Lahore Tikka House — Restaurant in Toronto

I used to be a regular at LTH, but a few years ago I noticed that the food didn't taste the same and the staff had all changed. I assumed the place was under new management or something, as the change in staff seemed almost universal and kind of sudden, so I just kinda stopped going. Then a friend of mine shared a recent Toronto Star article about LTH, explaining that the same family still owned the place. So, I decided to give them another chance...

I got beef and chicken seekh kababs, karhai chicken and naan. The karhai chicken was good; flavourful and the chicken was not overcooked. But when I make karhai chicken at home it's a little better.

The kababs, unfortunately, were sort of rubbery and had no colour on them. Not sure what happened there, lol... Maybe they were cooked too close together, or the heat was too low, maybe they were overcooked or maybe they were reheated? They definitely weren't right. Beef kababs were grey in colour, no char to speak of, they may as well have been boiled. I want my kababs to have a nice char on the outside and remain juicy on the inside, which can only be achieved with high heat. If you know what you're doing (a cook in a restaurant should), the result is a wonderful flavour from the maillard reaction on the outside, beautiful colour from the char, juicy meat inside and great flavour, not dense, not rubbery at all. They should almost fall apart when you eat them. The beef kababs were also underseasoned (low salt). Chicken kababs were flavourful and had some hints of the maillard reaction, but they were rubbery too; decent but not great.

The naan was good. Would have been better if it was possible to eat them fresh, at the restaurant, instead of 20 mins later. On the drive home they get a bit soggy and lose the variation in texture (outside/ inside). I popped the naan into the toaster oven to get it back, as close as I could to its original state and the result of that was satisfactory.

Overall the experience was good, staff were friendly and helpful, on the phone and during pick up/ payment. Options were limited, even though I ordered at dinner time when they should have been ready for lots of orders. Maybe they've scaled back due to covid? I can't say it was a great experience in any respect and a long way off from what I remember as they heyday of LTH. I didnt care that the place used to be a maze of elementary school portables before, I didnt care that it looked unfinished, but now... after multiple stages of renovations, what appears to be a whole new staff, potentially some changes in quality of ingredients, and/ or suppliers, I'm left missing the Lahore Tikka House from a decade ago. Something is missing now. Something that was there, but no longer. I miss the guy walking around with a giant seekh of salted, grilled, harri mirchain, offering them up tableside. Obviously thats not possible during the pandemic, but the kababs should have been perfect. These guys have been in business since I was a little kid! They should be able to make a perfect seekh kabab with their eyes closed, by now. Training new cooks should be a scientific process by now.

I was hoping that today's experience would be a redeeming one. Unfortunately it was about neutral, not adding or taking away from my most recent, experience there (at least a couple years ago), which means I won't be making an effort to eat here soon. I'll stop in if I'm in the area, but I used to make a special trip to LTH when I was younger, all the way from Oakville. Now I live in Toronto and I hardly go there...

I'll keep my ear to the ground though, if this place ever gets back to the quality of food they used to serve, I'd love to go back. Until then I'll just make my favourite...

A Taste of Lahore in the Heart of Toronto, Lahore Tikka House Reopens with a Bang!

After an agonizing 18-month wait, Lahore Tikka House has finally reopened its doors, and the transformation is nothing short of spectacular. This isn't just a renovation; it's a complete immersion into the vibrant heart of Lahore. Stepping inside, you're instantly transported: intricate wood carvings adorn the walls, colorful lanterns cast a warm glow, and the air buzzes with the tantalizing aroma of spices. The owners have painstakingly recreated the ambiance of Lahore's bustling food scene, offering an authentic cultural experience that goes beyond just the plate. But let's talk about the food, because that's the real star of the show.

Lahore Tikka House has always been known for its delicious, traditional Pakistani cuisine, and the new menu certainly doesn't disappoint. The Chicken Tikka, their signature dish, is cooked to perfection in a tandoor oven, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat with a delightful smoky char. The Seekh Kebabs are equally impressive, boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a perfect blend of spices.

No trip to Lahore Tikka House is complete without indulging in their rich and creamy Butter Chicken. This classic dish is a symphony of flavors, with tender chicken simmered in a tomato-based gravy that's infused with aromatic spices and a touch of sweetness. For those seeking vegetarian options, the Daal Makhani is a must-try. This lentil dish is slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a creamy, flavorful concoction that pairs perfectly with their fluffy naan bread.

And speaking of naan, the bread selection at Lahore Tikka House deserves its own praise. From the classic garlic naan to the more adventurous cheese-stuffed naan, each piece is freshly baked in the tandoor and boasts a perfect balance of chewiness and crispiness.

Beyond the individual dishes, Lahore Tikka House excels at creating a complete dining experience. The service is warm and attentive, with the staff eager to guide you through the menu and offer recommendations. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of Pakistani cuisine or a curious newcomer, you'll feel welcomed and well-cared for. The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the dining experience. The presentation of the food is beautiful, with each dish artfully arranged on traditional servingware. The vibrant colors and enticing aromas further enhance the sensory experience, making each bite a true delight.

Lahore Tikka House has successfully created a space that transports you to the heart of Lahore, offering not just a meal, but a cultural immersion. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner for two, a fun gathering with friends, or a family celebration, this restaurant provides the perfect backdrop. With its stunning decor, impeccable service, and, most importantly, its delicious and authentic food, Lahore Tikka House is a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Pakistan in GTA. Highlights: Authentic Lahori ambiance: The decor truly transports you to Pakistan. Delicious, traditional food: The Chicken Tikka and Butter Chicken are must-tries. Excellent service: Attentive and welcoming staff. Freshly baked naan: A wide variety of delicious naan breads. Perfect for any occasion: Suitable for romantic dinners, group gatherings, and...

This place may have served good food in the past; but has slowly detoriated in food quality and service over the years. We recently decided to go to Lahori Tikka House to eat and wow, we were shocked on how much worse it’s gotten this year. We ordered ribs, lamb chops, kebab and daal. Upon ordering the chops and ribs, we requested that the kitchen make sure they can send everything out at once so our naan and daal don’t get cold. The wait staff flatly refused and said that when the food is ready, it will come out. Our daal and naan actually came out 15 minutes early and it was terrible! We had to wait 15 minutes and everything was cold by the time the barbecue arrived. The lamb chops (which used to taste amazing) were also heavily disappointing - they changed up the spices they use for these chops and they didn’t taste as good. The ribs were just straight burnt, no one even finished them because they were that bad. The kebab was good.

The service and wait staff were actually just TERRIBLE and downright disrespectful. I was shocked. Our “server” was Mittal and I’ve dined at spots before with questionable service, but this waiter would actually IGNORE us and pretend she couldn’t hear us while she walked by. The first two times she did it, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. By the third time, I was shocked. We wanted to order sodas, and I called her and she straight ignored me! I actually walked up to the front for every request after that (napkins, to go boxes, etc). I was so turned off. As someone whose worked in the food service and hospitality industry, I can confidently say this woman needs to take a lesson on waitressing and also basic human decency and respect.

This restaurant left a bad taste in my mouth. It’s tragic since our family have been loyal customers since the 90’s. But today that all changed. We definitely won’t be back. There are hundreds of better desi restaurants out there. This place is old news. Take your...