Did Furama in Fairview Mall move anywhere?

[Muncher]

Used to be my favourite for honey garlic ribs plus spicy tofu. Where did they go? and anywhere close by for similar food?

[EM_K19]

I believe they closed down even before they started renovating the mall, and they're not showing any signs of coming back in the new food court so I doubt they'll reappear in Fairview, and I don't think they moved anywhere either.

Only thing that was alright about the place IMO was the amount of food you got for the price, which was a good deal when you were hungry and you were strapped for cash. Otherwise food wasn't great IMO, not any better than any other Canadian-Chinese fast food. As a matter of fact, I specifically remember one time it made me sick to my stomach... didn't go back after that.

[coreanbbq]

I'd also like to know this, I wanna eat Furama again! I used to eat at that place every single day I worked at that mall. Their spicy chicken was awesome...

[ferkel]

it was dirty.. dirty dirty

[TJ O'Pootertoot]

It was dirty but yummy. Best $4.50 lunch you'll get anywhere.

It might have closed before construction started but it definitely closed BECAUSE of the renos.

My impression is that the mall is going "upscale" - aiming for the Yorkdale market - and I think they jacked up leases enough that it was not worth it for places like Furama to come back. It's not coming back and I find it unlikely a food court place like that would relocate elsewhere.

I haven't tried it yet but a new Spring Rolls seems set to fill that niche. It looks good (and cleaner than Furama, I guess) but a couple of bucks more expensive.

I do miss my Furama...

[warlockdilemma]

I haven't tried it yet but a new Spring Rolls seems set to fill that niche. It looks good (and cleaner than Furama, I guess) but a couple of bucks more expensive.




I think Manchu Wok fills the niche more than Spring Rolls.....

[EM_K19]

It was dirty but yummy. Best $4.50 lunch you'll get anywhere.

It might have closed before construction started but it definitely closed BECAUSE of the renos.

My impression is that the mall is going "upscale" - aiming for the Yorkdale market - and I think they jacked up leases enough that it was not worth it for places like Furama to come back. It's not coming back and I find it unlikely a food court place like that would relocate elsewhere.

I haven't tried it yet but a new Spring Rolls seems set to fill that niche. It looks good (and cleaner than Furama, I guess) but a couple of bucks more expensive.


Yeah, I do think that the mall is trying for a more upscale style, and it's a welcome change in my books. I think it needed a change to make itself distinct as it looked too generic before and it IS one of the older and bigger malls up in North York... It doesn't have to be like Bayview Village or anything but something like Yorkdale would be good. There is still a lot to go but it looks promising.

The new food court looks very nice, and the food court there looks busier than ever it seems (and they haven't even opened the two major coffee shops there yet!). Spring Roll to Go seemed like a nice addition, until I saw how much food they were giving me for the price I paid (must have been like double the price of Furamas!!). Food wasn't anything special either.

Oh, and doesn't anyone find it funny that there are pretty much 4 different Canadian-Chinese cuisines in that food court? Manchu Wok, Spring Rolls, Caribbean Queen, and Bourbon Grill (the latter two which I think is owned by the same people) more or less serve similar food with slight differences even though they all have a different theme... you'd be getting the same old battered meat/meat/steamed veggies/rice/noodles in any of those 4 places you go. Heh.

[warlockdilemma]

It doesn't have to be like Bayview Village or anything but something like Yorkdale would be good.

I dont like Bayview,too high end designer for my liking...give me my H&M,Hilfiger,AE,GAP and Guess anyday....

(and they haven't even opened the two major coffee shops there yet!).

Absolutely,especailly once Tim Horton's opens up....


Oh, and doesn't anyone find it funny that there are pretty much 4 different Canadian-Chinese cuisines in that food court? Manchu Wok, Spring Rolls, Caribbean Queen, and Bourbon Grill (the latter two which I think is owned by the same people) more or less serve similar food with slight differences even though they all have a different theme... you'd be getting the same old battered meat/meat/steamed veggies/rice/noodles in any of those 4 places you go. Heh.

I agree with you here,too many of the same kind of food....it could have done with another burger place like a Harveys/Licks or A&W......

[TJ O'Pootertoot]

Oh, and doesn't anyone find it funny that there are pretty much 4 different Canadian-Chinese cuisines in that food court? Manchu Wok, Spring Rolls, Caribbean Queen, and Bourbon Grill (the latter two which I think is owned by the same people) more or less serve similar food with slight differences even though they all have a different theme... you'd be getting the same old battered meat/meat/steamed veggies/rice/noodles in any of those 4 places you go. Heh.

Those 4 aren't all Chinese but they'e the same PICK ONE FROM COLUMN A, B AND C style, so point taken. Furama gave you a lot of bang for your buck and I'd take it over Manchu Wok any day - I mean, free hot and sour soup!!

On a barely-realted note, I don't know if there any other of them around but the Koryo Korean outlet at Promenade Mall makes some of the best food of that kinda place I've had. It's much yummier and fresher than, say, Manchu Wok.

And Bayview Village, for all its high-falutin quality, has the lamest food. I mean some of the restos are okay but in terms of fast food there's basically Bakery Garden and A&W. Yikes.

[GBA]

...I agree with you here,too many of the same kind of food....it could have done with another burger place like a Harveys/Licks or A&W......

McD's probably has a exclusivity agreement for Fairview..."if we open up here, you will not lease any other foot courd space to any restaurant that sells products similiar to ours, such as burgers". I imagine it'd be something like that.

[wowohwow]

Well boyz, i found it.......the restaurant is called Spicy Chicken House....this is located about 5 mins away from Fairview Mall.

Its on York Mills (or Ellesmere), between the DVP and Victoria Park Avenue. There is a plaza there with a Food Basics and Esso Gas Station. The chef is the same, but the selection is a little smaller (but the Spicy Chicken is there) and the price is $4.25 for three choice item.

Happy eating!

[Muncher]

Cool! how do you know it's the same people? i liked the honey spareribs,
spicy tofu and ?lemon chicken.

Thanks ... will be driving by soon!

[bonita!]

Well boyz, i found it.......the restaurant is called Spicy Chicken House....this is located about 5 mins away from Fairview Mall.

Its on York Mills (or Ellesmere), between the DVP and Victoria Park Avenue. There is a plaza there with a Food Basics and Esso Gas Station. The chef is the same, but the selection is a little smaller (but the Spicy Chicken is there) and the price is $4.25 for three choice item.

Happy eating!

Is this where Chuck E Cheese and Winners plaza? If so it's in the mall?

[Hard_Taco]

I

My impression is that the mall is going "upscale" - aiming for the Yorkdale market - and I think they jacked up leases enough that it was not worth it for places like Furama to come back. It's not coming back and I find it unlikely a food court place like that would relocate elsewhere.


More like modernizing to me, you still got Payless Shoe Source and McDonald's.

[wolverine07]

Furama was good for chinese food court standards, never liked Manchu Wok, a little on the expensive side. A really good deal if you are close to a T&T is their 2-3-4 item meals with rice. You have many choices including spicy chicken and you also get a side soup. The 4 item meal which is huge is only $5.99

[JAGpilot]

it was dirty.. dirty dirty

what good Chinese restaurant isn't dirty? :lol:

[victory01]

i used to eat there everyday when i was going to seneca. everytime i been back to fairview i've missed it. thanks for finding this place again! really good bang for your buck.

[wolverine07]

Great - I used to eat there once a week - my asian friend said the Free Hot and Sour soup was all the scraps of the left over materials in the kitchen mixed in water. So I started avoiding it.

Sounds like the Plaza at Parkwood Village and York Mills - Postal Code M3A 1Z5

The servers were somewhat racist IMO - they always gave me 2 pieces of General Tao less than an my Asian Friend and I was forced to get Double General Tao and Spicy Chicken or Sweet Pork, so I started taking tons of Duck sauce to piss them off.

Good point regarding soup, I used to work in an Italian restaurant when I was a kid and left overs were used for the soup. Ie. Old Spaghetti = Minestrone
Most successful restaurants never waste a thing, Katz's deli I know uses their older meats to fill the Cabbage rolls and Knishes. Sometimes it's better to just go for the fresher, pricier stuff and avoid these items.

[wolverine07]

Thnx for the tip, always looking for good culinary books when we visit Chapters!

[billdozer]

The servers were somewhat racist IMO - they always gave me 2 pieces of General Tao less than an my Asian Friend and I was forced to get Double General Tao and Spicy Chicken or Sweet Pork, so I started taking tons of Duck sauce to piss them off.

wow jcoltage, you are such a rebel!

instead of telling them about it (you know, with words - "why did he get more, etc.") you think they actually care that you take extra packets of sauce? meanwhile you're PAYING them more for more meat...who do you think wins here? :lol:

[KorruptioN]

The servers were somewhat racist IMO - they always gave me 2 pieces of General Tao less than an my Asian Friend and I was forced to get Double General Tao and Spicy Chicken or Sweet Pork, so I started taking tons of Duck sauce to piss them off.

They saw the e-tough-guy stance from meters away and were forced to give into your demands.

Some people mentioned Fairview going high-class. How do you think the location in First Canadian Place manages to stay open? Rent/leasing in there must be sky high. I like going there because the foods are reasonably good quality for a good price. Sure beats spending $10 everyday for lunch. For what it's worth, the plastic bags that they hand out do not list a Fairview location. Just the Spadina Chinatown location and First Canadian Place.

[wowohwow]

Here is the official address to the Spicy Chicken House, there is a Food Basic Grocery store, pizza hut and an Esso gas station. Enjoy!

I spoke with the workers there and the chef was from Furama, heck even the menu (picture of various dishes) on the walls are the same.

I believe the 3 item box meal is $4.25.

1277 York Mills Road
North York, ON M3A 1Z5