The Daily Grind is an ongoing mini-feature that highlights the best cafés in Toronto for freelance editors looking for a caffeine fix and a temporary office away from home.
By Steve Howard
Rachel’s Coffee House is located about halfway between the Davisville and Eglinton subway stations. According to its website, the café was started by Jack and Maria Chan, a married couple who owned a Second Cup in the Eaton Centre for ten years, but wanted to be able to use local products rather than be hampered by franchise restrictions. They now serve only fair trade, organic coffee as well as various teas, lattes, and smoothies. If you are hungry, there are sandwiches, salads (about $8), and gluten-free options. Rachel’s has a friendly atmosphere thanks to pleasant staff and a cozy set-up (the tables are all very close together). The lighting is soft and the decor is simple. There are only about three or four power outlets in the café, so pick your spot carefully if you need power. Also be warned, the kitchen is behind the counter so it’s not unusual to hear taps and blenders running when there are a lot of orders. There is a sign by the cash asking customers to restrict their sitting time to 90 minutes, but the staff is laid-back about this rule.
Wifi name: rachelscoffeehouse
Number of tables: 15 (seats 22 people inside, eight people outside)
2011 Yonge St., open Mon.–Thurs. 7 AM–7 PM, Fri. 7 AM–10 PM, Sat. 8 AM–7 PM, Sun. 8 AM–6 PM
Steve Howard is a former reporter and an aspiring editor living in Toronto.
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