Review of 'Dundas Street Grille'

A family favourite likely due to it's convenient location close to Kipling, the “Dundas Street Grill” has been around since 1984 and it's future does not look so certain with redevelopment of the site looking likely. This is no-frills, no-reservation-needed dining with a large diner-like interior featuring a good number of tables and booths serving up diner-style food. There is a reasonably large car park located all around the often busy restaurant.

Most recently we visited on a Tuesday lunch hour where we were seated by the efficient staff at a booth on the far side of the restaurant. Immediately after entering there is a small counter area just to the right and the food preparation area just visible beside it, running the length of the interior. The seating is a bit cramped but most clients are here for the duration as they sit and chat away the hours.

The menu is a simple affair, just a folded plasticized sheet divided into “Starters”, “All Day Breakfast”, “Salads”, “Club Sandwiches”, “Wraps & Classics”, “Burgers”, “DSG Sandwiches”, “Dundas Specialties”, then “Fish”, “Kids Corner”, “Drinks”, “Desserts” and “Beer & Wine”. From this we tend to stick to the sandwiches and in particular the “Club Sandwiches”. This visit I picked the “Classic Club” ($15.50) which is “Triple decker, turkey breast, bacon, lettuce and tomato” with onion rings ($2.95) instead of the included French Fries or coleslaw.

The sandwich is what you might expect with not a huge amount of flavour but fresh served on my choice of bread (whole wheat). The onion rings were quite good and not overly greasy, of the batter variety as opposed to breaded.

My companion had the “West Coast Tuna Wrap” ($13.50) which is “Albacore Tuna salad, tomato, red onion and lettuce” that she opted to have with French Fries (included). This was also equally unmemorable with not a huge amount of favour but perfectly alright.

So at roughly $40 for the two of us including drinks, this is reasonably priced.

This is comfort, if bland and uninspiring, food in a warm atmosphere with efficient, if not over-friendly, understanding staff. This is a place you come to chat with friends and family without worrying about staying 3 or 4 hours and getting kicked out. This is a place where no one looks down on you or creates food you can't pronounce. Sure, it is not going to win any dining awards but this is an old-school diner, no fuss, no muss place. Sometimes that is all you want.

Rating: “A bit better than average”

Review Date: 2022-10-25

Cuisine: American/British

Address: 5238 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, ON M9B 1A9, Canada

Public Transport: Kipling

Location: Toronto (Canada) - Islington

Map:

Telephone: +1 (416) 239-6244

URL: https://www.dundasstreetgrille.com/