Buddha Pie
Buddha Pie, formerly Lou's Coffee bar, opened about a month ago on the southwest fringe of The Junction.
A brief once-over of the menu upon arrival made it clear Buddha Pie's tiny, take-out oriented premises is attempting something altogether different. Owners Cyndy and John kept the coffee component of Lou's, but decided to take on an auspicious challenge, to make Toronto's most authentic Italian margherita.
Judging by the rambunctious debate over this city's non-reputation for producing decent pizza, this is currently a contest with few serious contenders.
As a starting point, John sought advice from Cosimo Mammoliti of Terroni on what, exactly, the ideal margerita would be comprised of. The advice?
Don't cheap out by using Canadian mozzarella (they test-sampled different types of Mozzarella di Bufalo to customers and opted for the Italian import). Buy the best tomatoes available (the homemade tomato sauce is also the product of Italian tomatoes). Be picky when it comes to the basil (Buddha Pie get theirs from Boncheff Herbs).
After much fine-tuning, 6 types of pizza and 4 gourmet sandwiches that would comprise the menu were settled on. The spelt crust that I'd read about will be an option as of next week.
I formed an initial good impression of Buddha Pie before even setting a foot in the place.
Being a paranoid type after too many empty-bellied ATM traipses from cash-only eateries, I called ahead to check whether Buddha Pie accepted debit. "We take debit" the extremely cheerful male voice that answered informed me, "we take cash too, and..." here he paused, "if you bring a gun, it's free".
That exchange pretty much exemplifies the immediate familiarity that you're greeted with at Buddha Pie.
On the night we eat there, I arrive earlier than my companion and seat myself. The place is so small that even alone I occupy 50% of the table seating. Locals, all of whom seem to be on joking terms with the owners, drift in and catch up while their pizzas are being prepared.
I order a very good coffee (from the local roaster that supplies primo grocer Pusateri's) and talk to the owners while I wait. Once my friend arrives we debate over what to order and are very kindly treated to samples of the pepperoni to help us narrow down the decision.
We take John's advice and modify our pepperoni & cheese to a half Zen margherita, half pepperoni pizza ($12.99).
Being a more-is-more kind of person when it comes to pizza toppings, I'm not convinced that I'm going to be satisfied by a basic margherita but, as it's the most popular item on the menu, it wouldn't be fair to overlook it.
Once the pizza arrives my skepticism dissolves. It's as far removed from the doughy sauce tray that often passes for pizza as the scent of a Glade plug-in is from anything remotely resembling an outdoor breeze.
The base is so deliciously thin, crisp and light that it seems like it should barely support the topping. After initially trying the potently spicy pepperoni side, I bite into the margherita and immediately wish that I'd ordered two of them.
The tomato tastes so fresh and flavourful that I start to wonder if I've ever eaten one so tasty before. Likewise, the basil is sweet and pungent without being remotely acidic, and the mozzarella is creamy and pronounced.
The whole pizza is so light and delicious that I realize why everyone coming in is making a point of ordering one per person.
Because we've shared the pizza, there is room left to try the baked dessert slices that are brought in from a local bakery every day.
Apparently there is a daily choice of kind-of-healthy or indeed-less-healthy. On this particular day that means either a date slice or a white chocolate cranberry square generously drizzled with dark chocolate. Aesthetically, there is no competition - so I get the latter and we order more coffee.
The slice is pleasingly chocolate-laden and stodgy but is definitely too filling for a dessert so we pack it up for the journey home.
Buddha Pie has treated us well and we leave surprised and happy.
A lot of people may never visit Buddha Pie because of the location and the mostly take-out set-up but if all you are interested in is good pizza, no wine or atmosphere required, then it's worth a specific trip there.
Opening hours are 11 a.m-9 p.m Tuesday-Saturday. Sundays 3 p.m-8 p.m
All pizzas are between $12.99-$14.99
Photos by Anna Lisa Sang.
Discussion
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thanks for the head's up - looks yummy
cheers
I know where i'm going for dinner! Looks yummy indeed.
I don't think spelt is gluten-free.
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/faqs/f/Spelt.htm
You're right. It's not. Spelt if a good option for those with a wheat intolerance but it's not gluten free. This has been corrected.
I tried this place last week and was amazed at the quality
so tasty, every bite was just incredible
does anyone know where the owner came from?
such a funny guy! something tells me he hasn't been in the pizza game all his life
Just curious
Are they also the owners of Buddha Dog on Roncesvalles? If so, I'll def have to stop by. If their pizzas are as good as those dogs, I'm in for a treat!
BlogTO gave them a month before a review?
That ain't your style.
BlogTo usually burns 'em and spurns 'em.
A non-vegetarian place called 'Buddha [anything]'? Are they trying to follow in the footsteps of Toronto's non-veg 'Gandhi' restaurant? DO these places not understand that this is offensive to members of those cultural/faith communities, not to mention misleading -- as it's a reasonable assumption that a place named after the Buddha (or Gandhi) is going to be 'pure veg'?
Meera.
relax. it's a pizza parlour for god sakes
lets worry about bigger problems in the world shall we?
I love Gandhi's!!
Their chicken roti is delishhhh!!!
Yumm. Love meat!
Some buddhist sects do eat meat (e.g. Bhutanese). They do not specifically kill a cow to eat meat, but if one dies (naturally or accidentally) they will eat it.
Info Here: http://bit.ly/3EgQE0
ALSO, I imagine there are plenty of people with the Gandhi 'surname' who do eat meat (notably, Sonia and family). Its a (fairly common) name...not a religion.
Hey Davis, I've know the owners for a few years now and I can tell you John does not originate from Earth he is defenitely just visiting! ;-)
Declaration: I will ride my bike there.
Notification: Further bulletins as events warrant.
Nice to know. I'm going to check it out!
I WOULD NOT CALL THIS THE JUNCTION.
If they're aiming for authenticity, it would be nice if they spelled "margherita" properly.
If you're aiming to be a douche, you succeeded.
Fantastic Coffee too! I stopped by today and was greeted with the warmest service and delicious, fresh coffee. MMMmmm.
ok... This is a blog about a new pizza place that happens to have GREAT pizza!!! I tried it last week... LOVE IT!!!!
Lets not pick apart every little detail about the name or spelling...
friendly owners and fantastic pizza!!! I will be back for more..
MMmmmMMMmmMmmmmm...
I Love Pie !!
I was just there tonight based on this blog. Delicious pizza, great service. Can't wait to go back and have an Eastern Tuna Sandwich.
I went there last night and the pizza's were as delicious as the owners were friendly. I got the pepperoni and the BBQ chicken - and neither disappointed.
I chatted with John and he actually doesn't have a restaurant background, instead a love for food and the understand that quality ingredients are of the utmost importance.
Best pizza in town! Sends my palette to Nirvana!!! Cyndy is a fab cook with amazing sauces--- When's the Buddha Pie cookbook coming out?!!
These are the best pizzas in Toronto. They are light, flavourful and absolutely delicious! Buddha Pie will send your palette to Nirvana!!!
Cyndy and John of Buddha Pie are the two little Buddhas behind the counter. They are warm, welcoming, kind, compassionate, incredibly funny and GREAT COOKS!!
It's worth traveling across town for this culinary experience!!
You guys don't know pizza. I ordered to take out, spent $15 with tax on a small pizza, and I was less than impressed, with those so called "amazing" pizza. The cheese wasn't melted, the crust was thin, sure, but it also tasted like cardboard. It was not worth the money, at all. I could've made a better one at home, for less than what they are charging and I'm sure they could too. Go to vesuvio's in the real junction, go downtown to some pizzerias, taste real pizza, this, SUCKS.
Hi disgruntled buddha,
We are sorry that you weren't happy - we'd be more than happy to refund your money. Come and see us.
John and Cyndy
Buddha Pie
I went to this cafe today for food and coffee with a friend of mine today. I live in the neighbourhood, and am always on the lookout for a good place. I ordered a tuna sandwich and Americano, which were both good-- no complaints there. The service was quick. While sitting at a table with my friend, talking, I realized that the music was so loud that I was having trouble hearing my friend. I asked the server if she could please turn down the music, as I was having trouble hearing my friend, and she went off, to take care of it, I assumed. Wrongly! The other server came forward and said, "Sorry, ladies, I like it like that. You can move to one of the other tables, if you like." We moved to the counter at the front of the cafe, it was better, but still loud. I and my friend were shocked at this rudeness. We will not be returning, and I will be telling my neighbourhood friends to not bother with this cafe.
This spot is literally around the corner from my house - everytime I pass by, I am drawn in by the ridiculously mouth watering aroma that emanate from within.
My friend and I went to Buddha Pie last night for the first time and we were very impressed! The pizza was delicious and the friendly staff made it a top notch experience. We will definitely be back!
Holy character assassination. Tween this and the other blogTO post about Crema, one would be inclined to think the Junction was populated with either vitrioloc, foaming at the mouth, wild-eyed myopics (cf. disgruntled buddha, J-DAWG) or fairly erudite and eloquent folks who don't mind saying something pleasant about fledgling businesses in the area. Christ!! If you don't have something positive to say, then at least offer something that the proprietors can work with. Does anyone at blogTO police--yep, I said it--these postings?
Thank you, Buddha Pie and Crema. Even if the service and products you folks provided were anywhere as meagre as the anonymous haranguers claim, I'm happy to have the choice. Keep at it. (I think I'll post this in the Crema thread too).
I am sure you will not be missed. Its a pizza place not a library!
First of all, the name itself is obviously meant to be taken with a grain of salt. I need you interpreting whether Siddhartha Gautama would enjoy some Prosciutto on his Pizza or not - - about as much as I need some right-wing Christian sect translating the words of the Bible for me related to a BBQ Restaurant in Alabama.
And since you brought it up,...Actually, according to the Pali texts — the Buddha and his followers did eat meat so long as certain conditions were met. These conditions were that a monk should not have seen, heard, nor have any reason to suspect, that the meat was from an animal killed specifically for him. If these three conditions were met then the meat was said to be ‘blameless’. There are some four references to the ‘blamelessness’ of eating meat-once in both the Majjhima and Anguttara Nikayas, and twice in the Vinaya.
Now play nice and smile like the Buddha.
I LOVE the food, the people (Cindy and John), the music... a great little place. YAYYYYY! And if you have a dog, you'll leave with biscuits!
Oh come on, you´re like those old people that come into my retail store and tell me to turn down the music cause it's "too loud". I'm sure it was a decent volume and it's the owners right to keep it at that.
On another note, I loved the reviews and pics from this place. I'm definitley going!
I have known John and Cindy for over a decade and let me tell you that the complainers on this blog are out to lunch.
John is the most conscientious person I have met in years.
His original calling has been in the home theater business which, because of the recession is less attractive.
John loves his food and more importantly his customers. The Bhudda Pie is, and will be, a really successful entry by John into s business that cries out for personal service.
He gets my vote and I'm looking forward to watching his progress.
First time, and won't be the last.
The people there are great and conscientious.
Americano was excellent and Margherita was addictive.
Amazing pizza, and lovely people. Most four-cheese pizzas use a quarter as much of each cheese. Not these folks - WOW. And the pepperoni is bene, primo. Now if the police would act like grown-ups and allow people to actually stop (not park) their cars in front of the shop to pick up their take-out, they'd have a good shot at success...
I just moved into the neighbourhood, a few blocks from this place. I'm thrilled to have such a delicious cafe right nearby...it brings added excitement to the new 'hood! Thanks to the ambitious owners for creating such a gem.
have enjoyed the music and the pizza many times but have now discovered that you can buy the tomatoes they use from them for only $7 a can,,I made pasta sauce and my wife and I have never had a better saucee,,cheers