this Ukrainian eat-in/take out kitchen’s location inside St. Volodymyr Cathedral’s banquet hall. For $10, you can dig into a robust soup (borsch, lentil and spinach, white bean and mushroom) and still have enough for a hearty pampuskha bun filled with split yellow peas or green onions and eggs.
Good Luck Hong Kong Cafe
This North York chaa chan teng (“tea restaurant”) offers an all-day menu of belly-warming options ranging from hot pots to aptly-named hunks of cheesy baked brick toast. Particularly budget-worthy are the instant noodle soups heaped with toppings (deep fried pork chops, cuttlefish balls) and under-$10 snacks such as curry squid tentacles and crispy fried shrimp. Served on pineapple buns, the Hong Kong Style French Toast accompanied by pork floss will make you rethink all-day breakfast.
Good Luck Hong Kong Cafe
This North York chaa chan teng (“tea restaurant”) offers an all-day menu of belly-warming options ranging from hot pots to aptly-named hunks of cheesy baked brick toast. Particularly budget-worthy are the instant noodle soups heaped with toppings (deep fried pork chops, cuttlefish balls) and under-$10 snacks such as curry squid tentacles and crispy fried shrimp. Served on pineapple buns, the Hong Kong Style French Toast accompanied by pork floss will make you rethink all-day breakfast.
Parkdale
1500 Queen St W
Garleek Kitchen
Tibetan
Although chef Tsering Phuntsok is Tibetan and Garleek Kitchen sits in Parkdale’s Little Tibet, the Asian Fusion menu is a delicious mash-up of Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indian and Sri Lankan. Curries, phos, thupkas and chow meins can be had for under $10 as can the amazing Tibetan breakfast combo, with eggs, fluffy puri or roti bread, aloo dum (spicy potatoes), chana (saucy chickpeas), chutney and salad.
Garleek Kitchen
Parkdale
1500 Queen St W
Although chef Tsering Phuntsok is Tibetan and Garleek Kitchen sits in Parkdale’s Little Tibet, the Asian Fusion menu is a delicious mash-up of Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indian and Sri Lankan. Curries, phos, thupkas and chow meins can be had for under $10 as can the amazing Tibetan breakfast combo, with eggs, fluffy puri or roti bread, aloo dum (spicy potatoes), chana (saucy chickpeas), chutney and salad.
Tibetan
Free Times Cafe
One of Toronto’s oldest, most beloved and most multi-hyphenated eateries (in addition to Jewish, Middle Eastern and Canadian food, it serves up live music, poetry, improv and a legendary Sunday brunch) is the place to go when you need to indulge in some serious latke noshing. A trio of crisp potato pancakes are only $8.95 (and that includes Vitamin C-spiked applesauce and protein-packed sour cream!).
Free Times Cafe
One of Toronto’s oldest, most beloved and most multi-hyphenated eateries (in addition to Jewish, Middle Eastern and Canadian food, it serves up live music, poetry, improv and a legendary Sunday brunch) is the place to go when you need to indulge in some serious latke noshing. A trio of crisp potato pancakes are only $8.95 (and that includes Vitamin C-spiked applesauce and protein-packed sour cream!).
Danforth Village
818 Danforth Ave
El Venezolano
One of the city’s rare Venezuelan restaurants, this family-run spot offers a wolf-em-down-in-no-time array of freshly-made empanadas, arepas, and pancake-like cachapas.The empanadas are all $6 with the Pabellon – stuffed with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains and cheese – hitting all the major food group requirements.
El Venezolano
Danforth Village
818 Danforth Ave
One of the city’s rare Venezuelan restaurants, this family-run spot offers a wolf-em-down-in-no-time array of freshly-made empanadas, arepas, and pancake-like cachapas.The empanadas are all $6 with the Pabellon – stuffed with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains and cheese – hitting all the major food group requirements.
Eat Nabati
Toronto’s first 100% plant-based Egyptian street food specializes in healthy, hearty bowls and pitas. The latter are as nourishing as they are nutritious – think Egyptian (fava bean) falafel with beet tahini and Cairo kofta (made with soy) – and cost less than $10. For lighter bites, halloumi stuffed falafels and manakeesh (Lebanese flatbread) doused in zaatar are under $6.
Eat Nabati
Toronto’s first 100% plant-based Egyptian street food specializes in healthy, hearty bowls and pitas. The latter are as nourishing as they are nutritious – think Egyptian (fava bean) falafel with beet tahini and Cairo kofta (made with soy) – and cost less than $10. For lighter bites, halloumi stuffed falafels and manakeesh (Lebanese flatbread) doused in zaatar are under $6.
Chef Harwash
Specializing in Damascene cuisine, this Syrian restaurant is prized for its succulent meat (cooked in lamb fat) and spice blends that have been in the family for generations. Savour both in the soujeck, a sandwich of fresh ground beef topped with pickles and house-made garlic mayo (only $9.99) or try the Middle Eastern-style quesadillas made with melted cheese layered between crispy Saj bread.
Chef Harwash
Specializing in Damascene cuisine, this Syrian restaurant is prized for its succulent meat (cooked in lamb fat) and spice blends that have been in the family for generations. Savour both in the soujeck, a sandwich of fresh ground beef topped with pickles and house-made garlic mayo (only $9.99) or try the Middle Eastern-style quesadillas made with melted cheese layered between crispy Saj bread.
Dovercourt Village
787 Dupont St
Casamiento
Salvadoran
This Salvadoran restaurant serves up deliciously affordable veg, meat and fish-filled quesadillas and tacos, but its claim to fame are the pupusas. El Saladador’s quintessential (and essential) thick and chew corn griddle cakes are stuffed with everything from beans and cheese to pork revuelta and house-made chorizo. Costing $4.50-$6, they come with salsa and slaw-like curtido.
Casamiento
Dovercourt Village
787 Dupont St
This Salvadoran restaurant serves up deliciously affordable veg, meat and fish-filled quesadillas and tacos, but its claim to fame are the pupusas. El Saladador’s quintessential (and essential) thick and chew corn griddle cakes are stuffed with everything from beans and cheese to pork revuelta and house-made chorizo. Costing $4.50-$6, they come with salsa and slaw-like curtido.
Salvadoran
Butcher’s BBQ
The Stockyards is a fitting site for Butcher’s BBQ, a wheeless food truck strategically located outside the owners’ meat packaging plant. This explains both the high quality ingredients (from local farms) and low prices, with every item on the meaty menu – hefty burgers, breakfast burritos, chicken wings and wraps, turkey clubs – devourable for under $10.
Butcher’s BBQ
The Stockyards is a fitting site for Butcher’s BBQ, a wheeless food truck strategically located outside the owners’ meat packaging plant. This explains both the high quality ingredients (from local farms) and low prices, with every item on the meaty menu – hefty burgers, breakfast burritos, chicken wings and wraps, turkey clubs – devourable for under $10.
Brother’s Pizza and Wings
Though this takeout halal pizzeria serves cheap albeit ubiquitous slices, fried chicken and burgers, there’s also succulent and spicy Afghan chicken biryani ($6.65) and fish served with a whopping pile of multi-hued basmati rice. The chicken kebab combo comes with naan, salad and pop and allows you to scrape by for $10.49.
Brother’s Pizza and Wings
Though this takeout halal pizzeria serves cheap albeit ubiquitous slices, fried chicken and burgers, there’s also succulent and spicy Afghan chicken biryani ($6.65) and fish served with a whopping pile of multi-hued basmati rice. The chicken kebab combo comes with naan, salad and pop and allows you to scrape by for $10.49.
Dovercourt Village
191 Geary Ave
Big Trouble Pizza
Pizza
There are no shortage of places to get a mean slice in Toronto. But only at Big Trouble can you bite into the troublingly addictive Kung Funghi (cremini and beech shrooms, mozzarella, onions, chives, truffle oil and little pink cubes of chili jelly) and Keanu (mozzarella, double smoked cheddar, cream cheese, prosciutto and pineapple glaze) – for $6. After working your way through all the possible combos, try the tasty smash burgers, only $10.
Big Trouble Pizza
Dovercourt Village
191 Geary Ave
There are no shortage of places to get a mean slice in Toronto. But only at Big Trouble can you bite into the troublingly addictive Kung Funghi (cremini and beech shrooms, mozzarella, onions, chives, truffle oil and little pink cubes of chili jelly) and Keanu (mozzarella, double smoked cheddar, cream cheese, prosciutto and pineapple glaze) – for $6. After working your way through all the possible combos, try the tasty smash burgers, only $10.
Pizza
Coffee In
Tucked away in a Scarborough strip mall, this tiny family-owned Filipino restaurant gets raves from expats nostalgic for home-cooked comfort foods. Among the most popular is La Paz Batchoy; thick miki noodles, topped with pork shoulder and cracklings, in broth. But other noodle dishes abound; the pancit mole, with wontons and shredded chicken in a fragrant broth is a standout, $6 for a small bowl and $9 for large.
Coffee In
Tucked away in a Scarborough strip mall, this tiny family-owned Filipino restaurant gets raves from expats nostalgic for home-cooked comfort foods. Among the most popular is La Paz Batchoy; thick miki noodles, topped with pork shoulder and cracklings, in broth. But other noodle dishes abound; the pancit mole, with wontons and shredded chicken in a fragrant broth is a standout, $6 for a small bowl and $9 for large.
ADDA Bengali Kitchen and Catering
At this family-owned Bengali comfort food spot, you can easily make a light meal from a trio of spicy meat-packed samosas ($9) or a quartet of piyaju ($8), crunchy lentil and onion fritters. There are also lots of veg and vegan options, particularly bhaji and bhortas, all for under $10.
ADDA Bengali Kitchen and Catering
At this family-owned Bengali comfort food spot, you can easily make a light meal from a trio of spicy meat-packed samosas ($9) or a quartet of piyaju ($8), crunchy lentil and onion fritters. There are also lots of veg and vegan options, particularly bhaji and bhortas, all for under $10.
Kensington Market
245 Augusta Ave
Jumbo Empanadas
Chilean
Who doesn't love an entire meal wrapped up in delicious pastry. Jumbo Empanadas in Kensington Market makes delicious fresh empanadas daily and are priced at a very reasonable $6.50.
Jumbo Empanadas
Kensington Market
245 Augusta Ave
Who doesn't love an entire meal wrapped up in delicious pastry. Jumbo Empanadas in Kensington Market makes delicious fresh empanadas daily and are priced at a very reasonable $6.50.
Chilean
Chinatown
280 Spadina Ave
Juicy Dumpling
Chinese
Juicy Dumpling dishes up generous helpings of explode-in-your-mouth Shanghai-style dumpling for eye-poppingly low prices. We’re talking $2.99-$6.99 for various steamed and pan-fried soup dumplings, not to mention the signature, succulent pan-fried juicy buns filled with pork (a steal at $3.99 for four)!
Juicy Dumpling
Chinatown
280 Spadina Ave
Juicy Dumpling dishes up generous helpings of explode-in-your-mouth Shanghai-style dumpling for eye-poppingly low prices. We’re talking $2.99-$6.99 for various steamed and pan-fried soup dumplings, not to mention the signature, succulent pan-fried juicy buns filled with pork (a steal at $3.99 for four)!
Chinese
Kensington Market
61 Kensington Ave
Rasta Pasta
Jamaican
At this deliciously rhyming Jamaican-Italian fusion spot, it’s possible to get the best of both distinctive culinary worlds for under $10. Think grilled panini layered with jerk pork, chicken or meatballs or small orders of Jamaican Mi Crazy and Barbeque chicken with rice and veg. Weekend specials – Saturday Jamaican Soup and Sunday Jamaican Porridge – will also have you jammin’ (or singing arias).
Rasta Pasta
Kensington Market
61 Kensington Ave
At this deliciously rhyming Jamaican-Italian fusion spot, it’s possible to get the best of both distinctive culinary worlds for under $10. Think grilled panini layered with jerk pork, chicken or meatballs or small orders of Jamaican Mi Crazy and Barbeque chicken with rice and veg. Weekend specials – Saturday Jamaican Soup and Sunday Jamaican Porridge – will also have you jammin’ (or singing arias).
Jamaican
