Mama's Tofu — Restaurant in Toronto

UPDATE 2024: Very disappointed in what has become of this gem (see my original review below for comparison). My all time favourite vegan pho (now “#10) is no more. The crispy fried vegan “chicken” strips are now gone and the deep fried veggie meat was now so tough it was like chewing on non vegan shoe leather. The fragrant culantro leaves are now gone, the tiny sprig of Thai basil was spoiling with black spots, and when I asked for their homemade hot dark chilli sauce, they brought out dark soy sauce, and then sweet chilli sauce! The broth is now bland and the chop sticks were sticky. And I know there’s inflation, but to go from what was $9 to $14, I wasn’t expecting such a decline. The final straw: when I went to use the restroom right after seeing one of the cooks leave it, the sink was completely dry - i.e. unused! I’ve lost a favourite weekly lunch stop.

2019: This tiny Vietnamese vegan restaurant has a steady stream of mostly Asian customers, always a sign of something good. A nice selection of prepared tofu dishes keeps takeout customers happy. My personal favourite to sit down and enjoy is their excellent vegan Pho noodle soups. About 10 different big bowls of perfectly prepared rice noodles, my favourite is the "number 1", Mama's Pho, which comes with a mixture of absolutely delicious tofu "meats". Be sure to add the fresh toppings that come on the side — beansprouts, fragrant fresh Thai basil and culantro leaves, and a fresh lime wedge. When torn up, these leaves and the lime make THE most delicious broth I've ever tasted (and I've been raised on soups). As a vegan, my almost weekly addiction to this place fills my heart and tummy with joy. I just wish I could speak...

⚠️⚠️ Hygiene Alert🤮🤮🤒⚠️⚠️

This was my go to place for Bah Mi, but after my last incident I request people to avoid this place at all cost !!

On my recent visit, I ordered spring rolls and i was served cold. From outside, it was bit warm but when we eat it, it was completely cold ( frozen). So i returned to place and requested new ones, this time asked specifically for hot and fresh since deep fried items are supposed to be hot. I payed for my order and after showing that what i received was cold, threw the rest in garbage. The girl without any hesitation told me that they will give me new one for my second order after i paid them AGAIN.

After 10 min they gave me the new order, this time i made sure that i check inside the ahop itself and when i crack open one, it was cold again and water was there, she immediately took it back and asked me to wait again for new one. After waiting another 10-15 min i left the store since they were busy cleaning and making preparation for next day !!

Just because spring roll cost 10 bucks they didn't give a damn as business to serve hot and didn't care about hygene...looks like they prefry everything and then when order comes in, they hust microwave it.!!

During my waiting period, i saw that there were flies inside store, half of the things were open and so many contamination possibilities due to lack of laddle, serving spoon and cleanliness.

Looks like management changed as they increased the price.!!

Was a good shop before, now not...

I was in the tight schedule. Called 10min earlier to order in advance, expecting, just came, pickup, paid and left. Because of the slow traffic, I came 15min later. It wasn't busy, no one was there but me. But Nothing was ready. The lady began to fill the take-out box the wrong type of tofu. I told her it was not what I ordered, she went to the kitchen, and asked to make me the type I order . I ordered 4 bowls of Bun Bo Hue Chay. I had to wait for another 10 min plus 15min I was on the road. The worst part: The noodle wasn't cooked! It was hard and dried, probably she just soaked the dried noodles in water when I called to order. The soup was cold. When I got home, I had to boil the noodle for another 10 min so it could be edible. The soup was the mix of winter Mellon, carrot, cabbage, few slides of mushroom, and the food (red) colour. Where were the lemongrass, and all of the spices that were supposed to be in the soup? When I ordered a take-out, it should be edible. Not to go home and cooked again. It was such a waste of the money! Waste of my time! Ridiculous that their business can survive so many years. People gave the good review(?). Something isn't right! No! I won't waste my time and money to go Mama Tofu again. I make sure my family, friends and relatives won't go...