Busy trying to get the kids organized for school and yourself all set for what is likely your busiest time of year, no matter what your industry. So now that you've had some time to collect yourself (and others), I though it might help to have a handy list of places where you can take the family for a quick bite. No muss, no fuss.
The Leaside/Bayview 'hood has been lucky to have long-standing McSorley's in its midst since 1991. And little has changed – there are pool tables to keep the kids occupied until the food arrives, and a bevvy of foods to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The menu is classic pub fare, served in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Located at the very back of the St. Lawrence Market south building (back right corner), BSC has been serving up fantastic seafood for years. Trust me, after just a few bites, you'll be transported to Cape Cod's coast.
This relative newcomer is not only nestled in a child-centric neighbourhood (Riverdale/Leslieville), it was designed with kids in mind. The whole back area of the restaurant is for the little ones - a blackboard wall allows their creative side to come out, and a play area lets imaginations run wild.
Half of this delightful, yet wonky menu offers Hungarian specialties such as cabbage rolls, schnitzels and goulash, while the other boasts Thai classics including Pad Thai, cashew nut veggies and fried rice. This might confuse your adult palate, but between the thick breaded cutlets and soft sweet and sour noodles, the kids will be in heaven.
My first trip was when my parents took me - I was five and in kindergarten. We took the newspaper-wrapped fish and chips to Davisville Park, just a few blocks away. Crisp golden batter gave way to moist cod, and fresh-cut fries (with skin on), heavily salted with a good dose of malt vinegar, is what I've held all fish and chips up to as a standard all these years.