HTML SitemapExplore

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Café Conundrum:

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Café Conundrum: TOT Café – A Brunch Beacon in a Greasy Maze? When a café best known for its fried chicken (yes, really) draws you in with rave reviews but leaves you questioning life choices over oil-logged fries, you know you’ve entered a culinary gray zone. TOT Café, a hybrid coffee shop/Korean-fusion eatery in Saskatoon’s Broadway district, is a place of contradictions: its glorious crispy chicken skin battles with underseasoned meat, while its cozy brunch vibes clash with deep-fried disappointments. After a mixed first visit, here’s why I’m still willing to give this spot a second chance – but only for specific items. First Impressions: Coffee Shop or Fried Chicken Hut? TOT Café’s identity crisis is apparent from the moment you walk in: The Vibe: • Daytime Café Mode: Sunlit tables, hanging plants, and laptop workers sipping lattes • Evening Comfort Food Shift: The scent of frying oil gradually overtakes the coffee aroma • Eclectic Decor: Minimalist Scandinavian meets K-pop posters Service Notes: • Order-at-Counter: Separate stations for drinks and food (slightly confusing) • Pacing Issues: Chicken took 22 minutes despite a half-empty dining room • Bright Spot: Free citrus-infused water to cut the grease Pro Tip: Sit near the back window for natural light without fryer exhaust smells. The Food: Highs, Lows, and Why Brunch Might Save It 1. Sweet Soy Garlic Fried Chicken ($16.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A study in contrasts: The Good: • Crust: Shatteringly crisp, likely thanks to double-frying • Sauce Glaze: Sticky-sweet with toasted garlic bits • Portion: 6 hefty pieces (could feed two light eaters) The Bad: • Underseasoned Meat: Needed a brine or marinade • Oil Retention: Left a greasy film on fingertips The Unexpected: • Side Pickles: Bright, tangy, and the perfect palate cleanser 2. Fries ($6.50) ⭐️⭐️ A crime against potatoes: • Oil Saturation: Left a 1 tbsp grease puddle on the napkin • Texture: Limp exterior, mealy interior • Saving Grace: Truffle salt sprinkled on top (but why bother?) 3. Beef Curry Rice ($14.99) ⭐️ A skip-at-all-costs dish: • Beef: Chewy, likely stew meat without proper braising • Curry: Watery and bland – tasted like boxed roux diluted too far • Rice: Sticky but no fragrance (likely not Japanese short-grain) 4. Pumpkin Soup ($7.50) ⭐️⭐️½ A seasonal misfire: • Texture: Smooth but slightly grainy • Flavor Clash: Pumpkin spice (cinnamon/nutmeg) vs. expected savory kabocha • Missing Element: No swirl of coconut cream for richness The Brunch Promise: Why I’ll Return Despite the fried food letdowns, TOT’s brunch menu (served till 2pm) shows potential: Upcoming Targets: • Kimchi Benedict ($15): Poached eggs + gochujang hollandaise • Matcha Pancakes ($13): With red bean paste and fresh fruit • Breakfast Poutine ($12): Gravy, cheese curds, and a soft-boiled egg Value Proposition: Most brunch items include: • Free coffee refills (locally roasted beans) • Side salad with yuzu dressing • Generous portions (based on neighboring plates I eyed enviously) The Verdict: A Café Best Enjoyed Before Fryers Heat Up Rating (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Fried Chicken 6.5 Crust saves it Fries 2 Oil overload Brunch Potential 8 Based on menu alone Ambiance 7.5 Cozy but confusing Who Should Visit: • Brunch seekers (stick to AM hours) • Café workers needing strong WiFi and snacks • K-drama fans (they play K-pop hits softly) Who Should Skip: • Health-conscious diners (grease is inevitable) • Fried chicken purists (better options elsewhere) Pro Tips If You Go: 1. Order chicken "extra crispy" – it helps mitigate sogginess 2. Blot fries immediately with napkins 3. Try the iced barley tea – it cuts through heavy flavors 📍 Location: 525 Broadway Ave (near the thrift store) ⏰ Hours: 8am-8pm (brunch until 2pm) 📱 Order Ahead: Recommended for chicken (it’s made fresh) SaskatoonEats #CafeFood #BrunchSpot #KoreanFusion

Related posts
🇨🇦 Saskatoon Day 22 · My First lululemon Experience 🧘‍♀️🛍️🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Hidden Fine Dining Gem🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Last Authentic Korean OutposBaghdad Restaurant: An Authentic Taste of Iraqi Cuisine in Saskatoon 🇨🇦 Saskatoon Contemporary Art Fest Volunteer Diaries🇨🇦 Exploring Saskatchewan: Canada's Hidden Gem
Pierre Martin
Pierre Martin
6 months ago
Pierre Martin
Pierre Martin
6 months ago
no-comment

No one has commented yet...

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Café Conundrum:

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Café Conundrum: TOT Café – A Brunch Beacon in a Greasy Maze? When a café best known for its fried chicken (yes, really) draws you in with rave reviews but leaves you questioning life choices over oil-logged fries, you know you’ve entered a culinary gray zone. TOT Café, a hybrid coffee shop/Korean-fusion eatery in Saskatoon’s Broadway district, is a place of contradictions: its glorious crispy chicken skin battles with underseasoned meat, while its cozy brunch vibes clash with deep-fried disappointments. After a mixed first visit, here’s why I’m still willing to give this spot a second chance – but only for specific items. First Impressions: Coffee Shop or Fried Chicken Hut? TOT Café’s identity crisis is apparent from the moment you walk in: The Vibe: • Daytime Café Mode: Sunlit tables, hanging plants, and laptop workers sipping lattes • Evening Comfort Food Shift: The scent of frying oil gradually overtakes the coffee aroma • Eclectic Decor: Minimalist Scandinavian meets K-pop posters Service Notes: • Order-at-Counter: Separate stations for drinks and food (slightly confusing) • Pacing Issues: Chicken took 22 minutes despite a half-empty dining room • Bright Spot: Free citrus-infused water to cut the grease Pro Tip: Sit near the back window for natural light without fryer exhaust smells. The Food: Highs, Lows, and Why Brunch Might Save It 1. Sweet Soy Garlic Fried Chicken ($16.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A study in contrasts: The Good: • Crust: Shatteringly crisp, likely thanks to double-frying • Sauce Glaze: Sticky-sweet with toasted garlic bits • Portion: 6 hefty pieces (could feed two light eaters) The Bad: • Underseasoned Meat: Needed a brine or marinade • Oil Retention: Left a greasy film on fingertips The Unexpected: • Side Pickles: Bright, tangy, and the perfect palate cleanser 2. Fries ($6.50) ⭐️⭐️ A crime against potatoes: • Oil Saturation: Left a 1 tbsp grease puddle on the napkin • Texture: Limp exterior, mealy interior • Saving Grace: Truffle salt sprinkled on top (but why bother?) 3. Beef Curry Rice ($14.99) ⭐️ A skip-at-all-costs dish: • Beef: Chewy, likely stew meat without proper braising • Curry: Watery and bland – tasted like boxed roux diluted too far • Rice: Sticky but no fragrance (likely not Japanese short-grain) 4. Pumpkin Soup ($7.50) ⭐️⭐️½ A seasonal misfire: • Texture: Smooth but slightly grainy • Flavor Clash: Pumpkin spice (cinnamon/nutmeg) vs. expected savory kabocha • Missing Element: No swirl of coconut cream for richness The Brunch Promise: Why I’ll Return Despite the fried food letdowns, TOT’s brunch menu (served till 2pm) shows potential: Upcoming Targets: • Kimchi Benedict ($15): Poached eggs + gochujang hollandaise • Matcha Pancakes ($13): With red bean paste and fresh fruit • Breakfast Poutine ($12): Gravy, cheese curds, and a soft-boiled egg Value Proposition: Most brunch items include: • Free coffee refills (locally roasted beans) • Side salad with yuzu dressing • Generous portions (based on neighboring plates I eyed enviously) The Verdict: A Café Best Enjoyed Before Fryers Heat Up Rating (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Fried Chicken 6.5 Crust saves it Fries 2 Oil overload Brunch Potential 8 Based on menu alone Ambiance 7.5 Cozy but confusing Who Should Visit: • Brunch seekers (stick to AM hours) • Café workers needing strong WiFi and snacks • K-drama fans (they play K-pop hits softly) Who Should Skip: • Health-conscious diners (grease is inevitable) • Fried chicken purists (better options elsewhere) Pro Tips If You Go: 1. Order chicken "extra crispy" – it helps mitigate sogginess 2. Blot fries immediately with napkins 3. Try the iced barley tea – it cuts through heavy flavors 📍 Location: 525 Broadway Ave (near the thrift store) ⏰ Hours: 8am-8pm (brunch until 2pm) 📱 Order Ahead: Recommended for chicken (it’s made fresh) SaskatoonEats #CafeFood #BrunchSpot #KoreanFusion

Saskatoon
Escape City Saskatoon
Escape City SaskatoonEscape City Saskatoon