The sipping space is accommodating and unassuming, with a row of stools at the counter, a few flat tables about the space, and a small but very pleasant outdoor space that catches the morning rays. Can an otherwise sleepy intersection handle all this good energy? - S.W.
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 AT A GLANCE
Bull Dog Coffee
89 Granby Street, Toronto, ON
416-606-2275
Coffee
Church Street Village
Venue:
Cafe
Hours:
Daily: 7:00am – 7:00pm
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
Cash only
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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27 Reader Reviews | Fabulous coffee...But most of the owner and some of the staff are control-freak assholes. I can handle their requests to bring your dishes to the bus-bin and to realign the chairs, and I'll try to bring them the close as possible to exact change. But, honestly, the way they chastise their CUSTOMERS for not meeting these ridiculous expectations should cancel out any good press about their espresso. My impression is that it doesn't matter to owner if he loses customers - he's much more concerned about controlling his little universe.
1. Anonymous's Review :: November 05, 2008 Anonymous's Rating: 1 Stars |
Kimin K's note about "The owner should fire that person as he's loosing him lots of potential customers with that attitude..." Well, that person is the owner. Cockiest piece of shit in town. He won't learn. But on the other hand, I'll never know, as I'll never return to Bulldog. Too bad. Was a nice place, otherwise.
2. Brad Fenton's Review :: September 08, 2008 Brad Fenton's Rating: 1 Stars |
I've sampled great coffee in the West Coast and unfortunately this place nowhere nearly merits their reputation. A fine coffeehouse should serve freshly roasted premium coffee served at 190 degree celcius in a french press by baristas who are educated about what consists a good cup of coffee. There is more to coffee than espresso and lattes. I don't think Maria travels much or know anything about great coffee - typical prententious Torontonian.
3. Stan's Review :: August 03, 2008 Stan's Rating: 1 Stars |
Best Cafe latte in Toronto. Nice and pleasent guy. The on place baked pastries are excellent too.I strongly recomend this place to those who really knows about coffee or any one who wants to know how a real Cafe latte or an Expresso should taste.
4. Maria Melian's Review :: August 02, 2008 Maria Melian's Rating: 4 Stars |
First of all they do not serve coffee (yes espresso is coffee but you know what I mean). Second of all, their "coffee" is overrated - they do not import or roast their own beans. Finally, the baristas were rude - especially the fat guy. They got angry with me when I complained that they do not serve single origin coffee - why they call themselves Bulldog "Coffee" is beyond me. Pretentious, stupid, and overrated - will not be surprised if they were out of business within the year.
5. Anonymous's Review :: July 20, 2008 |
I couldn't believe that they use styrofoam cups!
it's embarrasing that bulldog coffee does not concern about what their cups can do to our environment.
also the cappuccino is too expensive for its tiny size and taste...
6. Jeff J.'s Review :: July 20, 2008 Jeff J.'s Rating: 1 Stars |
First of all they do not serve coffee (yes espresso is coffee but you know what I mean). Second of all, their "coffee" is overrated - they do not import or roast their own beans. Finally, the baristas were rude - especially the fat guy. They got angry with me when I complained that they do not serve single origin coffee - why they call themselves Bulldog "Coffee" is beyond me. Pretentious, stupid, and overrated - will not be surprised if they were out of business within the year.
7. David's Review :: July 19, 2008 David's Rating: 2 Stars |
On Wed, May 21st, a friend of mine
called me to meet him on Church Str.
He was already sitting at Starbucks
(which I don't like going to), so I joined
him there, but didn't have a coffee.
As we were sitting there talking,
one of the Starbucks employees
came and asked me if I was ordering
anything, and I said no.
Clearly though, the negative attitude came
through in his tone of voice.
My friend, an older gentleman,
was dissapointed, but I told him
that employees making minimum wage
don't care about customer relations.
As soon as he was finished his coffee,
I told him about a cafe up the
street that a friend of mine that
lives on Granby Str had told me about.
We had more discussions to do
about an upcoming video project
we're collaborating on.
I'm a cinematographer/editor,
and he's a world famous violinist that
performs all over Europe, but has his
home right here in Toronto.
So, up the street we walked to BullDog Cafe
to try their coffee, and check out the place.
He got us a table while I ordered a coffee.
I got my coffee, & sat down with him.
And then...we got treated just like
at Starbucks. The employee behind the
counter, came over and asked my friend
if he was also getting a coffee, with the
same negative tone of voice.
This employee then lectured us
about us having respect for a small space,
while being totally disrespectful
towards potential new customers.
When I told him that he wasn't being nice,
he told me I didn't have to come back.
We both walked out.
The owner should fire that person
as he's loosing him lots of potential
customers with that attitude.
8. Kimon K's Review :: June 09, 2008 Kimon K's Rating: 2 Stars |
We are here from New Zealand and finding Bulldog Cafe was like an oasis in coffee - the best we have had in Toronto. I have two preschoolers in tow and Stuart would have to be the most adorable, welcoming and hospitable cafe owner I have ever met! The chocolate brownie is addictive not to mention the other amazing goodies behind the counter and I love the entire feel of the space - thank god there is something original and different in this city!! Love, love, love it - want to open a branch in NZ!!!
9. Nicola's Review :: May 08, 2008 Nicola's Rating: 4 Stars |
Coffee is decent but the owner's attitude is only turning would-be customers away. If I wanted someone to be rude to me when I give them money, I'd prefer to stay home. This is a business, dude...learn to treat your customers like gold or you'll have to accept that your business will never flourish. It's entrepreneurship 101.
A former customer,
Paul Kralik, MBA
10. Anonymous's Review :: February 24, 2008 |
Coffee is decent but the owner's attitude is only turning would-be customers away. If I wanted someone to be rude to me when I give them money, I'd prefer to stay home. This is a business, dude...learn to treat your customers like gold or you'll have to accept that your business will never flourish. It's entrepreneurship 101.
A former customer,
Paul Kralik, MBA
11. Paul's Review :: February 24, 2008 Paul's Rating: 2 Stars |
Clearly some of the best coffee in the city, at a cafe that is just tucked away enough from the bustle of Church, Carlton, and Jarvis Streets, to provide a quiet spot to sip absolutely delicious and super-strong coffee.
This is the real deal. If you're serious about coffee, and find yourself in the neighborhood, you will not be disappointed.
The selection of baked goods can be more consistently stocked and varied, but otherwise this place is without any real faults. Besides, it is, first and foremost, about the coffee.
12. John's Review :: January 04, 2008 John's Rating: 3 Stars |
The espresso macchiato I had was very delicious. With a generous portion of steamed milk, the taste was quite mild but still retained the essence of the espresso. I really enjoyed it. And the latte art was nicely done!
13. Anonymous's Review :: September 24, 2007 |
The espresso macchiato I had was very delicious. With a generous portion of steamed milk, the taste was quite mild but still retained the essence of the espresso. I really enjoyed it. And the latte art was nicely done!
14. John's Review :: September 23, 2007 John's Rating: 4 Stars |
Nope, I'm with Angie.
I've tried a few times to enjoy Bulldog, but that owner is too much. Usually when someone gives of this much attitude - and just plain arrogance - they're usually somebody that can get away with it (ie. attractive, successful). But the owner of a sub-par coffee shop?
Never again.
Drew.
15. Anonymous's Review :: August 31, 2007 |
Bulldog's been a bastion of good coffee in Toronto for years.
If anyone sounds like a jerk, Angie Burbank, it's you. "Maybe he only likes gay people"? You've pretty much laid it on the line, there.
Barista's Rating: 4 Stars
16. Anonymous's Review :: August 31, 2007 |
Nope, I'm with Angie.
I've tried a few times to enjoy Bulldog, but that owner is too much. Usually when someone gives of this much attitude - and just plain arrogance - they're usually somebody that can get away with it (ie. attractive, successful). But the owner of a sub-par coffee shop?
Never again.
Drew.
17. Drew Reynolds's Review :: August 31, 2007 Drew Reynolds's Rating: 1 Stars |
Bulldog's been a bastion of good coffee in Toronto for years.
If anyone sounds like a jerk, Angie Burbank, it's you. "Maybe he only likes gay people"? You've pretty much laid it on the line, there.
18. Barista's Review :: August 31, 2007 Barista's Rating: 4 Stars |
Any coffee?
August 30, 2007
Angie Burbank,
Don't worry -- The owner has ups and downs. Can be nice, can be a bit testy, doesn't matter if you're gay or not.
19. Anonymous's Review :: August 30, 2007 |
Angie Burbank,
Don't worry -- The owner has ups and downs. Can be nice, can be a bit testy, doesn't matter if you're gay or not.
20. Any Coffee?'s Review :: August 30, 2007 Any Coffee?'s Rating: 3 Stars |
By far, the best latte I've ever had!!
21. JC's Review :: August 30, 2007 JC's Rating: 4 Stars |
Coffee was okay, but the guy behind the counter ( I think he is the owner). He
was very not nice. This guy has a very bad attitude (like someone did him wrong in his life). Gotta wonder how a successful person got there with such "attitude".
Guess success has gone to his head or he is just lucky. Or maybe he only likes gay people.
22. Anonymous's Review :: August 29, 2007 |
Coffee was okay, but the guy behind the counter ( I think he is the owner). He
was very not nice. This guy has a very bad attitude (like someone did him wrong in his life). Gotta wonder how a successful person got there with such "attitude".
Guess success has gone to his head or he is just lucky. Or maybe he only likes gay people.
23. Angie Burbank's Review :: August 28, 2007 Angie Burbank's Rating: 2 Stars |
The coffee is perfect. The digs have just been remade by Restaurant Makeover with Chef Massimo advising on the addition of new fresh-baked foods for a beautiful front counter. Comfortable to sit now inside and out, this is becoming the head-office for a diverse group of people who now make it a home away from home.
Coffee and food snobs will have to leave their attitude at the door. Stuart Ross actually expects guests to behave in a respectful manner and asks that everyone "kindly" put their dirty cups in a dishwashing bin after use. Nobody runs around cleaning up after you. The service is usually the person behind the espresso machine. and thank goodness Stuart & friends work fast with great ingrediants to create coffee art.
Maybe I should be posting this review because I don't really want a crowd there. But it is a regular hangout for me and appreciate others reviews.
24. Anonymous's Review :: August 13, 2007 |
The coffee is perfect. The digs have just been remade by Restaurant Makeover with Chef Massimo advising on the addition of new fresh-baked foods for a beautiful front counter. Comfortable to sit now inside and out, this is becoming the head-office for a diverse group of people who now make it a home away from home.
Coffee and food snobs will have to leave their attitude at the door. Stuart Ross actually expects guests to behave in a respectful manner and asks that everyone "kindly" put their dirty cups in a dishwashing bin after use. Nobody runs around cleaning up after you. The service is usually the person behind the espresso machine. and thank goodness Stuart & friends work fast with great ingrediants to create coffee art.
Maybe I should be posting this review because I don't really want a crowd there. But it is a regular hangout for me and appreciate others reviews.
25. Leslie's Review :: August 12, 2007 Leslie's Rating: 4 Stars |
This place is amazing. They are friendly and their coffee is outstanding. Plus it is cheaper than Starbucks for a latte.
26. Duncan's Review :: November 09, 2006 Duncan's Rating: 4 Stars |
best coffee in the city!!!! hands down!
27. Erin's Review :: June 05, 2006 Erin's Rating: 4 Stars |
| Click here to view all 19 reviews |
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 89 Granby Street, Toronto, ON |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
