Toronto Crispy — Local services in Birmingham

It was with an open mind and an empty stomach that I ventured into Toronto Crispy, a fast-food outlet whose name suggests a transatlantic fusion of Canadian politeness and deep-fried bravado. What I discovered instead was an establishment that offers neither the charm of Toronto nor the integrity of anything remotely crispy.

Nestled between a payday loan shop and a vape emporium, Toronto Crispy announces itself with all the subtlety of a fire alarm. Its signage — an unfortunate clash of flaming fonts and a poorly rendered chicken mid-explosion — promises flavour. What it delivers is a lesson in broken dreams and under-seasoned sorrow.

Inside, one is greeted by a persistent hum of fluorescent lighting, the acrid perfume of reheated oil, and a glass counter smeared with fingerprints and forgotten hopes. Behind it stood a young man who asked “What you want?” with all the warmth of a border interrogation.

I ordered the “Toronto Tower Meal” — a name that implied grandeur, or at the very least vertical consistency. What arrived was a tilted paper box containing a burger the colour of self-doubt, fries that could double as bookmarks, and a wing of chicken so dry I feared it had been preserved for educational use.

The so-called “crispy chicken burger” was a study in contradiction. The bun: stale and deflated. The lettuce: translucent and accusatory. The patty itself was neither crispy nor truly identifiable as chicken — more an abstract sculpture of meatlike substance, battered within an inch of its dignity and seasoned with what I suspect was pocket lint and paprika.

The fries — oh, dear hearts, the fries. Pale, undercooked, and utterly joyless, they slumped in the box like a Dickensian orphan awaiting gruel. They were, frankly, an insult to the noble potato.

And then came the sauces. Three sachets, unmarked, oozing mysterious goo. One tasted faintly of chipotle if you imagined it hard enough. Another appeared to be ketchup in witness protection. The third defied classification — somewhere between window cleaner and fruit yogurt.

The drink? A "Mango Fizz" that fizzed not at all and tasted like melted cough syrup stirred with a penny.

There was no music. No chatter. Just the faint drone and occasional sound of grease sobbing.

In conclusion, Toronto Crispy is neither a tribute to the vibrant city of Toronto nor an achievement in the fine art of crispiness. It is, instead, a culinary misfire housed in styrofoam — a place where spice dies, oil clings, and chicken...

So I use these guys regularly the food is good no issues with that at all, however last few times I've been even if I've phone ordered it's been extremely long wait times. If they give me a time on the phone when I get their on the time they've given me im still waiting atleast 25mins, anyway last few experiences weren't great on one occasion they told me chicken won't be ready for atleast an hour so I didn't order and walked out. So I sent my nephews in today to get 2x wings meals whilst I waited in the car they printed out a slip stating due at 22:37 no problem time was 22:22 just before the given time I sent them back in to get the food when they collected the food they were told we are out of chilli and that would be another 5mins so they were sent away with Algerian sauce instead. I thought I'd go in and just let them know as a brother my last few experiences weren't great and instead of the brother acknowledging what I'm saying he sucked his teeth and spoke like he wasn't bothered one bit. No problem I only told you as a brother but you couldn't take the criticism seems like it effected your ego my bad if I knew you couldn't take the feedback then i probably wouldn't have given it to you in the first place. Anyway plenty of other places to eat from that do decent food I won't be returning. Didn't want an apology my ego isn't that big just that you understand my last few experiences weren't great if things are running out especially like chilli sauce make more before it runs out surely you know what's running out and how to plan ahead its called fast food...

So after reading mixed reviews for this place I thought there’s only one way to find out for sure. They opened at 4pm on a Sunday and I tried ringing before hand to place an order but the line was continuously busy. This was the same all through my half hour journey it took to get there. Upon arrival there isn’t really any parking unless you want to risk it on the double reds, but I parked across the road a minutes walk. The shutters were 3/4 up and already there was about 4 people ahead of me. However what was suprising was how quick the orders were being done, I’m guessing they’ve improved their timings because this was a great put off when reading reviews. My order came to £6.49 for the double spicy burger meal and some wings, which was a bargain- they accept cash and card also which is a positive. There’s a couple of seats and a punching machine thing but otherwise just a take out shop layout. Staff were friendly and there’s a young 11 year old son helping out which is nice to see. Order was done in about 6-8 mins I’d say and I went to the car to eat. Now the burger itself is gigantic, extremely messy to eat. It was juicy and succulent. The spicyness was decent, had a good kick but not burning your tongue. The wings were coated in the same sauce. It wasn’t sour or tomatoey how some reviews said. It’s like spice hut wings spice mix if anyones tried that. The fries were Luke warm. Overall solid 7/10, good value for money.

Edit- be prepared for the...