Open Mic Cafe & Cuisine

Fist time I've tried Pakistani and been planning for several years. Finally googled and saw good reviews but mostly the great photos of the karahi that sold me. Noor was very nice. She recomm

Paye or Die: Open Mic Café Is Loud, Beefy, and Absolutely Not What You Think Intro Scene I first stumbled across Open Mic by accident—on a mission to pick up knockoff HDMI cables from Factory Direct (RIP). That store’s long gone, but the real deal turned out to be next door: a cafeteria-looking joint pumping out beef Paye like it’s a state religion. I didn’t mean to fall for this place, but here we are. I return like a man possessed—with headphones. What Was Ordered Beef Paye – Thick, gelatinous, aggressive. Basically a meaty potion. You don’t eat it—you commit to it. Chicken Karahi – A gateway curry. Great for newcomers or white friends. My friend loved it. I shrugged. Beef/Lamb Shawarma – Arab twist, grilled hard. Juicy, rich, surprisingly excellent. It’s not why you come, but it might be why you stay. Naan – Functional. Won’t ruin your night but won’t haunt your dreams either. Fish Appetizer – $20 mistake. Deep-fried regret, priced like gold-plated tilapia. Service Commentary Shoutout culture is strong in the reviews: Muskan, Agrina, and Shagun are name-dropped like local legends. Personally? I’ve never had bad service, but also never been serenaded or spiritually moved. It’s transactional, but it works. No complaints, no romance. Vibe Check They call it Open Mic, but the only thing open is the floodgate of Punjabi gangster beats rattling your eardrums while you try to navigate marrow. One reviewer called it “electric,” which might be code for “too loud to think.” It’s not a peaceful place—but it’s also not pretending to be. The Space Itself Fluorescent lights, fast-food signage, and the aesthetic subtlety of a Times Square shawarma ad. If you’re here for ambiance, you are lost. This is where food happens, not feelings. About the Neighborhood Tucked into a Mississauga strip mall where Factory Direct once stood—so you know the ghosts of cheap toasters and broken routers linger. Lots of parking, no foot traffic, no surprises. Just you, your car, and a bowl of cow feet. Hits & Misses ✓ Paye is elite – One of the few legit versions west of the city. ✓ Shawarma slaps – Juicy, Arab-style, and unexpectedly excellent. ✓ Staff love – Muskan, Agrina, and Shagun get MVP-level shoutouts. ✗ Music assault – Punjabi gangster beats that feel like an ambush. ✗ Fish appetizer – Deep-fried regret at $20 a pop. ✗ Ambiance? – Not unless you consider neon signage and noise a vibe. ✗ Pricey for what you get – The bill hits harder than it should for cafeteria-style service. Final Verdict Open Mic is not curated, cozy, or calm. It’s loud, aggressively fluorescent, and kind of brilliant. You don’t come here to be charmed. You come here to sweat, slurp, and stare into your bowl like it’s telling your fortune. The Paye is spiritual. The rest? A fever dream with naan. Worth it—just not every week. Rating: 3.5/5 Perfect For: Trotter cravings in a neon-lit fever dream Surviving bass drops for beefy bliss

This place is seriously amazing! The food was out-of-this-world delicious, every bite better than the last, and we're already planning our return trip just to eat here again. But beyond the