I can not believe this was my first time here... TRULY EXCELLENT!
Was looking for a noodle spot and came across this place (Chongqing Street food ) worth the reviews + more! I love asian noodles; my problem is in Toronto, there is so much choice that you have no idea what is legit or not. Unless you know someone from the community or know someone that frequents restos... you really never know!
So I took a chance on this simple spot in a strip plaza, and once you step in... this is an experience!
SERVICE - Don't remember I had service like this anywhere. The young lady who greeted us didn't feel sure about communicating with us, and so she sent over a wonderful young woman who I just felt cared for us. She walked us through the entire menu... answered all our questions, provided us recommendations, and it was well worth it. She came back a couple of time s to check on us, which was really good!
FOOD - Tried an app (cucumber salad) and 2 soup entrees (xiao mian) w/ egg noodles (szechuan style beef brisket + minced pork w/s special hot peppers - which I was told many people try to make at home but can never duplicate). These dishes can also come as a non soup format. One word - DELICIOUS! I really like spicy dishes, and while I wanted to go for the spice level FIERY HOT , I was told to stay with spicy, which was great ( I could have totally handled fiery hot...).
The one thing I learned here was about szechuan peppers or 'numbing peppercorn'. I like it in traditional chili oils, but definitely nothing else.. I added a bit of it to my dish as it was offered to me on the side, and it changed the entire dimension of my dish, which I didn't care for.
The other amazing thing about this place is that they offer free refills on noodles. I was floored when I heard this. Never thought this would be a thing, but the pork bone broths here are so good you just want to soak all that goodness in noodles. So it's sort of like I had 2 bowls of noodles with my amazing broth!
ATMOSPHERE - no nonsense place. People come, sit down, eat delicious food, and leave. The restaurant is clean and organized and serves its purpose.
This is a massive strip mall, so parking is no problem and the place is open to 330am if you are really craving their food.
If my server is reading this and you recognize this experience, I shared... THANK YOU - you made all the difference during the visit. I will...
Read moreI was very hungry on my way home after coming from the club I was teaching from. Right at that instant before going home drove down towards Steeles Ave east and made a right turn to Midland Ave just before reaching Mcnicol and made a beeline stop at this fabulous place called Hey noodles which is newly opened 24 hours Chinese noodle dining place. Went inside and to my surprise and luck there wasn’t even a lineup and so I got seated right away by one the wait staff. While perusing their somewhat intricate and interesting menu, I’ve decided to order a braised pork ribs with rice, a chicken with soft bones plus a pan fried egg plus a quail egg to add to my salivating palate. When the food came out they gave me a hot soup as well and wow!!! It was very good, the braised pork rib was just the right taste and not too sweet and not to salty either, along with the rice and a few added ornate on the plate which made more succulent and tasty. The soup was really good and hot!!! But get this when I have finish the soup and the rice to my surprise (this is how hungry I was) wow! Wouldn’t you know, the waitress told me that I can order another extra plate of rice and the tasty soup as well for refills and the most surprising out of all of that is, it’s free!!! Sure thing, I did just that! order another extra bout of rice and soup and boy! I was in heaven after that knowing full well that I am a rice man and soup man to begin with. I would in all honesty recommend this place very well for late nighters and especially for those with a big ravenous appetites. If by chance you feel the need to eating more than just a Big old Mac and a fries, I highly recommend that you give this place a chance and you won’t regret coming here for your money’s worth because it’s a very good place, good ambiance, friendly staff, the service is quick and the place is clean. The interesting part of this food adventure is that you can order noodles and rice and soup as much as you can and the price is economically affordable. All in all I’ve order 2 items and 1 soft drink with refills of rice and soup as much as one can expect to eat and it’s had only cost me a total of $24.00 including tax. So pls, come on down to this place for I highly highly recommend it, satisfaction...
Read moreLet me start off by saying, I have only tried the chicken/mushroom ramen along with the mango slush. The serving of noodles/meat is generous and filling. If you did not know, you can ask for a FREE noodle refill which my partner always does. Before the price increases in Dec 2022, it was fairly priced compared to competitors in the area at $12 for the chicken ramen and $4 for a mango slush (used to come with toppings, since they've been out of it for months they just removed it all together).
My prior visits would've gave this place a 4.5 star for price, food quality/portion, atmosphere, service. My most recent visit in Dec 2022 just might be my last. The chicken ramen is now $13 (completely understandable with inflation and all). However, the slush is now $5 with no toppings, and like $6-7 for the teas. For that price the drinks aren't even worth it imo, you're better off going to an actual BBT place and getting toppings etc.
Also, the noodle refill always takes forever to be brought to us, by the time it comes the broth is cold and our stomachs have settled (I would recommend asking when youre halfway to prevent this, assuming they dont give you dirty looks). One day there were ZERO other customers and I noticed the noodle refill was just sitting there while the staff chatted amongst themselves before remembering. But what REALLY put me off, was that we both asked for an extra noodle refill since we finished the first bowl, but I had leftovers so I asked for a takeout container. They literally said since I got an extra noodle I can't pack what's left. So you're telling me, your restaurant rather WASTE an entire bowl of noodles with lots of meat/broth left that I PAID FOR, rather than letting a paying customer take it home and eat it? I ALWAYS have leftover meat and mushrooms since my stomach is small, I don't even care to take the extra noodle as I can make my own at home. But all the soup/meat/toppings was what I PAID for. If you're going to be cheap then just start charging $1 for a noodle refill and let the people take home their damn food. Won't be getting...
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