The Commons

First and foremost, it’s simply the least expensive place to get a warm meal in an inspiring atmosphere downtown.  It’s inexpensive for a few good reasons:  the food is vegetarian, it’s staffed mostly by young volunteers, and proceeds from the restaurant fund a local community organisation, The Working Centre.

You win friends with salad.

It’s very nice inside.  Tall ceilings, wooden furniture, a piano, a huge storefront window.  You’re surrounded by eclectic people, and definitely feel that you’re participating in something meaningful.  There are books about gardening, bicycles, and disabilities. Obviously, the coffee is fair trade, the tea is served in ceramic, and you put your own dishes away.

The Meal

There are too many dishes on the menu (rather, on display), but my personal favourite is the pizza.  They have a soup and salad combo for under $4 (!!) but the salads are touch-and-go depending on the day.  The pizza, on the other hand, is consistently delicious.  It’s baked when you order it, the dough is soft, the toppings are delicious, and there is usually too much for me to finish.   This time I got a mint tea to go along with it.  Total cost of the meal with a light tip is $6.

Pizza, Mint Tea, Great Deal!

If you’re feeling bored with local coffee shop culture (no dig at the awesome, brand new Coffee Culture just down the street! Heck yes!), give the Queen Street Commons a try. You’ll end up having business lunch there, seriously.