I moved to Toronto from Nova Scotia in February 1987. Every year around the end of February I head to College Falafel for an east coast donair (my go-to place for donairs) to celebrate my move-iversary. Time has gotten away from me so I headed there for lunch today for a belated celebration. Oljana and Bard, the owners, are always so friendly and it was nice to catch up. They make excellent donairs and alas I don't stop in as often as I'd like. My donair today was messy and delicious!! Thanks, Oljana and Bard! read more

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Favorite food day or night. Love supporting this small family business and incredible fresh and flavorful food. I love the chicken shawama or grilled chicken pita sandwich. I also got some falafel on the side with hummus. I love that they sell a variety of drinks and juices including serval kinds of Yerba matte. I love the chickpea salad and all the fresh veggies. They also gave a few sweets. The service is always top notch. The restaurant is casual with a few places to sit. It's mostly a take out place. College Falafel is a regular Toronto stop for us. We love coming here. read more

I've been visiting this fine establishment for only a couple of years, off and on now. I know that their mouth watering donairs are alot of fun to dive into, and they got that down home taste, of good ol' Halifax / Dartmouth, NS but with a twist where they cut up your meat before they saute it up real nice first after they ask you what favorite veg to put on your donair. I just got back from eating another one of College Falafel's donairs and it was, as I gathered from my craving that it would be what the doc ordered, lol. Seriously, after my belly is full , eating here was and always is a real glorious experience. This duo team is the best at what they do, hands down! Melody Joy read more

College Falafel - Scorpio - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

College Falafel is owned by kindest couple you will ever meet. They have been restaurant owners for 30 years. Twenty years at their previous location, another ten years at this location. College Falafel existed before me. I adore unassuming hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shops! Who can complain about healthy homemade food made from scratch with love? The display window was filled with bowls of bright fresh parsley and spinach. A tray of fresh out of the oven cheese pie was displayed prominently. The perfect stimulus to draw you into the store! I salivated like the dog from Pavlov's experiment as soon as I saw the food display! College Falafel serves falafels wraps ($7.00) made to order! The owner forms the falafels with a mold as soon as the order is placed. It was moist and crisp. The yogurt sauce, marinated beet salad, pickled turnip and hot sauce added layers of flavour to the simple wrap! My friend ordered the beef donairs dinner. He said it was "so good", then devoured the plate of food. I managed to steal some perfect spiced food off his plate! The rice, tabouli salad, potato, beet salad, pickled turnip and donaire complimented each other. It was an interplay of flavor. read more

College Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I can't believe that this place is now closed, the owners were sweet and truly great cooks that always served fresh and tasty amazing food. R.I.P to another greatest restaurant in Toronto. Now I am back to eating disgusting dry chain shawarma :( read more

Amazing food, amazing service. The owners here are truly a wonder & their food tastes home cooked, to be fair though their kitchen looks like a home kitchen that's why i feel so welcoming here read more

This has got to be the BEST chicken shawarma in Toronto, hands down. You get all the usual toppings and then some, including pickled beets which are my absolute favourite. Everything is fresh and home made!!! The chicken they use really makes this place stand out. The seasoning is almost like a tandoori flavour...so good. Unlike any other falafel/shawarma joint I've been to. If you can, call 5-10 minutes ahead so they have time to prepare your food carefully. I've been coming here for years and it's consistently delicious. Enjoy! read more

College Falafel - New dining area - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This is my go-to spot on many occassions. There have been several times I am running late for a gig and I am starving, so College Falafel is always on my way and I tend to grab a falafel, shawarma or some samosas -- something quick and portable. I really need to expand my selection though because this place is apparently known for their Halifax donair. In fact, the last time I was there these two girls came in and were raving to the owners about the donair and how great it was. (Update: I have since had the Halifax donair and it's delicious. In fact, it trumps the falafel or shawarma option hands down.) They are open until 3:00am on Friday and Saturday but they close at 10:00pm on other days, which is not late enough for an owl such as myself. They're not exactly cheap either... Shawarmas are 5 bucks and falfels are $4.40 -- what happened to the $2.99 falafel in Toronto? They recently expanded and are now twice the size with a makeshift "dining" area. Expect this place to be a zoo at 2:30am on Saturdays. read more

College Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Ordered some platters here for an event for 80 people. They don't do delivery, so you have to pick the food up from the store, but the prices are very reasonable and the owners were so nice and accommodating. We placed the order less than 48 hours in advance, but they were still able to do it last minute. The food was a hit! We got a bunch of beef and chicken shawarma platters that came with tabouli salad, pitas, eggplant, etc. The meat was delicious, juicy, and flavourful. The falafel platters were awesome too. The falafel were light and not too dry, not too oily. I really liked the spanikopita as well. Syrup-y sweet baklava made for a perfect finish. read more

Decent chicken shawarma, nothing special. Ingredients do seem to be fresh but I've had better elsewhere. Overall taste was a bit bland, very healthy tasting. I prefer stronger flavours so I won't be returning. read more

College Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I work very close to this place and I always get my lunch here. I feel I have to write a review because I have yet to find shawarma or falafel that tastes as good as theirs! I usually get the shawarma or the falafel and they are both amazing...the marinating makes them really good. What I also really like and which make them unique are the topings especially the really good pickled red cabbage and of course the Tahini sauce. The falafel is also cooked on the spot and it tastes so fresh as opposed to other places. Also, they are not cheap on the amount of meat or toppings they put. That really annoys me in some places...where I have seen them measure things. I actually crave their shawarma and falafel when I am off work (I'm a teacher). I always get soo disappointed when I go to other shawarma places because they are so bad and dirty. This place is definately clean and there are all homemade and nongreasy healthy meals... I also get their baklava a lot...really like it. I highly recommend!!! read more

College Falafel - They are not cheap on the amount of meat either!!! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Very hard working couple run this place. High quality fresh food! Lots to choose from.

Amazing! Best falafel in Toronto hands down. Not only was the staff polite but they wash their hands!! HUGE BONUS TIP FOR THAT!!!! The place is cute, a little small for a birthday party or a rave but for a good bite to eat when I'm drunk like this there is no better place in the city. If I'm wrong I'll eat my shorts. read more

Got the lamb shawarma. had zero flavour. was actually so disappointed i wasted $13 on it. i ate just about half of it and threw it out from disgust that i even made the choice to eat there. never again. read more

Both the meal as a whole AND all of its component parts were Unbelievably Delicious. Best falafel plate in the city? Or (dramatic pause) Best Falafel Plate Ever?! read more

A truly A-OK experience after a night on the town. I liken the We Serve Halifax Donairs sign that shines above the College Falafel sign to The Star of Bethlehem above Jesus' manger. At least to drunk east coasters. I grew up in Hali, so here is my take on their donair. They nailed the sauce and I'm fine with any kind of pita, so no complaints there, and you have to ask for the Halifax toppings (they'll try to give you more than just onions and tomatoes, foolish folks). The only real issue is the meat. It is too crumbly and not quite right. But hey, this will get you your fix. It's no Fuzz Box, though. They also serve a half shawarma/half donair called The Kent Special. Kent is my friend. He is disgusting. PEPPER'S PISSED At that jack ass who stole my cab from out in front of here not too long ago. Beware the drunks on this corner. So many drunks. I think I'm one of the few who will eat a donair sober. Extra sauce. read more

I was really looking forward to having a falafel from here because of the reviews. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. I ordered 3 falafels, a cheese pie and French fries for take out. I also asked for garlic sauce with the fries. I was informed they were out of the garlic sauce (disappointment #1). But not to worry because their fries were so great on their own they didn't need anything. The man fresh cut the fries and popped them into the fryer. My order was ready and I went home exited to eat. After getting home I emptied the take out container of fries onto a plate and was sad to see that not all the potato was fried/cooked (see pic). The fries were also terribly greasy. Disappointment #2. My friend took a bite out of the cheese pie and proceeded to spit it out almost immediately. Disappointment #3. The oil that the pie was made with and/or the cheese was rancid. Gross! Now onto the falafel. It was just ok a little dry. Not enough sauce. The hot sauce was not hot. Or maybe they forgot to add it?! Overall, this place did not live up to the reviews. I won't be going back. read more

College Falafel - Fries - not cooked and totally greasy - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

1.40am, Feb.14.2015: I jumped out a cab, ready to roll. jumped in a cab earlier, as it was about time I eat for once. -***i decided "Shwarma" for the 1400th time since being in this city. For those that are late-night types like me... you'll see that even though you live downtown there really isn't that much to check out. I'm glad that I made it here. College Falafel: This place hit the spot. The owner didn't mind my hyperactivity nor my nonchalant "eccentricity" either. Food: I ate the Donair. Had some extra meat, as I usually request. It was pretty good. I was happy. Nice sweet sauce, yogurt, and fresh vegetables. + I got a nice spinach pie (like spanikopita). -Very good food. Looks clean. Not too expensive (comparable). Better food than a high percentage of places I've been too. Better than -In a city where [Delivery joints], "Open-now" don't deliver and are not open, [this place DELIVERED!] in terms of good taste, good portions, and a nice staff. I will be back. You don't mess with Good Food. Especially when the Owner, looks like a younger, taller, more capable Robert De Niro -Verdict: 4.5 Stars. Nice Owner. Excellent food. Comparable cost. Will return when I am in the mood for some nice Donair or Shwarmera. read more

College Falafel - A Nice Donair Plate. Extra meat. Delish. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I love the falafel, but the roasted eggplant wrap is the real vegetarian gem. It's a wrap stuffed with soft, warm, slow-roasted carmelized eggplant, hummus, tabouleh, tzatziki, lettuce, red onion and tomatoes. In addition to the veggie sandwich and falafel wraps, they have a variety of veggie side dishes: tabouleh salad, chickpea salad, veggie samosas, grape leaves, stuffed eggplant, potatoes, and a lots of sweets: rice pudding, almond cookies, baklava. read more

Ok i want to give the place five stars because of how nice and cute the couple are. And to make matters worse, they proudly showed me how they were in the newspaper today. But the truth is, this is an Albanian couple making arabic food and It's missing the arabic taste. The food is not really that good. But on a positive note, certain things are. The spinach pie is good, and the stuffed pepper is really good. But all the other staple dishes like hummus, shawarama's, tabule, chick pea salad are extremely flavourless. But the food is made from scratch according to their claim and the couple is super nice. And the place is open late. And really, if you haven't eaten a lot of real arabic food, this place is perfectly fine. This place is really a 2.5 read more

Healthy home made food made with love. I used to eat there twice a week, but I moved away, so now I only get to eat there once a month. My favorite is the Chicken Schwarma dinner. I have to travel a lot for my job, and this is probably my favorite meal food in all of Canada, comparable to Yarmouth Lobster or Vancouver Sushi. It's freaking goood read more

College Falafel - Bon mangeries. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Our company hired College Falafel to cater for our annual members meeting. Everyone loved it! The platter was delicious and huge! We will definitely be using them again next year! read more

College Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I go in here from time to time when I'm hungry and it's the only falafel/ shawarma place around the area with any substance and history. Every time I go in I try my best to enjoy it. The owners are very nice. The problem with it, every time is that the food is very bland. Even with extra sauces on it. The falafel is very very bland and never cooked enough. The shawarma is plentiful but bland in flavour too. In a word or two: please try harder. Blandity bland bland. Come on, use some spice!! You live once. LIVE! read more

This place really does have the best falafel I've ever had. It wasn;t the usual dry, gritty falafel you get in so many places. Delicious garlic sauce, and the pita was sooo fresh and moist. I also got the amazing baklava. It was not a hit with everyone at our table....but I'd consider a trip here JUST to get more!!! Awesome! read more

i was craving Falafel...I stepped off the bus, and this place was here...and open! this very tiny shop cranks out some pretty awesome food, specifically I had the lamb wrap, I was very happy with this choice. the service was quick and the staff were very friendly. my only negatives about this spot would be the lack of toppings for the wraps, and the size of the restaurant is tiny...not much standing room while ordering. if you are in the neighborhood, check it out!!! read more

Went for a walk around the nieghbourhood last night and popped into the first take-out place I saw, looking for a late dinner. Given that it was 9pm on a Monday night, I assumed I'd be receiving premade, stale falafel slapdashed onto a pita. Not so! They formed and fried the patties in front of my eyes. As I waited for them to cook, I watched them chop vegetables and make a new batch of taboule (keepin things fresh at 9pm on a weekday? Love it!) and they chatted me up about their business (been there over 25 years, were awarded best shwarma in Toronto in 2009!) I had my sandwhich with all the veggies, hot sauce and garlic sauce. The red onion was just chopped so it over powered the falafel a little bit, and I made the silly decision to go light on sauce. For this, I can only blame myself... Super nice couple, good fresh food, go light on onions and get extra sauce. Will return for shawarma! read more

Came here to try my first donair ever and it blew me away. SO DELICIOUS! I loved how the sweet sauce blended so well with the meat and wasn't overwhelming like the very kind server warned me how some handle it. I definitely need to return again. read more

Really good food. Decent prices. Bought 2 chicken samosas and they were very filling. Thank you!

Food: The falafel sandwich was great - fresh, homemade falafels made-to-order, and a complete set of fixings to go on the sandwich; you name it, they had it - hummus, beets, pickled turnip, tahini, etc. Everything tasted fresh and flavourful. The prices seem a bit steep at first, but given the portion size and quality of food, it is fair value Service and atmosphere: The seating is pretty barebones and feels more like a fast food joint. The service is wonderfully friendly though! read more

Okay, firstly this the best Mediterranean restaurant you'll find for miles! I've tried out many shawarma joints on days I need to satisfy that craving for a nice wrap, no place does it like CF. Secondly the people serving there are extremely warm, very welcoming and very generous with their portions (I often get to enjoy my leftovers for lunch the next day too, although I would recommend eating the food fresh and hot, it just tastes so much better). Lastly, they seem to be open all hours of the day! I'm making my turns to try every single item on their menu, for now I am in love with their donair, chicken shawarma, falafels (they were nice enough to let me try all the different ones they had available) the rice pudding, the baklava, and their chicken samosas. Needless to say, I've become a shameless regular at this restaurant. All the good taste but still being healthy. read more

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I have been a frequent costumer of this little restaurant in the outskirts of Little Italy. I have nothing but positives to say about this restaurant, in fact I was surprised of the "4 star rating" it has. This restaurant deserves but 5 stars! All shawrama's are great with great toppings that will make your wrap incredible. The donairs are the best I've had in Toronto. The only donairs that compared to this restaurant were in Halifax while my honeymoon. Ever since than I've been looking of such a spot in Toronto, and I Finally did! I must add, the baklava is to die-for! Overall, a great place! read more

Fresh and healthy tasting. The woman making my falafel at 130am really seemed to care about making it properly. I was impressed. The lamb plate my friend ordered was a delicious revelation - a nice variation on the standard chicken and falafel plates. read more

College Falafel - Strawberry milk?!?! What??! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Just north of the beaten track of College St. at Ossington sits a small, Middle Eastern snack counter. I don't if I had heard the place was good or if I just assumed it was because it was a filthy looking venue that had firmly been existing there for a while. If anything could look this bad and not shut down, it had to be good. Turns out it was a poor assumption on my part. Starving, I went in there last night even though all my senses were telling me not to. I shushed the snob in me and even bypassed the fruit f lies swarming around my head -- as if I were Pig Pen from Peanuts -- when I walked through the door. I ordered an eggplant pita and the married couple who own the joint were very friendly. But the food was really not good. Bland, soggy, and dirty is how I would describe my meal and I felt I was being generous by taking 2 bites. read more

Fantastic kebob, made just how like it! I eat here regularly. It's fantastic in a pinch and always satisfies me. So many places to choose from in this neighbourhood, College Falafel serves up a tremendous kebab - no sauce for me, just the flavour of the meat! Wonderful... and the owners are fantastically friendly. read more

Really good Maritime style Donair that according to the staff, is famous around the country. Was nice and quick with some pickled sides that you wouldn't see on a Donair in Halifax. However, it had the good part of Yum and was definitely worth it. read more

I've ended up here a few times... Everytime after a few drinks admittedly. Whether indulging in a chicken shawarma or beef donair, this place has hit the spot quite well every time. The chicken samosas on the other hand, being a mix of potato and chicken with a curry blend, I would imagine are good fresh, but at the end of the night after sitting in a refrigerator for a few hours, are a pass. One thing worth mentioning that I find neat about this place, is the many hand written testimonials of how good their East Coast Donair is. Apparently, according to many, this place make the best ones outside of the actual East Coast. Food for thought, thats for sure. Unfortunately my drunken encounters and lack of east coast experience limits me from making that judgement. Either way, its still tasty food. read more

The food is fresh and homemade just how all the shawarma places should be... The only problem is that their prices keep on going up and portions are getting smaller. Its almost 20$ for a plate with barely any chicken or salad they just fill it up with rice. I mean not to sound cheap but thats almost the price of a main course at a high end restaurant. That's very unfortunate I hope they can adjust to the competition or I'll be going elsewhere read more

Located on my way home from everywhere, I started going to College Falafel years ago. It turns out that I share a nationality with the very friendly couple who own it, and thus we always have something to talk about. Their falafels are decent, though slightly on the bland side- however, what I really like is how incredibly fresh they are, as the balls are fried (ha-ha) on an order-by-order basis. I have had my share of those that are to get dry and stale, sitting out all day, so this is a welcome difference. I am a big fan of their chicken shawarma, which is really juicy and extra tasty both in its own seasoning and garlic sauce- making up for the lesser-so falafel, in my opinion. Their spinach pies are good enough, but I have been spoiled by spending so much time in Greektown lately. read more

I wanted something Middle Eastern and was getting off the bus at Ossington and College...Lo and behold. The reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is because for the price the portion is quite small compared to other ME restaurants. The selection is great though and they have a lot of desserts! The staff were nice, the food was pretty good and the washroom was clean, even though it was late! This is very rare for a single stall (one man one woman washrrom) kind of arrangement and I appreciate them making sure of it :P read more

Ordered their falafel wrap ($7.50 CAD + HST) - I was able to see them fry the falafels from start to finish as I presume they try to make things to order. They had the standard fare in terms of toppings for your wrap - though it seemed a little lacking compared to other similar places I've been. It didn't seem like the falafel had much of a chance to harden during the frying process since it felt like I was simply eating the paste that it was before it went right into the fryer. For the portion size, it did seem pricey compared to other places I've been. Not to mention that the plates or if you want something additional like fries - it's not cheap. read more