Foccacia’s take out on Hayden Street is now gone. In fact, Focaccia moved it into their sit-down restaurant practically overnight, without much as a sign saying that they were closing. Very quickly, the spot became M and E, a schawarma shop that mostly serves as a take-out restaurant (there is one small table plus counter seating). The menu at M and E is pretty standard – wraps, plates with rice and salad - middle eastern fast food, no different from the half dozen or so similar restaurants just steps away.
Vegetarian plate with rice, okra and side salad
For lunch, I had a vegetarian plate to go. This is a lighter version of what’s normally available as I prefer very small portions – something that many take-out places don’t honour. My plate consisted of a bit of rice with a small portion of okra and a small side salad. The food wasn’t too bad, but it certainly didn’t stand out compared to its neighbourhood competition. Add that to the fact that the menu is not exactly accurate. For one thing I had originally intended to order a vegetarian wrap, but the guy behind the counter said that it was only available at dinner. There was no indication on the menu board indicating that certain items were only available at certain hours. In addition, there was pita and vegetables available, so the server could have easily made me a sandwich using whatever was available. And wraps are available for lunch at all of M and E’s competition. Strange? Bad customer service? Bad marketing? Or just disorganization? After all, they had only opened for a week.
Despite the disorganization, I am willing to give this place another chance. One thing I have to say, is this. If they intend not to serve certain items at certain times of the day, it’s important to note that. Otherwise, they will just get upset customers. M and E is located on 13 Hayden Street, just east of Yonge and south of Bloor.




















I had lunch from here for the first time today, and was very unimpressed.
Firstly, when I asked if they had soup, they said yes but it was only available with a combo. I asked if I could buy it separately and if so at what price, and the two employees (or owners, I dunno) had a two-minute discussion in another language before giving me a price. That's okay, I said, I was just curious, I'll have the medium chicken shawarma plate for 5.99$.
When they asked me if I wanted everything, I said yes. So they gave me a bit of everything, then AFTER THE FACT, rang up my order at 1.50$ more than the advertised 5.99$. If getting "everything" is going to cost extra they should have told me so.
They did throw in the soup for free, but it was way too salty. The shawarma itself (including the rice, sides, hummus and hot sauce) were merely mediocre. I will not be eating there again.
Yeah, and if they continue to have service like that, they're just going to be driven out as quickly as they came in. After all, there are at least three or four other shawarma places close by and ALL OF THEM much better than this place.