Boxcar Social — Restaurant in Toronto

Hipsters have invaded midtown and we're totally cool with that!

The Boxcar Social location near the Summerhill TTC station is cozy, busy and serves some very good espresso. There is a main floor, second floor and, in the warm months, even a decent sized patio. On any given weekend, you'll find the place buzzing with smalls groups chatting over a latte or flat white or a cold brew and the usual individuals with their laptops.

While this stereotypical montage pretty much describes ALL cafes downtown, it's a bit of a novelty for us midtowners. But, you know what? We fully embrace it! This is afterall Yonge St where there is no street parking (other than the LCBO across the street & side-street parking), very little foot traffic and where many shops shutter after 6pm. So it does bring a bit more life to this stretch.

The main floor has a few seats looking out onto Yonge St, along with some bar seats. Towards the back, there are small tables for twosomes, foursomes and a slightly larger table for potentially communal gatherings. Upstairs looks like a former apartment with a large high, communal table and smaller tables for twosomes as well as a few more comfy chairs.

Oh did I mention that they opened Yeah Yeah pizza next door? Feeling peckish after your two cappuccinos? Just ask for the pizza menu and they will serve you a slice - even a whole pie if you want - from the passthrough in the wall!

Now... about the coffee... not the strongest espresso I've had but they do it right. I've been there a few times now and You can tell the baristas take their training seriously with deliberate steps in measuring the ground espresso beans, exacting pressure on the grounds and the pour into you cup. I appreciate that. For something a little different, try their iced latte which they pull from a tap! It's rich, velvety and very delicious. I was skeptical but, after trying it for the first time, that is now a fave of mine.

Finally, that patio! In summer it's rammed and tough to find a seat... but, if your timing is right, or you get there early, it's a chilled way to spend some time with a cortado while contemplating life. 😎

Kudos to the folks at Boxcar for seeing...

I don't eat here, the coffee itself from what I've had is okay, the service is usually very good & a shop being located within a house instead of traditional boxy retail space is always great however there are some improvements that could take this place over the top.

Get more syrups. Only having vanilla syrup when Balzacs, Jimmy's & several other competing chains carry staples such as caramel & hazelnut as well as wacky flavours like raspberry, peppermint, rhubarb (for sickos?????) etc is SUCH a missed opportunity to score points with customers.

2.Again I love that this place is located within a house, as this ensures that the overall vibes are cosy & immaculate. That being said, it is a very old house & almost everywhere you look (ESPECIALLY UPSTAIRS) there is evidence that at one point someone gave this place the "landlord special" (google that phrase & look at the images...or look at this if you dare https://images.app.goo.gl/rSA6BimfT8sad6Tq9). The spot could use a bit of refinement from professionals. The windows could use some dusting/cleaning as well both on the outside & inside.

3.A new bannister for the stairs would be great...the current one is just a long...thing that doesn't really seem to be all that safe or reliable. I would like to go Patrick Star-mode & FIRMLY GRASP IT but its too weirdly embedded in the wall for me to do so.

4.Upstairs needs better lighting in the "den" area. Install an electronic chandelier in there perhaps or one of those round japanese pendant lights thats all the rage on instagram.

5.Get air conditioning/heating for upstairs...just some sort of way to regulate the temperature better.

Maybe a few more rustic decorations (some inoffensive vintage photos of boxcars might do the trick).

7.At least one more electrical outlet upstairs (or a power bar that you can fasten somewhere to prevent theft.)

8.This place will sell you whisky but not gin...this is a crime! please fix!

With these improvements , combined with the great current staff & service...this place will...

I had visited Boxcar social at summer hill yesterday evening. I had ordered 2 lattes and a croissant and after I paid I noticed the barista glanced over and I guess he didn’t like the amount that I tipped because he immediately changed his demeanour towards us.

As I was waiting there for my drinks I noticed him give me a very rude look multiple times. When he was done making my latte he very aggressively placed it down onto the counter to the point where some of it spilt over. He also didn’t give me a saucer to place under the latte but I noticed everyone else around me had one. He then picked up the croissant with a lot of anger and tossed the plate onto the counter in a very rude manner. We also had asked the croissant to be warmed up but of course he didn’t do that either. We asked for the iced matcha drink to be with light ice but out of anger he filled the cup up to the rim with ice. Everything we had asked for he intentionally did the opposite.

The entire time I kept asking myself what I did to deserve such rude and disrespectful treatment from the barista?? I was so kind and nice the entire time and I couldn’t understand why he was so angry and rude towards me!

I didn’t get the baristas name but I was able to get a picture which I’ve attached to this review as reference.

As a coffee connoisseur, I have visited many many cafes in Toronto and I can honestly say that I’ve NEVER experienced this type of treatment in my life. There are plenty of other coffee shops in the neighbourhood with such kind and respectful baristas and I would recommend going anywhere else but this cafe. Other cafes are not only more aesthetically pleasing but the coffee drinks are of much higher quality as well.

Overall, the service was rude, disrespectful and the drinks were below average. I will never be coming back Boxcar at Sunmerhill. I’ll be taking my...