Best In Fast Casual Dining - Toronto

Lately I'm all about 'fast casual' dining. Fast casual is not fast food. I'm not talking about whether I prefer a Big Mac or a Whopper here, but if pressed - I would choose the Big Mac. That special sauce after all. Fast casual dining does not offer traditional table service, but strives to provide high quality food in a fraction of the time a sit-down restaurant does. Generally in fast casual, you'll place your order, pay and then be given a number to place on table. When your food is ready...a sever will bring it to your table. At all of my three faves - wine/beer is also available, quickly! ;)

Mary Be Kitchen

21 B St. Clair Ave. West

Toronto

Looking for delicious, healthy food - fast? Then get yourself to the adorable Mary Be Kitchen, conveniently located at Yonge and St. Clair in mid-town Toronto. Start with a delicious protein (chicken, steak, salmon tofu) and then add hot or cold sides ranging from roasted sweet potatoes, masala roasted cauliflower (my fave) or California quinoa. Mary Be has lots of veggie and gluten-free options. Breakfast and Brunch (weekends) are equally yummy. I personally go for the avocado toast with poached egg or The Weekender Breakfast if I'm feeling like I need a little more. Enjoy a glass of local (Niagara) wine with your meal or perhaps a refreshing housemade Fresca, Lemonade or Iced Tea. Parking can be tricky in the area, I generally choose the Green P on Rosehill, just around the corner. Delivery is available with Door Dash and Foodora.

Via Cibo

808 Yorkmills Road.

Toronto

Locations also in Alberta and Kanata, Ontario. (You lucky peeps!)

Via Cibo...where have you been all my life? Actually Via Cibo was born out in Alberta, but boy am I happy they decided to pack up their pasta and give Ontario a try. This is fast Italian done right. There are no Italian mysteries at Via Cibo - simply all of your favourite pizza's, pastas, salads and Italian sandwiches done right. On Sunday night's Via Cibo offers Family Night - Cesar Salad, choice of two pastas, a pizza and Italian Donoughts for desert...all for $45.00. You and your family will leave with a happy tummies and smiles on your faces. My fave is the fusilli pasta with rose sauce and chicken. The chicken parm is also a family favourite. Give Via Cibo a go...you'll thank me!

Souk Tabule

494 Front St. East

Toronto

Don't let the nondescript exterior facade of Souk Tabule fool you. Inside you will find all of the amazing Middle Eastern food you've come to expect from their three other restaurants in Toronto, with one exception - it's fast casual. Souk Tabule is also a market offering middle eastern favourites like fig jam (best on a croissant with goat cheese - I know, not middle eastern - but still), coffee shop and bakery. I went for lunch and had the beet salad with falafel, my gf had the Souk Salad and we shared the outstanding hummus. Souk offers a curated selection of beer, wine, cider and cocktails, but we settled on the refreshing watermelon lemonade. Of course they have an amazing selection of teas and coffee. BTW, if you need to find me this summer, I'll be at Souk.