Store specializing in organic, non-GMO, environmentally-safe products, foods, grocery. Has a vegetarian deli & salad bar by weight. Open Mon-Sun 9:00am-8:00pm.
The burritos are very delicious and healthy. Huge portion size as well. Whenever I order one, I do some shopping while they prepare it. The grocery and other items are kind of expensive so I usually shop the sales or items that are hard to get elsewhere.
Expensive but there are so many vegan options for groceries and other personal items. Definitely recommend trying the chorizo tofu burrito - SO good and actually a great price for the size of the burrito; it lasted me 2 meals! They have lots of vegan sauces for the burrito as well and of course lots of veggies.
While they offer some vegan options a few months ago it was still mostly vegetarian with most food in buffet not vegan. Still love the store though. This is my first review for HC so I hope this review is still posted. I drive in from 2 hrs away and whenever in TO for appts to stock up at Big Carrot.
As other reviews have pointed out - it is an expensive grocery store - however, it's the best option that Vegans have in the Danforth area. There is a huge selection of options - as it is a health food store many many items are plant-based/vegan. I've seen a lot of criticism about the Deli counter in the comments and I can't comment on that - I don't use the counter. I have, however, had their Vegan Burrito which is very tasty. Other than that I shop there for grocery products which have never let me down. The Vegan Samosa's in the Readymade section are a staple of mine. They have a lot of Zara's Wraps; Vegan butter chicken, vegan curry chicken, etc - these are delicious. They have an organic makeup store attached to the store which has vegan options and natural options. There is also a Juice Bar near the sidewalk of the Danforth which is expensive but has great options especially if you're sick and want to cut down your sickness. I recommend going here even if it's just to walk around and check out the kind of options they have for vegans!
The big carrot was my go to shop when I lived in Toronto, and I still try and make it there when I visit the city! Great selection of beauty products (not all are vegan but you can ask or google). Lots of vegan cheeses including nut cheese and more processed brands like Daiya (personally how I judge a place lol). Fresh food bar with tasty salads and samosas. Tons of grocery options.
I used to live in the neighbourhood and even then, it was starting to feel less like a workers' coop and more like a place trying to cater to the richy rich (of which i am not). Since I left, it has changed even more, with a complete reno to their deli - for the worse, in my opinion. One used to be able to get some food (and I loved getting the soup - quite reasonable, especially after getting the TVA discount) and hang out at a table or counter for a while. Now they have placed the counters by the checkouts/doors which is not at all welcoming AND they have signs saying you have a 20 minute limit. Not friendly, not neighbourly, puts me right off.
BC has always been overpriced compared to other places in the city (especially Kensington Market and Baldwin Naturals - so go to those places instead) but I appreciated being able to get several items that were decently priced as well as beautiful organic produce.
I can't get there much anymore and, sadly, it's not much of a loss. Too many snooty customers and some of the staff seem to reflect that... although some of the staff remain very very down to earth and nice.
That's it - it used to be way more down to earth. I no longer feel comfortable shopping there.
Great staff, good selection of organic and natural food and products. They have a nice vegetarian deli with a good verities of vegan and vegetarian foods (however it's sometimes a little too salty). They have a very nice juice bar where they serve a nice selection of hot drinks (tea and coffee) as well and that's where you can get the best decaf coffees in town! Try their decaf mocha with almond milk, it's really good!
I used to love buying a lunch from the vegan deli and bought most of my vegan groceries here. Now there is SO MUCH MEAT it should really be a butcher shop. Ridiculously expensive supplements with very poor selection; the staff however love to stand around chatting about their cleanses and colonics. The store has fewer and fewer vegan foods; I only go there for a few things like Sheese cream cheese and Sophie's Kitchen smoked "salmon" but there's hardly anything else vegan to buy. Also - the dairy salad dressings are shelved beside and mixed with the raw/vegan dressings - twice I've accidentally purchased a dairy dressing by mistake. Really disappointing market unless you aren't vegan and love spending way more than you have to.
I feel some of these other reviews place this supermarket/deli into a far-too negative light. I'm not the biggest fan of the deli, but I wouldn't say it's terrible. The market itself is fabulous. Having shopped mainly at Loblaws and Whole Foods supermarkets beforehand, I can say that I find the prices at the Carrot extremely affordable, and the staff has always been extremely helpful. The store does offer meats, but they are sectioned off in a manner that I find entirely innoffensive. Meat eaters are presented with a selection of healthy, organic, free range options that certainly don't overpower the store. Everyone I know who frequents this place loves it! They also offer vegetarian cooking classes, and are run as a co-op, not a juggernaut corporation. Go Carrot!
16 Reviews
First Review by JenniferM
EmeraldR
Points +44
Healthy and fresh - Edit
The burritos are very delicious and healthy. Huge portion size as well. Whenever I order one, I do some shopping while they prepare it. The grocery and other items are kind of expensive so I usually shop the sales or items that are hard to get elsewhere.
Read moreGuest
Salltss
Points +96
Love this place - Edit
Have a great beauty section with all natural/vegan products, also have a great selection of vegan options
Read moreGuest
Heatherw1019
Points +433
Great for lunch - Edit
Expensive but there are so many vegan options for groceries and other personal items. Definitely recommend trying the chorizo tofu burrito - SO good and actually a great price for the size of the burrito; it lasted me 2 meals! They have lots of vegan sauces for the burrito as well and of course lots of veggies.
Read moreGuest
shebossjc
Points +16
Vegetarian not vegan - Edit
While they offer some vegan options a few months ago it was still mostly vegetarian with most food in buffet not vegan. Still love the store though. This is my first review for HC so I hope this review is still posted. I drive in from 2 hrs away and whenever in TO for appts to stock up at Big Carrot.
Read morePros: Well stocked , Clean, Great staff
Cons: Mostly vegetarian , Not alot vegan options in buffet or fresh baked
Guest
lamarks
Points +364
Shopping here for years - Edit
As other reviews have pointed out - it is an expensive grocery store - however, it's the best option that Vegans have in the Danforth area. There is a huge selection of options - as it is a health food store many many items are plant-based/vegan. I've seen a lot of criticism about the Deli counter in the comments and I can't comment on that - I don't use the counter. I have, however, had their Vegan Burrito which is very tasty. Other than that I shop there for grocery products which have never let me down. The Vegan Samosa's in the Readymade section are a staple of mine. They have a lot of Zara's Wraps; Vegan butter chicken, vegan curry chicken, etc - these are delicious. They have an organic makeup store attached to the store which has vegan options and natural options. There is also a Juice Bar near the sidewalk of the Danforth which is expensive but has great options especially if you're sick and want to cut down your sickness. I recommend going here even if it's just to walk around and check out the kind of options they have for vegans!
Read morePros: Sooo many Options!, Good for East Enders in terms of Location!
Cons: Can be quite expensive
Guest
bigheartstinyvegans
Points +148
Vegan burritos- nuff said - Edit
Get the vegan burrito- you won’t regret it!
Read moreGuest
BronFair
Points +514
Favourite shop - Edit
The big carrot was my go to shop when I lived in Toronto, and I still try and make it there when I visit the city! Great selection of beauty products (not all are vegan but you can ask or google). Lots of vegan cheeses including nut cheese and more processed brands like Daiya (personally how I judge a place lol). Fresh food bar with tasty salads and samosas. Tons of grocery options.
Read moreGuest
midorigreen
Points +299
Loved this place - Edit
Visited while on holiday. What a place which such a broad selection of products. Staff were helpful when I couldn’t locate products.
Read moreGuest
Scarlett_Lucian
Points +35
Wish We Had One In NS! - Edit
Loved the samosas, the salad bar and the to-go food bar. I ordered a burrito and quite enjoyed it.
Read morePros: Yummy grab-and-go food, Nice vibe
Guest
veganosh
Points +81
big carrot has lost sight of its roots - Edit
I used to live in the neighbourhood and even then, it was starting to feel less like a workers' coop and more like a place trying to cater to the richy rich (of which i am not). Since I left, it has changed even more, with a complete reno to their deli - for the worse, in my opinion. One used to be able to get some food (and I loved getting the soup - quite reasonable, especially after getting the TVA discount) and hang out at a table or counter for a while. Now they have placed the counters by the checkouts/doors which is not at all welcoming AND they have signs saying you have a 20 minute limit. Not friendly, not neighbourly, puts me right off.
Read moreBC has always been overpriced compared to other places in the city (especially Kensington Market and Baldwin Naturals - so go to those places instead) but I appreciated being able to get several items that were decently priced as well as beautiful organic produce.
I can't get there much anymore and, sadly, it's not much of a loss. Too many snooty customers and some of the staff seem to reflect that... although some of the staff remain very very down to earth and nice.
That's it - it used to be way more down to earth. I no longer feel comfortable shopping there.
Pros: have some items at good prices
Cons: no longer down to earth, unwelcoming, old deli was WAYYYYYY better
Guest
Saghar
Points +15
One of my favs in Toronto - Edit
Great staff, good selection of organic and natural food and products. They have a nice vegetarian deli with a good verities of vegan and vegetarian foods (however it's sometimes a little too salty). They have a very nice juice bar where they serve a nice selection of hot drinks (tea and coffee) as well and that's where you can get the best decaf coffees in town! Try their decaf mocha with almond milk, it's really good!
Read morePros: Great Staff, Good products
Cons: I wish I could find everything I need there but, that's not the case. Sometimes, I've to go , somewhere else for just 1 particular product!
Guest
MichelleBetty
Points +20
Expensive and Not Veg Friendly! - Edit
I used to love buying a lunch from the vegan deli and bought most of my vegan groceries here. Now there is SO MUCH MEAT it should really be a butcher shop. Ridiculously expensive supplements with very poor selection; the staff however love to stand around chatting about their cleanses and colonics. The store has fewer and fewer vegan foods; I only go there for a few things like Sheese cream cheese and Sophie's Kitchen smoked "salmon" but there's hardly anything else vegan to buy. Also - the dairy salad dressings are shelved beside and mixed with the raw/vegan dressings - twice I've accidentally purchased a dairy dressing by mistake. Really disappointing market unless you aren't vegan and love spending way more than you have to.
Read moreGuest
Ken4057
Points +1200
Ridiculously overpriced - Edit
I come here the odd time if I'm in the area, but like Noah's, Big Carrot merch is so marked up it isn't funny.
Read moreIf you want vegan food that isn't produce or deli-style, head to Panacea instead. It's Canada's only all-vegan food store.
That said, BC has a beautiful bulk section and is spacious and well-lit. It's also in a nice area.
Pros: expensive
Cons: lovely atmosphere, parking
Guest
KD
Points +75
Good selection, but not cheap - Edit
There is an excellent selection of natural food products at this store. If you are not concerned about cost, it is a great place to shop.
Read morePros: Great selection
Cons: Expensive, Parking is difficult
Guest
Keith_Thode
Points +712
One of 3 favorites - Edit
I travel to Toronto twice a year and always stop at The Big Carrot, because they have things that I can't get in Detroit.
Read moreGuest
JenniferM
Points +11
Big Carrot, Big Fun! - Edit
I feel some of these other reviews place this supermarket/deli into a far-too negative light. I'm not the biggest fan of the deli, but I wouldn't say it's terrible. The market itself is fabulous. Having shopped mainly at Loblaws and Whole Foods supermarkets beforehand, I can say that I find the prices at the Carrot extremely affordable, and the staff has always been extremely helpful. The store does offer meats, but they are sectioned off in a manner that I find entirely innoffensive. Meat eaters are presented with a selection of healthy, organic, free range options that certainly don't overpower the store. Everyone I know who frequents this place loves it! They also offer vegetarian cooking classes, and are run as a co-op, not a juggernaut corporation. Go Carrot!
Read morePros: Well Organized, Fairly Priced , Great Selection
Cons: for some - carries meats
Guest
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