E L Ruddy Co Cafe

Get over yourself… Bad service, the server made us feel like she was doing us a favor. Bad coffee, served with no cream or sugar. After waiting 5 mins then asking for cream, it was served with a rusty spoon, literally (see photo). I didn’t notice at first until I had bits of metal in my mouth… Yummy :). After all that I had an over priced shot of O.J. Then waited over an hour for my food. That all said, the food is good.

this is a classic veggie/​vegan diner that’s been around a while. their food is great and the booze is affordable. friendly servers and quick service! what more can you ask for?

Avoid! Avoid! Avoid! Unless this place has undergone a complete revamp since the summer of 2015, stay away at all costs.

I love everything about this place. The venue is rustic and intimate; a little gem you could pass by everyday (and regret those days once you walk in!). The wonderful women who have cooked for and served us are engaging and so so sweet. And the vegan omelette — to die for. The portions are huge, fresh and a tastebud dance party. Soul food. I’ve only had their vegan breakfasts but my partner had the egg omelette and was hooked, too. A diamond in the rough. And their mango hot sauce made in house, even if you aren’t into spice, you’ll probably want to drown your meal in it, anyway. Delicious magic.

Stopped by this spot with the bf for brunch on a recent Sunday afternoon. Had been meaning to try it for a long while since it seemed to have vegan options and positive reviews, but I always prefer being able to scope out a menu before making a trip. This «blind date» was most definitely worthwhile though!
Very small/​intimate space consisting of a long bar area up front, a small seating area a few steps down in the back, and a slightly larger back courtyard patio. The bartender/​server was very friendly and came out shortly after we grabbed a table on the patio to give us menus and ask about drinks. Grabbed a $ 5 mimosa and bf got a pint of something tasty and local, which I think was equally well priced.
Pretty well everything on the menu could be made vegan, but non-​vegetarians don’t fret… there are options for you too! I got the vegan breakfast burrito and it was deeelicious! Tofu scramble, sauteed veggies, vegan sour cream and melted daiya cheese. I was also really amazed by the unique dressing on the accompanying green salad, and the house made hot sauce. Bf had the granola bowl with yoghurt, bananas and quinoa flakes. It was quite a large portion, filling and also tasted great. Our meal including drinks came to about $ 33 with tax. Very good price to quality & portion ratio. This spot is ideal for grabbing food, a few drinks or both with a small group of friends. Will definitely be back soon!

It’s sad that I have to write this review because I actually usually like this place.
I went for brunch on Sunday we came in a bit later than usual, there weren’t any other customers.
First off it took 35+ minutes for us to receive our food, with no apology from the server. When we finally got it, the orders were completely screwed up. Mine was suppose to be vegan and my friends not but they had switched them around.
The server and cook laughed at this, barley apologized and said it would be another 15 minutes before we would get our fixed orders. The server probably should have offered our meal to be on the house as most restaurants do but that would have been too gracious for her so we just walked out. No biggie for them I guess.

E L Ruddy Co Café is a tiny bar/​restaurant west of Dundas and Ossington with a Mexicanny vibe. It’s a cool, tiny place you’d totally miss if you didn’t know it was there. We came here early in our pub crawl and it was a nice quiet place around maybe 8:30 pm on a Friday evening.
The barmaid was attentive and very pleasant. Drinks were generously poured and about $ 6.50 for a beer/​spirit. The décor was very quaint and I do recommend sitting at the bar to soak in the atmosphere. It’s quirky and makes you feel like you’re having drinks at a friend’s kitchen. Love the wooden bar tabletop.
Pro-​tip: Perfect for groups of 2. Bad for groups of 4, unless you sit at the bar.

We went there for Veggielicious and I was impressed! For $ 22 we got a app (pickles or olives), a main (vegan pulled pork or beet burger) with a side (soup, salad or chili), a pint, and dessert (brownie or banoffee pie). The food was excellent and the service was great! We’ll be back.

It is located a far bit away from the Ossington energy so it was a fair bit of walking for us to find it. We had no idea what to expect but I found this place using my trusty go to… the Unilocal App! After walking for awhile we stopped to look at this place and realized that it was the E L Ruddy Co Café! I have to say the interior is very small… and not quite what I expected. Maybe because we were coming in at 9pm and it seemed darker then usual. Washroom is downstairs through the kitchen. I couldn’t help feel that I was violating their space by going into the kitchen but I gotta do what I gotta do. Their menu is very straight forward sandwiches, soups and chilis. My friend ordered beet burger and chili (side) and I ordered burrito and lentil/​spinach soup. The waitress never brought us any water so I got up and poured us some.
We got our food and it was very delicious, it took time to prepare because it didn’t come out in 4 mins. More around 10 mins I’d say. I really found that the portions and flavour really was worth the money and I’d definitely come back. It was exactly what we needed on the cold fall night.
ALSO CASH ONLY. Kind of sucks that they don’t take card.

This is our favourite place in the neighbourhood. We love the atmosphere and the service is wonderful. It feels like a place where you could hang out all day. I just wish they would serve a little bit of meat since I am not a vegetarian. If they did I’d probably be there every day.

We got there for late breakfast, me and my friend.
The girl at the bar told us to sit wherever as the place was pretty amply.
The place is small and cozy .and very very vintage which i loved :)
I noticed right away a sign «cash only» –suck for me i only have debit on me.
Grumpy lady at the bar telling me theres an ATM «Around the corner ». didn’t find it. my friend went. she came back with cash. fine. finally sitting. the coffee is cold and un tasty. she never asked. never refilled it.
We got what we ordered it was the vegan burrito and my friend got the vegan omelette .
It was OK not to die for.
don’t know if ill run there next time I’m hungry :\

I had wanted to go to E.L.Ruddy for a long time now, since having read Val G.‘s raving review. Being east-​enders, my sister and I weren’t too interested in wandering to the west end. However, we actually ended up coming here on a rainy Saturday afternoon while looking for Vietnamese wedding gowns on Dundas. We peeked in and thought, «Hmmm, E.L. Ruddy. That name sounds familiar … wait! We’ve always wanted to come here!»
E.L. Ruddy has a small, licensed little bar, and a long wooden table by an open window. Multiple signs screaming «cash only» are littered around the front door.
And brunch even at 2 pm?! Yes, please!
I’m just glad I didn’t order one plate for myself, because the portions are very generous! My sister and I shared the vegan omelette with balsamic cherry tomatoes. It came with fresh, young arugula, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and a light dressing. There were also panned roasted potatoes, more than the two of us could eat! The omelette itself was pretty solid, with Daiya cheese sprinkled on top (I would have preferred it melted on the inside).
Also a large tea menu — there’s a whole separate page for it, including three types of roibos! The teas were listed as $ 2.75, but for some reason, we were charged $ 3 each. Oh well, no biggie. They were delish.
Yum yum yum!

Their vegan grilled cheese is awesome and they serve PBR in mason jars. That’s all you need to know.

E L Ruddy is small. So small it reminds of someone house. Their kitchen is so small, smaller than most household kitchen and with one cook, the wait for food can be long and painful.
I would suggest order one of their drink specials, it will make the wait more bearable and they are so so delicious!
I tried Roobis Ginger Tea with Honey & Spiced Rum ($ 7) and Steamed Apple Cider with Ginger & Lemon ($ 5). Fresh chopped ginger tasted so good, and you can add a shot of bourbon for an extra $ 2.50.
When our drinks almost finished then the food arrived:
Omelettes — Vegan on a House Made Tofu-​Veggie Patty with Daiya ($ 12)+Sweet Potato ($ 2)
— The daiya cheese is surprising delicious and so was the tofu based omelette
Yelapa — Two Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Refried Beans, Fresh Salsa and House Made Corn Bread ($ 12)
— love the refried beans, it is quite spicy too! Unfortunately the fresh salsa lack any taste aside from the freshness of the tomato…
E L Ruddy is a good choice to dine with Vegan and Vegetarian friends. As for me, I definitely will be coming back for some cocktails. I think I will be start making my tea at home with spiced rum!

I probably would have rated EL Ruddy Co higher if I was in fact, vegan. I’m not, I love meat, but that is not quite the reason for just a three star rating.
This is a tiny place and only seats around 15 people or so. I ordered a plain omelette with a side salad. It was probably my fault for ordering something a bit boring, but the food was just that — quite bland and boring. My dining companions were a bit more adventurous and seemed to enjoy their food moreso than I did.
The hipster waitstaff here were very, very nice and friendly. Coffee was topped up often so I kept well caffeinated which is never a bad thing.
The bathrooms downstairs were quite grody and there was a giant dandy long legs staring at me as I peed, but it added to the charm and character of this café.

I really want to give it 5 stars, I really do, but morally, I just can’t. It goes against my self.
SO ANYWAYS
One morning, in my sober state yesterday, I was suffering from alcohol withdrawal and somehow the evil tricksters Roma + Val + Andrew + Sara convinced me to come to the corner of hipster and hippietown for some «breakfast»
Inside though, it was mad cute. Water bottles on the table w ere actually repurposed beer + san pellegrino bottles. Kinda hipster. Also the tables and chairs were mad hipster.
There was a library right next to us. So hipster.
ANYWAYS.
Let’s get to the noms.
I had the vegan omelette special of the day. When in rome right?
I was served a lentil-​chickpea flour patty that reminded me of something my mom would make. Think like a lentil dosa. It was different, and totally delicious. The toppings were mushrooms and something else I forgot. Woops. AND DAIYA CHEESE.
I think the Daiya has given me an epiphany. See… I love cheese. But it makes my tummy go NO. (Cuz I’m lactose intolerant, duh) BUT THAT SHIT WAS CRAY. SO DELICIOUS AND SO NON DAIRY!
Also served with some rabbit food (lettuces and pine nuts) and some delicious roasted potatez.
Sara KP had a mimosa and I hate her.
I might go back.
But don’t tell anyone.

E.L. has quickly become the favourite brunch spot for the beau and me. They serve brunch until 4pm and they make the most heavenly vegan omelette you’ll ever taste. Seriously, no one other restaurant place in Toronto comes close rivaling this.
While I love the sweet & savoury version on the menu that features roasted sweet potatoes, I often get the special and have never been let down. From beets to broccoli cream, I can’t help but feeling like I’m eating a really healthy breakfast that tastes and satisfies the same way an eggy, cheesy omelette would — but without the eggy stink! The omelette comes with roasted potatoes, which are always soooo good, housemade bread and a small salad.
The service is great! There’s a guy and a girl who work there regularly and he is always good at remembering to clarify that we want the vegan omelette since we’ve gotten into such a groove, we sometimes forget they can’t read our minds and that, heaven forbid, there could be any other version than my beloved tofomelette!
Speaking of other versions, I would be ever so tickled if one day they offered vegan waffles. I so love waffles and their strawberry compote here is amazing in the summer. I bet if they did make vegan waffles, they would be awesome. Plllllease try!
Some other wonderful things to note: Open for dinner and LICENSED. Yes, you can enjoy a glass of wine or a bottle of beer at a charming, little hippiester vegetarian café on a breezy summer evening. For some reason this is a real novelty in Toronto, vegetarian places that serve. The selection is short and sweet, just like the menu. The dinner items include gems like the burrito (vegan option with all the fixins, right down to sour cream), risotto, and pasta.
More loveliness: the coffee, the tea, the sucanat, the charming décor, walking through the kitchen to use the loo, the book shelves, the vintage bar which is part of the new set up, the music, the pantry items they sell *including* vegan Worcestershire sauce, and watching the sunset on Dundas in the early winter after a late, late meal.
Cash only. Not open Monday or Tuesday and no food service between 4−5pm.
5 star — I give my top marks to the charming El Ron Hubbarby, as it is known in my home.

Came here for the first time to experience some Veggielicious
love and El Ruddy definitely delivered. The word cozy does not even begin to explain the charm and casual warmth of this place. The interior was a rustic yet effortlessly kitsch mash-​up with clothes lined independant magazines and quaint little tchotchkas strewn about! I loved that the bar table we sat at was an old glass window shutter that played off nicely with cool circa 1950’s soda joint bar stools.
The food we ate here is honest-​to-​goodness, unpretentious, simple yet delicious and on top of all that, vegan! Can we say AWESOME! For starters we had the Cashew Yam Tomato soup with a corn muffin and it was the perfect bowl of pureed veggie warmth we needed. My main entrée was the Burritto, and the presentation was beautiful, with avocado slices neatly lined atop and an amazingly fresh Pico de Gallo along with vegan sour crème. Every bite was buritto bliss, with stringy Daiya cheesiness and even my salad was delightful with a nice crunch from the roasted pumpkin seeds. Hubby had the fennel Pea Risotto, and was so stuffed and impressed that a vegan meal could fill him with such heartiness, he almost had to un-​buckle his belt! We didn’t think we had room for more, but saying no to dessert is criminal, so to finish I had the Mexican Chocolate Mousse which was smooth with bits of cocoa and a nice sting of cinnamon, and hubby had the rice pudding. By the end you could stick us with a fork, ‘cuz boy were we fully done!
The service we had was amazing, friendly and down-​to-​earth and the Doobie Bros, R.E.M and Prince tunes we’re being played with CD’s & vinyl, gotta love analogue!
All this love and our bill (including a Liberty Ale) came to around $ 50 including tips. Please note El Ruddy’s accepts cash only.
Note to self: DEFINITELY must to return to El Ruddy’s for brunch.

I really liked my experiences at E. L Ruddy.
This place is small and Antique Store-​ish. They have cool store copies of all kinds of magazines, interesting books, Art done by Children for sale, and all kinds of Vintage things… A kind of European Café that sells pertinent items for the Vegan Cook, an cooks pertinent items for the Vegan. I love this place for so many reasons, I think the fact that they make amazing omelette’s from Vegan Batter, instead of scramble is #1.
I am picky about Vegan food, as I am a fairly decent cook. I was impressed to say the least. I like that they serve a salad with the usual breakfast items. They bake their own bread on-​site… AMAZING tasting, and also vegan. The Food Deserves a 5, but I couldn’t do that because of something atmospheric.
My Photos speak for themselves in regard to the amazing food they are serving at very reasonable prices. The Service is great, and the ladies who work there are pretty accommodating, and recommend items on the menu. The ladies never know the special, and often have to go to the kitchen if you ask, but I am happy they’re asking if they don’t know.
I have a Singular Complaint, and it is because it could easily be corrected. It is VERY hot in this restaurant and the air is still, be it a fan or AC this would make eating there an even more pleasant experience.
The owner is amazing, and I will re-​review them if they figure out a way to make the air a little less heavy. Dyson Fan Here we come!
I recommend this place for breakfast foods & good conversation. Occasionally the Lily Allen Music is WAY too loud, but that was only once…
PS: They have a communal table, HOW COOL… Many Photo’s Included.

E.L. Ruddy is absolutely charming — I dare you to walk in the door and not gasp at its adorableness!
This cosy café out on Dundas West feels a little out of the way, but it’s well worth the visit. From the mismatched vintage furniture and sugar pots to the shelves of books and nick-​knacks lining the bare brick walls, the décor and atmosphere feels like you’re just popping into a friend’s place for a bite to eat. [Bonus points for the old signmaker’s logo still showing on the wall — from which E. L Ruddy café took their name!]
There’s a small menu — all-​day breakfasts and a few salads & mains — but it keeps it simple for a small little café like this. Lots of vegan and gluten free options on offer, and a nice range of breakfasts. I opted for a vegan omelette, which was delicious & came with healthily sized sides of salad, home fries & GF toast. You even get a petite little bowl of fruit as an ‘appetiser’ with your breakfast. *Too* adorable!
I feel like E. L Ruddy’s pretty much smack bang in the middle of the vego diner/​café spectrum, equidistant from (the now defunct) Calico and Sadie’s diner. Friendly service, delicious home-​cooked options that won’t grease you out entirely, and a very homey feeling means that I can’t wait to get back and spend some quality time in this lovely café and try more of the menu (although those breakfasts will definitely be a lure in the future!).