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Barque Smokehouse
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
299 Roncesvalles AveToronto, ON M6R 2M3
Neighbourhoods: High Park, Roncesvalles
(416) 532-7700
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 2 pm
Sun 5 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
83 reviews for Barque Smokehouse
Review Highlights
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"drum roll* the Cuban Corn." In 7 reviews -
"...chicken thigh, Kansas-style baby-back ribs, and the brisket." In 9 reviews -
"must try: wings, brisket and smoked skirt steak." In 26 reviews
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83 reviews in English
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Review from E K.
Toronto, ON
5/7/2012
Went there yesterday for brunch around 1 pm. The place was packed but we lucked out and got a seat on the patio. It was a little chilly but they had heat lamps going, (still a little cold for me but it was tolerable)
We went there based on all the positive Yelp reviews and we were VERY happy.
Our server was very friendly and attentive. A word of warning, If you are going there STARVING do order a little something before your main meal. (We ordered coffee and beer but it wasn't enough) It took about 25 or so minutes before we got our food as it was really really busy.
I had the omelette with the smoked salmon and it came with home fries and a side salad, and some bland buttered Challah bread. It was good but I would probably just order the ribs next time.
My boyfriend ordered the ribs and fries. They were delicious and a bit spicy and came with the same side salad as my eggs.
***We noticed other dishes that were being served and they looked REALLY GOOD. I think one was the Eggs Benedict with Cornbread, and others had pancakes that looked really good too.***
All in all this place is definitely a must try and we will go back and try them for dinner.
Will definitely make reservation in advance as our serve suggested.
It also smells nice and smokey....YUMMM! -
Review from Melanie H.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2012
Advice to the inexperienced hostess: Don't tell a very pregnant and hungry lady that you have a table for her, and that it will be just a minute while it gets cleaned up, then make her wait 10 minutes, to tell her that the table has been given away to a late reservation. This is how you get people to hate you and your establishment.
I have been here 3 or 4 times before, and it has always provided good service, but average food for an average price. These people need MORE SAUCE, and less hype.
Last time I went I said I would never go back because my sandwich was terrible, SO BLAND, I could have stayed at home for a bowl of cheerios.The smell of this restaurant is so appealing to my pregnancy cravings, I caved in and dragged my reluctant boyfriend to go back with me. CONFIRMED. I'll never go back. Thanks, shitty hostess, for saving me from your dry sandwiches that cater to the 75% of people out there who don't know any better. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dear Barque,
I love you. I know it's a bit early to say this, and I know you hear it a lot. But I fell in love with the instant someone mentioned bacon rimmed caesers, and you had me at bacon. I hadn't even seen you at this point, but I knew we were a match made in Heaven.
Despite you not taking reservations, you let me put my name down on your list of waiting suitors. It worked out perfectly, as I had to travel quite a distance to get to you. But it was no matter, by the time I found parking in your beautiful neighbourhood, you were ready for me.
I know you treat all your people as well as you did me, but I felt so special! Your servers were so sweet, you offered me sparkling and regular water (what! that's awesome!), you never kept me waiting too long, you made sure I was beaming from ear to ear when my brunch arrived. You were perfect.
You cook an amazing meal too, Barque. The french toast was beyond anything I've ever had. The grilled cheese sandwich - divine. All my friends were impressed, and I knew I'd be hooked forever. I was so sad when we had to part ways, and I had to fly back to my end of the country. But don't worry, I'll be back in town soon. And when I come back, you can bet I'll be paying you another visit. In the meantime, take care - bask in the glory that is Toronto's 6th best restaurant in 2012 (Toronto Life Magazine) but don't forget about me!
With love,
TheresaListed in: Toronto Love, 2012 Best Of
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Review from Dorothy J.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2012 1 photo
There's a good reason or two for why this restaurant is considered to be the best in TO for barbeque. It offers what can best be described as refined barbeque. We tried the sweet heat ribs and the dry ribs and both were finger-licking good. Had to have the bacon-rimmed caesar - yummy! BLT in a glass. Recommend making reservations for a Saturday night so you can get a table. We were good with sitting at the bar and enjoyed the company around us. Decor is welcoming and lends itself to a wonderful date out with your significant other. Dressy or casual.
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Review from roben h.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2012
I was here on a Sunday night.
The menu and service were great... place had a super friendly laid back vibe.
Only complaint is that the food seemed 'tired' - like it was all pre-made in massive batches and by the time it was served to us it was a bit old. -
Review from chris s.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2012
Bland, mediocre food. We went for the Sunday family meal and I wouldn't go back. Whatever you do, avoid the lamb stew - hardly any meat and tasted like a reheated frozen dinner.
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Review from Jenny C.
Toronto, ON
4/20/2012
OMG! We took a friend, who's a serious carnivore, to Barque for his birthday. It was the perfect choice!
The restaurant was great at accommodating our large group of 20. They did a set menu for $35 each which was plenty of food and created a great feel for the event as large platters of delicious food was brought out for sharing throughout the night. Everyone commented how great the food and evening was and best of all the birthday bloke was happy as he wandered about chatting while drinking a caesar rimmed with honey and bacon bits!
Take your meat eating man! He'll love it. Plus, I talked this place up so much after I'd been that even my vegetarian friends want to go. Seriously. -
Review from Renay R.
Toronto, ON
4/15/2012
I came here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday dinner and I could not have been happier. Great food and service made for a great experience!
When you arrive you have a bucket of spicy popcorn waiting for you and you are asked if you'd like complimentary sparkling water. This is a nice and welcome change.
I had the BBQ sampler for one - which came with brisket, ribs and a chicken thigh. All were excellent. The meat had a really nice smokiness and was incredibly tender. There are two types of BBQ sauce at your table and they give you a BBQ brush so taht you can apply as you see fit. I ordered the pickle side and I'm not sure that I would order that again truthfully. My friend had the ceasar salad and that looked a lot better.
For dessert, I had the pecan pie which was fantastically decadent! -
Review from Tina H.
4/7/2012
Expectations started out high because of the hour and a half wait time on Thursday before Good Friday.
My friend had been here before and had a not so awesome time and the owner gave the impression that he'd pull strings to get her in next time even if they're booked solid. So we showed up and he totally didn't remember her! She didn't want to impose so we just waited in line like everyone else. We figure it would be worth the wait since the reviews are so favourable.
We checked in regularly to see the status as we were wandering around the neighbourhood. He said "I'll call you, don't worry. I give you my word." We joked about what value his word had based on the above-mentioned circumstances.
We were finally seated at the bar after over an hour wait, which was less time than he said we'd wait initially. We ordered some drinks. I got the Smoked Bourbon Sour, which didn't impress at all. It didn't taste smoked at all; it just tasted like a normal bourbon sour that any place with a decent bar would make. The caesars looked good, and I kind of wished after tasting the bourbon sour that I had ordered one of those, as the glass was rimmed with candied bacon.
The complimentary popcorn to snack on was pretty good. There were 2 sauces served with the popcorn too, and one was delicious, while the other was just ok.
The meat was definitely the best part. We got the platter for 2 with the beef ribs, 1/2 rack of baby back ribs and brisket. All of those were quite delicious. The meat is by far the highlight of this place.
The sides we got were the fries, the vegetable salad and the spätzle (pasta) dish. The fries were small, soggy, and broken up quite small. They were too small, soggy and messy to pick up with your hands. The spice on it was tasty, but the fries overall were not great. The vegetable side was quite terrible, while the pasta dish was decent.
The sides were quite drab and I felt sort of ripped off because of how terrible they were. I would've been happier without the sides.
The service was pretty decent except for the banter going on between the staff. The bartender seemed kind of rude to the new trainee. Also, when he went to take my drink he asked me if I was done with it, holding onto it, as if wanting to take it away. I said I wasn't because there was still some left, and he replied "well it's mostly water." Seriously? I want to drink my diluted drink that I'm paying for. I will drink it to the last drop, don't try to make me feel bad because I want to finish it all (even though it wasn't that good). I didn't like how he was rude to me and the other person behind the bar. So not cool.
The atmosphere is nice and smells nice and smokey.
Overall this place doesn't impress and isn't worth the wait. I would maybe go back at a less busy time if I were in the area and hope to have a different server (not the bartender). I would order only meat and not the platters that include sides. They seemed to have interesting specials that were for 4 people. Unfortunately because we were 2 it would've been too much to order that.
Worth a try at a less busy time. -
Review from Alan K.
London, ON
5/22/2012
I went into this place with very high expectations and my meal had both high points and low points. The service was very friendly and informative for newbies to this kind of cuisine (southern style bbq I guess is what they serve here). The free complementary popcorn was interesting but I found it bland and kind of tasteless. We tried the barque sampler for 2. For meat, we got the beef ribs, baby back ribs, and competition chicken thighs. And for sides, we got the fries, mixed vegetables, and pickled platter. The mixed vegetables and pickled platter were fantastic. The fries on the other hand were kind of soggy. As for the meat, everything was well cooked. The chicken thighs were super moist and juicy but extremely bland and rather tasteless. The beef ribs were beautifully cooked but nothing overly special in terms of flavour. The highlight of the meal was definitely the baby back ribs (we got the sweet heat as opposed to the dry rub). I could eat a huge plate of these on my own for sure as the meat was both well cooked and bursting with a lot of flavour from the spices they put on it. Still, considering how much hype surrounds this place, I left feeling somewhat unsatisfied and slightly disappointed. To be fair though, I know now what I do like there so if I were to return, I know what to order and what to avoid. And perhaps I should learn to stop having such unrealistic expectations as no place would probably meet them. Solid place overall.
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Review from Melanie W.
Toronto, ON
3/27/2012
Droooooooool..... a new favourite of mine in the city. I knew good things were about to happen when I saw everyone`s place setting includes a bbq sauce brush. The food here is incredible! The brisket is melt in your mouth, the ribs tender and juicy, the house-made squash gnocchi is creamy and could make a meal of it`s own if you wanted it to. I was a little surprised not to see pull pork as a regular on the menu but I hear it does make an appearance on the specials.
I would love Guy Fieri from Triple D to check this place out.Listed in: Trying to impress a date
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Review from scott d.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
If you like the traditional southern style smokehouses with big flavour, big portions, and rough around the edges, then this place is not for you. If you like variations on the smokehouse theme with fancier presentation but milder taste, then you will love this place.It really depends what kind of smokehouse you want. Smoked anything is the new fashion food trend and it seems everybody and their brother wants to open a smokehouse.
The staff were really friendly and the place is hip. Maybe too hip. Overall I found the food a bit bland and it just failed to satisfy the smoke lover in me. The "Cuban corn" was not very spicy, the "Briskett" was dry and came across more like cold cuts than something that had been smoked (the brisket at Camel is hard to beat), and the "Pulled Pork" was not really shredded pork (sorry it has to be to be called that) it it was really one of the blandest PP sandwiches I have seen. That sampling was enough to convince me to return if I was in the area and wanted OK food but not worth a special trip. Instead I would go to Lou Dawgs, The Stockyard, or even Camel (although I find their PP a bit sweet). A good, average, place.
I would say that the best example of what Barque is trying to be is Ottawa's "The Smoque Shack" which combines modern style with authentic smoked flavours and the ability to mix and match food combinations as samplers. I think that Barque could learn from them a bit. -
Review from Ayumi S.
Etobicoke, ON
4/10/2012
If you go for a brunch on weekend, I recommend you to go like 10 or 15mins before they open because there will be line up for sure!
I loved everything about the restaurant, seriously couldn't find any complaints.
First, I got a sparkling water for free of charge lol Amazing.
Then ordered coffee....SO Fresh!
I tried barque benedict and the combination of cornbread, pork brisket, hollandaise sauce, porched egg were excellent.
Everything melt in my month so quickly...SO GOOD!
So respected the chef who come up this recipes.....
I must say....it was best brunch in Toronto.
Excellent food and service, comfortable atmosphere.
My husband and I will definitely go back for dinner very very soon. -
Review from Jenna M.
3/3/2012
I've been up and down Roncesvalles more times than I can count, and I can count pretttty high, so the opening of a smokehouse definitely caught my attention. Roncesvalles has plenty of great restaurants that will satiate anyone's hankering for pizza, sushi, pub food and the like, but what about BBQ?! For those who had been previously denied meat of the smoked nature, Barque must have seemed like a southern dream coming true when it opened its doors for the first time.
I've heard that the brunch is drool worthy, but I was only lucky enough to get in for lunch one day. I say lucky because this place is always jammed and the waiting time can often be up to an hour or more. However, if you have your eye on the prize (ie. a rack of baby back ribs perhaps), you'll endure the restless wait. My lunch consisted of a spicy caesar and the smoked Barque burger. While it did not make me fall of my chair (I'm surprised a few caesars didn't either), it was tasty and the arugula salad on the side was a nice complement to the dish. My friend had the Halibut, which I enjoyed more than my own meal. Why I always want what my lunch date orders I'll never know, but I managed to steal a few bites and the fish was fresh and cooked perfectly.
In addition to the food, the atmosphere is casual and the restaurant well-designed with some high thick wooden tables and the lower variety where families can gather round to devour plates of saucy brisket, ribs, wings and chicken. With that said, vegetarians will be happy to find a few items on the menu that they can equally enjoy while not having to worry about BBQ war wounds being left on their cheeks.
Barque is a feel good joint (and a bit of a carnivore's dream)...a little Texan, a little Cuban, and a whole lot good! -
Review from Cindy W.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2012
Really? What's all the hype about? The food was terrible. Too much bad to list.
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Review from jocelyn l.
3/11/2012
If you're coming here for brunch, definitely come before Noon and don't bring a big group- 4 ppl should be max. Any more and you'd have to wait more than an hour- which is what happened to the 5 of us on a Sunday. That definitely marred our experience a little.
I loved my Smoked Duck Pancakes on Blueberry compote with chevre cheese- it was a great balance of sweet and savory. But my friends who had the egg benedict with brisket thought it was just OK.
Great space, friendly service, but LONG waits for brunch -
Review from Helen L.
York, ON
3/13/2012
After hearing so much about Barque, and reading all the stellar reviews I was somewhat surprised and rather disappointed. Living in a house with two smokers (charcoal and electric), I may have expected too much walking in the door.
The tacos we started with were to die for and I still crave them. The meat platter for two was another matter. I did not experience the glory others had. The beef ribs were excellent but the baby back ribs were overcooked, dry and the meat did not easily fall off the bone. The Cuban Corn was visibly over cooked from my perspective, the natural sweetness could not shine through.
Overall, a disappointing meal, especially when these oversights could have been caught in plating. The Owner was visibly upset with our feedback and indicated that our experience was not the norm. I am undecided whether I will return. -
Review from Oliver G.
Mississauga, ON
1/30/2012
Walking into this place provides an infusion of amazing barbeque smells to your nose that you will not forget.
If I had to describe the food here in two words I would say that it was: Really Really Good (that's right, that IS two words).
I got here a little late so my two other friends had already ordered some appetizers. The name of what they ordered I don' t know but I was greeted with a beef-stuffed ravioli bathed in a really flavourful sauce.
I tried the Sampler for One, which includes a choice of three proteins and 2 sides. I went for the Brisket, the Beef Rib, and the 1/3 Rack of Baby Back Ribs, with a side of gnocchi and fries (yes, very healthy). The gnocchi was recommended by our server who was very friendly and helpful.
My friend was uncertain on what to get for an entree and when he mentioned that to our waiter he responded without hesitation or time delay - "You want the Smoked Beef Tenderloin" - which he did not end up getting, but was a very definite suggestion!
The atmosphere was great at this place although I found sitting on the inside side of the booth a little loungier than I would want. The place is well illuminated and the smells inside are a treat to your senses. The food came quickly and at the right temperature (things don't come burning lava hot as some other places).
Between all that I ate I could have probably given up the Beef Rib to try the Chicken instead (maybe next time!). The beef rib actually did not have much meat on it... The brisket and baby back ribs were delicious, especially when you brush the sauces that they provide (together with a personal brush) on the meats!
The bill was reasonable for the quality and quantity of food obtained. I definitely look forward to going to this place again and having a great dinner with my lovely girlfriend.
Great place, awesome ambience, delicious food! -
Review from Suzie S.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2012
My sweetheart and I checked out Barque in its very early days (when it first opened last year).
The year prior, we had spent a week in New Orleans and a few days down in Memphis... so we do know what good deep down smoked southern barbeque should taste like... It should taste like Barque!
We shared the Sampler with the Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, and Chicken (plus Ceasar salad and Ravioli). It was quite a bit of food (just like in the deep south)! The house BBQ sauce was wonderful as was pretty much everything that we ate. All of the meat was perfectly juicy and melted in our mouths... The ceasar salad had fresh bacon on it, which was a welcome surprise.
Barque only has St.Ambroise beer on tap, which is amazing (try the Apricot Wheat beer - my personal fave).
The restaurant interior is very modern, with exposed brick and high tables. In the summer, the patio is pretty happening too.
I will venture to say that making a reservation is now an absolute must (Barque looks packed to the brim whenever I'm heading home on the streetcar). -
Review from Erica J.
Toronto, ON
1/31/2012
Yep - we've been 6 times in the last two months and this place blows my mind! The brunch is to die for... the duck pancakes and eggs benedict make me salivate just thinking about them. They also serve a wicked caesar; they actually put honey and bacon around the rim of the glass. And yes I said - BACON around the glass.
* I would like to see an 'old school pulled pork plate' with baked beans and coleslaw on the menu, but I can't complain b/c this place is perfect!
I grew up in rural Alabama and NEVER thought I'd find a decent BBQ place in Canada much less in my neighborhood... Who knew? Barque is definitely AS GOOD AS IT GETS.
***** Also, this place is SO very kid friendly. -
Review from Angela L.
1/19/2012
For a casual weeknight date, sitting up at the bar at Barque was none too shabby. The long and fragrant room was bustling with happy noshers when we arrived and the host offered the last seats in house to us. Our coats were immediately taken and seasoned popcorn sat waiting when we jumped onto the bar stools moments later. A carafe each of tap and complementary sparkling water arrived soon after.
While sampling the house made barbecue sauce and mustard by dipping my popcorn, my eye fell onto the barbecue sampler (choosing beef rib, pork ribs with spicy sauce, and chicken thigh). My sides of cuban corn and pickled veggies made complementary sides to the heavy meat main. Whisky selections from the large drink menu washed everything down nicely.
My dinner date's visibly daunting half chicken was reported to be tender. Although he complained that there were not enough fries in proportion to the main, I thought it would have been plenty for my liking. By choosing to doggy bag a portion of each our meals, we managed to save space for a shared piece of brownie with rich vanilla ice cream.
Our young male server was genuine and the over the counter service was refreshing. It was interesting to have a peek at the servers and cooks prepping dishes and tending to the smoker as we savoured our scrumptious meals. -
Review from William T.
Scarborough, ON
1/8/2012
Nice looking interior, has a section with bar stools & another with proper sit down areas.
Ordered three appetizers, Brisket Poutine, Smoked Wings & Pulled Duck Tacos.
The Brisket Poutine was very good as the brisket & cheese sauce made simple cut potatoes very interesting to the palette.
Spicy Chipotle Smoked Wings were tender & quite spicy.
Lastly, the Pulled Duck Tacos, which were unremarkable.
The main, was the Sampler for Two which consisted of two Competition Chicken Thighs, 1/2 Rack of Baby Back Ribs & Brisket.
Of the three, I enjoyed the Brisket the most as it was infused with the most flavor throughout & required no additional sauces on the outside as all flavor came from within.
It is worth mentioning that the process of making the Brisket is done by first smoking the meat unwrapped for 6 hours, then smoking for another 6 hours wrapped in aluminum foil.
Overall the service was attentive & friendly, so I enjoyed my visit to this restaurant & could see myself coming back here again at some point. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
12/27/2011
VIBE
It's woodsy. There's even tree bark in the bathrooms (which have these lovely sliding doors, by the way). Lots of families and groups here but we opted for a girlfriend catch up. There were quite a few adorable kids here. Great for people watching. We were lucky it wasn't super busy as I've seen wandering by in visits past.
Service was friendly and relaxed. The one waiter whose look is inspired by Adam Lambert is quite hilarious. When I said "Table for Two," he replied, "Totally." I was waiting for a rendition of "If I Had You." Encore performance next time?
WE ATE
We got the lunch menu but couldn't resist the half rack ribs (that come with two sides each). The meat was lovely and it filled us just enough. The spicy ribs have quite the bite and our two sauces complimented the meat quite well. Our sides were the cuban corn (yum!); arugula salad (a good palate cleanser and a hefty side); fries with aioli (delish!) and more cuban corn.
Soft drinks come in mason jars and are portions work in Barque's favour.
I'd like to try the brisket but another day!
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
I'm barqueing up Barque's tree. Worthy of a few repeat visits.Listed in: Meat, Roncy Eats
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Review from Mary D.
1/9/2012 1 photo
After reading that this is one of the best new brunch places of 2011, we decided to try it out this weekend. We arrived at about 12:30 pm on Sunday, and had to wait about 10 minutes to get a table for 2. The host was friendly and efficent, and kept us updated on how long the wait would be.
Hubby and I were both very happy with our meals - I had the french toast, which comes with honey ricotta, candied almonds, and smoked candied bacon bits (very few, but those that I had were good). I did have to request some extra syrup though, as there are 3 big pieces of french toast, and while they drizzle the syrup on for you, the bottom 2 pieces didn't really get the syrup and needed the moisture.
He had the eggs benny, which is a bit unique since it's on cornbread and is served with smoked brisket. He loved it.
My latte and his coffee were good, and we were both happy to have a carafe of water on the table, rather than having to wait for refills.
The servers were friendly. Ours also put in a good sales pitch, luring us with the dinner menu - we assured her we'd be back soon to try it.
The atmosphere was relaxed, casual, trendy, and family-friendly while still young and hip.
We will return!Listed in: My neighbourhood-ish, Sunny Side Up
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Review from Amanda P.
North York, ON
3/26/2012
I went to Barque for dinner about three weeks ago and I'm still dreaming about the brisket!
We went without reservations, but hoped that arriving at 5:15 (it opens for dinner at 5) would mean we could get a table fairly quickly. No such luck. The hostess quoted us 1.5h wait time, but my normally-impatient boyfriend fell prey to the delicious BBQ smell and was happy to wait. We were overjoyed to get a call 45 minutes later about two available seats, and it was definitely worth the wait!
First things first: the drinks. I tried the famous bacon-rimmed Caesar and was thoroughly impressed, though it was probably a bit too much considering all the food I was about to devour. Plus it came with an asparagus stalk, and I'm all about creative Caesar accoutrements (celery need not apply).
Shared the platter for two and sampled the brisket (heavenly), beef ribs (ginormous) and chicken breast (boring choice, but super delicious) and three sides including French fries, corn on the cob and brussel sprouts. As a brussel sprout fan I was a little disappointed since I expected it to be a hot side dish and instead it was more like a cold salad. Still, the flavor was pretty good, but the texture would have been much better if warm. In any case, there was PLENTY of food for two people to share and, if you plan on ordering some appetizers, prepare to go home with either your jeans unbuttoned or leftovers.
I appreciate that Barque thinks of the little things: the buckets of popcorn and individual basting brushes that come with the cutlery are a nice touch. The two types of BBQ sauce are great, though with some choices (BRISKET), BBQ sauce is not necessary.
The vibe is relaxed and not at all pretentious. When I was there, they were playing cartoons on the TV. It's a small space crammed with as many people as they can fit, but it's surprisingly not noisy. If you're looking for a casual place with good food, this is a must-try. -
Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2012
I rang in the new year with barbeque! That bartender knows how to make a friggin' good gimlet and if I close my eyes I can still taste the bbq chicken and pork shoulder preparation...they had a set menu featuring competition style bbq! God, it's like they came up with this concept just so my new year celebrations would be more joyous!
Also, an amazing dessert and I'm not really into dessert...some sort of almond custardy tiramisu type of something....truly delicious.
There were table prizes...I got a fake beard which was hard to eat barbeque through but in the spirit of party I tried....a nice beer selection and just amazing service from a staff who all seem really proud to work at Barque.
Also, the owner is class! He did front of house like an old school pro and made us all feel welcome and looked after. He's obviously really passionate about his eats and drinks! Seriously, nothing like a down home atmosphere with high end service.
It was really one of the best dining experiences I've had in Toronto. -
Review from Linda M.
10/17/2011
When I found out my brother would be coming to town, I knew this was where I wanted to bring him. Last time he had come to the city, I had taken him to another bbq joint. Him being a "tried and true" kinda guy, he wanted to go back to that one. But, I'm a big fan of trying new places so I thought I'd take a chance and encourage him to trust my selection.
We arrived right on time for our reservation on a Friday night, and were greeted by a very friendly host, then an equally friendly server. I have no complaints about the service here, they were definitely on point.
I knew from reading reviews and the online menu that I wanted to do the sampler platter - I'm always in favour of trying as many things as possible. Warning for future dining companions: I will try your food. Possibly whether you want me to or not. But I'll return the favour and will always offer a bite of mine!
Back to the food. We chose the brisket, spicy baby back ribs, and beef ribs for the meat; the smoked asparagus, gnocchi, and Caesar salad for the sides. But alas, they weren't able to offer beef ribs.
It turned out we weren't at all sorry for missing out on the beef ribs because the chicken was absolutely delicious. Even my brother, who usually prefers white meat, just gobbled it up. The baby back ribs had a building heat to them, and they were very tasty. My definite favourite was the brisket. It just melted in my mouth. Absolutely fantastic. The gnocchi was just okay. The tomato sauce it was in was nothing special, it didn't really have any flavour except that of the tomatoes. The salad was good, but again nothing out of the ordinary. The asparagus though...now that was something different. It actually tasted like smoke. I wasn't sure if I liked that or not, and to be honest I'm still not sure. My brother thought it was fantastic though. So, to each their own on that one.
I really enjoyed the country-kitchen-esque décor. Lots of wood is always a plus in my books. I will definitely return for the beef ribs.
Oh and my brother? He definitely wasn't complaining that I had insisted on trying somewhere new. -
Review from Melissa G.
Toronto, ON
1/7/2012
Went here for brunch today with the family. First off, everything we ordered came out cold, except for the home fries. After telling the waitress the manager came over right away and apologized and comped our meal. The staff was incredibly friendly and apologetic about the mistake.
I had the (cold) eggs benny, on cornbread with slices of brisket and a bbq hollandaise. Despite the temperature, it was pretty tasty, though the brisket was quite fatty. The mushroom grilled cheese was awesome and we all enjoyed the spice rub seasoning the fries.
Undecided if i will return, but i am intrigued to try this place for dinner sometime. -
Review from Amy F.
Little Italy, Toronto, ON
12/29/2011
Barque was one of 2011's best new restaurants, without a doubt. I have been a two times, both for dinner and each experience has been delicious, hospitable and left me wanting more. The popcorn with BBQ sauces are a great idea-- they help to pass the time waiting for the delicious smokey goodness.
Things you MUST try:
Brisket, dry rubbed chicken wings, cuban corn, chicken thighs.
Also, I enjoyed the exclusive support of Montreal micro-brewery St. Ambroise. The oatmeal stout is wonderful.
I don't recommend bringing the family on a regular night, however they host sunday night "family" dinners! The menus look delectable and this is a trend other restaurants might want to test out.
Overall the atmosphere is pleasant and casual, but nothing to write home about.
The food however speaks for it self. They smoke to perfection and definitely know what they're doing (the main chef/owner did a year of research before opening this place).
Barque is a MUST try, but always make reservations. -
Review from Benjamin C.
Etobicoke, ON
11/6/2011
I walked in with a date after looking for good BBQ places in Toronto, thinking it was just like any other run of the mill BBQ place with good food. I asked for a table for 2, they said it'd be an hour wait, even for the bar and gave some pretty bad attitude as if I should know that. Immediately left after that. There was an open table too, and was an open table for 5 minutes even as we were deciding outside where to go next. The decor was fancy and didn't feel welcoming at all for a BBQ place.
BBQ is my favourite food, and when I go out I don't expect to be treated like some lower class citizen who didn't make reservations. It kills me because I'm sure the food is very good, but the attitude and atmosphere is definitely not for me. -
Review from Andreas D.
Toronto, ON
11/25/2011
I'd love to give this place 2.5 stars, but as I can't do that, two it is.
First off, the service. Friendly, but slow, slow, slow. Drinks took forever to arrive, the food even longer. A plate of olives and some hummus, the starter, should not take close to 1/2 an hour to make an appearance.
As a mains, we shared the sampler platter. The kitchen got our order wrong, sending out gnocchi instead of fries, chicken instead of beef. No matter, at this time we were so hungry, we just wanted to eat.
1. The brisket. Awesome texture, but no flavour of any kind. Utterly bland, only somewhat rescued by the BBQ sauce (awesome) that was on the table.
2. Brussels sprout salad. I swear that salad had been wilting in the kitchen for a bunch of hours. It looked and tasted...old. Tired and dull.
3. The ribs. Now I understand that not all ribs fall off the the bone. But there's a difference between tightness and dryness and the ribs we were being served were dry. Either the kitchen had been rushed or the temperature was wrong.
4. The gnocchi arrived cold, in a congealing cheese sauce/dressing. Seriously? Seriously.
So here we were, disappointed in a restaurant that was obviously buzzing all around us. It did occur to us that we might just be either really. Really picky or just plain wrong in our opinion.
But I don't think we were. It just wasn't all that good. -
Review from Jason B.
8/18/2011
My girlfriend and I attended this new Roncesvalles BBQ joint and were enraptured by the rustic decor. The 30-something owners have done a really fantastic job of created an old aged and wooden feel- they now have a patio and a frontal window which opens to the street to create that outdoor feel while inside.
The owners both introduced themselves and both seemed like great guys. We shared the bbq sampler and were certainly impressed and left with a take-out container! Their house bbq sauce is also quite unique. A great addition to the Roncy neighbourhood! -
Review from George D.
Oakville, ON
10/23/2011
This place is a pure delight. The food is delicious and they're generous with their portions.
Located in the very trendy Roncesvalles area of Toronto, Barque is a smokehouse, so the meats are uniquely flavored; it's definitely *the* distinguishing factor. If you get the ribs, be prepared for a messy meal (the restaurant provides ample amounts of napkins and wet-naps). I've been twice, and both times I've had the sampler, which makes you feel like you didn't miss out on anything.
Barque is always busy, so be prepared to wait -- or better yet make a reservation.
And if you opt for spicy food (over rubbed), get ready for a good amount of heat (this coming from a guy with a particularly high threshold).
I was sad that they discontinued the smoked asparagus; it was brilliant. Their mixed vegetables and cesar salad is underwhelming. The pickled platter is cool, though -- there's some unique stuff in there. -
Review from Amy D.
2/2/2012
I had a blonde moment the other day while approaching Barque. I took the Queen streetcar all the way down to Roncesvalles, i approached the restaurant and i saw on their chalkboard that they allow smoking indoor. I was gobsmacked, i thought, wait you cant smoke indoors in Ontario!! Then, i was like, oh they smoke their meats, of course. Needless to say i am glad that we went in. We came for lunch and i was actually surprised at how packed the place was. I had the Barque Brisket sandwich with red cabbage slaw, fried onions & horseradish mayo with their Barque Caesar. The sandwich was fantastic, the meat was super tender, and smoky, and i loved the texture that the fried onions added. I had the Caesar and it was alright, it needed more citrus, and more garlic, but it was a good side. My sis had the Halibut sandwich with avocado, tomatoes, fried capers & arugula. She actually commented that there was too much fish, the portion size was too large for lunch. Now i don't know if they were running out of avocado that day, but i looked at the sammy and there was the tiniest amount of green on the bun, the sandwich really would have excelled with less fish and more avocado. She had the Cuban corn as her side and she said it was money, so delicious. It was slightly charred, and citrusy, a real hit.
Overall i really liked Barque, fair prices, good quality food, and a great vibe. Next time i would like to come back for supper. -
Review from Colborn C.
Toronto, ON
4/16/2012
So I went to Barque tonight and have never seen a place as busy on a Monday. After waiting for 20 minute for a seat at the bar I started with a simple beer. Went with the GF and we started with the Wings, from the first bite the made me fan. The smoke flavor with a combination of the char on the wing with the heat of the chipotle I was already a fan. We quickly killed those wings while enjoying every bite. We then moved onto some cocktails while we waited for our meals to come (she ordered the ribs while I went for the chicken). Not sure if you have ever had a drink with smoked lime in it but its a must try, smoked flavor in a drink is just the thing. After my 2nd drink the chicken was served and lets just say it was EVERYTHING I could have hoped for. Tender, juicy and full of flavor, the sides also good but could not get my mind off the smoke flavor in the chicken. After devouring every last bit of chicken (if I was at home the bones would have been destroyed also) we moved onto the dessert. Pecan pie with ice cream, and let me tell you this by far the best pie ever. the crust perfect tasty and flaky, the filling full of HUGE pecan pieces and a spoonful of ice cream in every bite. Love the fact that the pie was not to sweet, perfect sweetness at the end of a great meal. For 2 people we spent 124$ (60 a person and I had 3 cocktails) a must try got the BBQ smoke enthusiastic out there , can not wait to return!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
I'm trying to watch my calories, so I was a little nervous about having lunch at Barque. Would it be possible for me to eat something reasonably healthy when surrounded by such succulent barbecue delights? As it turns out, it's totally possible -- and totally tasty, too. I had a spinach salad, which was lightly dressed and mixed in with a little bit of goat cheese, tomatoes, and candied pecans (okay, not that healthy, but still awesomely delicious). Adding the smoked shrimp is definitely the way to go -- the shrimp is perfectly cooked and a good protein to pair with the salad. I also loved the Cuban Corn, which is grilled corn with a spicy spread. The only sour note is that it's rather pricey; the spinach salad plus shrimp is $14, which is a little out of my range for a casual weekday lunch.
The service was great, and their patio is a great place to enjoy a sunny day. I definitely hope to be back when I can guiltlessly indulge in the rest of the offerings on the menu.Listed in: ROTDs
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Review from Brian T.
Toronto, ON
7/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I checked out Barque twice now and am happy to report that Roncesvalles has another new solid restaurant!
The first time I was here my DCs and I started with an order of smoked chicken wings. I was originally skeptical of this choice as frankly I'm not a huge wing guy, but the wings were perfectly smokey and spicy and way better than the more typical deep fried Buffalonian counterparts. My only criticism was that they were slightly greasy which is understandable given that they would have been cooked low and slow (which is not ideal for rendering fat).
On both of the occasions that I was there my group chose to split the sampler platters as our main courses and I feel that this is frankly the best choice if you and your DCs want to try most of the menu in one visit.
Via these sampler orders we tried the beef brisket, "competition" chicken thighs, dry rubbed baby back ribs and Flintstone sized beef ribs. The samplers also came with a choice of sides of which we tried smoked asparagus, fries, pickled vegetables, and Cuban corn (cut in half).
First up - the brisket is amazing and is definitely the menu item that was the closest to mastery at this place. The meat was melt-in your mouth tender and not even a little bit dry. This was key as I have found that a lot of other briskets I have tried in Toronto have slathered themselves in overly sweet BBQ sauce and called it a day. I think one of the owners best summed it up in a recent G & M article when he said his brisket was Montreal smoked meat meets Texas BBQ. While I would say that this is a fair assessment, it is definitely more BBQ than deli (noting that if you want this same kind of idea, but prefer to skew towards the deli direction, you should undoubtedly try Caplansky's).
The back ribs were very good flavour wise as they had a deep but not overdone smokiness, but I did find them to be slightly dry. I would still give the "best ribs in town" award to the Stockyards although I think Barque's ribs have potential.
The beef ribs were great too, and the chef is clearly using some well aged beef here as there was flavour (and tenderness) to spare.
The competition chicken was a worthy pick of the sampler and should not be passed over for some of the other more glamourous choices. Also, the chef gets bonus points for not using white meat here (noting however that there are white meat chicken tenders on the menu which I'll assume is for kids and give the benefit of the doubt). If you've read my Romados review, you'll know why white meat is unacceptable.
The sides were all good but the two of note were the Cuban corn (quite spicy) and the pickled vegetables (which were delicious, well balanced and served as a good way to cut through the grease of the meat).
Dessert-wise I have tried the beignets (done well but not a great way to finish off the meal for some reason), the pecan pie with Gregg's roasted marshmallow ice cream (unbelievable, and I don't even like pecan pie), and a deconstructed version of a peach crumble (which was topped with a ginger cream and made me want to lick the plate).
The drinks menu is very solid and includes a mint julep, (made with quality bourbon but ever so slightly oversweetened), the candied bacon caesar (perfectly spiced and comes with a pickled green bean!) and the full range of Macauslan/Griffon draught beers.
Price-wise, expect to pay about $40-$50 per person if you intend to get drinks and desserts with your meal, which although slightly expensive for BBQ, is totally worth it.
As a final verdict on where this place stands in the Toronto BBQ rankings, I would say that it's too close to call between Barque and Stockyards, with both places having different enough menus that there need not be a definite winner.
Go check barque out. -
Review from Steph L.
7/3/2011 ROTD 5/21/2012
Smokin' hot. A BBQ lover's dream!
Juicy. Smokey. Flavorful. Meat Heaven.
If you are wondering what makes Barque bbq is so magical... magic consists of sugar, ketchup, mustard, and Coke!!!
Coca-Cola can do no wrong! =)
I had the sampler for one person ($22), which was the perfect sized portion to try a bunch of items.
Meats
* Smoked chicken - Fantastic and smokey!
* Brisket, cooked for 14 hours, it is super tender and delicious!
* Dry-rub ribs - Not fall off the bone soft but yummy and meaty.
Sides
* Asparagus - As expected.
* Ravioli - Surprisingly good for a bbq place. Not overcooked, stuffed with ricotta and spinach. The salads here also looked great. It's nice that you can get green sides!
Dessert
* Salted caramel truffle from The Chocolateria. A bit warm, salty, but really yummy.
* Beignets with grilled pineapple and caramel sauce. This dessert was good... Caramel sauce was a bit thin and the donuts were alright but nothing exceptional. I feel like the pecan pie would have been better.
On another note, it's awesome that they have brunch here!!!
Eggs Benedict... with brisket? With cornbread?
Mmm meaty breakfast.
Unrelated, we were here on Canada day and our server managed to have everyone in the restaurant on their feet and singing the anthem, loved it! Go Canada! W00t W00t! -
Review from Yvonne T.
Planned a Friday night out with 2 boys, so I figure this would tailor to their manly appetites. I was foolish and decided not to make a reservation - and as a result we ended up waiting 30 minutes only to get a table at the back bar. We later glanced around and noticed many empty tables; why put us at the bar if there are tables?
The moment you walk into Barque's, the only aroma that permeates from your pores deep down to your bones is pork. I felt like someone was using a brush and lathering me up with barbecue sauce. But the smell made you want to sit down and devour a rack of ribs right away. Instead of the usual bread basket, you get a bucket of popcorn with their signature barbecue sauces: Kansas City and Carolina (Tomato based, and mustard/vinegar based). Of the two, I definitely preferred the Kansas City one with its mesquite and sweet flavour. The Carolina was a little too tart for me.
The popcorn was a great munchie as I sipped on my Barque Caesar with the maple-bacon brimmed cup. However, I found it to be a little bit too "tomato-sauce" like and didn't end up finishing the drink. I love tomatoes, just not that much in my drink.
We ordered 3 appetizers to share in order of preference: Brisket Poutine, Smoked Wings and Pulled Duck Tacos. My favourite was the Brisket Poutine which was packed full of flavour. You got the tenderness of the fries, with the barbecued and slightly sweet flavour from the brisket which was complemented by a gooey and salty cheese. The seasoning almost tricked me into thinking I was eating sweet potato fries as the fries had a slightly sweet flavour to them. Yummy!
We opted for the Spicy Chipotle Smoked Wings, and it left a fire that lingered for awhile long after I had finished these finger lickin' good wings. They were just lightly coated with batter, and the wings were juicy and tender.
And last, the Pulled Duck Tacos. Whenever I think of duck the words that come to mind are crispy, juicy, moist, succulent and tender - some of which were lacking in Barque's rendition of a pulled duck taco. The meat was dry and the skin was not crispy. The actual taco itself was somewhere between a hard and soft-shell and was actually my favourite part of the dish. The predominant flavour is definitely the Hoisin Sauce, which drowns out the pickled carrots and scallions. I was most disappointed as this was one of the appetizers I was most looking forward to devouring. I guess we'll leave tacos for the Gods at La Carnita!
For the main, we ordered the Sampler for 2 which consisted of 2 Competition Chicken Thighs, 1/2 Rack of Baby Back Ribs and Brisket. This was also accompanied by your choice of 3 sides from which we chose: Squash Gnocchi, Pickled Platter and Barque Caesar Salad. Of the mains, I enjoyed the ribs the most. They were just the right texture (not too soft and not too firm), and were flavourful in their own right. I as a purist, tried it first without a brushing of sauce, and it was tasty on its own. My second favourite was the brisket, although I found their version to be a bit lean and hence not as juicy as I would've liked. The brisket at Barque's goes through an intense 12 hour smoking process. It is first smoked for 6 hours, then wrapped in aluminum foil and smoked for another 6 hours. Now that is what I call a labour of love! Alas, the right texture of fat to meat is a matter of preference. The chicken thighs had a very flavourful skin, and while moist and tender, I found the meat itself to be rather bland. I would've preferred a more flavour-infused chicken that doesn't rely just on the skin for flavour.
My favourite side was the Squash Gnocchi. My only regret was that I had to share this with my dining companions. It was cooked to a perfect al dente, and the Asiago cheese made the dish absolutely rich and creamy. The Barque Caesar came with caveman-sized croutons, bacon, cheese and dressing. I thought it was perfectly dressed with just the right amount of dressing. There is nothing worse than a salad that swims in dressing. The croutons were perfectly crunchy and the bacon - well its bacon - when is that ever bad right? The pickled platter was something I was really looking forward to trying and while I felt the acidity and tartness of the platter was slowly attacking and rinsing out the fat-laden entrees and appetizers I just finished devouring, it was not my cup of tea. The beets were too hard, the dish was too salty, and altogether disappointing. I personally prefer a hint of sweetness in my pickled anything, and that was probably what was lacking.
To finish off the evening, I had my heart set on the Pecan Pie served with Greg's Marshmallow Ice Cream. Hands down the best pecan pie I've ever eaten. Gooey, not a sugar over-kill and the ice cream was heavenly. -
Review from Steve K.
8/9/2011
Visiting from the US, and having eaten at Rudy's and the Salt Lick in Austin, I have to say that this restaurant is fantastic. As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I started salivating at just the smells.
Once I started eating, my salivations were justified. The brisket stole the show, but the chicken thighs, wings, miami short ribs, and beef ribs were all excellent.
The place was bustling at 10pm on a Monday so you can tell that it is well liked, and the service was excellent.
