Restaurants
Homestyle Comfort Food at Country Style Hungarian
Having spent the holidays away from home, I missed out on family dinners and all festive platefuls of comfort food that come along with the season. Feeling incomplete, I called up a couple friends I still had undelivered gifts for, and suggested we check out Country Style, a little Hungarian diner in the Annex. Surely, a big Eastern European meal would hit the spot.
We arrive and are seated quickly by friendly staff. Around us, wood panelling, vinyl chairs, lanterns in place of windows and a sea of red and white gingham set the scene for our post-holiday dinner.
Assorted coffees and ginger ale arrive, followed shortly by Garden Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Perogies, Chicken Schnitzel and Veal Stew with Bread Dumplings.
It's no surprise that the Perogies (with fried onions and sour cream for $8.50) here are wonderful. They're slightly crispy on the outside, steaming hot inside, and so deliciously smothered by a generous heap of juicy fried onions. This is a great dish for sharing.
Next up is the main attraction: Chicken Schnitzel ($15.95).
Now, we expected a large schnitzel dish for the price, but were floored when the waitress appeared with the platter (pictured at the top). This traditional style schnitzel was at least a foot wide, made up of thin, crispy layers of chicken breast over a bed of rice. Wow. This wasn't just about presentation either. The thinness of the chicken ensured no piece was ever too dry, just a savoury balance of crispy coating and tender white meat.
Everything was so wonderful that we turned to the Veal Stew ($14.95) with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, it could not live up to the Schnitzel. While this thick 'n' meaty home-cooked stew was tasty enough, it really didn't sit well in the bellies of those who tried it -- making us wish we'd just ordered a second schnitzel instead.
That feeling also led to skipping on a Strudel desert, but all agreed we'd give this place another go. Only next time, we'll bring a couple more people, skip the stew and head straight for the "Country Style Wooden Plate" - a spread of Cabbage Rolls, Wiener Schnitzel, Fried Pork Chops, Parisian Schnitzel, Sausage, Bacon, Beets, Rice & Home Fried Potatoes ($34.95).
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I grew up eating their food when I lived in the West End. My proudest day was when I could finish the full sized dinner all to myself as a youngling.
Somebody should review the 'Hungarian House' when they do their showcases, they have the cafeteria open to everybody for so cheap and its fantastic.
whole package.....I only hope for the best for Country Style...
thank you for being so great...!
-yammy
There's also a really good (and cheap) Hungarian lunch place at Yonge and Davisville. Forget the name, but it's sort of tucked into the first floor of a building, just across from the Roger's I think.
The food was excellent byond discription. Just as I remembered it. Took pictures with the new owner to send home.
Thank you for still being there. Loved it and hopefuly you will be there for many years to come
Their excuse for a paprikás was the most basic, gelatinous kind of
gravy I've ever had. There really wasn't any paprika in it, or any of
the other typical ingredients that go into a paprikás (tomatoes,
peppers and onions, anything really). Really, just like canned gravy.
We also ordered the mushroom schnitzel, and the galuska it came with
had the same lard/gravy dobbed onto it.
As a Hungarian, I'm sorry to say Country Style is a really poor
representation of authentic Hungarian food. For those of you
considering to go to this restauraunt, I highly encourage you to open
any old Hungarian cookbook and give it a try yourself. You'll easily
make something more authentic!
He got the schnitzel sandwich & I had the perogies (like the ones pictured above) and well, it was just so bland. The schnitzel was tender, I'll give it that, but it was absolutely tasteless (no seasoning at all!) and the bread that it came in was just some rye bread you can pick up at the metro down the street. The bread wasn't even warm. And well the perogies were alright in texture, but again just absolutely no taste. Even the sauce it came with on the side had no taste (how is this possible?!)
Anyway, the whole meal cost us about $22 and we would've been way more satisfied with some burgers from any joint on the street (I say this and I don't even like burgers that much). We're definitely not going back ever.
We've been to the Coffee Mill Restaurant in Yorkville a bunch of times too, but Country Style is way more laid-back.
The menu may look pricey if you are just passing by, but the portions are honestly gigantic. Hungarians like to eat (my grandmother hates that I'm thin), so don't be surprised if your food it actually overflowing off of the plate.
If you're used to medium portion sizes, I suggest sharing plates (they give you so much).
I've yet to try the dessert here because I'm always too full.