Java House Serves Up Eclectic Cheap Eats Menu
537 Queen Street West
Phone: 416.504.3025
 Profile |
 Map |
Sitting on the corner of Queen West and Augusta, Java house is a ragged-yet-lovable little cafe/resto hang-out with a big patio, tiny kitchen and cheap eats menu that sees no borders.
The international mish mash line-up of entrees offers up favourites like pad thai, shanghai noodles, omelets, pierogies and more, including all-day breakfast specials like sausage & eggs and french toast. No meal is more than $10. Most barely scrape the $6 mark. If you're familiar with the Red Room on Spadina, this menu is going to look very familiar.
If that wasn't easy enough on your wallet, there are even greater deals to be had with daily specials every day of the week. I usually drop by on Saturdays when you can score a pitcher of sangria or imported beer + 2 entrees for $21.
The sangria is unreliable, sometimes strong, sometimes just sweet -- depending on who's pouring -- but always pretty tasty. It makes for a great patio drink, or in my case, an I-wish-it-was-warm-enough-for-the-patio kind of treat.
This evening, the order is one Chicken Pad Thai (pictured at the top) and a Veggie Stir-fry (with extra veggies in place of the standard chicken/shrimp/tofu option).
Both are huge portions, prepared quickly and just as we asked. I'm not about to hand out any fine-dining awards here, but most offerings are pretty good for the price.
Pad Thai is spicy and actually pretty fresh for something whipped up in a few minutes. The Veg Stir-Fry features lots of crisp fresh veggies (no freezer bag platefuls) aside steamed white rice. The whole dish is actually more steamed than fried, making it one of the healthier menu choices... something you might consider if planning on enjoying a pitcher or two.
Comments (17)
It pains me to go to Java House, like, literally. Two out of three times I've been there, I've become ill shortly aftewards. It's unfortunate because I also like its chill vibe and affordable appeal. It's just not worth the pain...
I got served raw chicken there once, they didn't even offer me a discount or money back.
Gross
Andrea, my mileage may vary. I've been there hundreds of times and I've never had a problem. I am a vegetarian though; that goes a long way toward not eating spoiled meat.
I like their beer selection. I know it's not rare, but it's nice to have Creemore and Upper Canada on tap.
I hate to be the guy that keeps pointing out pests but: I trapped a cockroach under my coke can as it scurried across the table the last time I was at Java House. Keep your eyes open.
I agree john... plus to get to the bathrooms you have to walk through the kitchen! How gross is that?? I do like their cheap sangria and the avocado & brie sandwiches. The breakfast fare is hella greasy.
I've seen the women sitting on milk crates, on the floor, peeling potatoes....no counter. The floor is black and not by design, just decades of filth. I fear going to the washrooms because I believe that one day I WILL see a giant rat mosey on past me while I run back upstairs screaming uncontrollably. The washrooms are horrible, dirty, flooded half the time, no toilet paper but there's always soap...thank goodness. The clientele has gotten better over the last couple of years because they've closed off the entrance to the patio from the outside. The patio used to be open for all from the outside and that attracted some real "weirdos" who just wanted to sit on a patio without buying anything. I once witnessed a woman peeing on a patio chair, when she was done she just got up and left....ewwwww.
Would I eat there? Hell no!
Would I sit there for a couple of beers (not draft) or maybe a coffee? Sure. Despite all the negatives, it does have an appeal and neat atmosphere, especially on the patio but I have to be sure to launder everything I wore that day/night and resist the temptation to put my fingers anywhere near my mouth..lol.
Located right smack dad in the middle of the strip between "Queen West" and "Queen west west", the Java Hut is a colorful little hole in the wall catering to those with an appetite for almost anything but a pocket book geared towards fast food. One of the FEW places on Queen where you can get a REAL meal for the cost of a trip to a Mc-type FF joint. I will agree that the cleanliness probably leaves a bit to be desired, but having worked in a restaurant for years I have a fair idea about what to worry and not worry about. ALL the food is good. I am a big fan of the tofu appetizer. AND the avacado and Brie sandwich - add on bacon!!! There is a food god!! When you can have 4 people dine out in T.O. and walk away with a bill under $30 AND everyone is satiated, it was worth the trip.
I've eaten at the Java House many, many times and have never had a problem with uncooked food. I've eaten meat on many occasions there without problems! It's too bad some of you have gotten sick!
I would recommend this place to anyone
Love Java House! I too have eaten there many times and usually enjoyed the food. I have never had anything bad.
The actual wash room (women's) is as clean as it can be given the age of the building. Yes, it could look better but only if it was pulled down and rebuilt. The stalls and seats are clean and I suppose that has more to do with who was in there previously.
It is cheap and cheerful - c'mon, enjoy and don't expect champagne on a beer budget.
I get the breakfasts and find they're good...their pasta sucks..same with their salads..but the service is pretty good and it's pretty clean...except when u have to go use the bathroom..lol
Great coffee,best price. much better and cheaper than starbucks on the same corner augusta and queen west. big patio, good,. relaxed, atmosphere.
I just want to add that I went there this past Good Friday and ordered an all day breakfast and I requested white bread, it wasn't an option as they only had whole wheat bread. Hmmm...well, what about those who have whole wheat intolerance, what do you suggest? Anyway, long story short, I asked if they had white bagels. They did and when I got the bill they had charged me an extra .75 cents. No biggy, but it was the principal of the situation. Due to the fact I have whole wheat intolerance, I had to pay the price of a bagel as "they are going health conscious".
Anyway, needless to say that I will not be going back.
I've been going to Java for almost ten years now; I literally began my career on their patio (er, I'm not a server). The service wavers in and out, and there was a sweet time when I knew everyone by name and they were good to me, but as the staff changes, so does the restaurant. Not in all this time have I ever gotten ill or received bad food, though.
This place is still my home away from home, and I can't think of a better place to get hangover brunch in the summer. Patio season doesn't officially begun until one is sitting at Java.
I like the place so much, I even wrote a comic that takes place almost entirely in the joint (though I don't think they know that): http://www.emptywords.ca .
I hope those who had bad experiences give it another shot.
Java house may be a little grungy/dirty
but the food and cheap deals are amazing
a few summers ago i spent 2-3 days there a week
Love it...and everything about it
RSS