Finding great food at a reasonable price doesn’t come easily when you are a university student on a budget. It can be challenging to treat yourself to something nice, preferably something that isn’t greasy or sloppily put together, without spending a fortune. There are two spots near campus that are great for students to indulge but not break the bank. Kyoto House and Tacos 101 are just right for any financially struggling student who wants a delicious meal. Kyoto House Japanese Restaurant
Kyoto House is neither a top sushi experience, nor the worst of the worst.
It is a small but cozy place to eat. Also, the restaurant provides a more authentic Japanese eating experience, as the waiters and chefs dress in authentic kimonos and traditional clothing.
Kyoto House is an extremely popular all-you-can-eat sushi place, so there is constantly a line, especially during peak hours. However, the long lines portray the reason why one needs to eat at this restaurant.
The menu is essentially a check list that you can fill out. It is comprised of all the items to choose from, and it asks you how many pieces of it would you like. By having this menu, it generates faster service and a lack of miscommunication with the waiters.
Traditional foods, such as sashimi, tempura, sushi rolls, cooked items like teriyaki, and soups are all present within the menu. However the quality of some of the food are questionable. For instance, the rice from the salmon sushi seemed to fall apart quite quickly. If you wanted to get the entire piece in your mouth, you would have to act fast if you don’t want the entire sushi piece to disintegrate into your soya sauce
Adequately priced for a couple pieces of sushi, and just a few minutes away from the Ryerson campus, it’s a place to be considered, but not an everyday type of restaurant.
TACOS 101
Tacos 101 is a completely different experience in comparison to Kyoto House. Not in food, obviously, but in terms of atmosphere all together. It has a steady stream of customers coming in, but it is not too crowded. It is a tighter space, probably half the size of an elementary school classroom. However, it compensates for its lack of space with the vibe it emits. The turquoise walls bring light into the restaurant, and hanging light bulbs with banners painted of each colour of the rainbow decorate the eating area. There’s about seven chairs to accommodate customers, but don’t worry if you don’t find a seat, they do take out. The interior is modern yet traditionally Mexican at the same time.
Tacos 101 sets the cost of their tacos at an incredibly good price. If you’re tight with money, the most expensive item on their menu is the fish taco at $4.50. When you do get your food, which doesn’t take long at all because of the excellent service, the tacos are quite small. If you’re a person with a large apetite, you might want to order two. They’re comfortable to hold, and they fit in your mouth, although it does have the potential to create quite a mess.
This piece was edited by Maha Syeda, food editor of CanCulture.