T&T coming to downtown!!!! (Toronto)
I was thrilled to hear on the news this morning that T&T supermarket is coming to downtown! It will occupy the space where Knob Hill Farms used to be on Cherry St.
Question before I get too excited.... do all T&T stores have those AMAZING sushi and dim sum counters? I currently go to the one at Warden and Steeles and spend way too much money there (hee!).
ETA: I guess I'm REALLY excited, since I neglected to scroll down far enough to see the other thread on this that was created today.
Olivia
Jan 12, 2007 12:02AM
Anyone know if this location on Cherry St. is open yet? There isn't anything on the website about it. Thanks.
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Drove past the other day and there was no sign of any action. I'm waiting impatiently too.
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Thanks, Mila. I drove up to the one at Warden and Steeles. My little grandson was fascinated with the huge crabs, lobster and fish. I wonder when the downtown store will open?
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I pass by on the bus to downtown about once a week and have not seen much progress. Lotus Seedling mentioned on another thread that it will be 2008.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/35943...
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T&T downtown is slated for a 2008 opening, I believe. It won't be ready anytime soon...
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It opened on Sunday.
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I know that the T&T at Promenade mall does not have a dim sum counter. It's the seafood counter that amazes me!!
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The sushi at T&T is, at most, mediocre, if not unacceptable. The ratio of rice vs fish should never be like that. Their dim sum isn't impressive either. But yes, their seafood counter is impressive but usually a bit more pricey than other smaller Asian supermarkets.
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We got a selection of takeout things: some dim sum, some chow mein, some bao. Mediocre describes most of the flavours, but it's convenient to get everything at one stop. Kind of like picking up dinner from Sobey's prepared food counter.
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I agree, in my opinion.....we used to be regulars at the Warden location but the last several times, our take-out was swimming in grease, literally. Last night, we bought two lunch boxes of mixed food and it was very greasy. We discussed not getting the counter items anymore, it's just way too much oil, no matter what dish we order. Everything seems to taste the same as well.
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Double agree. We liked the dim sum once and went back a few times after to find it soggy, greasy, and tired. It's certainly convenient but I really wouldn't choose it.
It's a great supermarket though for getting those Asian market items one typically has to hunt all over Chinatown for.
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the prepared food is not good and the sushi is pretty bad. t& t either went downhill or is different in Ontario from the Vancouver ones I grew up with. I find their fresh fruit cakes also not as good. I think their bread is pretty consistent. On the plus side, t&t has steamed pork and vegetable buns (like the ones no one can find anywhere else) and if you're lucky steamed seafood buns, all of which are fat clumps and gristle free!
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like most supermarkets, the prepared food is so so. There are highlights though, like the deep fried bean curd, excellent flavours in that one. The dim sum is very greasy, pass on that. Soya sauce/tea eggs are great.
There are also the hardcore chinaman items like ah jaap (intestines) which are quite good. The bakery is consistent, although I do find Lucullus to be a better option.
Even if the seafood counter is a little bit more expensive than other chinese markets, the difference is marginal. Plus it's still much cheaper when compared to white fish mongers. The turnover ratio is extremely high at T&T so you are reassured of freshness.
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Tripple agree. Dim sum isn't great. Too greasy and not very fresh.
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You're right about the sushi. In the combo trays, the rice appears to have been shaped in a mold rather than by hand. Which I guess is what one might expect under the circumstances. However, it's pretty handy to be able to pick everything up at the same time. And even if it's not good sushi, it's definitely better than the sushi you get in those little boxes at Loblaws.
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I agree that both the sushi and the dim sum are mediocre, and that the dishes at the take out food counter are mostly greasy. On the bright side, on a good day, the soy sauce chicken and the BBQ pork can be quite good. On a number times, it was better than the soy sauce chicken and BBQ combos for take out at Congee Queen, which are more expensive and supposedly better.
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While the Japanese food is lacking, I don't mind the dim sum.
It is not the best in the city, but it is fast, clean and if not excellent, it is good..
I have also purchased from their B.B.Q., and was very satisfied.
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Drove by today. Opening August 23rd.
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You can email subscribe to their weekly online flyer - I did. You can also email them to get confirmation on when they're opening. I see someone said Aug 23. I'd want to know exactly so that I can catch the opening specials. I emailed them. Should be interesting to see if they reply. Makes it kind of charming in a frustrating way, wondering whether they'll get back to me. http://www.tnt-supermarket.com/contac...
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I just checked out the website for their specials...cauliflower at $0.98??? In my area I can't get cauliflower for less than $2.99 unless I make the time to hit smaller food markets!!!! That's awesome! I can't wait to head there when it opens to check out their other deals.
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A word of warning for people who are planning to shop at the new T&T in downtown T.O.
The new store is right beside where the Cirque du Soleil tent is located on Cherry Street. I attended the Kooza show yesterday, and the traffic was quite heavy going in, and it was a nightmare at the end of the show, when all patrons were trying to leave at the same time.
So when you go to the new T&T, keep an eye on the Cirque du Soleil Kooza show times.
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It is getting close!!! The new parking lot is in, and painted, a massive Canadian flag has been unfurled, and the last details on the sign is being done.
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I jogged by today and it says that it is open at 11:00 am on the 23rd. After that it will be open from 9 am to 10 pm
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Really great to hear that it will be opening on August 23rd. That's only 2 days away. HOORAY!!! :)
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Went to the store opening today. It was a huge production....japanese drums, the police pipe band...unveiling of the 120ft flag, speeches etc etc...This is a big deal.
The store officially opens today.
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The grand opening is today. I was just there.
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OK, never been to one of these...I'm gonna ride down on the weekend to check it out, anything not to be missed (snacks!!) or should I just cruise around...?
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I just usually cruise around. Just the isle of hot sauces alone is enough to keep you busy for 30 min. Word of warning, when I it opened at the Promenade, it was insanely busy for months. It's so busy, that it might be a bit off-putting at first. But even when it was busy, they had a good system for moving people quickly through the checkouts. It is still busy, but on a more normal level and it becomes a more enjoyable shopping experience once the initial hysteria settles down.
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thanks for the tips p...
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I quite like the sticky rice with BBQ eel and dried scallops. It's wrapped in lotus leaves (usually yellowish with some spots - may differ with location) into a pyramid shape, and tied up with string. It should be warm or hot and ready to eat, can be frozen and steamed at a later date but can be a little mushy then. It's pretty heavy and filling.
Looks like this (but paler): http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152...
If you like Pretz and Pocky sticks, they usually have at least ten different types in stock. I like Tomato - it's like salt on a stick, with a little bit of sweetness.
If you like Chinese soups, they put together "ready to cook" packages, which are awesome. Meat/bones are chopped into smallish pieces, veggies, and a package of little extras (nuts and what have you). Just add water and simmer for a couple hours. (I usually pre-boil the meat and then transfer to the rest, just to get rid of some of the fat.) Assembling all of the ingredients for Chinese soups from scratch is usually a lot of work, while these packages are only about $6.
At the bakery, they have a "party tray" of mousse cakes (green tea, chocolate, mango, taro) for about $15 (?I forget..), that are okay and good in a pinch for guests. Buy six tarts (egg custard, white custard, green tea, portugese style) and no tax (or some similar deal).
Fruits are way way cheaper than the big chain grocery stores downtown. Cherries at $4.49/lb, but sometimes there are specials like $1.99/lb. Lots of the more "exotic" fruits like dragonfruit, durian, longan ("dragon eyes"), those super-sweet watermelons (dark dark green, small), grapes which cost $10 @ Dominion would be $4-5. The difference from Chinatown grocery stores would be the cleanliness, greater variety in a single location, and quality (i.e. not trying to hawk mouldy strawberries, as I have found in Chinatown enough times).
It's hard to remember the state of things before T&T came out east...
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My husband and I went by a few hours ago. It is busy but not like how the T & T in Markham can get. We found a parking spot right by the entrance and we didn't even have to wait in line at the checkout. Because it wasn't incredibly busy we were able to take our time and see what was available.
For those who love Japanese wagashi they have great sale prices right now on 4 different varieties.
In addition to Asian style groceries they also carry many of the name brand things that might be on your grocery list. We managed to do all of our shopping there today and picked up some onion pancake to snack on while we shopped.
I don't know how long the 'free gift' thing is on for but if you spend $28 and up you get free swag - this includes 10lbs bag of jasmine rice, chinese soup pot, chopsticks with a carrying case.
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If you can get to the Markham T&T on weekdays, it's also very maneuverable. It's just busy on weeknights and super busy on weekends.
They also carry very inexpensive orchids: I saw a fairly large one for $15, and it still had a few buds that hadn't opened yet.
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Thanks jinxed & p plum, I'm going tomorrow after work I can't wait!!
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hello all,
i'm new to chow and to toronto (and canada for that matter) as well (been here a few months)...
i'm wondering if there's a convenient way to get to T&T from the st. george university of toronto campus via the TTC? for a "downtown" store, on the map it seems very far away...
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I've never heard of transit going to that area, I'd suggest taking a bus to Front & Parliament and grab a taxi the rest of the way, it'd be like a $5 ride...
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Check this out: http://crazedmonkey.com/toronto-trans...
The new T&T is at Cherry and Polson, which is covered by the SEASONAL (?) 172A bus route. The 72A Pape bus would also do. You should call TTC info (416-393-INFO) to double-check where you can board and when the bus is in service! Their website is atrocious.
They need to consider a shuttle bus to Union station! If you take a cab, expect it to be about $15, unless traffic is at a standstill.
It might actually be easier to take the subway up to Finch and the 53A/B/E bus to the Warden/Steeles location, since there's a bus stop right outside. The Middlefield/Steeles one is about five major intersections further east. Traveling time one way: about 1 hour. (boo)
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#72 runs during weekdays day time, from Union Station to Pape. You get off at Cherry and Commissioners St. #172 runs on evenings and weekend and goes right down Cherry St to the beach (that's why it's seasonal), it may be a little closer.
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bus 172 from union station goes to cherry beach and passes right by T&T.
bus 72 goes south from pape station, get off at commissioners & cherry and
it's a short walk south.
http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/schedules/i...
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That's Pape 72A only. It runs from Pape station to Union Station via Commissioners St. The 72 goes only to Pape and Queen. I don't know whether the 72A runs on evenings or weekends--if it does, it isn't very often.
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What time do they open??
DT
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9-10 EVERYDAY
cirque de soleil is right across from it so that's probably adding to the congestion.
Last night they had staff to direct ppl to spots in the lot as it was quite busy, though I can't say it was any busier than the weekends at Warden&Steeles T&T. that place is always a zoo.
the takeout deli section is a bottleneck but the produce section was very well displayed, lit and had very few traffic jams. there was a lot of staff on had to replenish so that was good. If you're looking to get the chinese lantern coupons though, they don't have them (yet?). Customer service told me the other locations will give them to you if you purchase over $30.
and until the 26th if you buy $48 and over you get 10lbs or chopsticks and holder for free and if you buy over 88 you get 18lbs of rice or donabe pot for free.
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oh and i have to add they have bell peppers (red,orange or yellow) for 99 cents a lb and green ons for 48 cents a lb. AND they're not old and wrinkly! (like you'd imagine for that price). and the reg watermelons are tasteless though really red inside.
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My favourite deal was a 6 pack of medium sized omega 3 eggs for 88 cents. Went yesterday at 11am and it was too crazy for me to spend much time there. Sounds like I should have waited and went a little later in the day.
I will be back to explore further soon.
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darn! i missed the eggs.... i should have known something was up when i saw the guy restocking...
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Went on Friday night and it wasn't too crazy except trying to dodge those going to Cirque Soleil. I have to say, I love this place and I know I'm a little late to the party and you all knew, but I'm a downtown girl.
Fish counter was amazing and fresh so much cheaper than SLM, great selection of vegetables and the quality was outstanding. I tried some dim sum and as previous posters said, it was a little greasy. And a nice fresh green coconut for $1 to sip on while shopping.
I hope this is just not new opening phenomenon and it continues to be this good.
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I was there Friday morning and got some seafood and a few other sundry items. Among them was an incredible Sambal. Very hot and nicely flavoured. I picked up one months ago in a Dominion or something and while it's very tasty, it's got almost no kick to it.
DT
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I have been looking for a good Sambal but with no luck. What brand is yours? Pls share. Thanks.
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Keeping in mind that I'm not a sambal expert be but I do know what I like. And this I like
Huy Fong Foods Inc.
Sambal Oelek
It's in a jar with a green screw on lid and a gold label with a rooster on it. No, it's not the rooster brand stuff that is prevalent in Dominion and places like that.
DT
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i buy the same one! it's a bright, clean tasting chili heat
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Ya, about all you can taste is chilis.
Of course, the steam will be blowing your ears out but that's what we're looking for isn't it??
DT
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i find it's a good sub for plain fresh chilis because it's not ketchupy or beany (which is also good but for other uses)
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Thanks a lot. Will try it next time.
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I didn't notice...do they clean the fish they sell whole?
Also I got one of the clay pots that they were giving out....how do you use those?
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the whole fish can be cleaned and chopped for you if you ask.
the donabe, clay pot, is best to prep it by boiling some starchy water (add cornstarch or use water you rinsed rice in) to seak all the little cracks, then letting it cool and rinsing out. don't use over very high heat or fry in it. it's great for braising and soups since they retain heat well. also be careful doing hot to cold and vice versa, like fridge to stove, or stove to sink, to avoid cracking. i try not to use soap if possible and occasionally boil starchy water to seal the interior.
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