YAYA Leslieville

I’m surprised this place doesn’t have higher reviews. They have redone the décor since they took over from Leslieville diner days. Bright and clean. Lots of wait staff. I was getting takeout but they were hustling to take care of everyone. I called ahead and they said 15 minutes and when I arrived 15 minutes later my order was ready. We had the Avacado Benedict and the Monte Cristo with a side of sweet potato fries that came with garlic aioli. Everything was excellent. The Avacado Benedict had a nice little kick to it and it was perfectly flavourfull. The monte Cristo was huge and in fact the portions for everything we had were on the large side. If it didn’t taste so darn good I would have only eaten half and saved the rest for later.

Had a bad experience at this place, went there a couple weeks ago for a brunch with friends after work, service was VERY slow going the family seems like they don’t want to be there, very unmotivated people, the son kept coming up to our table and talking to us while we eat to tell us how good the restaurant is, very uncomfortable! I will not return

Slow. Bad food. It’s like this family owned restaurant wasn’t interested in owning a restaurant. The patriarch, clad in his oversized suit and tie, milled around chatting with customers, assumedly to charm them. But when there’s people waiting, maybe help out a little. And the son and daughter obviously had somewhere better to be and couldn’t be bothered to bring over (bad) coffee or cutlery. Crummy décor, terrible music, and underwhelming food, go somewhere else on the strip to eat brunch.

My husband and I went this morning. We made an 11:30 reservation but still had to wait 15 min. Pretty much until the next table opened up. That’s where the negatives finished! I ordered the stuffed French toast. WOW it was delicious! The filling was perfect with just the right amount of sweetness and lemon flavour. Thoroughly enjoyed it! My husband ordered the spicy Mexican eggs which is pretty much a spicy omelette on a bed of tortilla chips with sour cream, salsa and guac. He enjoyed it as well! Fresh squeezed OJ, organic coffee (with free refills), and delicious YAYA hash (potatoes) were the perfect additions. Service wasn’t bad. considering how busy it was. We were too busy enjoying the food anyways!

Went there on Saturday around 11am, was able to sit immediate since it was not packed yet at that time.
However, we waited 10mins to order coz they seemed short in staff, only a lady and a guy working around.
We ordered avocado Benny, Yaya breakfast and Kale salad.
It took a good 30min until we got our food.
But the food was delicious. The kale salad was beyond expectation (usually I don’t order salad for brunch, but I was glad I did today!)
The avocado Benny was great, with the potato and avocado «cuddled» together.
The only thing was it lack some flavour.
All in all, I gave 4 stars for the food, 3stars for the service, and 4stars for the friendly attitude:)

After seeing BLOGTOs review on their french toast, it became on my to go list!
Showing up on a Sunday morning around noon, I was able to snag the last table (although they do take reservations which is rare for a brunch place on the east end).
I was treated by a man in a suit and tie… He was probably one of the owners but I think the place is a mom and pop shop, all from the same fam. Their service could be described as overly attentive because we were asked the same questions by different people multiple times. Some people might find it annoying but on this chill Sunday, I thought it was really caring.
While I really wanted the French toast, I was also craving something savoury as well, so my friend and I shared an order of the avocado benedict. All dishes range between $ 10-​$ 15 and there is a side board with $ 5 dishes. They also have $ 5 glasses of wine and organic beer that really can’t be beat.
Our food was presented really nicely. As far as brunch gets. The egg yolks were bright and enormous, sitting on bed of spinach, potatoes, and avocado. Maybe I read wrong but I didn’t realize that potatoes were part of the dish, given that tortilla chips was included as an accompaniment. I did find that the potatoes were too much, and not enough avocado… I also found very little spinach, but I appreciate the inventiveness in the overall composition.
Our French toast dish had been sitting for some time and the waitress offered to reheat it for us because it had gooey ricotta cheese stuffed inside. We we so greatful that she checked on us because it made all the difference. The ricotta was a creamy with lemon flavour, but I didn’t find it to be overly heavy. It actually reminded me to Chinese style French toast, with the giant thick toast, but with a western twist. I would recommend everyone to try this once if they visit YAYA.
Despite staying almost 3 hours and having waves of people come in, and waiting for a seat, we were never rushed out.
No doubt that this is a lace to check out… minus the crazy east side line ups, with great food and service.
Keep it up

This is a solid 3.5 stars establishment.
I like how they converted the previously Leslieville Diner into a more modern and clean looking brunch spot in the neighbourhood.
The atmosphere feels jovial and upbeat while the menu is compact but offers enough variety to appeal to the brunch crowd. The windows let me lots of sunlight and they had a video fireplace roaring on a TV near the back.
I decided to go for the toasted monte cristo sandwich which arrived between two large slices of toasted challah bread I believe. I really enjoyed it but was more intrigued by the stuff french toast my friend ordered.
Service was really casual, friendly, and enjoyable!

I walk to work every day and I always pass YAYA, today my friends and I decided to go. We went for some brunch. Very nice traditional dishes as well as basic and easy to understand specials.
The food was good, however it was not worth the 45 minute wait, after waiting 15 minutes to get a menu. People who came in after us were getting served food first and they ordered after us, my friend ordered the breakfast grilled cheese, my other friend ordered the YAYA Breakfast and I got a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich with home fries. Probably the most easiest and effortless things to make!
Two stars because; we shouldn’t have waited 15 minutes for a menu and drinks, and certainly not worth the wait. The food was delicious and I did enjoy all aspects of the breakfast sandwich, I will remember to ask for cheese next time. Home fries were a hit!

Stopped in today for a quick bite. Service was friendly and the food was excellent. My dining companion had the eggs Benedict and found it to be delicious — «flavorful and cheesy goodness» was his description. I had the egg and bacon breakfast sandwich which was done perfectly. I especially enjoyed the maple flavored bacon. I will definitely come back.

Went in on a Saturday to try out the place as the previous restaurant, Leslieville Diner, used to be my weekly place to grab food for take out but sadly closed down. Once in the door I was quickly greeted by the waitress, sat down and asked for the menu for takeout.
I ordered the all american burger with home fries, brought it home and as I opened up the container I was disappointed to see the teeny weenie size of the burger, the taste was ‘meh’ nothing really special or tasty about it and as for the home fries, parts of it was cooked while others was undercooked. The reason for two stars instead of one was the incredible, friendly and attentive service I received while waiting for my food.
Was really hoping this place would be my new weekly restaurant but sadly I have to look elsewhere.

This is a great neighborhood restaurant! Friendly, small and cozy! Had the avocado Benedict and it was delish… Very different. Sunny side farm fresh eggs, on top of spinach, cubed potatoes and avocado with a hit of heat! My friend had the stuffed French toast… Also delicious… Lighter than you think… I will be coming back here again and again!

Prepared to return to this review and update upon my next visit but here are my initial thoughts on this new spot:
1. Service quality was great — people were very friendly and attentive. Food came quickly. Staff were polite and hospitable.
2. Food quality was low — my eggs benedict were not great, egg was overcooked and appeared to be poached in a poacher (had that very circular mcdonald’s-like shape) and the hollandaise was passable but not very good. Side sausage was not too good either — probably made from frozen.
I’m not saying every brunch spot in the neighbourhood needs to have a gourmet chef in the back, but there is a lot of room for improvement here. I will give it another shot next month in hopes that they’ve upped their game!

This new breakfast/​lunch/​brunch business in the former digs of Leslieville Diner, and it’s a world of diffidence.
Currently a relatively limited menu, however the two things sampled where both very good, that would be the Chicken Parm and the Avocado Benny, the highlights for both being the sauce. People that don’t think using local ingredients in their food makes a difference should try the food here, obviously not everything is local, don’t think I’ve seen a Avocado tree anywhere in southern Ontario…
Looking forward to next visit.