Carly's Top Places to Grab a Bite for Less Than $20

One of the most important parts of my undergraduate experience was getting to know the city of Toronto. I grew up in Montreal and had only been to Toronto once before deciding to move here for university. In my first year, I lived in residence. While I loved the residence experience, I didn’t feel much of a connection to the city since I didn’t venture outside of the campus bubble very much. I was in second year when the pandemic hit, and that’s when I really started to explore all of the different neighbourhoods Toronto has to offer. I would go on daily walks, try out new restaurants and visit parks for picnics with friends. Now that I have all this Toronto knowledge, I’m excited to share some of my favourite cheap eats around the city that are completely off-campus so that you can do as much exploring as I did.

We’ll start with breakfast and work our way down the list of meals you should eat every day. Emmer is the perfect early-morning spot to grab pastries, breads, breakfast sandwiches, and other baked goods. There is usually a line and some items tend to sell out, so make sure to get there early if you want to try everything! It’s located on Harbord St in the heart of The Annex, so you can take your pastries to go and walk down the pretty side streets. If you’d rather order something hot (I recommend the breakfast sandwich!), they have a huge patio that is nice and lively, especially in the summer.

Wilbur is one of my personal favourite places to get a burrito in the city. It’s located on King West, which is usually known for its nightlife. But, I think that this is a great spot to grab something quick for lunch. In the warmer months, they have a large patio that stretches along King St, or you can pick up your burritos and tacos and walk over to a nearby park. The parks nearby are usually jam-packed with dogs, so that’s an added bonus if you visit during the daytime.

Fried chicken sandwiches are getting more and more popular in Toronto lately, but I will always go to PG Clucks for the best one. They have a few locations, but I love the original one on College next to The Royal Theatre. If you walk just a few blocks west, you’ll be right in Little Italy where you can check out some other cafés or gelaterias on your walk!

If you’re anywhere close to Trinity Bellwoods Park, you have to go to Lambo’s Deli. Every sandwich is under $15 and they are the most delicious subs you’ll ever try. Quick warning, the sandwiches are massive, so be ready to take some home after. I personally recommend the Italian trio or the turkey pesto. You can even order ahead, pick it up, then head over to one of the city’s biggest parks to enjoy it outdoors.

Dumpling House on Spadina is one of my favourite places to go for dinner in Toronto. It’s not too far from campus, so it’s a great place to go after class. I personally find dumplings to be the best comfort food out there. It’s a great place to go with friends. Order a bunch of different kinds of dumplings and share! They have every type of dumpling imaginable, so it’s great for any person’s preferences.

I think getting to know a city's food scene is one of the best ways to establish yourself in that city. While Toronto definitely has some pricey options, students shouldn't get to miss out on all the great food it has to offer up! Hopefully you get to try out some of these five spots and get to know a little more about your new city in the process.