The chef/co-owner Russell Nicholls, cooked in Lakes and the Mercer Street Grill before cooking up Aunties. His menu items are the big draw here, delivered by a young streetwise staff. The diner classics are mostly made from scratch - a homemade meatloaf; Croque monsieur served with garlic-spiked mashed-potato salad; spaghetti and meatballs; a chicken liver pate, served with buttered black rye toasts; battered fish and chips, served with a waxy tartar sauce. The arugula, pear and fontina cheese with walnuts, mustard seed and ricotta dressing is a hot choice.
The highly acclaimed Aunties and Uncles version of mac 'n' cheese alone is enough reason to visit. This is modified comfort food at its best; cheddar, Swiss, blue and pecorino cheese in a creamy and mouthwatering molten lava pleasure.
A breakfast of champions, sensible sandwiches and down-home desserts make this College West shack a fair bargain for those whose thin wallets don't quite match their sophisticated palates. – B.J.
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 AT A GLANCE
Aunties and Uncles
74 Lippincott Street, Toronto, ON
416-324-1375
Diner Fare
College Street
Venue:
Cafe
Hours:
Tue. to Fri.: 9:30am - 4:00pm Sat. to Sun.: 9:00am - 4.00pm
Price Range:
$ (Budget)
Payment:
Cash Only
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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15 Reader Reviews | Looks run down on the outside but this is a great little place. Great bread, one of the indicators of good food, the breakfast special is the best I've had in quite awhile. The only draw back is the difficulty in finding parking.
1. Brenda Hadid's Review :: November 01, 2008 Brenda Hadid's Rating: 4 Stars |
The x and I used to go here when it first opened but word of mouth spread fast! Liked everyone says, the line moves fast and tables were available. (of course this was 2 yrs ago) The staff is friendly and the food ws fine - but that was years ago.
2. Gwenn L.'s Review :: October 26, 2008 Gwenn L.'s Rating: 3 Stars |
I don't get it. The place is a hole in the wall, which would be fine except the food is just so-so. The service is absolute crap. Like beyond crap, actually. The food is decent, but the service was so crap, and the place so dingy that I won't be heading back anytime soon.
3. Dan Shepphard's Review :: September 05, 2008 Dan Shepphard's Rating: 2 Stars |
Tucked into a small corner of Lippincott, A&U is a hidden gem.
Great place for a cheap meal to share for a special event.
Small, casual, DIY, unpretentious, and wonderful.
4. Dan Aiola's Review :: August 29, 2008 Dan Aiola's Rating: 3 Stars |
ahhh breakfast time .The best part of the day and aunties and uncles provide that zip I love to get my motor running the service was wonderful and food was great thanks to a perky staff and great kitchen staff thank you once again.
5. Cory Grafstein's Review :: August 04, 2008 Cory Grafstein's Rating: 4 Stars |
my boyfriend and i went to A&U a few days ago, and we had the chicken sandwitch and chickpea stuff and soup.
being in this restaurant you will feel as if you are actually at somebodys house because of its decor, and you might feel the same way when you start eating---the food is good, but in my opinion its not something you expect to get in a restaurant, in both a good and a bad way.
overall it was an enjoyable experience but..nothing was exciting.
6. Anonymous's Review :: December 07, 2007 |
my boyfriend and i went to A&U a few days ago, and we had the chicken sandwitch and chickpea stuff and soup.
being in this restaurant you will feel as if you are actually at somebodys house because of its decor, and you might feel the same way when you start eating---the food is good, but in my opinion its not something you expect to get in a restaurant, in both a good and a bad way.
overall it was an enjoyable experience but..nothing was exciting.
7. Bel's Review :: December 05, 2007 Bel's Rating: 2 Stars |
We had a horrible experience today at this restaurant. When we arrived we told the waiter that we were a party of three - they seated us at a four table so we decided to call a friend that lived close by and ask him to join us. We ordered without waiting for him. When he arrive he sat with us and ordered. Our food came first and we started to eat, his a little later but he ate quickly and finished around the same time as us... in total we were sitting for 55 minutes.
As we were paying the fat cook came out of the booth and shouted at us. He said that they had a policy that they didn't seat parties until everyone had arrive and we had lied to him and told them that we were three, when we were actually four. He got very angry and actually raised his voice very loud. It was totally uncalled for... we didn't take any extra time eating because our friend joined us and in fact, they ended up making more money because our bill was larger instead of having an empty seat.
Really, I have never experienced a situation where an owner of a restaurant raised his voice to me while I was in his establishment. In a neighbourhood where there are many brunch options service is the differentiating characteristic... The service at Aunties and Uncles is horrible. You do not treat customers that way - you do not shout at people to have chosen to frequent your establishment.
Do not go to Aunties and Uncles. The food is not worth being berated by the fat cook.
8. Anonymous's Review :: November 11, 2007 |
We had a horrible experience today at this restaurant. When we arrived we told the waiter that we were a party of three - they seated us at a four table so we decided to call a friend that lived close by and ask him to join us. We ordered without waiting for him. When he arrive he sat with us and ordered. Our food came first and we started to eat, his a little later but he ate quickly and finished around the same time as us... in total we were sitting for 55 minutes.
As we were paying the fat cook came out of the booth and shouted at us. He said that they had a policy that they didn't seat parties until everyone had arrive and we had lied to him and told them that we were three, when we were actually four. He got very angry and actually raised his voice very loud. It was totally uncalled for... we didn't take any extra time eating because our friend joined us and in fact, they ended up making more money because our bill was larger instead of having an empty seat.
Really, I have never experienced a situation where an owner of a restaurant raised his voice to me while I was in his establishment. In a neighbourhood where there are many brunch options service is the differentiating characteristic... The service at Aunties and Uncles is horrible. You do not treat customers that way - you do not shout at people to have chosen to frequent your establishment.
Do not go to Aunties and Uncles. The food is not worth being berated by the fat cook.
9. Terry's Review :: November 11, 2007 Terry's Rating: 1 Stars |
I love A & U. Best brunch ever!
10. Girly J's Review :: November 30, 2005 Girly J's Rating: 3 Stars |
I love Aunties and Uncles. I crave thier tangy dill/dijon potato salad (where did the "garlic" of the past reviews come from???) on a weekly basis and rue when they're closed for every long weekend (hey they want a long weekend too!). The whole menu is delicious, but I've only been their for B so I didnt know they even had burgers, meatloaf etc. Savory and delicious, every thing is flavourful. Ask for thier homemade tangy ketchup! Prices are right too. Yes, the service is "interesting" with seemingly disinterested servers, but it just adds to the charm of this retro chic low key resto. This place is yummy so expect to wait during peak B times!
11. Mary's Review :: July 05, 2005 Mary's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have been to A & U many times and have always had an enjoyable experience. The food is good and is very reasonably priced. The atmosphere is fun and the service is always cool. It does get crowded as the night goes on however. I would recommend this place most as a place to have a nice dinner and some drinks before going out elsewhere for the night, instead of a final evening destination.
12. Stephen R's Review :: October 11, 2004 Stephen R's Rating: 3 Stars |
I love this place. I must have eaten here at least 10 times this year, and it is over a half hour drive for me to get there, so that really says something. Even stuff that wasn't to my taste was always fresh and well-prepared, and when I stick to the things I know I like, I'm never disappointed. This place has huge portions, reasonable prices, and the best spinach salad in town. Great burgers too, and unlike a lot of places, they even understand the meaning of the word "rare". I really can't think of anything bad to say except that one day the garlic mashed potatoes were more garlic than potato, but other than that I've never been disappointed
13. Samantha G.'s Review :: October 11, 2004 Samantha G.'s Rating: 3 Stars |
what is the big deal about this place? The food is purely Fran?s fare. The kids that served us clearly wanted to be elsewhere. The meatloaf. Ugh. The soup was tasty though.
14. Randy, T.'s Review :: October 11, 2004 Randy, T.'s Rating: 1 Stars |
I went to A&U for the first time a year ago and it has only become a better place through the year. The food is not gourmet, but I really enjoy most everything on the menu. (Grilled cheese being my guilty pleasure). And the service there is fun.
15. Roger Dru's Review :: October 11, 2004 Roger Dru's Rating: 3 Stars |
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 74 Lippincott Street, Toronto, ON |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
