Average Joe’s Café

I like it. I will bring some friends. Very affordable and cozy place. If you go alone, the only bad thing is they don’t have free wifi. And washroom is outside of the place and far.

It’s a cute little place for weekdays brunch or coffee since it’s usually packed during weekends. Came here on a Wednesday morning and enjoyed the Baked Eggs from their menu.
The staffs were cute and friendly! Came over to ask if the food was okay and poured coffee for me every now and then.
The downside was the potato on the side. It was really dry and a little hard (as if it was raw)
Nevertheless, I would still come back and try other food on the menu! And would suggest coming during weekdays!

Awesome little coffee shop right in the heart of the Kensington market. We only got the hot chocolate which was very delicious. They make cool designs with the chocolate they put on the top which is pretty cool. The food looked amazing but we did not get a chance to have any this time. The owner and workers are all very nice as well. If you find yourself in the Kensington market make sure you do yourself a favor and stop at average joes.

Love this place! The staff are so friendly and genuinely care about each customer. The food is always fresh and delicious :)

This place lives up to the Unilocal hype, no doubt. We arrived at 10:30 AM on a Saturday morning, and the place was full (well, as full as it could get with 5 tables and a small lineup of people waiting for a grab-​and-​go drink). If you’re looking for a very casual breakfast joint that gives you warm fuzzy feelings of comfort, the kind you can rely on to start off your day just right, this is the café to visit. It’s quaint (read: don’t expect brunch at the Ritz), it’s unassuming, it’s very slightly run-​down — but the food and service makes up for all of it.
First, parking — there’s street parking, and it’s free (albeit, at an hour maximum). We parked one block north of Baldwin Street, on Nassau Street. There were plenty of spots available when we arrived.
Second, the food. So carefully prepared and presented, right down to the small details of deliberate designs made of cinnamon — Mr. Average Joe, if you don’t think we noticed how much effort you put into your dishes, we noticed, and we very much appreciated it. We ordered: a) the Baked Eggs ($ 8.50), b) the French Toast ($ 8.50), c) a Vanilla Latte, and d) a Hot Chocolate ($ 3.75). The Baked Eggs were so carefully cooked — delicious, soft, runny, and flavourful. The French Toast was… what can I say? It was soft, thick, soaked in the best way possible, with crunchy bacon on the side. The Hot Chocolate was delicious — it was soft, calming, unassuming — it isn’t the kind of hot chocolate that slaps you in the face with its sweetness. It’s the kind that puts an arm around you and calmly tells you your day is going to go just fine.
Lastly, the service. Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and attentiveness. It was noticed and appreciated.
As an aside — tables are in very close proximity to where they cook orders, so beware, if you’re wearing a nice suit or you know, a sweater you paid an arm and a leg for, be warned that you will, definitely, find the very strong lingering smell of breakfast and fried eggs on your clothing for the remainder of the day. After we left, we smelled bacon on ourselves (our clothes, our hair) for the rest of the afternoon (not that smelling like bacon is a bad thing, obviously).
For two people, we paid $ 30 with tax and tip included. We’ll be back!

Wow! Wow! Wow! The best French toast I have Ever had! We are talking thick cut toast, soft and doughy like centers, fresh bananas topped with the perfect amount of cinnamon and syrup!!! Let’s not forget the chicken bacon that is simply on another level. The café is small and seats about 15 people; but I assure you, it is worth the wait!!!

I came here after reading all the great reviews on Unilocal and I was not disappointed! The shop is small but very cozy. Run by two brothers, Average Joe’s serves food and coffee that is way above average! I had a breakfast sandwich with eggs and sausage and it was delicious! Nothing like that processed stuff you get at tim hortons or mcdonalds. They use fresh ingredients and make everything on spot. Some of their staff was away when I went and thus they were only serving sandwiches. Would come back to try the baked eggs!

The staff here are so friendly! Such a cute little spot in Kensington. Food was very good. If you’re looking for a basic, fresh, reliable breakfast, this is the place to be. You taste the ingredients in the meal, not just salt or seasoning.
I ordered the soy latte. At first I was worried it’d be too sweet for my liking (cause they use sweetened soy milk), but it turned out just right because the hint of sweetness balanced out the bitterness of the espresso.
For food, I got the baked eggs. Very well presented, and the ingredients tasted fresh. Nothing was overly salty, and I liked the bacon bits on the big home-​fry round.
All of this came out to about $ 15 incl tax and tip, which is great for brunch/​lunch. For me, the friendly staff and service are the main reason I would come back here.
Note that they only accept cash. Also, that their bathroom is in the parking garage, so you have to venture a bit to get there.

Really enjoyed my breakfast. Baked was something I’d never tried, but it was good. The hash brown were awesome. Great feel– the owner is friendly and attentive.

Great brunch spot. Had the French toast and baked eggs. French toast definitely quite special, thick and soft. Baked eggs were also quite different but extremely nice. It’s such a small place but a great spot for brunch.

There’s nothing average about this place! Great food, fast service and fantastic prices! Highly recommend this spot to someone looking for a casual joint for delicious coffee and great homecooking.

I came here after reading all the wonderful Unilocal reviews about the place, and let’s just say that it lived up to the hype.
For starters, it’s located in Kensington Market. It’s a small place and kinda blends in with the surrounding restaurants and shops so it’s difficult to see at first. But when we did find it, it wasn’t quite what we were expecting. Based on the timings of Average Joe’s and the way people described it, I was expecting something more like a Chez Cora, a brunch/​diner feel — but what we got was more of a café environment.
The place was very small, three to four small wooden tables stationed right opposite what was the cashier and the kitchen combined, which should tell you how tiny the place is. The décor is very nice though, it’s a very cosy feel and a great place to have breakfast, brunch or just grab a coffee.
There were several reviews about their lattes and other drinks, but we just decided to go with water. We did, however, order the french toast because people were raving about it. Personally, I’m not much of a french toast eater so I don’t have too much to compare it to. But from a neutral perspective, it tasted great. It wasn’t too sweet like french toast I’ve had in the past — it had cinnamon and maple flavour and was accompanied with banana slices and two pieces of chicken bacon. The presentation was superb and the taste matched it.
We also ordered the Hungry Joe. This was fried eggs, toast, a home fry potato and three slices of chicken bacon. I liked the fact that they had the option of switching out pork sausages for chicken bacon (many places don’t have that). Their slices of bread were very thick, something unique you don’t see in most places, and they also had their own take on the home fry. Rather than a bunch of fried potatoes, it was more of a potato-​pancake with a new taste.
Generally, I loved the fact that they had their own spin on the dishes. The staff were extremely friendly, the location was great, and the food (for 2) ended up being for under $ 20. Amazing stuff.

This is very easy to miss walking on Baldwin; there’s only a small sign in the window. A great, affordable (2 can eat here for 20 CDN) neighborhood place if you’re looking to eat breakfast in Kensington Heights and is a 5 minute walk from a TTC stop on Spadina.
This place is also tiny, seats about 10 total with no bathroom in a single room.
The owner was very friendly, also had a couple specialities that we didn’t try that some Asian flavor. I had the Hungry Joe which includes hash Browns were markedly different, a very large wedge with the perfect blend of seasonings (salt, pepper, and something else that I couldn’t figure out. They were not greasy either. I loved them
My partner had a breakfast sandwich tomatoes and cucumbers inside it, an unexpected touch that complimented the eggs on it.

Honestly, not one complaint. Quaint little place, pleasant HUMBLE staff and amazing food. We had the French toast and meatatarian omelette. Five stars all around. Great price. Love love love.

Unfortunately did not get there in time for the breakfast items but had a sandwich which was still pretty good. The service was ok, the food did take a while but I will give them a try next time see if it changes. Coffee is good.
Price is really good. Affordable.

Average Joe’s Café is so not average. It is so good. Had amazing cup of velvety latte and bacon and banana French toast there today. So satisfying. I wish I I lived closer.

Finding this tiny café (after searching Unilocal for good breakfast spots in Toronto) in the heart of Chinatown and Kensington Market was like finding the prize in the Cracker Jack Box; it looked insubstantial but turned out to be very satisfying and fun.
The place is so small it was run entirely by the chef and one other person, and our party of four took up one third of the indoor seating (and two of us had to sit on the power strip resting on the bench along the wall – a convenience for those wishing to use electronics?) but we were comfortable.
The menu was presented on two small strips of laminated paper and offered a handful of egg dishes and a range of coffee drinks and tea. There was also a cooler of bottled soft drinks.
Our omelettes were cooked perfectly, as were their fillings, flavored with just a hint of herbs in the mixture. Home fries were hand cut as ordered (we know because the chef and the grill are arm’s length from the seats) and the slices of toast were really chunks that were crunchy on the outside and still fluffy on the inside. The coffee and hot chocolate were also yummy and presented beautifully, as were the plates.
This teeny hole in the wall had the potential to be the proverbial «greasy spoon,» but nothing was greasy at all. Really some of the best breakfasts we have ever had.

Location: Kensington market. I’m not sure how to get there by transit but the market does have indoor parking if you need it.
The place: TEENY tiny! You probably wouldn’t even think about having breakfast here but stop — it’s totally worth it. The place looks more like a small coffee shop than a breakfast joint, with just a few tables inside, and 4 tables outside. Nothing fancy.
The goods: I had eggs with hash and rye bread, along with an iced coffee. Everything was delicious! The portions were quite large (for me, anyway) and served piping hot. The iced coffee was really nice and refreshing and can be sweetened if you ask.
Service: Super friendly guys — they greeted us when we got there, got us a table outside and checked in to make sure everything was good.
Price point: Cheap! I think the breakfast was $ 7 but you wouldn’t think it, considering the quality and portion sizes. GREAT find!

This nondescript seeming little place offers surprisingly delicious, healthy, creative and fresh fare for a very good price. The owner is a friendly and helpful guy and cooks the food himself, and breakfast standards come out with tasty twists— baked eggs! Inexplicably delicious Korean style noodles in the AM! Yes! More! Two breakfasts!
Highly recommend.

Let me start out by saying we walked a mile in the rain (out of wanting to save on subway tokens, but still) in order to eat here on a cold Wednesday morning, specifically because of the Unilocal reviews. I desperately needed this place to be worth it.
After being greeted as soon as we walked in, we grabbed a menu and sat down. Looking around, I wasn’t sure how the food was going to be, because the kitchen area was very small, and it seemed (from the small chalkboard menu) that they specialized in the coffee part of café offerings. The girl behind the counter, who was effectively working as hostess, waitress, and cashier, came out to ask us if we were ready with our drink order. We hadn’t actually looked at the menu yet, so I grabbed it and (inexplicably, because I had never liked the taste of coffee in my entire life) ordered a vanilla latte. My date ordered a London fog, which is essentially an earl grey tea latte. When she brought the drinks a few minutes later, I ordered the French toast (sans bacon) and my date followed suit.
Now, let me tell you. I tasted his London fog. I’m not much of a tea drinker, but if every tea tasted like that, I don’t think I’d drink anything else. The vanilla syrup gives it an amazing sweet flavor that negates the need for sugar.
That being said, my latte was even better. I sipped it cautiously, expecting to find it intolerable and bitter, proving to myself yet again that I had not yet acquired the taste for coffee. I was so wrong. It was delicious. I found myself taking one huge mouthful after another, then having to stop myself from drinking it all at once after I added some sugar.
As for the food. order the French toast. Oh my god, the French toast. We had ours on brown bread. It was cut so thick, only one slice was necessary to provide a filling breakfast. The serving came sprinkled with about half a banana, some powered sugar and decorative (and tasty) cinnamon around the plate (it also comes with bacon, which I opted out of but my boyfriend enjoyed). I order French toast almost every single time I go out to eat for breakfast, and I have been doing so since I was a kid. I need this to be understood: this was, without a doubt, THE BEST French toast I have EVER had, in my entire 22 years. To quote my boyfriend directly: «I’ve never actually had a meal where I could say ‘that was the best _​_​_​i’ve ever had.’ This is the first time I can say that with confidence.»
I wanted someplace worth it, and Average Joe’s is it. I tipped 20% for the wonderful food and friendly service. I caught the cook’s eye and he asked how everything was. We told him it was the most amazing French toast we’ve ever had. He shook his head modestly, and sort of shrugged, saying «Nah, it’s just Average.»

Friendly staff, really hot inside but patio was a good environment. Small find in Kensington but extremely cheap in price and good quality food. Would definitely come back here again!
Loved the hash browns that are topped with deep fried garlic!

This is a pleasant spot which offers a limited but tasty menu amidst a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. The staff are charming and do more than necessary to make you feel welcome. It’s the type of place that you walk in stressed and walk out happy.
Yes, it is true that the washrooms are in the parking area, but the shop is tiny so it would not work any other way — unless they were to cramp your experience.
I has the chicken salad and a baguette. Both were perfect — and I felt like I was stealing from them at such a low price!

Average Joe is far above average. A quaint local breakfast and coffee bar in Kensington Market, on the border of Chinatown, this place makes a killer breakfast.
I had The Hungry Joe, a fresh, hot off the grill plate of eggs over easy, thick cut toast, three sausages, and a fried potato pancake. The best slice of toast I’ve had in a long time.
Service is friendly at this mom and pop place. The inside is small and there are two patio tables outside. I think right now it’s more of a local secret but expect business will pick up as more Unilocalers come here. They make a variety of wicked cold drinks, cappuccinos, and others caffeine infused drinks.
Ended up being $ 20 including tax and tip for 2 breakfasts-​wow, what a deal! An excellent breakfast contender for those who’ve been to the Senator, Our Spot, Sunny Morning and the likes. If the Senator is the King of brunch, this place may be it’s new successor.
Pro tip: Be patient for your order because everything is made fresh. This place is definitely off the beaten path but a solid place for breakfast and coffee.
A five star breakfast venue for biggest bang for your buck. Come here before your weekend stroll in Kensington Market.
Pro tip 2: No washrooms inside and bring cash. Pro tip 3: Albert and Joe are the owners and they are super friendly.

Average Joe’s is a small, unassuming café in the heart of Kensington Market. We decided to give it a try, having already been to Our Spot (see other review) and wanting to try somewhere new.
From the moment we walked in, the owners (family-​run) were super friendly and took our orders quickly.
The food took a while to arrive but was hot and fresh. I had the Hungry Joe which came with three eggs and either sausage or bacon. I chose sausage.
The eggs were perfectly cooked and the sausages were excellent. I wasn’t too sure about the potato patty but it grew on me. I think mine was a little overcooked but it was still pretty good. My favourite part of the meal was the hand sliced toast, it was so good and the slices were pretty thick. Their jams are also excellent.
Breakfast for two came to $ 17.50 which is pretty good. I saw someone eating the baked eggs and it looked excellent, so that is on my list for next time. We will be back for sure!
Tip: cash only!

Been to this place multiple times and will probably come for even more multiple times! The server and cook is amazingly friendly and caring.
It’s a tiny, cozy café that’s great for brunch or lunch with a friend. The price is worth the food and it’s ALWAYS tasty.
I got the Hungry Joe’s which includes a house salad, a piece of toast that I substituted with a tomato, and turkey bacon. The house salad was probably my favourite part because it was plated so nicely, topped off with cornnuts.
The only downsides is that if you need to use the bathroom you have to go to the Go Parking lot which is a bit sketchy… it’s also a cash-​only place.
However, I would definitely come here again with a friend! :) You guys are awesome!