- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for Allen's
Review Highlights
"Wow this place has great food, and holy awesome patio."
(in 34 reviews)
"Good beer list, there is always something I want on it."
(in 11 reviews)
"I got eggs with sweet potato hash, and it came with a..."
(in 2 reviews)
Loading...
52 reviews in English
-
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
Updated - 2/12/2012
Came back here on a Friday night on a spontaneous Friday night bar crawl. We were chatty and craving chicken wings.
Allen's A1 sauce chicken wings hit the spot. They are definitely on my top 3 list of favourite chicken wings in the city.
Randall is the best. He's easily been working there for 20 years (no offence!).
On a Friday night at around 8:30 p.m. the joint was BUSY. You could feel the urgency of the watiers. But it's still a great place to be regardless the night. I personally like it on a weekday rather than a weekend night.
But still, yum and yum. An old faithful.Listed in: Burger Time, I Feel Like Chicken Tonight, Beauty and the Beast
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/11/2011
VIBE
Allen's has been a staple of the Danforth/Riverdale neighbourhood since 1987 and for good… Read more »
-
-
Review from Vince B.
Toronto, ON
12/9/2011
After my last post (about No Bull Burgers) i referenced both Allen's and BQM, so I only thought it fitting to review Allen's burger.
When they say on their menu that many people consider this to be the city's best burger they aren't kidding!
Their beef is from Cumbrea and if you are familiar, Cumbrea are the real deal - the meat in your burger is from one animal and is cooked to perfection (for the most part - i've had one issue with them getting it wrong).
It's not cheap and it doesn't taste it either, if you love a flamed grilled burger and like it rare to medium, this is the place for you; OUTSTANDING BURGER and lots of great beer to go with it! If you like it well done - don't waste your money because you just spoiled a good thing (if you like it cooked all the way through eat chicken). -
Review from Kate H.
York, ON
11/30/2011
I've been to Allen's what now feels like a million times, but we were in on Monday because it was a co-worker's birthday. And at my office that means a meal at Allen's, and yes, you are absolutely allowed to order the steak. I have had lots and lots of long boozy dinners here.
The funny thing about this place that you will either like or not like, is that they are actually relatively formal about their service. They have very high standards about their beers and food - but the atmosphere is decidedly casual. The dichotomy is odd sometimes! But I like it, and I like their patio in the summer even more. There is a massive willow and at magic hour it is pretty magical back there. Also sometimes in the summer they have had free wine tasting at dinner, which can also turn things towards magical.
Anyways, most recently I had their homemade bread (which is delicious and unchanged in like seven years) to start, and then a burger with swiss and sauteed mushrooms, half and half yam and potato fries on the side. It is indeed one of my favourite burgers in town.
I've also had their Friday night steaks on multiple occasions and they are always great pieces of meat. I find that they do fish less well.
Their scotch selection remains excellent, with lots of bottles brought back personally from scotland by the owner. If you ask them if they have "The Michael Jackson Book," they might produce a copy for you to go through while you order scotch.
They have one of my favourite microbrews, King Pilsner. They also have good espresso.
Summer night parking on the Danforth is not great to deal with so I usually just park at the Green P around the corner - and it's a hop-skip from the subway station as well. -
Review from L. S.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
Fantastic burgers, incredible beer selection (though many of the best choices are bottled, not on tap), and if you like bourbon/whiskey, this is your place. Great ambience, fantastic fish 'n' chips. A classy place without being high-brow or snooty. They have standards, and the staff cares. Can't say that for many places in TO.
-
Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2011
Allen's is a nice place for a drink on a patio. The patio is truly beautiful. The service is strained. Altogether, the experience was a good one.
*** DRINKS ***
I ordered a bottle of Abbaye de Rocs. Since it was bottled, it was fresh and it was cold. Allen's has a wide selection of beers.
*** SERVICE ***
Service was generally good, though slow. The servers are well versed in the beers they serve as well as just beers in general. Upon entering, we weren't served for over 10min. Even after ordering, our orders took a while to arrive.
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
This is where Allen's really shines. A big patio, with hardwood flooring and a massive ancient looking tree protruding from the ground, providing a natural canopy over the night's sky. Around the tree there is bench-like seating. The inside is more like a restaurant than a bar. It is nicely decorated and clean, just like the patio.
*** PRICE ***
Pricing varies depending on what you order. Some of their beers are not the everyday kind, so you can expect to pay more.
*** EXPERIENCE ***
This was a mix of emotions. I don't like having to wait for anything, but it was worthwhile for the opportunity to sit out on an amazing patio with friends. I would definitely come back to see if service improves and to try some more beers.Listed in: Noise 'n Poison
-
Review from Jeff C.
East York, ON
I first went to Allen's because of my fiance. She loves the TV show Covert Affairs and this is one of the filming locations. This was reason enough for me to avoid it like the plague (That show is NOT produced by the people that did Bourne movies, It's Grey's Anotomy with a gun!). But to humor the women I love I went and was pleasantly surprised. The back yard patio is excellent to sit in good weather. The food is good too, it's better than pub fare but not pretentious like a foo foo place. They have some excellent burgers made with real unfrozen ground beef. Prices are slightly above pub fare but that is what you get for better quality foods.
I think this place is transforming from a pub to a sit down restaurant now and that has caused some issues for older patrons if I understand things correctly. There is a sit down section in the front and bar you can sit at, but there is limited seating in this area. I enjoy the place for lunch on weekends and can't speak about the evening atmosphere.
More importantly, they have Waupoos on tap. Cider drinkers take note! We've been oppressed too long by our beer drinking brothers to have a spot at the bar under the golden taps. But Allen's is there for us by saving one of those lovely taps at the bar for a great drinking Ontario cider. You will be misty eyed as the man behind the brass taps pours you a chilled frosty fresh cider. When the most interesting man doesn't drink beer, he drinks cider. Honest, ask him. -
Review from Bryan C.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
At first entrance I didn't know if I felt old or young. By that I mean that the youngest people in there before I arrived had at least 20 years on me; so either I felt young surrounded by the old or I was now amongst the old. Having just turned 30 two weeks prior probably fueled that thinking a little too much. Even though the patrons saw a few more wars than I have, it by no means felt like an old folks home catching the early bird special. There was still an air of sophistication while walking through the plastic flickering candle-lit restaurant to our seats.
We were seated right away at a table for two and quite promptly our drink orders were taken. So fast actually that we didn't even have a chance to look at the really long, two sided wine list. The menu was interesting as it had a lot of information, a little too much information I think while ordering food. If sitting alone I suppose reading the story of the restaurant and a really long paragraph about the burger is a good way to pass time, when with people it can just be confusing as to where the list of food is. My partner went with the Ontario burger with cheddar cheese and fries (a la carte), and I went with the chef recommend of pork tenderloin and chipotle mashed.
When they brought the drinks I laughed to myself a little bit. We both ordered rum and coke and they came in little old-school diner juice glasses. Later when my partner ordered some water, it came in those same glasses. The plastic candle on the table was in an even smaller version of the juice glass. It actually felt weird drinking a rum and coke out of a narrow glass that feels like if you squeeze too hard it will shatter. But I digress, they are just glasses after all and they did hold our beverages the way they should.
Less than 15 minutes for the food to come out which I have been finding to be a rarity these days. My expectations were met on the first bite into a very tender and juicy piece of pork. While the chipotle mash was a little inconsistant in texture and parts were too creamy for my liking, it was very flavourful as well. My partners burger was also juicy, thick and tasty. The fries that came with her meal were actually quite good as well. Not quite as well done as liked when asking for well done fries, but they were fresh thick sliced potatoe and really good. I kind of like that they didn't undercut the taste of the fries with salt or spices, another rarity. With a touch of sea salt and pepper on the table that you grind yourself, this was an overall great main course.
The desserts were a little lacking, with most of the dessert menu being beverages and two of the five food related desserts were tarts of sorts. I went for a chocolate Guiness cake with sour cream icing. While the cake was a little dry and tasted too much of cocoa, it was still tasty and the icing evened out the cake quite nicely.
I would recommend Allen's if you enjoy wine or just want a quiet atmosphere that is a little more romantic in nature than just a group of friends. The music, as well as just the general chatter, was a very respectable level to not have to raise your voice or strain your ears to hear your companions. The service was also quick and excellent. I am giving them four stars based on the service and the main course as I don't think it is fair to dock a full star just because of a lack of real desserts. The price of most of the menu could have also struck it down a little, but there are enough choices that are in a more reasonable price range that it is most that big an issue for most. I say check this place out if you are looking for a nice, quiet evening. -
Review from Harding Y.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here several times and have had a variety of experiences, ranging from good to great. It's true, the burgers are among the city's finest, and on a cold, wet, November's eve the atmosphere is warm and inviting.
Tonight I sat at the bar with a friend and was well attended to. Known for its beer and Scotch list, I wasn't expecting the best vodka Martini but was pleasantly surprised. It was mixed with care, clearly by someone who values the effort put into shaking a cocktail.
After dinner I indulged in a glass of Scotch, because, well... one does. And one is usually very happy when the burn simmers in one's stomach. It makes for a good ending. -
Review from Yosh H.
North York, ON
1/9/2012
Best Burger for the money in Toronto
-
Review from Thom H.
East York, ON
1/29/2012
Nice menu, although not cheap. Can recommend burgers and steaks for sure. EXCELLENT beer and whiskey selection. Best patio on Danforth, by far. Pretty packed for dinner so get there early!
-
Review from Leeor J.
Updated - 10/2/2011
Ok I'm updating my review here because I came for the scotch this time, which is what they are really known for. It was very nice. I went with a scotch connoisseur friend of mine who was visiting from out of town and he ordered us a scotch (crap I dont remember the name) that he couldn't believe that they had on their menu. It wasn't outlandishly expensive ($25 or so for a glass). I'm no scotch expert, but this was fine scotch. My friend was sufficiently impressed. It was smooth and had some really nice subtle smokyness without being too sweet.
Go for the scotch not the beer. just don't expect much in the way of atmosphere.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/9/2010
I went to this place having heard that the one and only Michael Jackson (of beer connoisseur fame -… Read more »
-
-
Review from Eric L.
8/18/2011
2 things about Allen's should bring you here: Their abundant beer selection and out/indoor patio. We came here at around 10 on a Wednesday. The place was not too packed and we grabbed a seat on the back patio.
Along the back side wall, they have 4 blackboards with about 80 beers, organized by their type and region. The patio is pretty cool because the ground is covered in hardwood and naturally hundred year old elm trees sprout in the middle of it. During the daytime this patio would probably be great because of the natural tree shade, however during the night I feel that their lights are too bright and should be much dimmer.
Only 2.5 stars because the service is pretty slow. We had to flag down a server every time we need a refill and I saw a couple other tables being frustrated for the same reason.
Edit: I came here a 2nd time and the service was still slow and they forgot stuff or to comeback multiple times. I also had a chance to order some food. I have no idea why I paid $17.99 for a plate of Chicken Curry , but I did it anyway. It was alright, and had a good mix of spices, but did not justify it being that expensive. Glass of cider and chicken curry should not come up to over $35 after tip. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
8/19/2011 2 photos
2.5 star??
Allen's maybe one of the place that I can walked in and walked out without anyone asking or even anyone even knowing??
Maybe it was a little dark since it was 10:15 pm..... but I thought that 's when people going out?? but I guess not on a weekday?
Patio is lovely!! The trees are huge... on a cool summer night, sitting at Allen's back patio is like at some friend's backyard. But if I am sitting in a friend's backyard, I would have helped myself to a drink from the fridge!
No one even asked if I want a drink? or if I need a drink? or I just don't want a drink! Or I just got really confused after checking out the huge beer menu on the chalkboard and I just don't know what to order?
I even tried jumping up and down, waving my arms over my head... but no one... no one even noticed me... Maybe these wait staffs were trained in one of the Chinese restaurants?!
Allen's Special Light Draft 1/2 pint ($4.30) was a nice and refreshing to make me less frustrated with my beer ordering experience......Listed in: Places I Would Go For A Drink…, Patio! Patio! Patio
-
Review from Alex B.
East York, ON
9/28/2011
Great patio in the back.
Nice place for a few drinks but the prices were insane (they clearly arent aiming for the middle class here).
The food wasn't that amazing either, was good but for the price *shrug* -
Review from Lauren M.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I will take shitty service here just to enjoy the beautiful back patio! It reminds me of a traditional Irish countryside pub. I was waiting for a leprechaun to pop out from behind one of the lovely giant oak trees.
Can't comment on the food because I didn't eat here, but they had a good selection of beer. Proper Irish staff fr the most part and no Chinese customers, always a good sign! -
Review from David T.
Toronto, ON
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food wasn't good! Overcooked. Service was inattentive.
This place used to be good a few years ago but seems to have gone downhill. -
Review from Lilliane G.
Toronto, ON
8/18/2011
LOVE THEIR PATIO! This place has one of the nicest patios in Toronto. Who wouldn't want to enjoy a pint of their favourite beer under the canopy of the two majestic trees they have. The tables are well spaced out, the patio is enormous and they could easily pack another 5 or 6 tables back there, but they chose not too and this makes that space all the more comfortable and inviting. They have built-in seating surrounding the trees, so you can't help but feel like you're in someone's fabulous backyard.
Their beer list is extensive and their wine offerings are impressive as well.
Service was quick and our waitress was friendly.
One thing of note...we had visited another pub earlier in the evening and we're given a list of "don'ts" before our server would even take our order, due to "by law restrictions" and yet 4 doors down, those restrictions (no tables of more than 6 ppl, tables couldn't be moved) somehow magically disappeared at Allen's.
To be fair, I didn't try their food, but I'm basing this review on my beer drinking enjoyment and this place was near perfect. I'll update the review once I've tried their food. -
Review from Tara E.
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'll give Allen's one star for their burger and wings. When ordered medium rare the burger is juicy and delicious (when ordered medium it was significantly drier, I wouldn't be as excited if I liked my meat well done). It's rare to be able to find a place that makes their burgers so that you can order them medium rare. Their wings were saucy and delicious.
Another star for their patio. A sweet unexpected space.
That's all the stars they get.
One point off for charging for lettuce on the burger. That's just cheap. Want fries with your burger? That will be "about $5" extra. One off for the price! Everything was really over priced here, and as I mentioned above you feel really nickled and dimed over every bite. I paid $45 for a pint, a salad, and my share of some wings and fries.
One point off for how poor that salads ordered were. Both the niscoise and the goat cheese salad were severely lacking. The niscoice was just a hard boiled egg, a tomato, and a handful of green beans. No lettuce, no presentation. Nothing. Barely any food. And the tuna that was served with it was overcooked. The goat cheese salad was under dressed, with two puny pieces of goat cheese. For $16 I expect more.
One point off for rude service. The older gentlemen who served us was rude and snipppity from the very beginning. Yes, we were a large group, but we made a reservation, so it was known that we were coming. Our table was not ready for us, we had to wait about 40 minutes to add the last table to seat everyone. No one lit our candles, we had to do it ourselves. Our waiter was not helpful in recommending beers from their extensive menu, and he consistently gave the impression that he wished we were not there. We spent $600, and left feeling like we were an annoyance to him. I don't think any of us will be back. -
Review from James Y.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2011
One of the best places for brunch. Their homemade sausage patties with eggs are the best thing on the menu and my eggs are always done the way I like them. One of my favourite places that make a proper Bloody Caesars. And when you're not in the mood for a real drink - fresh OJ is awesome here with breakfast.
Dinners and lunches are a little bit on the pricey side, but the quality is excellent and they buy local which is great. Also helps that servers are usually pretty handsome and speak with a nice accent! -
Review from Sozon S.
North York, ON
11/13/2011
Best Burger in the city! I enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, the staff was friendly. It was mid-November so I didn't get a chance to try the patio. But overall, I was very very impressed.
-
Review from hangover n.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2011
The previous negative, semi-literate reviews of this place are absurd. Nice, personable staff, convivial atmosphere, and not even a trace of hipsterism to be found! The prices are slightly higher than your typical dirty Toronto chain pub; that's because the food is of a vastly, vastly higher caliber. The founder was a serious barman who learned the trade in Manhattan. Sadly, most Torontonians don't really understand what makes a bar good.
-
Review from Jr. Bob D.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2011
Yet another place that claims to have the best burger in the city. OK, they make a more compelling argument for their claim than most because of them doing all of their butchering on-site. And the fact that they don't add a bunch of other junk (which is something other places claim they HAVE to do to prevent the burgers from falling apart which, in reality, is all a bunch of hooey). This place actually backs up their claims with several very tasty burgers where you can actually taste the meat (as opposed to the stuff added that other places to to 'manufacture' taste). Beware: The burgers are somewhere between a thick hamburger patty and a somewhat smushed giant meatball. My choice was the cheddar with Canadian strip bacon (what can I say... I'm still white trash at heart and go for the most milquetoast option) but I loved it. And using ED Smith Ketchup is a nice touch. Mrs. Bobby went with a regular burger with sauteed onions and mushrooms and equally loved it. Also ordered at the table was the Angus steak which wasn't just a steak but a steak stew. Unfortunately that person didn't leave the table so I wasn't able to liberate any of their meal but I can say that it smelled fantastic. Previously I've also had the Manhattan Capon wings which have a great alternative flavor to the usual wings you'd find... well.. everywhere. I fully recommend the burgers-ANY burgers here- and the wings. All in all, it seems you can't really go wrong with everything they offer. Next time I'll need to try that bread that has been mentioned by other reviewers.
-
Review from Teena D.
11/28/2010 2 photos
We had a beer there yesterday afternoon.
The back part was jammed ... it seems to be a popular spot for a late lunch. We looked at the menu and was surprised that were weren't more "pubby" foods.
We sat at the bar and yakked with Steve, the bartender.
They had a great beer selection and a massive scotch selection ... the most expensive scotch is locked away in a safe and is $1,000 a shot!
We liked it there and will be back! -
Review from Angela L.
3/17/2011
Because of their awesome back patio, I've always thought only of Allen's during the warmest seasons. Sipping a nice cold beer and snacking on those perfectly crispy sweet potato fries under the shade of that animated tree makes everything seem easy breezy.
On the night of my most recent visit though, the weather was the exact opposite of that. It was during a heavy snowfall and we had gone out to the nearby hills to take advantage of the winter wonderland. Coming through the doors of Allen's soaking wet with an arsenal of dripping sleds in tow, we were warmly welcomed to hang everything up on their trusty coat hooks and relax.
My capon wings were as meaty and saucy as ever. My friends' gourmet burgers were reportedly scrumptious. Although I suspect that one never really gets used to the fact that the burger doesn't come with fries at Allen's, no one really seemed to mind ordering them on the side. I didn't verify this for myself, but the sweet potato fries were said to be just "okay". I don't know if this was because of the very late hour or the fact that there was a lack of sunshine and warm wind on our faces, but we'll be back to test that theory once patio season comes around again. -
Review from Elvis A.
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ended up here after the place we wanted to try was closed (even though the website stated otherwise)
For a Monday the place was packed especially the patio section. Heck its summer and Canadian really know how to enjoy their summers! We waited a bit and were seated at the patio after 10-15 minutes wait. The patio was packed. I luved the selection for hard liquors as it was almost two pages long with a small font! price range was anywhere from $ to $$$$! I stuck to beer. Beer selection is decent if you go by the bottle for draft its OK.
I already had had supper before so wanted to stick to a liquid diet :) friend ordered a peameal burger and was surprised all the sides and toppings were extra! had a Corona. I just luv Unibrue and couldn't resist Blache de Chambly on draft. The server asked my friend how he wanted his burger cooked, a rarity as that mean they grind their meat fresh and make the burger in house. The main purpose of this visit was to enjoy our cigars and and have decent drink. We asked the server specifically if we can smoke in the patio. The burger took its time. The server was attentive and kept checking on us.
Now for the bad part half way through our cigars he comes and says you can't smoke a cigar here! really why not You can smoke a cigarette full of nasty additives but not a natural product like cigar so we puffed on our cigars and finished them fast. Apparently you can smoke them in the front patio area but not the back!
Finally the burger arrived looked very good. After a while though it got really soggy and greasy as my friend commented he has had much better burgers for far less. Total damage with 3 beers and a main was around 50$all in. Hmmm makes me wonder.
I liked the beer selection so 4 stars for that though they could have used more Belgian style stuff, for food as per my friend 2 star so average is 3. I am going to deduct half a star for not allowing cigars yet cigarettes are ok. 2.5 Stars though I can see why this place is so popular. -
Review from August L.
Updated - 10/11/2010
I just didn't like the food this time.
FOOD
I had the open-faced oak-smoked irish salmon sandwich on soda bread with red onion and lemon. The salmon was great but everything else was just bland. The bread didn't complement the bread at all. I felt like a rye bread would have done the salmon justice.
The salad tasted good. I think though they could have added some more ingredients...walnuts would have gone well with it.
WAITRESS
our waitress was attentive but I couldn't stand how she put each serviette down so slowly and then one utensil at a time for the 4 of us. It felt like we waited for ages for her to get all the utensils down. I just thought it was annoying.Listed in: The Danforth
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/1/2010
A super great bar on the super great Danforth.
And compared to its sister, Dora Keogh, Allen's is… Read more »
-
-
Review from Chris P.
The food quality here is three stars and I would give the staff three to three-and-a-half stars. What brings this down to two stars are the prices. The price you pay for the quality and portion size are not equal. The quality is slightly aboves omething like a Jack Astors but you're going to pay $5-10 more for a smaller portion.
I just wasn't impressed. Maybe I need a second visit seeing all of the four star reviews.Listed in: Talk to the hand
-
Review from Jarvis E.
Toronto, ON
7/23/2011 12 photos
In the past week I have been to Allen's 3 times. The first day we had champagne for a birthday toast in the morning, then a group of 3 of us met for lunch another day...then breakfast where It was time to shoot video and blog about it and make it a Daily GEM. As soon as I walked in the staff were amazingly friendly and the patio blew me away how big and beautiful it was. The massive weeping willows stood tall protecting us from the heavy sun these hot days, and provided the best atmosphere by just being trees...but housing the birds that sang too. I haven't tried a hamburger yet, but my friend did...and it looked awesome. Complementary fresh bread and real butter, very clean...even outside - and very well prepared food - with class. If you go once...you will be back :)
-
Review from Chad M.
7/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great place for drinks, but I wouldn't eat here again.
PATIO: 5 Stars
SERVICE: 4 Stars
FOOD: 1 Star
PRICE: 2 Stars
I almost gave this joint 3 stars until I remembered that they charged me for lettuce and tomato on my burger. Dude, that is a GARNISH. Nobody in their right mind actually puts a vegetable on their burger. It's supposed to be there to fool you into thinking that you're eating healthy. Seriously, is this really going to make an impact on your bottom line? GRRR.
I went here with the Yelp crew and we initially took a table in the back patio. The sun wasn't quite out of the way yet so we were a bit hot. Soon afterward, it started to look like rain so we asked for an inside table and they graciously agreed. The service was friendly, fairly fast and professional all evening.
I'd heard "Best Burger in the City" several times, so I had to give it a shot.
One of my secrets to a happy life is to always keep your expectations low. So with all the great reviews on here and the CM of Yelp telling me how amazing the burger was, my expectation levels were off the charts.
Ordered Medium, it came out well. Very well. Thick, well, and dry. Someone else at our table ordered their burger well and it came out bloody! Initially we thought they may have confused our orders, however she hadn't ordered cheese or the expensive garnishes.
This is an ordinary pub food burger and nothing more.
Overall the location, service and patio were above average. I didn't hear anyone discussing their food however. I'd highly recommend it for drinks though. -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
7/17/2010
Allen's is an upscale pub with an extensive beer list, a nice patio, and good service. On the other hand, the food isn't the greatest; it's got an extensive menu of pub favorites that have a fancier twist, but I definitely wouldn't call this a gastropub.
The burger was egregiously bad. Bone dry, and on the bill there were separate charges for lettuce and tomato. Who does that? That's so bizarre! The Guinness-braised lamb shank was better -- fall off the bone tender, though I wish it ha been even more so. I also liked the accompanying champ (mashed potatoes and scallions).
I was very happy with their riesling and pinot grigio choices, which were perfect for the end of a steamy summer day. However, when the sky threatened rain, our server was very nice and accommodating about our request to move inside.
All in all, Allen's offers a nice atmosphere but the price of the food is rather high considering you're still just getting your standard pub fare. I'd go to Allen's again, but I'll stick to the drinks next time. -
Review from nikki c.
Toronto, ON
6/26/2011
There are a lot of great things about Allen's, but unfortunately service isn't one of them. I came here last week with a friend who was visiting from out of town so we could sample the extensive beer list and enjoy one of the best patios this side of the bridge.
The host seated us on the patio and brought us lunch menus, even though it was almost 4pm; he told us we wouldn't be able to order from the lunch menu, except for a very small offering of BBQ'ed goods. Then he left pretty abruptly, so we didn't have time to ask for the dinner menu. I also want to mention it was a very hot day and the sun was directly overhead; he seated us in the sun, and we baked for about ten minutes until he returned to our table. We asked if we could move to one of the free tables in the shade, and he mumbled something about having to check with a colleague, so we roasted for another ten minutes or so. Finally he returned and sat us at a shady table. (Throughout the meal we watched as he continued to seat other couples at the same broiler-table. Each time they asked to move to cooler seats, and we made a game of guessing how long the couples would stick it out before asking to move. I don't know why he kept sitting people there if they consistently complained. )
Another server came by to take our drink orders, and she was pretty unfriendly...didn't smile at all, and seemed kind of pissed off. Actually, the staff in general seemed standoffish, and I got the impression they would rather be anywhere than taking my order.
As I mentioned above, they've got a great list of beers to choose from. On such a hot day, it would have been nice if the chilled the glasses first though. The food was great, but pretty pricey. We had sweet potato fries, and the jumbo shrimp and scallop grill plate. The seafood was cooked to perfection, not at all tough or rubbery, and beautifully plated (if this were Iron Chef, they'd get 5/5 for plating). The prawns were HUGE. Unfortunately for $40 or so, you only got two prawns and two scallops. The dish also came with a plate of three salads (potato, Greek, mixed greens) which were tasty, but drenched in oil.
All in all I do like Allen's, and while I'm not going to become a regular, I'm sure I'll be back at some point. I hope next time the staff makes me feel a little more welcome. -
Review from sarah l.
6/6/2010 2 Check-ins Here
"Do you like working here?"
"Not really"
"Seriously? You would never know."
"Then thanks, I'm doing my job well then."
Allens is not the kind of place where I can ask the waitress to join us when she's off work. It is much classier.
The good:
- Best back patio on the east side. I will fight you to defend this title.
- Best burger in Toronto, IMO. They ground the meat onsite and will cook it to order. It's a tall and stout burger, which is how burger patties should be formed.
- GREAT brunch. Kat F and I headed over here on Mother's Day at noonish, and I have to say that Allen's rivals the 'good brunch' places on Queen East (ed levesque, lady marmalade). It was slightly non-traditional for me, with the homefries being a bacon and sweet potato hash and the toast being replaced with a fresh biscuit so of course I was apprehensive but everything was perfect. The ceasars are reasonably priced and could hold their own in a 3 round bout with the burger for best item on the menu.
- Good beer list, there is always something I want on it.
The bad:
- It's too expensive. The burger is $10.25 (which is actually not listed on the menu) and it doesn't come with fries. They are an extra $6 or something equally ludicrous. When we ate here for brunch it was $50 with only one caesar. The orange juice was over $5. I've had dinner for 2 there with a couple beers and it been easily over $100.
- I find the overly professional staff off-putting. I wish they were more friendly. They all behave the same way though so it must be part of the gig.
Pro Tip:
- Park at the Loblaws at Broadview and Danforth; it's also a public pay lot. It's $3.00 flat rate on weekends and after 6.
I will definitely go to Allen's again. I always have a good time and I generally need to eat that burger once a month. -
Review from Andrew T.
Toronto, ON
7/17/2010
Great ambiance and feeling of being in a live place - great patio, full place and the service was good. I was just happy to find a place that had that organic feeling of people having a good time. That's it - no magic, no Wizard of Oz or flying monkeys. It just feels right, and no pressure.
Please visit the patio!
They have a great beer list and overall I was pretty thrilled with the experience. If they had flying monkeys, it might have made it to 5 (actually, I didn't get a chance to try the food, so am holding out on giving it the full 5). Fun! -
Review from L B.
Toronto, ON
8/21/2010
We went here for dinner.
The good:
Bruschetta - super yummy
Great beer selection
The awesome:
The patio is by far one of the best in Toronto.
The bad:
My burger wasn't cooked as ordered and they charge extra for lettuce, tomatoes, pickles.
Sweet potato fries were soggy and disgusting
Service was slow and our waitress never asked how things were.
I won't rush back. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/3/2008 ROTD 4/6/2009
Let me start this blurb off with a sweeping statement: I don't like pubs. Not only that, I don't get them, I don't get their names (What the hell is a Firkin?), I hate the stinking, dank carpet they al have, and for that matter I don't particularly love beer.
That said, I do love Allen's and for all intents and purposes it is a pub. But Allen's is different. The large saloon style bar and hardwood floor décor harkens back to early America; the décor is like a set from a John Wayne movie - even the aging host is perfectly cast.
There is more to Allen's than it's antiquated charm...their beautiful patio. Walking through the restaurant to the patio is like stepping out of the Old West and arriving in Paris, in July. The patio is beautifully treed, with giant Oaks that must be at least 10 years old.
Oh right and the menu is quite good, untraditional pub fare with the standards -- good fries, great looking blue cheese burger and some other fried stuff. There is also a barbecue menu on summer evenings, which my boyfriend and I like because it comes with a ready-made salad bar. -
Review from Karl R.
5/23/2010 1 photo
Allen's fills a niche: a pub atmosphere with a white linen bent. It's the kind of place you can bring a date for a pint but also a nice dinner. Don't look for pub grub on Allen's menu. It's fine eating without the Financial District price tag. Heck, they even hide the fact they serve burgers. It takes a sharp eye to see they have burgers quasi-off menu.
They did have a fish and chips pub staple on the menu. I was pretty disappointed. It was a small bit of flesh covered in a huge whack of batter. The batter was over rich. You know when something is so deep fried that it starts to tickle your throat on the way down and almost invokes a gag reflex? The fries are tops, however. But as a chaser to a hunk of uggy rich batter, it was all too much. Even for me.
The beer selection is quite interesting. There are about 50+ bottles on the menu and a good selection on tap. Unfortunately, the beers are on a chalk board menu and aging eyes make it difficult to read the beer list from most tables. One has to sort of belly up to a patron table to read the list. No one wants people hovering over your table while you're trying to enjoy a dinner and an intimate conversation.
Service is highly professional and knowledgeable. They've got a smart crew working there. A backyard patio and an outdoor BBQ offers expanded menu choices when the weather turns nice.
Like the Queen & Beaver, this is a great high place where you can kill two birds with one stone. As a neighborhood pub where you can hoist a couple with friends, Allen's isn't very conducive to that. -
Review from Kat F.
If you see a show at Danforth Music Hall (which is a highly underused venue in this city), it's almost a certainty that you'll end up going to Allen's for drinks next door after the show. A small group of us went to Allen's for aftershow drinks one night and the service was excellent.
We were monopolizing a huge table while we waited for the rest of our crew to arrive, and when they didn't materialize one of the servers asked us if we would mind moving to another area. Of course we didn't, so we moved over to the bar. The server exclaimed: "Oh, I just plum love ya!", which made me giggle, and then he bought us a round of drinks in thanks for complying with his request. What a sweetie! He chatted us up about all the shows he used to see at the Danforth 'back in the day' and about the fact that he loves Fleetwood Mac.
If you're at Allen's on a show night you're sure to bump elbows with some rockstars as it's usually where everyone ends up at the end of the night.
I have also heard lots of things about their legendary patio, which I admittedly haven't enjoyed yet, but it's on my list of patios to invade this summer!Listed in: Mac & Cheese
-
Review from Josh N.
Toronto, ON
8/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Super disappointed with my latest stop to Allens.
Pro:
(immediately) seated on the (beautiful) patio (expected to have to wait as per usual)
Cons:
$14 for a gourmet restaurant burger is understandable, but another $5 for fries??
Cold spring roll appetizer was $11 for 2 small-ish cold spring rolls with a few garnishes. Really?
Would go back, but likely only for drinks on the patio. Shame. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/3/2008 3 photos
I went to this wonderful spot on the Danforth on a beautiful summer Sunday for brunch and it was really quite amazing. The backyard patio is fantastic; ample and comfortable seating, a gorgeous view and a fantastic weeping willow to keep you company while you eat.
I had the French toast made with brioche and bacon strips and it really hit the spot. The toast was fried and the inside was still a little gooey - topped off with some maple syrup it was simply delicious. The bacon was a great addition too as its saltiness set off the sweetness of the French toast perfectly.
I had tried some eggs bennie and they were scrumptious - nice and tart with some lemon juice i the hollandaise. They serve fage - fried potato with parsley - on the side and it is absolutely delicious.
Coffee refills were frequent and their homemade orange juice was delectable. If you like a good brew, they also have a HUGE list of beers written on a chalkboard on the patio. It's definitely a place I plan on frequenting again.Listed in: Top Restaurants
-
Review from Plank D.
Scarborough, ON
4/14/2009
Probably one of the best patios in the city.
Out back is a great patio with the feel of a true beer garden. A large, spacey area so that even when it is super busy, it never feels crowded. Big arching trees right in the middle of the patio that provide much needed shade on those hot summer afternoons when you are out enjoying good food and drink with friends.
Not to mention that the service is great and the food is fantastic!
Eating inside is a nice experience as well.
A nice, cool environment in which you can unwind and savor a few hours.
You can also grab a drink out front where they have a couple of tables out on the sidewalk. But the patio is my favorite thing about this pub.
