The Friendly Greek Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Toronto

If you're in the area, have some time to kill, and can appreciate irony, you'll LOVE this place. If not, however, beware.

I'm gonna give this place the benefit of the doubt, and assume the "friendly" greek they speak of in the name, was off today...because that would be the only possible reason to justify the experience and treatment we received today.

The server was polite and sweet, but unable to answer my friend's question about a minor detail on the menu. We didn't take it too seriously at all; it was my friend's birthday, we're easygoing, we both love Greek food, and we know how stressful the service industry can be! We've all been first-time servers before. "No worries!"

The salads came first and were accompanied by a basket of complimentary bread (a toasted, freezer burnt hot dog bun with garlic butter). Again, it was included, so no complaints.

When our meals arrived, both of us were immediately unsatisfied. My rice tasted a little odd, the tzatziki was bland, and the chicken flavour and quality was...lacking. We put our plates to the side, and waited for our server to come back for her quality check. She appeared to be the only server so we were patient and waited a few minutes more for her to stop by. Finally, after watching her quickly walk by our table to the other (two or three) tables, we noticed she hadn't looked our way once.

When we waved her over, my friend said she was unhappy with her meal and asked for it to be taken away. Instead of apologizing, asking if we wanted something else, or even bringing the menu back, our server nervously smiled, left, and her boss/manager/the owner came to our table. When he asked what was wrong, and my friend repeated what she said to our server, he got defensive immediately and told us we were wrong. Whether we were "wrong" for not liking it or for wasting food or for disrespecting him, was unclear, but we apologized anyway. But still, he carried on yelling until he eventually left and sent the server back to our table with the bill. This is when she finally removed the plates (which were 99% untouched) and instead of taking them to the kitchen, set them aside on one of the vacant tables toward the middle-back area of the restaurant. I made note of this in particular because I know that food that the minute that food hits the patron's table, can't be re-used so that only left room for further speculation/concern. We later noticed the rice on the plates had disappeared...moving on...

Both staring at the bill now, we didn't know what to do. As servers, we know what it's like to have people walk out on a bill, and believe strongly in at least paying for good service...but we didn't even get that. Aside from never being checked on, we were insulted, yelled at in front of the (few) patrons in the establishment, and then "banned" from returning (as if that was really something to worry about). The owner/manager followed us out of the restaurant yelling, pointing and threatening to call the police on us for, well...not liking our food.

Maybe it was a one/two-off, maybe we both got bad batches of salad, bread, chicken, rice, and lamb, and a first-time server. Maybe we don't like Greek food as much as we thought we did. Maybe the owner was having a bad day. And maybe he does have "500 customers a day" like he claimed...maybe they're always new. Maybe you'll have a great experience! But if you don't, pay, leave, and never return...Or say something about that, but be prepared to be publicly ridiculed & insulted for it! If you're a picky eater, someone with dietary restrictions, or even someone that has had no real issues eating out before, there's something for everyone (to be unhappy about) here! Not too sure if they take reservations, or accommodate large parties, but the "usually always busy" spot was pretty empty at lunch time so I'm more than confident you won't run into problems there. It is conveniently located a short walk from Chester station, and ample street parking in the ...

My wife and I planned a belated birthday lunch for us to celebrate for Saturday, December 14, 2024. We checked the online menu for selection and prices. When we arrived we saw the same menu posted on the front door, with the same prices as online.

We decided to give it a try. We were seated and handed menus. I noticed that the prices were a dollar more. I brought this to the server’s attention and mentioned that the menu prices don’t match the prices online or the outside posted menu. She went and looked at the posted menu and went to the back of the restaurant. She came back and said she had been told that the lower prices were for takeout. I went back outside and did not see any indication that the posted menu was for takeout. Nevertheless, I didn’t make a further fuss and we ordered.

I ordered a grilled salmon filet meal with roasted potatoes as a side dish. Instead of roasted, I got boiled with some type of sauce on top of the potatoes. No browning, no yummy, crusty parts. Not very tasty. I couldn’t even finish the side dish and let my wife finish it. Her taste, not mine. The server came over to ask how everything was. I commented on the potatoes and she insisted that they were roasted. A customer from another table had the same side dish and agreed with me on her way out that the potatoes were boiled, not oven roasted.

My wife went to the restroom and I asked for the check. On the bill, there was a 10% “discount”, but there was also a charge for the HST @13%. It was supposed to be tax free. (The Federal government had set a two month tax holiday and restaurant meals were included). I questioned the discrepancy and was told by who I assume was the owner that it was what the 10% “discount” was. I informed him four times that the “no-tax discount” should have been 13%. He kept on disputing it. After a while, I guess he decided that he had had enough of me and and to shut me up, gave me back a portion of the tax refund out of the cash drawer. I told him the amount was incorrect. He corrected it and gave me the balance. I informed him that he need not worry that I won’t be coming back EVER. By the way, the sign out front on the establishment says ‘Friendly Greek’. Well, he wasn’t so friendly. I guess being caught telling lies does that to people.

In the meantime, my wife returned with a takeout menu that did indicate the current menu prices. To sum up, I resented being cheated and lied to by the management, and I meant what I said and will never return to this...

Want my honest review? If you don't mind paying a lot of money for small/peuny portions, then order food from this place. The Chinese people/restaurants give better portions and you don't feel ripped off like you do after you order from this restaurant. The Calimari appetizer is the biggest rip off ever from their menu. Not even close to generous portion. $14 plus tax for an almost empty take out container wirh holes everywhere, FLOATING IN A POOL OF OIL, amd dripping with oil. The amount that they give you, is very disappointing. But they don't care. Theyll take advantage of the fact that they can scam you, because you order from home. And they are stingy on Gyros pitas, very little meat, tomatoes/onions. Your better off ordering CHINESE FOOD. They will give you better portions for your dollar, amd you wont feel so disappointed/ripped off. Chicken souvlaki dinner? You pay 16.95 plus tax for bland tasting rice/potatoes (lacking flavor) that you can make at home, souvlaki DRY AND FLAVORLESS. Absolutely NOTHING SPECIAL and definitely NOT worth $17 plus tax, for boiled potatoes/rice, dry, flavorless souvlaki... There is my...