We’re scouring the city—neighbourhood by neighbourhood—to find the best budget-friendly, belly-filling meals at independently run kitchens. In this edition, we bring you our top picks from Agincourt, a Scarborough neighbourhood that offers plenty of diverse and delicious fare at affordable prices.
For three decades, chef-owner Jack Tsoi has manned the grill at his Chinese barbecue restaurant, filling takeout containers with all kinds of roasted delights. His all-day specials are the main attraction here and include duck on rice ($8.50), a half pound of roast pork ($5.50) and half a free-range chicken ($10). More budget bites: a pound of barbecue spare ribs ($8), a choice of two roasted proteins on rice ($9.50)
This lunch counter serves up whopping portions of Malaysian comfort food. The best bangs for your bucks are the char kway teow, stir-fried flat noodles with shrimp ($9.95); curry laksa with fish balls, tofu and shrimp ($9.95); and fried curry puffs ($6.90 for six). Pro tip: to avoid the wait, email one2snacks@gmail.com and order in advance. More budget bites: the weekend-only special of nasi lemak with chicken curry ($9.95)
South Indian vegetarian dishes are the speciality here. Fill up on masala dosas ($8.50) or the Manchurian platter of fried cauliflower, paneer, mushrooms and baby corn ($10). More budget bites: vada pav, delicious potato dumpling sliders ($6.50)
This family-owned spot boasts a menu over 200 items long, but their Hong Kong–style diner dishes are where it’s at. Fan favourites include the Macau-style chicken ($9.75) and the fried honey garlic pork chop ($9.75). Bonus: each comes served with soup and a drink. More budget bites: popcorn squid ($7) and a combo plate of a juicy pork chop and fries ($8.40)
Owned and operated by the Chong family since 1981, this Agincourt staple serves up patties ($6.55 for six) and heartier mains, like platters of curry goat ($8.75 small) and jerk pork ($7.05 small). Each comes with a side of rice and peas or white rice. More budget bites: the Friday escovitch special, fried fish with rice and peas or white rice ($6.81 small, $9.42 large)
Filling favourites at this halal Afghan kitchen include the tandoori chicken salad ($10), the beef tikka wrap ($8) and the chaplee (spicy ground beef patties) kabob wrap ($7.50). More budget bites: mantu, dumplings stuffed with ground beef and onion and served with split peas and yogurt ($8 for five) and bolanee, grilled naan stuffed with spicy potatoes ($8)
Nina Abacan-Galarde and Elizabeth Buenaventura’s baos have developed a well-deserved cult following. Get your fix with the original crispy chicken ($5.50), pork adobo ($6) or tofu and eggplant ($5.50) versions. More budget bites: pork spring roll “stix” ($10 for 10 pieces)
These strip-mall sister spots serve Indian dishes from the northern and southern regions of the country. Best bets include meat thali, a chicken and goat plate with lentils, rice or flatbread, chutney, raita, pickles, and pappadum ($7) or the tandoori chicken and naan ($4.50). The lines are always long, but they move swiftly. More budget bites: the legendary samosas ($1 for two), feisty chicken chili curry ($5.99 small), savoury mutton rolls ($1.25 each) and heavenly onion pakora ($6 per pound)
Doting diners (including one who braved a blizzard last winter for a taste of the Caribbean) have been visiting this spot for over three decades. The menu’s heavy hitters include the jerk chicken sandwich ($5.50), jerk pork ($6.50) and addictive fried dumplings ($1.20 each). More budget bites: festivals, sweet dumplings ($1.19 each), rice and peas with gravy ($5.70), vegetarian stew in a tomato-based gravy ($9.50), and slices of rum cake ($5.99) https://www.instagram.com/niceys.eatery
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Tiffany Leigh is an award-winning freelance journalist with degrees in business communications and education. She has a culinary background, is a recipient of the Clay Triplette James Beard Foundation scholarship award and has worked in restaurants such as Langdon Hall. In addition to Toronto Life, her pieces have been read in publications such as Forbes, Vogue, Eater, Dwell, Elle, Business Insider, Playboy, Food & Wine and Bon Appétit.