Joey Don Mills has been a favourite restaurant since they arrived. While this regional West-coast chain has grown over the years and now has 5 Toronto locations, clusters of restaurants in Canada and has expanded to the United States (L.A. and Seattle), it’s a good concept.
There’s a cool vibe here, whether your sit at the bar, on comfortable chairs at a table, sink into the booths inside or go up to the shaded roof for some outdoor al fresco dining.
Don’t forget to check out the “moving” neon art next to the washrooms on your way to the rooftop.
Service at Joey Don Mills
Joey hires beautiful servers. The men in my party seem to appreciate the servers for their skill and aesthetic qualities.
While we did see service slip in the past, they seem to have gotten the message and I’ve seen this improve greatly on my last 2 visits.
Joey Don Mills does have a problem with large groups. They are not set up properly to manage them, from drink delivery to food staging. We’ve seen this consistently, no matter how early we reserve for a group. We had a downright horrible experience with drinks and appetizers after work one night.
Kudos to Joey Don Mills for training their servers to ask lots of allergy-related questions when taking orders, even for salads. I feel confident that they will deliver the right dish to allergy-sufferers, and consult if you have specific needs.
Drinks
While Joey Don Mills offers a variety of cocktails, we were often here at lunch during the work week. I love the “fresh pressed sodas.” I’ve tried the passionfruit orange, a grapefruit elderflower, and a guava lemonade. All of them different, and all delightfully refreshing and not heavy.
After work, if I didn’t order their creative cocktails, I’d often order from a long list of wine or beer, or even a cider.
Servers at Joey Don Mills also deserve points for keeping ice water filled, whether it’s the only drink you have or one of your drinks.
A Variety of Quality Entrees
My friends and I love the Lobster Grilled Cheese, now gone, which is a huge loss. The chunks of lobster with the melted cheese on grilled bread was a popular selection at our lunches.
I console myself now with the Baja Fish Tacos, which is my other favourite. They will also steam the fish for the tacos, instead of battering and frying the fish, if you ask for it to be steamed. The three small tacos with fish, shrimp, and cabbage are accompanied by a mild hot sauce/smooth salsa. They are served on a plate without side dishes, so I’ll often order a side salad to accompany them.
I tried the Yellowfin Tuna Salad, which was amazing. It has zingy flavours. The alternating soft seared slices of tuna and lettuce with crunchy veggies and noodles was satisfying and fresh. It’s the only dish one of my friends orders, because she can’t get it anywhere else and she loves it.
I had the Ahi Tuna Club, and while it was good, I found the relish overpowering. I prefer other menu items.
I’ve had the burger, which is good, but why order one here when there are so many other choices?
One of my friends loves the steak. Joey Don Mills can deliver him a steak cooked just the way he likes it.
Most impressive is a pricey sushi and steak board, which is delicious and I’ve splurged on it a few times.
The Desserts
Our friends cried in denial when the Italian Donuts came off the dessert list, as these were very shareable and not too heavy.
We tried the lava cake and ice cream. It’s decadent and chocolatey, with the vanilla ice cream providing a perfect counter-punch.
The desserts can be way too rich and heavy after the entrees, so if you can share or have a large appetite, they’re really good.
Parking and Delivery for Joey Don Mills
Valet parking is available in front of Joey Don Mills, limited mall street parking, or there is free parking in a large parking structure at The Shops at Don Mills.
You can order delivery through Skip the Dishes.
Here are some other places to try in North York.
Enjoyed many times over the years.
Joey
75 O’Neill Rd, North York, ON M3C 0H2
+1 (416) 445-6391
