Gandhi Roti
Who makes Toronto's best roti? Ask most people and they'll say Gandhi at 554 Queen West. The ten-seater roti restaurant has been serving up super-fresh, made-to-order lunches and dinners for years. On the menu are almost two dozen varieties ranging from veggie options like saag paneer ($8.95) and chana ($6.95) to meat-friendly varieties including lamb ($7.95) and butter chicken ($11.95).
On this afternoon I order up a mixed vegetable roti ($6.95 - pictured above and below) which comes with potato, cauliflower and peas. The creation is wrapped in one of Gandhi's hot off the stove roti shells that are made fresh throughout the day. The size of these are definitely a meal and knowing that the kitchen doesn't hold back on the chiles I ask for the spice level to be set to medium.
And then I wait. If there's one criticism that's repeatedly directed toward Gandhi it's that the service is too slow. Get there during the weekday lunch rush and you'll be lucky to get your food in 20 minutes. Sometimes it's longer and line-ups can be deceiving. When I arrived I was only 4th or 5th in the queue but it soon became apparent that oodles of chiken tikka masala fans had called in orders from work - for themselves AND their office chums.
But, if there's one restaurant on Queen West that's worth the wait it just might be Gandhi. For those used to the more widespread Trinidadian or Jamaican rotis in Toronto, the flavours and textures here are definitely something different. For starters, the kitchen specializes in East-Indian rotis which generally means a firmer filling and more intense spicing than what you'd find at places like Bacchus or Ali's.
Not to be overlooked though is the quality of the shell. I love the fact the kitchen is wide open for all customers to see - and that the roti shell roller is just steps from the order counter. It makes for a fun dining experience especially when you throw in the challenge of maneuvering around the cramped eating area to jostle for the prized seating (12 chairs, four tables).
Worth noting is that owner Avtar Singh can still be found behind the counter. While he usually relinquishes cooking duties to a team numbering about half a dozen, it's great to see him still in the middle of the action, taking orders, packing meals and assuring customers that their order will only be 2-3 more minutes.
For those interested in essentially the same quality roti but in a less frenetic environment, Gandhi's sister-location, Mother India, can be found further west along Queen at Landsdowne.
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Whoa.
I just got the Tweet about this, and I'm literally eating reheated Gandhi as we speak. LOVE IT!!!
Does anyone know which of the vegetarian options are vegan?
I went to Gandhi's for the first time a couple weeks ago on someone's recommendation.
It was ... okay. Just okay. I won't be rushing back.
I think Island Foods makes the best rotis evah!
I think on ethical grounds alone, I couldn't patronize a *non-veg* restaurant called 'Gandhi'. Like, seriously, wtf?
there is no comparision between "island food rotis" and "ghandi rotis"...island food rotis have a west indian flavour...whilst ghandi rotis have an east indian flavour...totally different flavours...
Wow... did somebody just compare The Ghandi to some barely known run of the mill franchise? What has this world come to?
The "first" roties to try are:
1. butter chicken
2. malai kafta
3. saag paneer
4. saag kafta
5. mutter paneer
These are the "delux" roties... I wasn't very fond on the eggplant and potato, even though I absolutely adore both ingredients :)
Samosas are quite excellent as well, big and yummy. Pakoras are nice, but don't let them sit around - they get super dry super fast.
I've been going to Ghandi for over 8 years now... sometimes over 3 times a week if i work around.
I don't think this post can actually count as a "review"... The whole thing could be summarized in "i went to ghandi, it was small" :( I'd expect more said about the best roties in town.
Tip: never go in without ordering ahead. I got the number on speed dial :)
hey alex, u got it, ghandi rotis are the best....i too have them on my speed dial....
Alex said it best....you gotta try the best rotis first and then 'review' them. I'm sorry but a mixed veggie roti ain't gonna cut it!
Gandhi's and Island Foods = no comparison...two different flavours!
Also, it's not called a roti 'shell', it's simply a roti. It's like when people say "I'd like a chai tea"...you're basically saying "I'd like a tea tea".
Alex said it best....you gotta try the best rotis first and then 'review' them. I'm sorry but a mixed veggie roti ain't gonna cut it!
Gandhi's and Island Foods = no comparison...two different flavours!
Also, it's not called a roti 'shell', it's simply a roti. It's like when people say "I'd like a chai tea"...you're basically saying "I'd like a tea tea".
My use of the term roti shell is to distinguish the roti (shell) from the roti (entire meal) itself.
As far as what the best rotis are, isn't that a matter of personal preference?
The best rotis are to be had at the EX, Food building. The longest lineup is proof that the (island) rotis are best. I love Indian cooking but when it comes to roties, guyanese ones are tops
"Gandhi's sister-location, Mother India, can be found further east along Queen at Landsdowne."
Shouldn't that be west?
Oops! You're right. I've been having trouble with my directions lately. Must be the weather. The error has been corrected.
I'm going to try the "deluxe" Roti's but you can never go wrong with medium heat boneless chicken Roti. Yu-u-u-u-u-um!It is *so* good and the portions are *huge* (and I am not a light snacker)! I always drop by for lunch when I'm in the area and always leave full and satisfied after one of their wonderful Rotis!
Alex,
>>>Wow... did somebody just compare The Ghandi to some barely known run of the mill franchise? What has this world come to?
What an ignorant comment to make. Everyone knows Island Foods, and the only reason it's a "franchise" is because there's so much demand for it. And opening up two different locations isn't franchising, just like Ghandi opened up another store, with a different name mind you, but still the same thing.
I won't comment on Ghandi's because I've yet to try it, but I'm quite versed on Island Foods and I found your comment to be total bullshit.
BUTTER CHICKEN HOT. BOOM.
Not bad at all though I've had better INDIAN (east indian is a redundant and fallacious term) food at Drupati's.
ok ppl listen up and listen good bc i am only saying this once. gandhi is not a traditional "roti" shop in the common meaning of the term. basically gandhi sells mughlai dishes wrapped in sada roti. roti means "bread" in hindi and sada means "plain." this maybe a unique hybrid of food peculiar to toronto as i have never seen anything like it before.
as for traditional roti shops, they are based on the indo-trinidadian folk dishes. the roti used there is "dhalpuri" ( dhal = split peas, puri-a roti cook in oil, in trinidad this differs from the fried indian "puri" found in india). the filling is traditional "talkari" ( talkari = things you eat with roti , similar the the bihari talkari, most indo-trinidadians are from bihari origins).
so in conclusion i hope i have shed light on the whole gandhi v. island foods debate. me it really depends on my mood but i do loves me some dhalpuri...
Gandhi's is one of the best roti I have ever had. I have tried all their non-vegetarian rotis and they are all excellent.
> I think on ethical grounds alone, I couldn't patronize a *non-
> veg* restaurant called 'Gandhi'. Like, seriously, wtf?
It's just a name. Like Shoe. It could have been called Shoe Roti, but that would not be very inspiring, would it?
They are now closed on Saturday and Sunday. What's up with that? You would think those would be their busier days.
i love gandhi's and east indian style rotis, but the quality has been steadily going down the past few months.
1. the portions are getting smaller. the roti used to fill the entire container, now there are frequently corners "missing".
2. the rotis are sometimes very very salty.
3. the quality of the meats has been going down. before, the lamb was soft and tender, now its more chewy and rough.
i still go there once a week. but i think they are slacking since there is no competition in the area. i've also noticed that the girls behind the counter are no longer there, and now its some random dudes. was there an ownership change?
i hope they get their act together. and no longer open on weekends?!? boo-urns.
I agree - the portions are smaller but the quality hasn't seemed to change - granted, I generally eat veggie. Honestly, I think they're tryna keep up with inflation without raising their prices. It's not easy to cook fresh food so cheaply...
It's because of Mother India. It's not SO far west...but still - yeah.
You miss so much in life that way. Just go check it out then decide. Don't let assumptions get in the way of good eats. You don't have to be a vegetarian to admire Gandhi.
I hired Avtar to come over and show how to make his chana masala and, yes, his butter chicken. One of the people took detailed notes for the recipes. I am obsessed with ghandi. I also have the roti recipe.
If you haven't gone, go mon-fri. Avtar closes his shop to hang out with his family on the weekends.
You know what would be good? The mutter paneer filling in a West Indian dhalpuri roti wrap. East meets west people! East meets west.
I think it's unreasonable to criticize Gandhi's for taking 20 minutes to serve you your roti. They make the them fresh to order, even rolling out the shells. If you want fast food, go elsewhere; Gandhi's makes no pretense of offering it.
I am obsessed too. Can I ask what he charges for a lesson?
spinach and potato are vegan! :) (the only one i know of... because i only got that far in the menu before falling in love.
Alex asks "Wow... did somebody just compare The Ghandi to some barely known run of the mill franchise?"
FYI Alex, Island Foods has been around for more than 30 years and have had a stand in the CNE food building since the 70's. And each of their 3 locations is family owned and operated, not franchised out. (The father started the business and each of his children run a location.)
Following the recommendation I went and tried this place. Awesome rotties !!
I will be surprised if someone can finish all of them.
I agree these Roti's are #1
This isn't a roti shop and shouldn't be in a review that involves authentic Caribbean roti, which is entirely different.
Hey, the chana masala, mixed vegetables and eggplant/potato are all vegan as far as I know. The mixed veggie is my fav. :)
Incidentally, I was just out biking (lousy weather for it, I know) and noticed that they've opened another Gandhi Roti, on St. Clair, west of Runnymede. So for those of you in Etobicoke, you can get your roti on without all the travel time.
Moved out to the burbs a few years ago from Queen West and missed the yummy Gandhi butter chicken roti's that I used to eat 2-3 times as week - new location is not as good as the original but better than any other around (in my opinion)