Introducing: The Combine Eatery, the new place for fish tacos on the Danforth
The Combine Eatery, a new southwestern comfort food spot started by siblings Albert and Amy Chan, stands out from the slew of Greek eateries along the Danforth strip. Amy’s background in fashion frequently led her to San Diego, where she quickly took to gobbling up fish tacos during her downtime, which was the starting point for the restaurant.
Outfitted with tables and bar stools, the friendly dining room encourages chit-chat amongst its patrons. Black and white artwork hangs on the exposed-brick walls, while the bare metal light fixtures give off an almost medieval feel. The bar itself sits in the middle of the dining room and boasts a selection of local craft beers, including Big Wheel and Mill Street Cobblestone Stout. The owners are also working on a bourbon list, including some brands that are pretty hard to come by, like Old Rip Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace and Elijah Craig.
The fish tacos come either grilled or fried and are topped with pico de gallo and lime crema and served with a summery coleslaw that includes cilantro and shredded beets ($14.95). Albert recommends the “highly addictive” lobster fritters ($13.95) (he professes to eat at least 20 a week) and the Danforth Burger ($10.45)—chef Matt Barber, formerly of Terroni, has “a great way with meat,” Albert tells us. A former owner of Wild Indigo, Albert is particularly enthused by the cocktails, like the bourbon margarita with fresh lime juice and a double-smoked bacon-bit rim.
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- The selection of local microbrews.
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- The fish tacos ($14.95) are topped with pico de gallo and lime crema and served with a summery coleslaw that includes cilantro and shredded beets.
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- The “highly addicted” lobster fritters ($13.95) are a favourite of co-owner Albert Chan.
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The Combine Eatery, 162 Danforth Ave., 416-792-8088.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-combine/&title=Introducing: The Combine Eatery, the new place for fish tacos on the Danforth&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/combine-outside.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_80805" align="aligncenter" width="624" caption="Outside the new southwestern restaurant (Image: Karolyne Ellacott)"][/caption]
The Combine Eatery, a new southwestern comfort food spot started by siblings Albert and Amy Chan, stands out from the slew of Greek eateries along the Danforth strip. Amy’s background in fashion frequently led her to San Diego, where she quickly took to gobbling up fish tacos during her downtime, which was the starting point for the restaurant.
Outfitted with tables and bar stools, the friendly dining room encourages chit-chat amongst its patrons. Black and white artwork hangs on the exposed-brick walls, while the bare metal light fixtures give off an almost medieval feel. The bar itself sits in the middle of the dining room and boasts a selection of local craft beers, including Big Wheel and Mill Street Cobblestone Stout. The owners are also working on a bourbon list, including some brands that are pretty hard to come by, like Old Rip Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace and Elijah Craig.
The fish tacos come either grilled or fried and are topped with pico de gallo and lime crema and served with a summery coleslaw that includes cilantro and shredded beets ($14.95). Albert recommends the “highly addictive” lobster fritters ($13.95) (he professes to eat at least 20 a week) and the Danforth Burger ($10.45)—chef Matt Barber, formerly of Terroni, has “a great way with meat,” Albert tells us. A former owner of Wild Indigo, Albert is particularly enthused by the cocktails, like the bourbon margarita with fresh lime juice and a double-smoked bacon-bit rim.
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The Combine Eatery, 162 Danforth Ave., 416-792-8088.){kind=link}
We came here last night based on this review. The space is beautiful and the owners are very friendly and eager to make sure their guests are happy. The margaritas are delicious! Made with bourbon and triple sec, instead of tequila, and lined with bacon & salt. The lobster fritters were tasty though perhaps a little light on lobster meat. The fish tacos needed the side pineapple salsa to give it enough flavor, and the lobster tacos were delicious. The prices were a lot lower than we were expecting. All in all a good meal, nice neighborhood spot.
$12-$15 for tacos? Come on people
To those complaining about the prices for the awesome tacos – maybe you should go check out Taco Bell!
Came here a day after the opening. Really nice decor that gives off a very friendly warm feeling. Amy and Albert (the owners) were very friendly and eager to keep my table happy. The fish tacos with the sauce were great. One of the few places in Toronto that make good fish taco. Similar to what Reeta has said, the prices were lower than I had expected. Overall, I would come here again because of the comfort food + friendly atmosphere.
Only downfall was that there isn’t a patio…but I’m told that may change.
Decided to make the trip yesterday with some friends, great space, great staff & great food. We split each order of tacos, the fish and the pork were our favourites. Next time I’m definitely going to try the lobster fritters and a burrito… along with the tacos.
Price was fine, agreed with Shirley’s comment, this isn’t a Taco Bell…
great ambiance. very fresh greens and seafood. DELICIOUS BURGERS. appropriate veg options. what’s not to love?
I stumbled on this place over the weekend and it BLEW my mind. The atmosphere is amazing, the food is unreal and I’ve literally never had better service in the city of Toronto. If you’re a hot sauce fan tell them and they’ll bring you multiple different types and make recommendations about the right pairings to go with their food.
I went last week for dinner, the decor is stunning, the staff are friendly, however the food leaves something to be desired. I got a salad with flank steak, my friend got the shrimp tacos, for the price neither of us was impressed. The salad was just a blend iceberg/Boston lettuce with a little shredded carrot, the flank steak was not marinated long enough, the shrimp in the tacos was over cooked, and the homemade salad dressing was bland. The variety of hot sauces was good and well needed. It seemed like overpriced typical pub food being sold for more due to the decor, however the owners do seem very nice so I hope they get a little more creative with their recipes because this place could be great.
I visited a couple of weeks ago,the food was terrible I don’t know how you call that place restaurant , yes was clean and tie but no food quality , this is a shame with all the others restaurant in the neighborhood .The lobster fritter , no lobster at all and to much oil , chicken quesadilla need to be more crispy not good taste.. etc…. I wont go again.. not recommended.
Alright. People need to stop complaining about the flavourless food because there was so much natural flavour in the ingredients. If anyone has been to southern California then you would know that there are different kinds of tastes ranging from baha fresh to Tex Mex. The food is fabulous there at the Combine Eatery and it brings me back to the west coast of California. There’s too much reliance on salt these days and if you want cheesy greasy salty tacos then go to taco bell.
My husband and I enjoyed our dinner, and we will definatlely go again. It’s a nice change from all the Greek food in the neighbourhood. I even bought dinner for two gift certificates for someone else. TOnight my 15 year old will eat there and that will be a true test! He loves food and is known for his attention to details!
Easily my new favourite spot on the Danforth! Fish tacos were incredible, as was the pineapple salsa. Really nice to see only local beer on tap. Every single staff member greeted us with a smile or a hello/goodbye. Can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu.