Fresca Pizza and Pasta

This place is a vibe! I love the old school pizza place feel. I always lean towards getting the slices, which are incredible! The pepperoni slice is probably one of Toronto's most delicious. Thin crispy crust, the slice folds beautifully and there the perfect amount of pepperoni. A little tip for the first timers. There's a silver container at the front of their herb and garlic oil, be sure to brush some on your slice!

We tried Pizza Margherita and it’s one of the best pizza I ever had! So crunchy, so soft, so tasty! For vegetarian, this is the best option and best pizza. Would surely recommend to try this pizza at Fresca! They have us complimentary slices on sides!

I had high expectations for this place, which might be one of the reasons I was kind of disappointed. 1. Food: the best part is the price and size - simply unmatched, I was surprised by how large the slice was. However, it was very oily (as you can see on the photo) and it didn’t sit well in my stomach. The smell was really good, but the taste was just ok. 2. Service: they were kind and did let me know that it would take 45 minutes. I really wanted to try it so I chose to stay anyway. It took 1 hour to get me 2 slices. That would be ok if people that ordered the whole pie after me didn’t receive theirs several minutes before me. Slices are supposed to be much faster, or at least that’s my experience with other places. At least it was fresh. I think it’s worth trying it, but it is not on my top pizza places list.

Had their penne today and it was so good. Very flavorful and saucy. And great price too. The pasta was cooked to perfection and I didn’t have to add anymore pepper or salt to it. It was also very hot. Temperature of the pasta was perfect. Even came with a little garlic bread for you to dip in the leftover sauce.

I have been always told that Fresca is the best pizza in the city. The first time I had it, I didn't provide a review because it wasn't a fresh slice. So this time, I made sure to wait their 45 min wait time to get a fresh margherita pizza to try. After a long wait, the pizza was sitting on the counter to be picked up. We dug in right away, and to be honest, I wasn't too impressed. It's good pizza, but I find it very oily and heavier on the stomach than it's competitors. Visually it looks great! Smells amazing too, but the taste doesn't make it the top pizza joint in Toronto. Just my personal opinion, but I do recommend you give it a shot.

$5 cash for a giant slice of pizza is super worth it. I wish there were more varieties of single slice’s but the margherita is yummy nonetheless. Also really enjoyed their homemade basil garlic oil. Keep in mind when it’s busy, which seems like it always is, especially in summer, you’ll be waiting at least 15 minutes for a slice but at least you know it’s fresh. There’s some seating inside as well as a few picnic benches outside.

A pizza institution in the city. This old school spot has huge slices at good prices. Got margherita and pepperoni slices, and both had perfectly charred crusts, beautifully stringy cheese, and generous toppings. Slight edge to the margherita because of how tastily garlicky it was.

I love the pizza slice especially the pepperoni and margarita. I work close to the shop so whenever I'm hungry and running low on money, I always visit the shop. The size of the pizza is very generous and goes well with canada dry or Ice tea, plus it's 5 dollars per slice. I always recommend this place to my friends and they also loved it.

If you're looking for a slice on the go, Fresca is great value! My friend and I split a slice of pizza which was $5 since we paid in cash. What we got: - Margherita Slice Final Thoughts: Not my favourite slice in the city, but the location is convenient and the portion is good value for money. Fresca also has a yummy garlic oil that you can load up onto your slice and it makes the pizza bit oily but the garlicky flavour really levels up the pizza. Wouldn't be my first choice spot, but a great option right by College and Spadina.

My friends brought some pizza over for our games night, and it was pretty good. They ordered two pizzas, and it took about 30 minutes to be ready. Apparently, these pizzas have a Vietnamese twist? I'm not exactly sure what the twist is... maybe it's the green sauce they let customers drizzle on top? This place is usually quite busy, with lineups outside the door. Overall, I thought the pizza was good (that's saying a lot because I'm usually not a pizza person). We had to pop it in the oven to warm it up a bit, but not bad if you enjoy pizzas with a thin crust. It's not very cheesy, though, so if you're after a big cheese pull, you might want to add more cheese.

Line up was crazy long. Pizza was thin and crispy and overall good but there was an overload of pepperonis. I personally don't like it with too much pepperonis but the pizza was covered fully which made it too salty. For the wait time, I don't think it's that worth it. ALSOO the server who handles the cash register takes the money, and then touches the dough and toppings with his hands without washing or putting on gloves. Area could be a little cleaner IMO. Tables are dirty after customers leave there are sauce and crumbs along the counter. Service was slow and took so long. Lineup was long, and to wait for the pizza, it took quite a long time as well.

I had a slice of pepperoni pizza for lunch Tuesday at Fresca Pizza & Pasta. It was a busy spot! I got here just as the pepperoni pizza came out of the oven so my slice was fresh and hot. And it was a tasty slice! Yum!

The fresh in-house garlic pesto is a win, their prices are also a win. Aside from that, it's a solid pizza joint meeting my high expectations of the high ratings and reputation it's had for years.

I just dropped in for the $5 slice of pizza. The slices were definitely a good size for the value in this current economy, but it just wasn't the best pizza I have ever had like some people have claimed. It had a good flavor, but the crust could use some work. The shop is very small, but there are some seats to dine in, which we did, and service was quick and effective. We needed to use the restroom but the long dark hallway was kind of scary so we opted to hold it and find another place to go.

Get a freshly made, generous slice of pizza for $5 cash. Crust is thin and sauce is nice and slightly sweet. The pepperoni slice was delicious and just out of the oven. Reminded me of an elevated version of pizza pizza. The Hawaiian was not as great but still a pretty solid choice. You can't compare this place to specialty pizza shops but for an affordable family run shop that is a neighbourly staple, it's a reliable and simple option. Service is quick and friendly. Basic seating inside. Self serve station with garlic oil, red pepper flakes, etc.

I love their pepperoni slices and the green garlic oil drizzled on top is a must! It makes it extra delicious and adds a beautiful colour and texture. Always a line up in this tiny place but service is fast and friendly. Slice is $5 if paid in cash I usually sit in front window area despite it being cramped. This place is definitely a Toronto institution. Highly recommend!

This is a nice pizza shop. The price is good. The slice is big. Honestly I felt like it lacked a little flavor but they had good topping options like pesto and a red sauce that was really good. I'm from New York so I had high expectations but this is definitely a solid slice.

This is a family restaurant and the most amazing part is their delicious Italian food is made by a non-Italian family! They speak a little English, but they're smart enough to write down your order and show it to you to make sure they get it right! They have a few tables for dine-in, but most of their customers order for takeout. There's also washroom downstairs if you're dining in. Their pizza tastes amazing and if you want to be able to cherish the taste, you need to wait a bit for it to get cold, since it's very hot right out of oven. The prices are really good, so next time I visit, I'll make sure I order extra for takeout!

A small unassuming corner shop pizza places with reasonable prices and a GREAT SLICE. Their pizza is reminiscent of a New York slice in that the crust is thin and crispy. You have to get the Margherita slice which comes with a garlic parsley oil which is kinda pungent, so make sure you love garlic. It's absolutely delicious. They're constantly making fresh slices because they're quite busy, so you're guaranteed to get a good slice.

I learned that ordering a slice of pizza and eat it with their special garlic sauce is the best way to have Fresca pizza. I tried and the anecdote is absolutely correct! The taste was elevated to another level. The savary of cheese, topping and garlic mixed perfectly and satisfied the palate. Pizza lovers must try it!

This family owned pizza place is always packed with people during lunch and after school hours. Finally decided to try it and it's not bad. It's really a fast food place that sells pizza. We really like the green onion oil that they have on the side. The pizza is good for the price that you are paying. It's also really fast service and quick too! Definitely recommend to come here once.

great pizza for cheap with huge portions and a nice atmosphere what more can you ask for? fugghedaboudit

One of my favourite pizza joint in Toronto! What makes this place unique is their garlic oil that you can brush onto your pizza slices to enhance the flavor. I absolutely love garlic so this is a game changer and I don't know any other pizza joints that serve this garlic oil. The garlic oil also comes on top of their margarita pizzas too. Their pizza is thin crust, also my favourite type of pizza crust! Crispy and not too doughy with a nice cheesy layer. Currently, the price per slice is $4.50 if paid by cash and it can be cut in half to make two slices - honestly the slices are so big, when the one slice is cut it appears like you're getting two slices for the price. The small pizza is also at a good price point for $12 (comes with 4 big slices). They also serve pasta and other food menu items here but I've never tried them before. The place is always super busy on the weekend when we come by with line ups out the door. They also do free delivery but it can take up to an hour or longer because they only have one main delivery person. It is a small family owned business with limited workers making the pizza and taking orders. If they are overloaded with orders, they may not pick up the phone! If they do pick up, I highly recommend placing an order in advance if you want to come for pick up. I've come here on a Saturday and they're consistently running out of pizza on the display case because once it had come out of the oven, they're so busy that it runs out quick! The interior could use a bit of work with renovations and they are so busy that they probably could use another staff member to help out. But other than that, amazing pizza!

A couple of Thursdays ago, after a fun time at FreePlay playing all my favourite 80's arcade games, I had worked up an appetite. Fresca Pizza and Pasta was around the corner from where I had parked. I decided to check it out before heading home. I like stumbling into an eatery for the first time and not knowing a thing about it. A nice young man said hi. I reciprocated, thrilled to seek some shelter from spitting rain. I looked at the menu on the wall. I asked if I could get a veal sandwich. It's a family-run business. He had to ask his mom (I presume) whether it was available. The place had stopped baking bread for the day, so any sandwich wasn't available. I looked at the pizza slices. I asked what I was looking at. They all looked so good. He was so patient and let me know what varieties were there. I went with the pepperoni slice that looked huge. He asked if I was dining in. I said yes because I was hungry. He quickly warmed up my pizza slice in the oven, placed it on a paper plate, and handed it over to me. I paid with a debit card. I tapped and tipped. All was great. I then went to sit down. OMG! I didn't realize that I was about to have the best pepperoni slice in my life. The crust was so thin and crispy. The pepperoni was perfect. I got a bit of veggies on the side of this slice. This place makes a huge pizza for pizza slices, half with veggies and half with pepperoni. The garlic oil on top was so good and addictive. I absolutely loved this pizza slice. I sat there and ate for maybe ten minutes at the most. I saw one man come in and swipe all remaining margherita slices. He wanted them in a box. Another man came in and swiped the last veggie slice. This place is super popular. I sat there some more and watched the woman toss pizza dough up in the air and make a larg pizza. It was half veggie and half margherita. It was baked in ten minutes. It all makes sense why the dough is so thin. It bakes faster and is perfectly crispy. Once the large pizza was done, I saw it being cut and distributed to paying customers desperately waiting for them. I was contemplating getting another slice. I said yes to the margherita. I got a slice hot out of the oven, onto a paper plate, and placed in a paper bag. I paid again. It's $5 a slice. It's so worth it. I thanked the man again and walked out of the eatery. I headed to my car. My original thought was to bring it home and eat the slice there. I was inhaling the perfume that was garlic oil. Nope. My willpower was non-existent. I ate the slice in my car. So good. So addictive. The best pizza is here. The margherita slice was so fresh and flavourful. I am salivating remembering how yummy it was. I need to head back and get a large pizza. Just for me. No sharing. Yep, it's that good. I will lovingly tell you to go get your own and leave me to devour a whole pizza... haha! It was an excellent find. Thank goodness the veal sandwich was unavailable. Having pizza here was meant to be. The pizza is amazing. Come here for some! (48)

Walking into this establishment, there's a short line of customers, busy workers and a glass counter where you can see the pizza slice options. I got the cheese slide topped with a couple leaves of Basil. Ordering was quick and the wait for the slice to heat up in the over was ~5 minutes. We were luck enough to be able to grab a table as the place was packed. There were about 10 or so tables and a washroom in the back. It was pretty hot inside with the oven on and felt like the kind of place to literally grab a slice, quickly eat it and go about your day. After my slice was handed to me, I went over to the condiment section near the entrance to dab on their free haptic butter and drizzle on their hot sauce which tasted very similar to franks red hot (my fav). The slice itself was hot and crispy with was really stretchy cheese pull. The crust was crisp and thin enough for the perfect fold. And the slice was MASSIVE. It was the perfect snack and only $5! I would recommend Fresca over and over again!

I was really looking forward to this pizza. Arrived 5:45pm ish on a Friday before the rush. The pizza slices were ready within a few minutes. The ambiance is hole in the wall. Not much. The pizza wasnt as great as I was expecting...Ive found better at Nostra in Mississauga.

I went to New York to search for a NY slice and I tried several items but nothing came close to Fresca. I tried 3 spots in nyc that were recommended in eater, such a disappointment. I even asked a fellow new jersey friend and they also recommended Fresca. Huge tip, if you can wait for a fresh slice please do. It's so worth it. Make sure to drench it out in that delicious green garlicky oil. It's a take out place mostly with a few seats. It's a legendary spot for torontos pizza scene.

Fresca Pizza. I passed this place so many times and thought...who is really going to this spot it doesn't look like much from the outside. Talk about judging a book by its cover. Inside is a family run business pumping out pizza and other Italian fare to the masses! I went in for a quick bite and the place was crowded with people just waiting to get a slice! They serve Pepperoni, Margarita and Deluxe slices all at a low cost of $5/slice or $5.50 if you pay with your card. The service was quick and friendly. The staff is laser focused on getting people served quickly and efficiently. I ordered the Margarita slice which is made with fresh basil, spices and topped with a garlic oil. They are constantly making fresh batches of pizza so I got a fresh slice right out of the oven. First bite...what can I say...I fell in love. The crunch, the sauce, the oozing cheese the delectable garlic oil! What a combo. It reminded me of NY slice pizza, thin, crispy and just yummy. The slice is huge, well priced and just delicious! It's impossible to find lunch in the city under $7 this good! They definitely live up to all the hype! I can't wait to go back and try the pepperoni and the deluxe! I learned my lesson. Never judge a book by its cover!

Fresca Pizza and Pasta is a no frills local joint selling fresh pizza, pastas, calzones, and salad. There is seating inside the store or they also have takeout and delivery options as well. Great place for a quick bite to eat. I stopped by Fresca on a weekday around noon and the place was pretty full. I ordered a slice of pizza from the limited options they had (I saw Hawaiian as well as deluxe slices) and got a slice of deluxe. The slice was re-heated promptly in the oven. I sat down by the window to have my slice of pizza and was pleasantly surprised how hot and delicious it was. I should have folded my pizza slice to eat but attempted to pick up the huge slice to eat bite by bite (which was a mistake...the ingredients slid off the pizza and I quickly placed everything back on the dough and folded it). Overall, pizza was hot, fresh, and cheap. Great place if you're looking for a fast and easy lunch option which won't break the bank! Excited to come back to try their other pizza flavours as well.

Walked up to order and was impressed with the reasonable prices, long line (which usually is a good sign ) and fresh smell HOWEVER we were told it would take 30 minutes for our XL pizza order to be ready. Fine. happy to wait for a fresh pizza of course except that 30 minutes came and went, then 45 then we were told another 5 minutes and an hour later still DO NOT have a pizza. 2 small children bouncing off of us and crying while we're all starving was not on the menu will NEVER come here again regardless of how it tastes when if we ever get a chance to eat it at this rate. Very disappointed, dissatisfied and inconvenienced if I had known I could have bought all the ingredients at the supermarket across the street and cooked it at home myself from scratch in the same amount of time.

Pros: - Taste and sauce is good. They also brush some "green" sauce (as they call it) on the pizza which is tasty. - Crust is thin and cooked well. - Good price / cheap. Cons: - Long wait ; I waited over 30 minutes for a small pizza. - Place is dirty; flies everywhere, super hot / no AC. - Pizza is super greasy. I mean extremely oily - like oil was dripping from the pizza as I ate it. - Service is non-existent. It's good pizza taste / texture wise, but in my opinion very overrated. The pizza was far too oily for me.

So happy that I came across this pizza place cause man, so worth coming back every time! It's a small family owned pizza with super kind people running the store I got a pizza slice for around $4 and the slice alone was fairly big and more than enough to fill me up. The crust was nice and crispy and I always manage to catch it fresh out the oven!! They have this garlic oil that you can brush on and I will never miss a chance to brush that on my pizza; it's so good and though it is a bit oily, the garlic oil amps up the flavour!

Simple yet great pizza. I tried the margherita slice and it was delicious, especially with that herby garlic oil. The slices are huge so it's a great spot to come by for a quick one!

This place is a gem in Toronto! I suggest visiting during off-peak hours though because it is so popular. When we went for dinner, there was a long line out the door. We waited around 20 minutes before being able to order. We initially planned to get a whole pizza, but were informed it would be an additional 30-40 minute wait. So, we opted for two slices of margherita instead. They were absolutely delicious!

I have to say one of the most reasonably priced pizzas ever, service was super quick in and out less than 5 mins, inside wasn't that great lot of wasps, didn't seem clean but what matters is the taste, I ordered four margherita slices and the owner is extremely hardworking, and gives his signature basil oil on the pizza very thin crust very crispy melts in your mouth, simpler the better, not as good as badialis but pretty close, it feels like I'm in Italy, excellentjob owner is very respectful, I really like the thin crust,

Best slice in Toronto ... My compilation of their pep and Margarita slices.... Thin.. crispy.. and always consistent...(don't forget to add their famous garlic oil and yes it's free) Best slice in Toronto!!

margherita really yummy :) it was slightly smaller than my head but still a generous portion. will have to try pasta next time

Best pizza in Toronto there is no contest. None. Perfect pies and slices. I crave this everyday and have to resist

The saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" aptly describes Fresca Pizza & Pasta. From the decrepit looking building (both inside and outside) to the expressionless, unfriendly and uncommunicative owner and staff, you will be having second thoughts of entering the restaurant. But don't let these things deter you as Fresca is one of the best New York style pizza in downtown Toronto. At $4 a slice it's also one of the cheapest and largest in size. Fresca's NY style pizza is simple and straightforward. Pizza is not drenched with sauce and just the right cheese proportion. The crust is thin and crispy on the edges yet soft and flexible enough to be folded in half to eat. Tried 3 different pizza slices - Deluxe, Hawaiian and Pepperoni and my fave is the Deluxe. I normally don't like onions on my pizza but surprisingly enjoyed it in Fresca's Deluxe pizza as it lends a salty-sweetness flavour.

Love their crispy crust. Love everything about their pizza. It's almost reminds me of being in NYC having a NY slice of pizza.

In high school I usually would go to this place to get there pizza. The pizza is great but a bit greasy. The slice of pizza is HUGE just for $5. The service is quick and fast and the people are friendly, but the only reason I am not putting this in a five star is the building its in. I sat down and there are boxes and a dark hallway behind me. Usually outside there is some homeless dude giving me the creeps.

$5 for slice basically the size of a small pizza. dominos could nevaa. It's good pizza too nice NYC type

The pizza is decent. However, when I went to order the pizza, the guy at the cashier wouldn't let me order a small even though it's on the menu and he just let the guy in front of me order a small pizza a minute ago. He said he was no longer taking orders for a small sized pizza.

I did a poll once about the best pizza in the city and this was one of the recommendations I received! I never knew how close this was to Chinatown (literally across the street from the new T&T) From the outside it looked pretty grungy and nothing special, but there were was plenty of people both inside and outside munching on pizza or waiting for pizza. I ordered a single slice and for $4 (tax included) which was such a steal and was surprised how huge the slice was. It came fresh and hot out the oven, and they had a table of condiments including this garlic pesto oil (I think) which I swiped all over the pizza, it was DELICIOUS and fragrant and very garlicky . Though it was on the oily and greasier side; the pizza was thin and crispy on the bottom. I recommend eating it quick as the crispiness on the bottom gets a bit soggy from the oils after. Delicious and cheap eats! Glad to have stumbled across this gem!

Got a slice of pizza and it was quite literally bigger than my head! I don't know if this is more reflective of the size of the slice or the size of my head but delicious nonetheless! The pasta is also equally as delectable so you really can't go wrong! (I have yet to try the calzones though so I can't speak for them)

Very good pasta, also very good pizza. Not expensive and fresh and yummy. Great for a night around Kensington

It was FINE... Pizza is average/mediocre. Interior is messy, place needs some cleaning and overhaul.

My coworker recommended me this place as it's near work and their slices are sufficient for a single person. I got the pepperoni slice with a Diet Coke and it costed me $5.65. The price is great for a place in downtown and their service is quick! They baked the pizza in front of me so it was absolutely fresh and their pepperoni tasted great. Would definitely recommend this place!!

As of January 2022, their slices are $4.50, plus a surcharge of .50 cents for non-cash payment. This really makes a decent slice, less decent. Their pies are passable/decent, and they serve a decent panzerotti/calzone (and pasta, which I've never tried), so I'd say visit if you havent tried it in a while, or for immediate feasting. ----- Alternatives for slices nearby include (expect to pay +/- $5.00 per slice): Mare @ 185 Baldwin St (varied hours, decent slice) De Mario @ 253 Augusta Ave (open till 4 AM, slices stop around 11 PM) Gigi @ 189 Harbord (hit and miss) Pizza Nova @ 267 College, near Spadina Alternatives for good pies nearby: Via Mercanti @ 188 Augusta Ave (varied items, highly regarded) North Of Brooklyn @ 650 Queen St W (well regarded, high value) Makers @ 59 Cameron St (uses some organic ingredients, not bad) Wouldnt recommend any spot listed here for slices, unless you are willing to pay $1.00 extra to add extra cheese to your slice at shop's discretion. Would recommend Barocco X Nino (974 College St; $3.90 per Roman-style piece) if a slice is really needed. Or '241' (1055 Bloor St W; hefty & inexpensive slices at about $3.99, worth paying $1 extra for extra cheese). Or Chito's (1308 Bloor St W, $3.00) for best value & cheap eat, and for a more adventurous slice (mediocre but abundant "shawarma" chicken atop the slice. Or Highland Farms (850 Ellesmere Rd., only $2.00 for cheese slice ($1.00 extra and theyll add LOTS of extra cheese!)).

If a place looks ghetto you know damn well the food will be good. My friends from school recommended me this place. Looked grungy at first but the pizza... omg. Amazing. I had to go back in and order a pasta and another slice. They had a basil oil dip and they recommend swiping some on your pizza for added flavour and it was a good recommendation. The owners were sick, they gave me a full run down of this story and basically long story short - they fled the Vietnamese war to come here and open up a pizza shop and it was definitely eye opening to hear their triumphs. If you want to support a small Asian run business and love pizza - go here please if you're in the city!

bad service no star horrible place lost my appetite miserable place very sad keep this attitude towards your customer you be wont here very long good luck business must be hurting it shows how you treat your paying customer

Pizza was burnt. Not enough sauce so mozzarella was burnt to the crust. Generally grimy space.

Can't go wrong with a slice/ box of pizza from This place! Only $4 a slice and it's huge and delicious. They also offer sandwiches and other tasty options! My go to pizza spot!

Don't be like Steve and come here expecting to be BFFs with the staff. Service is no frills and you will not be babied. If you're hungry and on a budget, this is the place. Pizza is cheap and good. For $5 I got a slice of margherita pizza ($4) and a can of pop ($1) which is frankly unheard of in "Inflation City" aka Toronto these days. In looking at past reviews from 2012 it looks like they were only charging $3.50 per slice back then, so I would support this business based on the fact that the owners are honest people not trying to take advantage of the Toronto trend of charging insane prices for subpar quality food. It's an extra $0.50 to pay Debit, as something to be mindful of should you visit.

I'm sorry, did I just take a bite before a picture? Omg yes. This place is amazing. Thin and crunchy crust; perfect sauce to herbs ratio; tasty and warm cheese; pepperoni slices to top it all off...one word: PERFECTION. I don't think I've had a bite of such tasty goodness in so long. My friends, above all, this slice cost me $3.75. Yes, I want to cry tears of joy. Trust me. When you see the man tossing the pizza dough from the outside window, you will know that this pizzeria is in it for the long haul. There is little indoor seating though, so hopefully you are coming to taste this pizza on a good day. There are some picnic tables on the outside of the place for you to sit. I heard that there's also a spicy oil that you can add to enhance the flavour. So keep posted for the updated review!

I would say this is the best pizza in the city! Don't forget to add the oil, it takes it to the next level.

Really good pizza!! That green garlic sauce they put on top is to die for! One point deducted for the pizzas being more on the salty side. But definitely try it!!