Introducing: Grasshopper, a new vegan restaurant near U of T where nothing costs more than $10
Introducing: Grasshopper, a new vegan restaurant near U of T where nothing costs more than $10
Name: Grasshopper
Neighbourhood: University
Contact Info: 310 College St., 647-340-3666, grasshopperrestaurant.ca
Owners: Roy Qian and Oliver Chen
Chef: Roy Qian
The Food: The mostly vegan menu specializes in hearty comfort food—minus the meat, dairy and at least some of the grease. The lineup includes faux pork and “chick-un” banh mi sandwiches (made with seitan), four different veggie burgers and a meat-, dairy-, soy- and gluten-free mac ‘n’ cheese.
The Drinks: A cocktail menu will make its debut once the liquor license comes in. For now, customers can enjoy healthy smoothies like the eponymous Grasshopper: a blend of spinach, celery, cucumber, mint, apple and lemon juice.
The Place: Chen and Qian recruited two OCAD students to help them redesign the former Mexican bodega. They lifted the ceiling, exposed a brick wall and filled the space with warm wooden touches.
The Numbers:
• 600 square feet
• 24 seats
• 19 dangling hurricane lanterns
• 15 burger patties sampled before four made the final cut
• $9.50, the student-friendly price ceiling
• 6 months to renovate
• 4 burgers (classic “beef”, spicy black bean, veggie and tempeh sloppy joe)
Read More
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- <strong>Grasshopper</strong> is located at 310 College Street, west of Spadina
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- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Owners Chen and Qian recruited two OCAD students to help them redesign the former Mexican bodega
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- They lifted the ceiling, exposed a brick wall and filled the space with warm wooden touches
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Nineteen hurricane lanterns decorate the space
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- “Chick-un” nuggets: deep-fried seitan strips served with a barbeque dipping sauce ($4.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Chili-dusted kale chips ($3)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Kale and cabbage salad with toasted pumpkin seeds ($8)
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- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- The pulled “pork” banh mi is filled with barbeque seitan, pickled daikon, carrots and cilantro ($8.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Sautéed seitan skewers come with chimichurri sauce for dipping ($4.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- Sautéed cremini, king oyster and Portobello mushrooms are served over red rice and drizzled with tahini sauce ($9)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: Grasshopper
- Introducing: Grasshopper
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, four different veggie burgers and a meat-, dairy-, soy- and gluten-free mac ‘n’ cheese.
The Drinks: A cocktail menu will make its debut once the liquor license comes in. For now, customers can enjoy healthy smoothies like the eponymous Grasshopper: a blend of spinach, celery, cucumber, mint, apple and lemon juice.
The Place: Chen and Qian recruited two OCAD students to help them redesign the former Mexican bodega. They lifted the ceiling, exposed a brick wall and filled the space with warm wooden touches.
The Numbers:
• 600 square feet
• 24 seats
• 19 dangling hurricane lanterns
• 15 burger patties sampled before four made the final cut
• $9.50, the student-friendly price ceiling
• 6 months to renovate
• 4 burgers (classic “beef”, spicy black bean, veggie and tempeh sloppy joe)
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Always happy to see vegan places listed! I tried Grasshopper and really enjoyed it! Cute atmosphere, delicious food and good price! I’ll definitely go again.
Very excited to try Grasshopper! Equally as excited that I won’t be paying up the butt because I choose to eat compassionately! :D
We just ordered take out and it was amazing! Glad to see more places like this opening up with good prices to boot!