Java House Serves Up Eclectic Cheap Eats Menu

537 Queen Street West
Phone: 416.504.3025

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Posted by Tanja
March 26, 2008

Currently 3.12/5
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Rating: 3.1/5 (25 votes cast)

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.

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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...

Posted by: Andrea at March 26, 2008 11:38 AM

I got served raw chicken there once, they didn't even offer me a discount or money back.

Gross

Posted by: B at March 26, 2008 1:58 PM

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.

Posted by: Ben at March 26, 2008 2:05 PM

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.

Posted by: MattAlexander at March 26, 2008 9:49 PM

I won't eat at any place where the filthy washrooms are still cleaner than the kitchen.

Posted by: john at March 26, 2008 10:56 PM

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.

Posted by: krystyn at March 26, 2008 11:24 PM

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.

Posted by: VonYa at March 27, 2008 1:46 AM

Thats not kosher !

Posted by: AL FATAH at March 27, 2008 10:05 AM

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.

Posted by: Daryl at April 2, 2008 10:54 AM

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

Posted by: Anitabot at July 3, 2008 11:24 AM