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Scott Tavener | Last Updated: February 03,2009 3:49:23 pm
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Queen Street has fast become the, um, Queen of stationary epicurean imperialism, collecting cuisines from around the world and plopping them down on the venerable strip. With grub options running the global gamut from Thailand, to Mexico, to Italy, to Antarctica (well…), Queen's home globe is rife with well-fed pins.
The latest edition to the multi-national resto strip, Indus Junction is an Indian gastropub of sorts. Chef Sanjiv Malhotra and owners Alka and Poonam Dhir have opened a space that, thanks to designer Glen Peloso, fuses standard Queen décor (exposed brick) with a colourful Indian theme, creating an inclusive and lively look. -S.T.
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 AT A GLANCE
Indus Junction
811 Queen Street West, Toronto ON
647-428-7119
Indian
Queen West
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Tue. to Thu.: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Fri. and Sat.: 5:00pm - 11:00pm Sun.: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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23 Reader Reviews | Indus Junction is now closed, but the restaurant that has taken over (Appalla) is INCREDIBLE. One of the best North Indian restaurants in downtown Toronto. Try it and you'll fall in love. Our faves are the beef curry and beef vindaloo. mmmmm
1. GFFcrew's Review :: November 20, 2009 GFFcrew's Rating: Stars |
Indus Junction was the most underwhelming dining experience I have had yet this year. It looks inviting enough from the outside (when you actually are able to find it, with almost zero signage), with an interior of warm, golden brown and beautiful and unique lighting, but once seated you realize it was only a superficial glow of health, and that in reality it's been quite some time since this dining room received any *love*. The banquettes are coated in dust and grime, and the floor is sticky with who knows what. The waitress has ensconced herself behind the bar at the back and looks not only bored but rather sad - I suppose about having signed herself up for this sinking ship. I asked about dinner specials, only to be informed that the chef sticks strictly to the menu (which hasn't changed in the two years that have passed since opening). The food isn't exactly bad, but it certainly isn't inspired. The eggplant and the Lamb Korma were tasty for sure, but as another reviewer noted, that was mostly because of the overabundance of salt, cream, and oil. It was not at all a "fresh" or "modern" twist on Indian as the website suggests. Happily, the Madras Pantry just a few short blocks away has tasty dosa's for more than reasonable prices... If you can actually find Indus Junction, I would suggest to keep on walking.
2. Madeline's Review :: August 22, 2009 Madeline's Rating: 1 Stars |
bad food. I think I had food at this place is bad.I really like the place at bay and gerrard st call saffron it is a excellent place I will recommend all to try at this place
3. Peter's Review :: August 07, 2009 Peter's Rating: 1 Stars |
Excellent food and reasonable prices. I was a bit sceptical of "twists" on traditional indian food, but everything we had was awesome and favourful (we had the aloo tikki, aubergine, corriander chicken and some wine, of course). I will be back soon.
4. Bob's Review :: February 08, 2009 Bob's Rating: 4 Stars |
This place desperately needs to edit down its menu items to something you can say without taking a breath in the middle, but that's okay. Its noble intentions make up for it. Otherwise, good place.
5. Sal Mariano's Review :: February 05, 2009 Sal Mariano's Rating: 3 Stars |
Because of lack of good Indian (or any Indian) on Queen West (west), my wife and I returned to Indus for a second try even after a disappointing first visit. There is nothing "modern" about the cuisine at this restaurant, the food is as heavy, greasy, and salty as anything you would find at a cheap Indian buffet. Yes salt can be tasty, but it's boring and uncreative, and the menu clearly needs an update. The only redeeming thing about our first visit was the service and cocktails. Our waitress was warm, and extremely knowledgeable. When we returned last week, we were treated rudely, service was slow, and our waitress could not answer any of our questions about the food. I will NOT be back.
6. Clark's Review :: January 17, 2009 Clark's Rating: 1 Stars |
Delicious food and friendly service! We had the Sirloin Steak Vindaloo (a bit fatty on the edges, but the meat was flavourful), the Chicken Breast stuffed with spinach (we liked that so much that we ordered a second plate of it when we finished it), and the Cauliflower and Paneer (a bit spicy and delicious), garlic naan, basmati rice, and the raita. I will definitely be back.
7. Shelley's Review :: January 09, 2009 Shelley's Rating: 3 Stars |
Best nouveau Indian in Toronto. They do not accept reservations so get there early.
8. Anonymous's Review :: July 14, 2008 |
Best nouveau Indian in Toronto. They do not accept reservations so get there early.
9. Randy Wels's Review :: July 14, 2008 Randy Wels's Rating: 4 Stars |
All style and no substance, it just isn't anything special. Looks great, but tastes like nothing. Still, lots of possibility here. Give it time.
10. Anonymous's Review :: March 20, 2008 |
All style and no substance, it just isn't anything special. Looks great, but tastes like nothing. Still, lots of possibility here. Give it time.
11. Style Babe's Review :: March 20, 2008 Style Babe's Rating: 2 Stars |
Awesome Indian food! It's not as 'modernised' as a lot of critics are claiming, but really good food.
Most dishes are a bit creamy but the flavor and spice more than make up for it.
We went on a busy Thursday night and got served by one of the owners, really sweet, energetic, and knowledgable albeit young.
The service was really good, considering she was the only one there and it was a full restaurant!
Coco-tini's were pretty good, the mango lassi's were a bit sweet, but also good.
We had the Coconut Chicken Curry, which was out of this world, the beef kofta and the lamb korma. The garlic naan is some of the best I've ever had.
We'll definately be back.
12. Anonymous's Review :: January 14, 2008 |
Awesome Indian food! It's not as 'modernised' as a lot of critics are claiming, but really good food.
Most dishes are a bit creamy but the flavor and spice more than make up for it.
We went on a busy Thursday night and got served by one of the owners, really sweet, energetic, and knowledgable albeit young.
The service was really good, considering she was the only one there and it was a full restaurant!
Coco-tini's were pretty good, the mango lassi's were a bit sweet, but also good.
We had the Coconut Chicken Curry, which was out of this world, the beef kofta and the lamb korma. The garlic naan is some of the best I've ever had.
We'll definately be back.
13. Perry's Review :: January 14, 2008 Perry's Rating: 4 Stars |
Indus Junction is a nice refreshing change to all the other Indian places in the city. The food is fresh and very flavourful. I have tried many of the Indian resturants in the city and Indus is by far the best. Their coriander chicken curry and lamb chops with apple chutney are so good. Everything tastes fantastic especially their tandoor nan. Yummy.
14. Anonymous's Review :: November 28, 2007 |
Indus Junction is a nice refreshing change to all the other Indian places in the city. The food is fresh and very flavourful. I have tried many of the Indian resturants in the city and Indus is by far the best. Their coriander chicken curry and lamb chops with apple chutney are so good. Everything tastes fantastic especially their tandoor nan. Yummy.
15. Audrey's Review :: November 27, 2007 Audrey's Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm not sure if the previous reviewers went to the same restaurant as I did. I was really looking forward to trying Indus Junction, as I love Indian food, and there are so few Indian restaurants in the area, but compared to other Indian places(Dabu Sahi's Biryani house, and even King Palace, although located in a gas station, the food is wonderful, for example) the spice in the food and flavor was completely lacking. Although our waitress was pleasant, the service could be improved greatly, and the sauces tasted like they had literally come from a jar or can, without being simmered properly.
We had the mango martini, which was great, tandoori salmon, curried coconut chicken, a cauliflower dish with cheese(undercooked,missing the mushrooms stated on the menu,similar to a westernized processed cauliflower with cheese dish) daal(VERY bland), goan crab cakes(peppery, but lacking crab), raita, rice, garlic naan, and although we ordered paratha, we never got it because by the time the waitress remembered, we had already finished the rest of our meal. I can honestly say I could have prepared a much better meal at home. Overall, this was the most bland, unauthentic Indian food I have ever had. With the bill being over $100 for two, this was truly a disappointing experience.
16. Anonymous's Review :: November 16, 2007 |
I'm not sure if the previous reviewers went to the same restaurant as I did. I was really looking forward to trying Indus Junction, as I love Indian food, and there are so few Indian restaurants in the area, but compared to other Indian places(Dabu Sahi's Biryani house, and even King Palace, although located in a gas station, the food is wonderful, for example) the spice in the food and flavor was completely lacking. Although our waitress was pleasant, the service could be improved greatly, and the sauces tasted like they had literally come from a jar or can, without being simmered properly.
We had the mango martini, which was great, tandoori salmon, curried coconut chicken, a cauliflower dish with cheese(undercooked,missing the mushrooms stated on the menu,similar to a westernized processed cauliflower with cheese dish) daal(VERY bland), goan crab cakes(peppery, but lacking crab), raita, rice, garlic naan, and although we ordered paratha, we never got it because by the time the waitress remembered, we had already finished the rest of our meal. I can honestly say I could have prepared a much better meal at home. Overall, this was the most bland, unauthentic Indian food I have ever had. With the bill being over $100 for two, this was truly a disappointing experience.
17. Jeanette's Review :: November 15, 2007 Jeanette's Rating: 1 Stars |
Outstanding!!!! This is my new favorite Indian restaurant period... (forget just Toronto). The vibe is cool and casual, the food is fresh and incredible, and it's close to my home and work (Woohoo!). Today for lunch I had the "coriander and mint coconut chicken curry", and a glass of the house red. Uhhh... sumptuous! I only fear that Indus Junction will soon be crawling with yuppie wankers and their overly-impressed girlfriends, and I won't be able to get a seat.
18. Anonymous's Review :: July 19, 2007 |
Outstanding!!!! This is my new favorite Indian restaurant period... (forget just Toronto). The vibe is cool and casual, the food is fresh and incredible, and it's close to my home and work (Woohoo!). Today for lunch I had the "coriander and mint coconut chicken curry", and a glass of the house red. Uhhh... sumptuous! I only fear that Indus Junction will soon be crawling with yuppie wankers and their overly-impressed girlfriends, and I won't be able to get a seat.
19. John Wozniak's Review :: July 18, 2007 John Wozniak's Rating: 4 Stars |
Simply the best Indian food in Toronto.
20. Anonymous's Review :: June 08, 2007 |
Simply the best Indian food in Toronto.
21. Puneet's Review :: June 08, 2007 Puneet's Rating: 4 Stars |
Fantastic - A much needed addition to the toronto dining scene. :)
22. Anonymous's Review :: May 26, 2007 |
Fantastic - A much needed addition to the toronto dining scene. :)
23. Jenny Cooke's Review :: May 26, 2007 Jenny Cooke's Rating: 4 Stars |
| Click here to view all 15 reviews |
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811 Queen Street West, Toronto ON |
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