Aris Place has been grilling souvlaki for the Roncesvalles crowd for over 34 years now -- so you know they've got to be doing something right. I've passed their all day breakfast sign on the street, time and time again, 'til finally this week it won me over and I swung in with a friend to see what old Aris is all about.
We are seated amidst the wooden tables in the main area of the diner (past the bar/souvlaki grill), and are immediately drawn to the beautiful black & white historic photos of the area that grace the walls.
Pulling ourselves away and back to the menu, we marvel at the deals to be had here. A cheeseburger is a mere $3 and the same "Big breakfast" special we'd pay $10 for at Fran's is about $7 here under the "Mega Breakfast" title . As tempting as both were, we decide on the Chicken Souvlaki (on a bun) along with the one piece Fish and Chips dinner.
The Souvlaki dishes are available on a pita, bun or as a full dinner. Nothing is going to take you over the $10 range, even the full out large souvlaki dinner.
Our meaty souvlaki on a bun with a side of fries is $6.95. Everything on the plate is pretty good, particularly the chicken: juicy and sizzling off the grill. The hotdog-ish bun is less than thrilling, but we'll take half the blame for flaking out and not going for the authentic pita on this one.
Pictured at the top, the Fish & Chips dinner (1-piece or 3-piece options) comes with potatoes, salad, and a side of garlic bread (not pictured) for $7.25. I ask for fries and gravy instead of potatoes, and it's a no-hassle substitute. Nice.
Despite its tubular shape, the fish is the real deal, chunky and unprocessed. It's also a good sized piece -- I can't imagine how anyone can handle eating the three piece dinner! A packet of Tartar sauce is a nice touch, though you'll probably want to get more than one.
The salad was pretty standard but notably fresh and a nice big portion. The fries were also solid but the gravy-to-fries ratio was a little off. Only the top pieces were hit. Don't be shy with the gravy, Aris!
All in all though, a good meal for the money and the service was so friendly, we'd come back for the coffee alone. Of course, between you and I, I'll most likely be back for the Mega Breakfast -- but you knew that already.
Food photos by Tanja Tiziana
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I feel so ignorant. I have lived in this neighborhood for 24 years and only now i realized they make more than burgers and fries..wow..how sad. I'll definitely have to go check it out :)
Aw this reminded me how much I love Aris. They're my favourtite breakfast special.
you know the food is good when cops eat there on the regular. not uncommon to see a couple of cruisers out front
This is my corner and between Thai Chef Cuisine, Ari's, Maple Produce and Qi Natural Foods I feel like I have everything I could ever need or want in life. Anyhow, I love the souvlaki dinner and Greek Poutine, also the fish and chips. Only complaint is that I wish they also had the spinach pie (spanakopita sp?).. would help make this a better destination for my vegetarian wife! It doesn't hurt that they have some of the cheapest beer on the street, either. In addition to the cops, there's definitely a group of older men who are regulars too.
For what Aris charges, the veggie burger is pretty solid. Far better than many bars I've been to, which usually charge almost twice that price. As a vegetarian who lives a few blocks from Aris I absolutely love the place. I'm a sucker for diner pancakes, grilled cheese, fries, veggie burgers. For a diner, it's got a decent set of vegetarian options and the prices are amazing.
Yeah their breakfast, service and prices are all amazing.
The burgers always fall apart. They need to not dice the onions and tomatoes so it doesn't spill out onto your lap..or run down your hands. They're good if you could enjoy them. I got the chicken souvloki the other day which was another slight disappointment. I wish they served cooked potatoes instead of mashed potatoes? I got the fries which are always good. The chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy but the salad was small and unsatisfying. It was too expensive for the amount they gave us.
Aris opened a new restaurant called Aris Grill located up the street near Howard Park. We frequent the new location for breakfast now.
We walked by this place yesterday and I had charcoal-broiled steak (Aris' Special Cut $8.95) and my partner had a homemade cheese burger ($4) with Chef Salad ($2.95). Pretty decent old-school fare with pleasant service and good substantial meal. We felt very much at home and I guess that's what I would want for casual weekend lunch. We would definitely be back. Thanks Tanja for posting it here:)
On Roncesvalles, Aries Place feels like home. Best family restaurant in town. It's even run by a family! Great b&w photos of the area have recently been added to the walls as well.
Ari's Place is not the same as Ari's Grill.
Family situation...
Ari's Place ROCKS!
Great food, friendly service, GREAT price!
It's a greasy spoon that gets families, cops, hipsters and the hung-over crowd - not an easy feat to appeal to such a wide range of people.
I RECOMMEND!
Best family restaurant in town!!
ARIES!!
the serves isnt that friendly... they take so long to get your food at lunch...they need more gravy on there fries they screw up on your order and ive been going there for almost 20 years and in the last few years they serves has been going down hill...they go through waitress like nothing...
but there food is good