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Restaurants

BOOM Breakfast & Co

Posted by Tanja / Reviewed on April 4, 2007 / review policy

Three SomeOver the past few months I've watched a fading strip of St Clair West between Westmount & Oakwood Ave undergo some brilliant changes. New hip cafes, family-run eateries, shops and even a modern art gallery now inhabit a strip that 6 months ago was littered with sad empty storefronts.

One such vacant lot now glows in bright blue and gold (coincidentally the school colours of Oakwood C.I. across the street) and has brought the locals out, rain or shine -- to line up around the corner if necessary -- for a chance to have a great midtown breakfast.

BOOM Breakfast & Co opened a couple weeks ago, and still the crowds haven't thinned a bit. Saturday brunch was about a 20 minute wait but definitely worth it. Settling into a comfy new booth, my friends and I are presented with the menu which boasts a long list of breakfast dishes as well as all kinds of lunch options on the flipside.

All Cracked UpWe debate eggs vs burgers, pancakes vs waffles and salad vs home fries... it all just looks so good.

Our waiter is friendly, despite his hectic morning, and gives us plenty of time, while pouring fresh cups of bottomless coffee to aid in our decision-making.


BOOM's Tuscan EggsFrom the breakfast menu, I go for BOOM's Tuscan Eggs. Two poached eggs over roasted tomatoes and rye bread, served alongside 'frites' and fresh fruit. A healthy pick that still hits the spot.

The tomatos are a pleasantly warm and flavourful, eggs poached perfectly, and the fries too good to hang on to. As others reached into my plate, I waved to the waiter...

"We'll be needing a side of these."


Across the table, a friend orders up the scandalously named, Three Some (pictured at the top). Suitable for minors this included a pancake, two eggs, and choice of double-smoked bacon, ham or sausage. Classic and quickly devoured.

Vegetarian BurgerAnd next to me, the rebel of the group plucks a standard vegetarian choice from the lunch menu: the Veggie Burger.

Boom Breakfast & CoThe patty was notably tasty (even our sausage fan across the table asked for a second bite) and matched up well with an onion bun, and side of fresh greens.

Portions are generous but not ridiculous, leaving us full but able to walk home (always a bonus).

If waiting for your bacon doesn't fit into your breakfast schedule, try BOOM out during weekdays. I returned on Tuesday morning and enjoyed quieter atmosphere, no wait, and the same great service.


--
BOOM Breakfast & Co
1036 St Clair Avenue West
at Glenholme (map)
Open til approx. 3-4pm every day.

(Flagship location on College St West.)


Discussion

26 Comments

brokenengine / April 4, 2007 at 11:17 am
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I used to live in this hood, and I'm very happy to hear that it's starting to thrive. Because, DAMN, was it sketchy before. Of course, it's proximity to Oakwood/Vaughan will have that effect. I remember coming out of my Watford ave apartment to go to work and OH, dead body in the middle of my street, great....
Christian / April 4, 2007 at 08:41 pm
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There is a Boom on Bloor also...
Tanja / April 5, 2007 at 02:02 am
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Where on Bloor, Christian? Their website makes no reference to a third location.
megan / April 15, 2007 at 11:34 am
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I am now picturing the giggles as a say to the server "I'd like a threesome please"
angela d. / October 26, 2007 at 03:57 am
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Bar none, the best breakfast place in town. Beeker and I are frequent guests.
MelodySoul / January 18, 2009 at 06:09 pm
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Went here today for the first time after driving by it on many occasions. It was packed and we had to wait 15 minutes, but they come around with muffin samples while you wait which was nice. Food was good and fast and the prices are pretty reasonable. I'll definitely come back.
joe / February 23, 2009 at 02:01 pm
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sucks alot!
MelodySoul / February 23, 2009 at 02:02 pm
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I'd never go back Wow they disrespected my family on my 2nd time back im never gonna go
eagle3 / March 1, 2009 at 01:20 am
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We went for brunch on Saturday, It was ok at best. I had scrambled eggs, toast, frites. I still felt hungry after. It was just ok, nothing special...I would not go as far as saying it was the best brunch place in town, not even close.
Amanda.O / March 4, 2009 at 01:57 pm
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FYI TANJA-
The contact phone number you have there for the St.Clair location is Wrong.
The actual number for that location is, 416 657 3447.
:)
Great place to eat at!:)
MelodySoul replying to a comment from MelodySoul / April 25, 2009 at 12:44 am
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That second post by "Melody Soul" is not me. Whoever wrote that is a fake and for whatever reason is trying to impersonate other people and give bad reviews.

I've been back since the first visit and never had a problem. Try the iced cappuccino, it's delicious!
over here / June 30, 2009 at 11:09 am
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BOOM! This place is awesome. Eggs benny with a side order of sausages are a must.
Juliet James / October 21, 2009 at 09:47 am
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Definitely not the best brunch place in town, but quite good. There's a reason why people line up on weekends...it's reasonable, reliable and consistent. And, who doesn't love a busy diner atmosphere to wake you up ;-)
Lyle / January 25, 2010 at 01:32 pm
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A warning to Benny lovers, BOOM does not make their own hollandaise!
Nancy / March 1, 2010 at 10:48 pm
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Not great, barely good. I ordered the breakfast burrito and it was bland and boring. I wouldn't go back.
Rachel Falk / March 19, 2010 at 06:12 pm
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I live in the area (St. Clair/ Christie), but I didn't know of it's existence until I read this column. I went there for the first time today and I loved it. The food is good and the servings are generous. The servers were very friendly and gave wonderful service. We were served by two Lauras (Laura A. and Laura- pronounced Lough R-r-r ah- to rhyme with bough and trill the "r"- from Mexico). They were so pleasant and efficient and they were especially kind to my mother who has some memory loss. We split an order of blueberry pancakes with our egg orders - too much!- but they were so delicious. The prices were very reasonable compared to downtown, but it was the atmosphere, ambiance and service that was lovely, friendly, relaxed, rather than an upscale hustle and bustle eatery and it made me feel like I was in Europe again; a very neighbourhood feel- that is what makes this place my new go-to brunch place from now on. It was just such a joy.
blueberryhill / May 27, 2010 at 07:08 pm
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If you don't want to listen to my vitriol, just go to frans.

This place sucks donkeyballs. No one aside from forest hillians trying to look edgy want to come here to wait in line on a Saturday and spend $25 on a low quality breakfast.

This place is so lame, it continues that unfortunate toronto trend that anything unique must be expensive, too bad its horribly mainstream and bland. Whats next from boom? a $12 burger?

been once, that was enough.
V / August 4, 2010 at 09:32 pm
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Varied menu, I felt I got good quality for what I paid. Only ever been to the Ossington location. My one complaint is that there's always a wait line there on weekends.
Janae / August 24, 2011 at 10:05 am
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My husband and I just returned from our first visit to Toronto (and Canada!) and had a great time. One of our stops was for brunch at Boom College Street location. I ordered the Californspa omelette and he had the Threesome. We were very impressed on how delicious everything was and how beautiful the presentation was with fresh fruit. Little touches like these is what makes it special. The waitress was extremely friendly and very accessible. Also, since I used Groupon, they gave me a coupon for a free espresso based drink that I immediately redeemed - delicious. Being from Jersey we go and know all types of breakfast food from our local diners and Boom did not disappoint. On a funny side note, I think the College Street location might have a spirit...my husbands coffee cup turned around by itself on the table. The ghost probably knows good coffee when he sees it!! :o)
MitchLaughren replying to a comment from Lyle / September 28, 2011 at 03:10 pm
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Weak hollandaise, looked up best bennys in Toronto and I was lied to. Too little sauce, and egg was overpoached so it was not runny, just a gooey almost cooked center. One of the cooks just wouldn't shut up either and since the kitchen is litterally in the dining room (Eglinton W location anyways) all you could hear was this guys non stop loud talking that was really disruptive to a nice breakfast. Never would have gone in the first place if i knew they didnt make their own hollandaise and won't go back again. Much better bennys around the city.
maggiecz / December 10, 2011 at 11:38 pm
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I had high hopes for this restaurant. Everytime I pass by, there is always a line up to be seated during breakfast hours. The first time I visited, I ordered the 'smart fruit and yogurt' boring. But then again that was a mistake on my part. Tasted like something I could make at home in under 10 minutes. On my second visit I decided to order the buttermilk pancakes. Nothing special, they were rather dry. A friend who also went there (cant recall what she ordered) also agreed. Yes the service is good and the food is not all that bad but trust me when I say this. In toronto you can get a much much better breakfast WITHOUT the long lines.
John replying to a comment from MelodySoul / February 24, 2012 at 02:10 pm
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I am at Boom right now at St clair and glenholme writing this on my phone.
I order bacon and eggs. It was the saddest breakfast I have ever had. The toast was old.
The bacon was old and cold. The eggs were mutant yellow, and were so bland!
The potatoes were frozen, then deep fried. This is one of the biggest ripoffs in
Toronto breakfast history. Please avoid this place.
CELESTE C / August 12, 2012 at 11:31 am
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HI,

I MIGHT GO TO THIS PLACE TODAY (WITH MY FRIENDS.

- CELESTE
Steve replying to a comment from CELESTE C / August 12, 2012 at 11:33 am
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I thought you were coming to my place...

Joe Tackspaier / November 4, 2012 at 09:24 am
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Prices goes up, quality goes down!
eagle3 / December 2, 2012 at 09:50 pm
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We went here a few years ago, and it was overpriced for bland not so great food, in a nut shell, too much hype not enough umph!

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