Shai's Cafe

180 Baldwin Street
Phone: 416.597.0080

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Posted by Staff
July 15, 2008

Currently 2.89/5
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Rating: 2.9/5 (19 votes cast)

As some who know me well will attest to, I'm mildly obsessed with rotis. So it was with much anticipation that I recently ventured inside Kensington Market's Shai's Cafe to taste what someone had described to me as a roti worth trying.

The first thing you should know about the rotis here is that they're not full size. In fact, they're mini. They even call them mini rotis on the menu. They come in three varieties - goat, chicken and vegetarian ($3.00 each); and they're not made to order. The implication here is not only that they may not be as fresh as they could be; but also that the selection available at any given time is dependent on who's ordered what that day.

On this day I'm told that they only have one roti left - and that it's a veggie. Since I'm not much of a meat eater this sounds just fine to me. I place my order and grab a seat on Shai's eclectic back patio.

About five minutes later my roti arrives. It's small, toasted and comes with two dipping sauces - one savoury and the other with a bit of a spicy kick. (See photo at top)

Inside are corn, peas, potato, beans and something that looks a little bit like, uh, chicken. Yep, it's chicken all right. I didn't actually realize this until about half way through which would have been disastrous if I was a strict vegetarian; but because I can appreciate a kitchen screw-up as much as the next guy I decided to let this one slide.

It's too bad though that the taste didn't make up for the mix-up. Overall, the roti was a bit on the dry side (although the dipping sauces helped) and too heavy on the potato and beans. The spice level was good though - hotter than my most recent roti meal at Reyanna's. But the moral of the story here is that mini or not, what's served here really shouldn't be called a roti. The creation resembles something closer to the mini burritos they used to sell at the long since shuttered Yellow Brick Road on Dupont.

A better option might be to explore the non-mini-roti side of the menu. Shai's Cafe also serves an all-day breakfast, breakfast burritos, soups, sandwiches, samosos, smoothies, espresso and a range of other coffee options. There's plenty of seating inside as well as the back patio.

Reader Reviews and Comments

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I did not enjoy my experience here. I waited almost 10-15 minutes for a bagel with cream cheese. The staff was alright, supposedly they have a patio at the back, which is nice, because the interior isn't too big. The cheesecake was unfortunatly not so good either.

Posted by: bitterlullaby at January 11, 2008 5:10 AM

I just went here today -- terrible. The guy at the counter insisted they only had one size of americano and that it was 2.50 even thought the menu has two sizes (1.50 & 2.00). After he took my money (2.89, which implies he actually charged me 2.75) and I waited for about five minutes, he told me they actually could make a "small" (single?) americano. He proceeded to give me a small, mediocre americano and didn't refund the difference in cost.

The tables were cheap-looking (not in a hip way), and the guy doing coke in the bathroom didn't flush when he left.

There are much better coffee shops in Kensington. I've been to better Coffee Times.

Posted by: Mark at January 27, 2008 12:20 AM

Hey Mark, your comment about the guy doing coke in the bathroom not flushing - seriously, do you expect the staff at Shai's (or any other cafe/restaurant) to follow their customers to the bathrooms and ask them to make sure to flush their coke and whatever else!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2008 1:33 AM

I love shais and the staff at shais. They have great food and i feel at home when i am there. They also have 2 hot guys working there all the better for me.

Posted by: karen at January 31, 2008 1:59 AM

no trhe comment about coke was funny mark....shais is a great place and the food and service was phenomenal...well done to all at ashais for an excellent and enjoyable experience!

Posted by: paddy at February 4, 2008 2:47 AM

I love shai's they are awwsome. good food and great coffee.

Posted by: Vicki at February 8, 2008 11:37 PM

had breaky there and wow love their home fries...the flavours...ummmmmmmmmmm..will definitely go back....

Posted by: loveeatingout at April 20, 2008 7:39 AM

i love this place. great atmosphere, great breakfast, really great roti.

Posted by: liam at June 21, 2008 3:00 AM

Shai's is fantastic. I've never had the roti (and now that I know they're not made to order I might avoid them) but the breakfast burritos and homefries are amazing! Can I legally marry a breakfast meal?

The staff has been fine when I've been there. Yeah, it's small, but I like that.

Posted by: A Different Mark at July 15, 2008 5:03 PM

You have to try the Aloo Eggs.

Posted by: Ben at July 15, 2008 5:04 PM

okay review, but.. who owns this joint? what else do they have? eh?

Posted by: handfed at July 15, 2008 8:30 PM

Tim, seems like ever since you have gone full steam working on this blog, all you do is eating out...

Posted by: jack at July 15, 2008 8:43 PM

Yeah. I've gained 10 pounds!

Posted by: Tim at July 15, 2008 9:01 PM

how in any way is that a roti? its so wrong... i don't doubt that it might taste decent.. almost reminds me of a mini burrito boy... but mini roti?? meh...

Posted by: akswun at July 16, 2008 4:00 AM

Shai's is great! Good prices and great food. The breakfast is awesome and the staff are friendly as heckfire.

I used to eat a lot of big fat burritos and then realized I could get 18 sandwiches for the same price as one burrito.

Posted by: Tom at July 16, 2008 3:40 PM

I used to be obsessed with the Shai's Turkey club, but then I saw a guy who was working there pop a piece of tuna in his mouth (fingertips in his mouth), then just casually wipe his fingers on a common towel and continue to make my sandwich. I haven't been able to eat there again. I recognize that we don't usually know what goes on when people are preparing our food but when the prep area is open, I sure don't want to see that...

Posted by: lalala at July 19, 2008 5:39 AM

for $3 what do u guys want....u can't even get a mini burritto....so a mini roti with sauces....hey i can go for that....will definitely go to shai's this weekend to try out their rotis...

Posted by: loveeatingout at July 19, 2008 6:46 AM

had the $3 roti and ohhhh it was spicy but so crispy and yummy.....worth the $3....the sauces added an extra touch to the spices in the rotis....will definitely go back for a roti when i am back in the market....

Posted by: loveeatingout at July 25, 2008 7:33 AM

I've been to Shai's everyday this summer and I must say that it's probably some of my favourite food in Kensington. Their rotis are AMAZING actually and I find my self always craving them. They have iced coffee for 2 dollars and really good and cheap sandwhichs (I recommend the veggie). They have wonderful staff too and the atmosphere there is great. I think all of you are just too picky.

Posted by: Jules at August 4, 2008 2:10 AM