Nozomi (North York)

Nozomi (North York) – Crispy hot-honey chicken. Smash burgers that hit. Friendly, family-run vibes.

Restaurant Category: Casual takeout counter, Asian-fusion burgers, fried chicken, and poke; $10–$20 per item typical (bowls around $15.99; fries $6)

Menu Highlights:
– Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich (super crispy, juicy; “Inferno” spicy option; not greasy)
– Original/Crispy Chicken Sando
– Kalbi Burger (juicy, caramelized onions, provolone on brioche)
– Smash burgers (OG, Tokyo Smash)
– Beef Bulgogi Poke Bowl (fan favorite)
– Salmon Poke Bowl and Salmon Poke Tacos
– Taro chips
– Homemade chocolate chip cookies

Service Highlights:
– Family-owned feel; warm, attentive, and personable
– Fast prep, neat packaging; smooth online ordering with ready-time alerts
– Clean, cozy, artsy space; mostly takeout (one table + a bench)
– Thoughtful touches (free cookies; even dog treats)

Notes:
– Very limited dine-in seating
– One diner found chicken a bit less juicy; saucy hot-honey version can make the bun soggy/fall apart
– Fries/tots felt underwhelming or pricey to some; fries at $6 and combo pricing on apps offers little to no discount (water only included)
– Poke bowls range from good to excellent; a few wanted more beef or found the fish/marinade just okay
– A couple of items feel a bit expensive

Logistics:
– Street/side-street parking readily available

Customers come for the hot honey chicken sandwiches—crispy crust, juicy meat, and that sweet-spicy kick—served fast and packed neatly for takeout. The vibe is cozy and artsy but tiny, so most folks grab and go. Owners come across as caring and hospitable, with little gestures like free cookies or treats for pups outside, and people appreciate the clean space and the smooth online ordering with timely pickup alerts.

Diners enjoy the burger lineup too, especially the Kalbi Burger with its brioche bun, caramelized onions, and gooey provolone—some even call it a top-tier burger. Smash-style patties (OG and Tokyo Smash) also get love. On the bowl side, the beef bulgogi poke bowl is a regular’s favorite for flavor and portion, while the salmon poke (and salmon poke tacos) earn praise for freshness. A few folks mention wanting more beef in the bulgogi bowl or say the marinated fish style is fine but not mind-blowing, yet overall the bowls read as fresh, filling, and fairly priced.

Some folks mention trade-offs. Seating is extremely limited, and while the chicken is usually spot-on, one person found it a tad less juicy, and the saucy hot-honey version can soak the bun and get messy. Sides are mixed: taro chips are a hit, but tots and especially the $6 fries don’t wow everyone, and combo pricing on delivery apps feels like no real deal (with only bottled water included). Even with those caveats, many call Nozomi a hidden gem for craveable fried chicken, flavorful bowls, and genuinely warm service.