MURRAY'S SANDWICH EMPORIUM 

671 Queen Street West, Toronto, On., (647) 345-7644 Lunch and Dinner Mon.- Sat. and late night Thurs. Fri. and Sat.

Mark and I decided to have something quick to eat before visiting a couple of pubs.  He had tried Murray's before and liked it, but it was very hectic here during the week - this being a Saturday we were able to enjoy it without a crowd.

The menu is displayed on a chalkboard and includes an interesting and unique list of sandwiches. That range from $7 to $9.  

We both decided on the BL-TIZZY which consisted of double smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, murray mayo and avocado. ($8).

The bun surrounding the bacon lettuce and tomato was outstanding and although large, was very light and tasty.  The sandwich contents blended well with the mayo and avocado.  The yukon gold fries were very crispy and light - although there were not enough of them.  The prices are very reasonable, the sandwich we tried was very good.  We will be back to try more of them on the menu.

http://www.ilovemurrays.com/

CHARRED ROTISSERIE HOUSE 

244 James St. North, Hamilton, On. (289) 396 - 0662 , Lunch and Dinner Mon. - Sat.

On a blustery rainy Saturday afternoon my sons Mark (http://www.markallenrealty.ca/) and Thomas (http://rebuildhamilton.com/) and I decided to try a new restaurant on James Street North in Hamilton.  It features charcoal rotisserie chicken and piri piri sauce. It is located in a rapidly changing community of restaurants, bars and art galleries.

There is a chalkboard menu on the exposed brick wall that can be a bit confusing, but they hand you a simplified version on entry.

The interior space is clean and simple in design.

My son Mark decided on their Pulled Charred Chicken Sandwich with peppers and onions, topped with aged cheddar homemade piri piri mayo and cilantro ($7 plus $3 with fries and coke).  The sandwich was tender, tasty and filling.  

My son Thomas and I decided on the 1/2 chicken with fries and a coke.

The chicken was juicy, tender and very good.  The piri piri sauce was a little bland.  The bread was fresh and the fries were great ($13).  Charred has a nice atmosphere, great chicken and worth a visit. The people are friendly here and the prices are reasonable.  We will definitely come back for more delicious chicken.

http://charred.ca/

BANH MI BOYS 

392 Queen Street West (near Spadina) , M5V2A9, (416) 363-0588, Lunch and Dinner.

Went to Banh Mi Boys on an early Saturday evening in May.  Queen Street was bustling, as was Banh Mi Boys.  It was packed and a constant flow of people came in and out.  There is very little seating and consequently we had to stand while eating.  The atmosphere was uncomfortably busy!

I had the Banh Mi pulled pork sandwich and regular fries.  The pulled pork was fine but the pickled vegetables were overwhelming and an actual let down to what could have been a great sandwich, but then banh mi means pickled and I should have expected that.

The fries were were good but rather ordinary.  My son Thomas had the same sandwich (pulled pork) and he too was not a fan of the pickled vegetables.  My son Mark who suggested this restaurant really likes it and enjoys the uniqueness of the pickled vegetables.  He had the five spiced pork belly sandwich which he has had before and really enjoyed it.

All in all my son Thomas and myself did not like the experience here.  However my son Mark (http://www.markallenrealty.ca/) loves the food here. It seems it is a matter of taste and based on reviews I have read, most seem to enjoy Banh Mi Boys.

http://www.banhmiboys.com/index.htm

HERO CERTIFIED BURGERS 

441 Queen Street West, Toronto, (416) 581-1149, Open 24 hours

We felt like having burgers after visiting the Jason George pub so we walked over to the Spadina and Queen location.  We were hungry so we ordered three 6 ounce burgers with various toppings.  

One of us had the sweet potato fries and two of us had the regular fries.

the regular fries on the left and the sweet potato fries on the right

The burgers were messy and overpriced, while the fries were bland and boring.  Interesting pop machines.  Open 24 hours. You can have a much better full meal for a couple of dollars more in many pubs and restaurants.  Three burgers and fries with small soft drinks amounted to nearly $40.  Not  worth it!!


http://www.heroburgers.com/

NEW YORKER DELI 

1140 Bay St. Toronto On., (416) 923-3354, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Four of us went to the New Yorker Deli on a late Friday afternoon.  We have been here a number of times and have never been disappointed.  It is virtually guaranteed you will have a good satisfying, reasonably priced, simple meal.  Two of us had the chicken pot pie and salad with house dressing.  One of us had the chicken club sandwich and one of us had the whole wheat chicken wrap.  

All of our choices were well prepared and delicious.  The service was efficient and without fault.  They are noted for making their own lemonade and freshly squeezed orange juice.  Also, each table has at least three to four different mustard choices.  My son's favourite is the honey mustard which is absolutely delicious.  The fries are delicious and filling.

located at Bay and Bloor across from Bay Bloor Radio

eerie painting of the two towers has been on the walls for years

clean and simple - notice the mustard bottles

chicken pot pie and salad with dressing - delicious 

chicken club sandwich, coleslaw, fries

whole wheat chicken wrap - need two hands to hold it