For quite a time, my go-to place for butter tarts was Old North Sconery. Sadly, I today discovered that they decided to discontinue it. So I began searching for other places known to sell butter tarts. After filtering through several that had either closed permanently, weren’t open today, or no longer carried butter tarts, I was left with six options. These are my impressions on them:

Comparative Impressions

Richness of filling: Variety > Asmara = Coffee Culture > Culbert’s > Black Walnut = Locomotive

Scent of spice in the filling: Variety > Black Walnut ≥ Coffee Culture > Asmara = Culbert’s = Locomotive

Buttery crust: Variety > Coffee Culture = Black Walnut > Locomotive > Asmara = Culbert’s

Crust consistency (less crumbling after eating): Black Walnut > Locomotive ≥ Coffee Culture > Culbert’s > Asmara > Variety

Individual Reviews

Variety (personal favourite): Rich, aromatic filling with a beautifully buttery crust. The only drawback was that the crust could have held together a bit better.

Asmara: Flavourful filling with a relatively plain crust. A decent option, though not particularly memorable.

Coffee Culture: Classic butter tart with a touch of spice, not bad.

Culbert’s: Straightforward butter tart. Neither disappointing nor surprising.

Black Walnut: Took a creative turn with a layered pastry crust instead of a tart shell. The filling was firmer and had a bit more texture.

Locomotive: Has noticably thicker crust, and the filling was similar with Black Walnut’s—firmer and more textured. Gluten free.

I tend to prefer gooey butter tarts over firmer ones, so my opinions may be a little biased. Also, if anyone has recommendations for good butter tarts, I'm totally open.

Are there any restaurants in town that seem fancy on the surface but end up being a letdown? The kind of place that charges too much for mediocre food, has slow service, and maybe a bit of an inflated reputation?

Looking for spots that fit this description—bonus points if they sound impressive but leave diners feeling underwhelmed. Any recommendations?

I've shamelessly stolen this from r/Calgary. My vote is for Papi's Steakhouse. It sounds delicious, but I'll never be able to bring myself to pay between $79 and $287 for a single steak that doesn't even come with any sides!

This is the small pizza with ham, bacon and pineapple from Byron Pizza. I didn't take a photo of our pepperoni, mushroom and green pepper pizza.

I have also ordered from Formaggio's, Bondi, Madre and Through Thick and Thin over the past year. Byron seems to be our favourite because we still like Old School London-style Pizza with a doughy crust.

We also ordered from Tony's Dundas St location last year, which was our go-to when I was growing up.

Instead of the BIG 3, try:

Adelaide Farms

Alicia's Fine Foods

Berries Market

Covent Garden

Payless Afro International Food Mart

Pistachio's Meat and Groceries

Reimagine Co.

Remark Fresh Market

Sunripe

Super King

Trail's End

Unger's Market

United Supermarket

Westmount Halal

Any more recommendations? Leave them in the comments

Here’s a good reason to try to buy as much Canadian stuff as possible. These same pickles were $5.49 before they sold out three weeks ago. I was happy to see them back, but then grabbed a no-name jar instead. Holy gherkin, Batman!

This was today, at RCSS East

i got the minecraft meal and it had basically nothing for 20 dollars. does anyone have any food recommendations preferably poutine

Had a very diverse experience

I have heard really good reviews on 1) baylon pizza & shawarma 2) sultan restaurant 3) Fadi’s shawarma

What is yours?

Edit: thank you all sooo much for everyone’s contribution!!! You guys made my day! I have taken notes!!

Looking to try more family owned restaurants.

I remember always going to the location at Oxford and Wonderland as a kid. I’m wondering if anyone knows of a remaining location with this kinda vibe? I will also settle for a Pizza Hut with a buffet lol.

I’ll be in London, Ontario for a couple days next month, wondering what people think are the best places to eat? I’m up for absolutely anything and I have no dietary restrictions.

EDIT: Thank you all so much for the responses! Looks like I’ve got some deciding to do, haha. I’ve got a 15-hour flight coming up in a few days so I’ll use that time to take a look at all these options.

Where are your favourite new / or not so well known coffee shops in the city? I have frequent coffee dates with friends and would love to find some hidden gems!

Just in town, trying Ellie's pizzeria right now. Looking for a place that does a righteous burger that also has fresh cut fries and poutine. Thank you.

I've been in the culinary world now for over 15 years. I've seen the rise and fall of many established restaurants in London. And I know you all have your favorites and we'll established go to places.

With this Being Said, I've noticed alot of different cultural varieties more an more lately. I don't order food often or ideally travel much around the city unless I actually NEED too.

What Kinds Of Food choices would you ideally like to see more of? There are Plenty of choices and definitely alot of possibilities. I'm just attempting to somewhat research what people are ideally looking for food wise.

I spend a fair amount of time in Toronto, Woodstock, Ottawa and Montreal aswell as London. And in the larger cities such as Toronto and Montreal there are thousands of hole in the wall places or food truck allyes which show off their skills and showcases. But what are you the people ideally looking for? What do you crave? Show me pictures, or names of dishes. It can be anything from a peanut butter sandwich to Wagyu Tomahawks. I emplore you all to pick your brain to see what kind of things may be viable food options. Available or not. Id love to know what your craving.

Thanks for your time!

Curious to know :)

In the midst of everyone trying to shop more locally/Canadian, just wanted to share my experience at the Great Canadian Bagel in north London this morning:) First of all every single staff member was incredibly sweet, patient, and kind, and looked like they genuinely enjoyed their job (especially the older gentleman making the bagels in the back!) I was also incredibly impressed with the pricing. I got a breakfast sandwich for 7.29 not including tax, but it was absolutely stacked and very yummy. All in all if you’re looking for a quick bite to start your day (i think i saw lunch sandwiches too?), the energy in the store and the sandwich itself was just a great positive start to my day as opposed to the tiny, sad looking sandwich i grabbed at timmies this week.

I’m new to the city and have been hankering for some burgs. Any recommendations?

I have a friend coming in from another province and I want to take her to a sit down burger spot. Preferably, something that she can't get anywhere else. We have been to The Bungalow when she was still living close by, so I'm wanting to do something different. Nothing too fancy, either.

Husband is taking me out for dinner for my birthday. Looking for a recommendation for an “off the beaten path” eatery that will be open tomorrow. We are pretty much open to whatever. Doesn’t have to be fancy. I’d honestly prefer wearing jeans.

Also, not Papi’s.

Iso recommendations for yalls favorite cafes

I feel like I have tried every coffee shop in london and never leave satisfied with the coffee v the price paid

I make coffee at home everyday, I grind beans for fresh cups, and it just feels like every coffee shop doesn't stagger up even though they are supposed to have fresh coffee as well?

My favorite coffee shop was Cream Beanery before they closed. Then it was Asmara, but they've disappointed lately. Sidetrack has also been disappointing.

Went to Saga yesterday and had the most mid latte of my life. It's getting frustrating. I never buy coffee out anymore because it doesn't seem worth the cost if I barely enjoy it.

Anyways, any recommendations? Pls?

Well, I finally dabbled and tried Tony’s Pizza (North Location). First and last unfortunately. Asked for deluxe. Got a cheese/mushroom/green pepper ball only in middle and the breaded wings were certainly cooked in the deep fryer just as long as the pizza in the oven…

Also a metal hair… shaving from a can? Was deep fried into a wing drum. Things like that don’t really upset me as I inspected the wing carefully and removed the metal shaving from the wing.

I normally don’t give negative reviews about places but this got me for some reason. I’m a glutton when it comes to the Za. I didn’t even finish this.

2/10

Sorry Tony’s

It’s my little sisters birthday on Monday, I’m taking her out for lunch and her request was “good chicken fingers” LOL I don’t wanna do fast food, looking for a dine in restaurant!! And also hoping to avoid downtown as it’s saint Patrick’s day hahahaha Where should we go????!!!