Java House — Restaurant in Toronto

⭐☆☆☆☆

Came here for lunch, food took forever but it was fine, my husband had to leave to go back to work before the food came out but left me with his card so I can stick around and get some work done. When it came time to pay, I found out they’re cash-only. No debit, no credit, no tap ... just a $1.75 ATM in the corner in the back that looks like it will absolutely steal your card info 😂😂

When I said I wasn’t comfortable using it, the owner herself got really defensive and very loudly suggested I should have “seen it on the menu.” Almost like it was scripted... Except I didn’t order, I was on the phone and my husband did. Either way, burying your payment policy in fine print and then flipping out while holding a thick stack of twenties when a customer questions it is not nostalgic or good business

Then the owner suggested that I actually leave my ID/ purse / phone behind as collateral so she could “trust” me. Sorry, but girl, no. In 2025, even food trucks and farmers markets take tap - and... I'm laughing so hard because nobody should be pressured into a sketchy defunct payment system or leaving any type of collateral on a lunch date ? 😂🤌 ( or like ANYWHERE just stop forever because I will never )

And I know I just stepped in for like a lunch bite, but I could have easily spent over a hundred dollars here during dinner hours. No, problem. You mean to tell me that you don't have any other payment options available? just cash??

I can't believe I have to say this in an actual google review, but pressuring customers into a sketchy ATM situation or asking them to surrender their ID or anything like that is unprofessional, unsafe, and a major red flag. And I will absolutely not every time and I clearly explained that, as I exited the establishment and retrieved the owner, her money through a legitimate bank machine for services rendered, but after the scene of protest this lady created over a total of 42 stupid dollars I am not going back.

Bring cash or a hostage if you decide to go

... but honestly, there are too many better options nearby that won’t make paying the bill feel like a standoff.

Like, you...

Is there an option to not give a star? This is the worst place I have ever gone to.

My friends and were I went (table of 8) before a show at the Bovine, the only good thing about this place was how fast we were seated. After ordering a pitcher of beer and sangria, a few of our friends had to leave at one point to set up for their show, and we were asked promptly (literally 2 minutes after they had left) when they would be back. We said half hour tops, and we were told that that was fine.

After being asked, my friends and I (4 people now) ordered some food. Not even 5 minutes after ordering, we had some Asian dude come up and ask the exact same question but with a horrible tone and demeanor. We snapped at him and told him that we had every intention of staying and spending at least $200 between food and drinks, but that wasn't good enough for him. He made sure to give us all the stink eye every time he walked by and loudly announce that there was a line up at the door to be seated. We sat there with empty pitchers of beer, sangria and empty glasses on our table, as well as our dishes, and not a single server could be bothered to pick any of it up. Not to mention the fact that our water never came, despite asking three times. Getting our bill was hard enough in and of itself.

We asked for our bill and left promptly. The fact that a tip is added to the total is bullshit, I have never felt so unwelcome at an establishment in my life, and will never be going back there, ever. Come to think of it, we should have just paid what the printed bill said, and not the scribbled tip amount at the bottom. Not even the Keg has set gratuity, and this is some divey, skeezy bar downtown.

Save your money people. Go somewhere where your business is...

Was not expecting to leave a bad review or even have any negative comments about this bar... but I had the most horrible experience I’ve had in a while and I couldn’t just let it slide. A friend of mine had recommended this place and I was excited to go out. My server was rude, unprofessional, and honestly I have no idea how she even has a job as server. I’ve worked in the resturant industry over the years and I’ve never in my life seen that laziness before and by laziness I mean not coming to greet the table for over 10 minutes, not checking in and making me and my friend have to go up to the bar to pay for a drink! She was busy talking about her personal life instead of focusing on the 2 out probably 10 people in that bar. By the end of the experience she mentioned a tip basically saying she deserved compensation before I even got the chance to leave anything.Which is the most unprofessional thing a server can do! I was happy with the bartender, the 1 drink I ordered and the vibe of that place. But the server was horrible, and shameful, like sweet heart take some pride in what you do whether you work in a bar or a 5 star hotel, just some advice and you dont deserve a tip if you’re disrespectful to someone who is coming into your place of work, and giving to your place of employment. She was a horrible representation of this place, CLEARLY for obvious reasons and because I’ve heard great things...