Village by the Grange

This place has really changed from the days of my youth (80s-​90s). I remember back then it was really an unusual place. There were restaurants (Ginsberg & Wong, Young Lok, and Ristorante LaGamba) and cool little shops (with one that sold a Humpty Dumpty doll exactly like the one in The Polka Dot Door), and while it was indoors, it felt like you were sort of outdoors — there was a pond with a little bridge that you would walk over, and I think even a waterfall or fountain.
I hadn’t been back there in close to 20 years. Now it is much less picturesque, but I still think it’s cool. It still has a few neat shops that sell knick-​knacks but it is mostly a food court now. Other than McDonald’s, all the other food places are non-​chains and there are a few real restaurants in there too.
They have all types of cuisines including Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai. They have shawarmas, and also an all-​day breakfast place. Prices are all very reasonable — cheaper than food courts in major shopping malls.
Village by the Grange is kind of tucked away and it doesn’t naturally draw people in. However, if you are in the area and are looking for something to eat, you should give it a try.

This place is deceptively sketchy from the outside, but its exterior belies a heart of gold. Truthfully, one of the downtown core’s best food courts; far better fare that you will find in the hyper-​commercialised restaurants that the PATH has to offer. Try Manpuku, a Japanese eatery tucked away in a corner, but one of the best finds in the mall. Mean Bao is excellent as well, as is Sakura.
Incredibly inexpensive — it’s near impossible to spend more than $ 10 here, and very possible to spend less than $ 5. If you’re a Metropass holder, and work in the financial district, the journey here is well worth it.
A quick jaunt away for those who work on University, and convenient for OCAD students too.

My favorite reason to visit Village by the Grange? Besides satisfying a Big Mac Attack, or a need for a peek throughout KaKa FaFa, I duck in here to get out of the gross winter elements en route to the subway station.

For an older mall like environment it’s okay. It’s near where I work on Sundays and convenient to pop by for a drink or snack.

The new Italian sandwich place in there is by far one of the best sandwiches places I have ever been to. The roast beef and veal panini has blown me away. My life will never be the same after eating the veal panini that I have just consumed.
His Serrano peppers blew my mind.

The only reason I come to Villlage by the Grange, is to eat at Manpuku and grab a bubble tea on my way out. It’s not a place I would come to deliberately, but it’s a quiet place to study on weekends since they don’t blast annoying music in the food court area.
It’s a quick walk from St. Patrick subway station, and if you’re a student, there are lots of budget food options here in the food court, and quite a bit of variety.
There are lots of empty shops, which is a bit depressing, but understandable given the recession and the location of this mall.

The Toronto Lover system:
5 stars = Must visit!
4 stars = Really good. I take my friends here.
3 stars = Somewhat worth it… if you have nowhere better to go.
2 stars = Below average. Attend only when necessary.
1 star = Do not visit!
I have a feeling that, deep down, the Village by the Grange wants to be the St. Lawrence Market. In the same way that every little Timbit hockey player wants to be Sidney Crosby, this collection of food outlets believes that if it closes its eyes, breathes deep, and puts in its best effort, it will someday wear the shoes of its hero.
It’s a food court. You can give it a name that makes it sound like a best-​selling novel (Oprah recommends: «Village by the Grange»,) you can place it next to the AGO, and you can fill it with trendy vegan wraps and frozen yogurt, but it’s still a food court.
Forgive me for dwelling on semantics, but the name has always bothered me. First, I believe the word «village» is supposed to conjure up feelings about Soho and Fine Art that will make the local OCAD students and AGO members feel even more artsy when they grab a pork sandwich here. Next, a grange is historically an area that surrounds a farmhouse, but it’s also synonymous with a village, so it’s sort of like «village by the village.» I get that The Grange refers to the nearby historic manor, but I’d be surprised if 1% of people surveyed in this food court even knew what The Grange was.
And don’t discount that the McDonald’s usually has the longest lineup. Just saying.
Ok, now that I’ve trashed it, let me also point out: there are a lot of options, and many are cheap, so groups will be satisfied here… if they can find seating.
2 stars

In the area? Like food? Are you with a large group of people who all want something different?
Come here. Seriously. With at least 20 different eateries to choose from you can’t go wrong.
I have a crush on sandwiches so I decided to check out «Keep Fit». Not only does this little place offer various healthy bread options but they have at least 20 different quality meat, cheese, veggie and spread selections. Once you’ve created your sandwich master piece they will even grill it panini style. Get the olive spread it is absolutely delicious!
Since this place is near the college the food court gets fairly packed and a bit hot during lunch time so I would recommend getting your food to go and eating at the park across the street.

One of my BFFs in high school lived around the corner from here, and this was a bit of our hangout joints. I probably haven’t been back here since the early 90s. But I was killing some time yesterday and decided to pop into this place for retro sake. Gone was the fake Chinese food restaurant (Ginsburg and Wong) that my cousin had worked in back in the 80s, and pretty much most of the mall that existed here.
However, I was amazed to see probably the best food court in Toronto. It’s much more like asian food stalls than mall food courts that we think of in the west. It had everything from a vegetarian specialist, very authentic looking Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Falafels and yes even a McDs. Aside from the McDs, I walked by every stall and inspected carefully and it all looked awesome.
Even more interesting was the «Manpuku» Japanese eatery. It looked like a super cheap but yummie noodle/​rice place. I didn’t get to try it buts its definitely on the radar now.
I have a feeling this is one of those hidden gems just waiting to blow up (in a good way). Can’t wait to head back.
The Grange brought back lots of memories and made for a lovely surprise to another wise uneventful day.

I’m not a fan of food courts. They typically smell, attract a wide assortment of unsavory teenager types, have bottom-​of-​the-​barrel food, and are lit so low I feel death has taken over my soul.
But the Village by the Grange is sooooo different and is actually a delight to visit.
1. More independent food counters. McDonald’s seems to be the only Big-​C chain in the court. Forgivable, since there are so many other places to choose from.
2. Location. Right by the AGO, Baldwin Street, and OCAD. Makes a nice post-​gallery stop if you’re in a group and can’t decide on a single restaurant.
3. Island Foods! Any food court with Island Foods makes me melt.
4. Artsy Fartsy OCAD kids. Eye candy on one end of the spectrum, oh-​my-​god-​what-​did-​that-​person-​do-​to-​his-​hair on the other.
5. BRIGHT! Wow, it feels so summery in here, even in the winter.
TIP: Don’t judge the place by its god-​awful clothing stores. Walk by swiftly, offer no eye contact, and head straight for the food.