Mainsha Plus
1911 Finch Ave W
Phone: 416.630.7100
Mainsha Plus is a ray of sunshine in the dreary Jane and Finch Plaza. To step inside is to inhale a deep and instant hunger, as racks of BBQ, fried and jerk-sauced chicken tempt would-be-diners with their spicy scents. Luckily, the long line moves quickly, with staff doling sassy smiles and saucy chicken as the Bob Marley soundtrack reminds patrons not to worry about a ting.
What's there to worry about? With full meals starting at $3--seriously, $3--Mainsha Plus offers a deep discount on flavour. Inspired by the mouth-watering chicken on display, my sweetheart and I order a king's ransom of Caribbean treats: a jerk chicken, stew chicken, and curry goat meal. Unfortunately , the curry goat has all been gobbled by 7pm, so we settle on curry chicken instead. $17 and 2 minutes later our feast arrives, the scents from the brown take-out bag making it hard to concentrate on the drive home.
It's tough not to tear into the sauce-stained bag, but we are rewarded for our patience. The tender pieces of halal chicken would be tasty on their own, but a smoky sweet jerk sauce, earthy bay-leaf stew and sharp yellow curry each stamp indelible brands of delicious on their respective fowl. Soft, earthy of heaps of rice and beans soak up juices, while tiny containers of crisp coleslaw offer the requisite nod to vegetables. We're both hungry, enthusiastic eaters, but even our piggy ways cannot get us through all three containers.
So, for $17 we get an amazing dinner AND lunch for two! We wash it down with Mainsha's homemade juice, a pink guava drink that tastes like a tart, tropical Kool-Aid.
The Mainsha chain, with additional locations on Dufferin and Eglinton West, has expanded their offering of traditional Caribbean by adding "Plus" to the name, and Khmer food to the Jane/Finch location's menu. Although we didn't try it, the fat pink prawns and fish stews made for some good menu-browsing, and I plan to grab some when I return for Mainsha Plus' Toonie Tuesday special: a mini chicken meal for $2.50, tax included.
Mainsha Plus is a place to be proud of: a cultural and culinary marriage that provides comfort food in often uncomfortable surroundings. If neighbourhoods were measured in flavour, then Mainsha Plus proves Jane and Finch is truly rich.
Comments (13)
I've been there before. Really good food. I suspect their price points are low because they're not only competing with other restaurants but with the reputation of the area itself.
THEY NEED AUTHENTIC KHMER FOOD. ONCE THEY HAVE THAT THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY WILL BE FLYING THERE.
This is one of the best deals in the city: good taste and a good price. The food is fantastic (I like the jerk chicken but many people I know like their fried chicken). I now find that other jerk chicken joints are much more expensive and give you less food (in comparison).
In thorncliffe, by the old Burger King, near Popeyes. There is one that I pass sometimes on O'conner and bermondsey, but I haven't tried that locale yet to see if it taste the same.....
i've been there often - its cheap! and tastes awesome! and the portions are huge! i'll take this over any other fast food joint any day
A location at Victoria Park and Lawrence opened in the summer. At first, the quality was excellent. However, the quality has gone downhill with the staff turnover. As for the comment about the ingredients, I have to concur.
I have been eating at Mainsha (not plus) for years. They have several locations in the west end I know of (Keele/Rogers, Eglington/Oakwood)
The food is delicious and wholesome. It is like eating home made coking but at a bargain price. If I lived closer I would eat there once a day.
Best is either the fried chicken or the BBQ chicken with Rice/Peas with coleslaw and drink for $5.
THIS FOOD IS SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!! IVE NEVER SEEN FOOD SO CHEAP AND SO GOOD. I EAT AT MAINSHA PLUS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY!!!!!!!!!! except sunday, they dont open then. these guys are forever going to have my business...well unless they close down.....................but i hope that day doesnt come around in my life time!!!!











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