- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Hair Of The Dog
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
43 reviews for Hair Of The Dog
Review Highlights
-
"I enjoyed the "So Good It's Got To Be Gay" (best of the..." In 4 reviews -
"The service is always top notch whether you're dining..." In 5 reviews -
"...certainly have one of the best Caesars in town, and their..." In 3 reviews
Loading...
43 reviews in English
-
Review from Tyler B.
Oakville, ON
2/26/2012
Making a perfect Sunday afternoon...
Cozy trendy pub like atmosphere
Lots of different types of beer on tap at a reasonable price. Glasses are chilled. Also, I love it when a bar uses the name brand glass for the draft beer you ordered.
We wanted to try a new beer... and without asking the waiter offered us a few samples!!
Recommendation;
The 2oz Caesars looked amazing for $7 bucks.
Can't wait for the summer so I can check out their amazing two story patio!!!
Freakin' delicious
Start with a Bloody Caesar
What a patio! -
Review from Emily H.
11/28/2011
How fob am I? I knew "hair of the dog" was some kind of expression but I had to go to my second fave website to find out what it meant. Oops.
With that said, I can certainly see myself coming here for the hair of the dog remedy. I can also see myself getting super intoxicated here that I *would* need a hair of the dog as well. It's like one of those places that would never criticize your alcohol intake the night of, or the previous night. Thank you, non judgmental enablers.
The interior is really nice and chill. I went in the evening and it was perfectly lit for ambience. I'm sure it has a different but good daytime feel as well. They've got a decent selection of beer on draft and many martinis (which I see are well-received by Yelpers) that I have yet to try. I am actually looking forward to going there for dinner someday soon, see how these crazy kids do up an entreé... Or you know, just wind up here for my next drunken debauchery.
Atmosphere - 5/5
Service - 5/5
Food - yet to rate!
Price - 3/5 -
Review from Chris P.
10/26/2011
Personally I think one of the best things about HOD is its cheeky name. On a total sidebar, didn't the whole 'hair of the dog that bit you' saying come from the ancient cure for what to do if a werewolf bites you? That just randomly popped into my head. And speaking of werewolves, does anyone else find it cringe-worthy to still see these tweens in thier 'Team Jacob' shirts? WIll this unmitigated Twilight crap never end???
ANYWAY, I have and still quite enjoy Hair of The Dog. Its defintiely nicer looking than your average pub and kinda has a 'secret clubhouse' feel to it as when you enter you have to walk down a curving plush staircase to get to the main seating and bar area. It almost always packed and yet the service is still excellent. Menu wise they are also excellent and definitely serve up far better than just your standard pub fare. As other revieweers have mentioned, thier martinis are awesome and have such cuite names, I am also a fan of the So Good It Got To Be Gay. Holding true to its name, its very fruity.
My only criticism is the placement of some of the tables is very cramped and so if you're at a two-seater table you will probobly be squished right up next to another 2-seater, however this can prove amusing as you are right in earshot to listen in on a potentially juicy gossip filled convo.Listed in: 1 Review A Day For Every Day…
-
Review from Rob B.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great food and great village location. Patio usually full so plan to get there early or be prepared for a bit of a wait. Fantastic fun service. Good portion sizes.
-
Review from Jasper C.
York, ON
3/4/2012
The interior is dim, subterranean, and the seating is a little tight, but the food is spot on and the service is friendly casual. A good gastropub spot on Church by Carlton. Note: a 17% service charge is included for parties of six or more.
-
Review from Fabio N.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Hair Of The Dog is one of my go-to pubs in the neighbourhood. They certainly have one of the best Caesars in town, and their martinis are equally excellent (and have the BEST. NAMES. EVER.).
The food menu has a much wider selection than your standard pub, so if you want to come by for dinner or brunch, you won't be disappointed. To top it off, the service is remarkably good even when the place is packed.
You know what? Just go there. And message me so I can go too. -
Review from Jon O.
6/19/2011 17 Check-ins Here
Now that I've finally gotten around to writing reviews again, I can't believe I never reviewed HOD in the first place.
This is been our local neighbourhood haunt for years. They have some great beer choices on tap (Mill St. Organic or Grolsch are usually my top choices) and an extensive cocktail menu. The service is always top notch whether you're dining, drinking, or both.
When the sunny patios a little further north on Church start to fill up you may be able to sneak onto HOD's garden patio on the south side of the restaurant. The view is unfortunately to a crappy parking lot across the street, but luckily it's designed so that you can focus internally on the other patrons or your own table.
Unfortunately I have had to dock 1 star because the food quality has decreased significantly since we started hanging out here 5 years ago. Their old chef left and since then the dinners have been hit or miss. The menu is pretty eclectic, I wouldn't say it follows any specific food trends. Let's call it comfort food for all occasions.
If you want to visit in winter I find HOD always exudes a cozy, homey, warm atmosphere. Maybe it's those thick red curtains just inside the door or the large, awkwardly-shaped tables we seem to inhabit when there are 8-12 of us sharing an evening of drinks. Maybe it's because we have been getting served by some of the staff for years.....HOD feels like home. -
Review from Jamie F.
Toronto, ON
8/15/2011
Another review is not likely needed given the 38 others, but I'd like to add my two cents.
I was really looking forward to trying this place out and while it wasn't horrible, it certainly was not worth the price!
I had the pork chop special for $18.50 and while it was tasty, the portion was tiny. Like fancy-high-class-leave-you-hungry restaurant small, and without the quality! (the broccoli was great though). My friend ordered the butter chicken. He reported good things, but again, it wasn't half the size you'd expect for the price. We shared the calamari which was mediocre..the description made it sound creative and delish with some sort of wasabi dip, but it did not deliver! Not sure where the wasabi ended up but it wasnt on our plate.
Service was really good...until the very end when the credit card machine prompted me to tip "20%" or "other" ... Now, I follow the rules w tipping, and I liked the service so I planned to give above 15%, but an automatic 20% prompt just ain't classy!
I'll go back for the location, patio and ambience, but it'll be for a drinks and fries kinda thing, and not till I've scouted out the ample competition nearby! -
Review from Chris M.
6/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Looking for a great brunch or a tasty casual dinner place with a top-notch kitchen in the village, and maybe a place to chill on the patio with drinks and/or friends in the hot weather?
Hair of the Dog is just such a place. Inside, it's dark, inviting and very comfortable - good atmosphere for a pair or small/medium group. There's also a quieter upstairs space. Outside (maybe better for bigger groups) you can sit on the bright, breezy patio, though it is right on Church so you might hear some traffic noise. You can order one of the many cocktails (they feature some great names and inventive flavours) or pick from the decent beer and wine lists. The service is prompt, attentive and friendly.
As for the menu: it's fairly sizeable and has lots of good stuff to choose from - you'll probably be torn between a couple of the options that include burgers, crab ravioli, steaks and chicken dishes, pastas, mac and cheese, even curry... but their jambalaya really won me over. It's a must-try.
The brunch menu is similarly well laid out - Benedicts, hearty skillets and breakfast plates with the works, as well as indulgent stuff like pancakes and French toast. They do a nice poached egg, whether you order a Benedict or any of the other egg dishes like the awesome Rancheros or the interesting hybrid breakfast that is the Easy As Pie. Echoing other reviewers, I'd suggest trying one of their excellent Caesars!
I'm really going to miss eating here after my upcoming move. It's a place where pub atmosphere gets taken way beyond the usual standards of fried, boozy and decidedly average.Listed in: Village Gems
-
Review from Shiona R.
5/29/2011
Out with a few friends I ended up here on a whim. I LOVE this place - extremely delicious cocktails...hot tranny mess is delicious.
The food was fantastic...nachos are seriously out of this world and I say this as someone who finds nachos a pretty dull affair! Steak was cooked perfectly!
The staff are friendly and great fun! Best night out I've had in Toronto. -
Review from Brian K.
My local haunt, HOD makes for an easy default when my friends and I are looking to grab a drink.
Situated in a lovable old house on the butt-end (ha?) of the Gaybourhood, HOD effuses a welcoming vibe with dim lights, fun music, and a buzzing crowd.
A huge draw during the warmer months, HOD's patio is one of the best on the strip, offering plenty o' space and shade. I find there's a higher frequency of smokers than on some other patios however, so beware...or smoke 'em if you've got 'em. This patio is a drastic and welcome contrast to the overly crowded O'Gradys patio up the strip; you won't find angry bear-waiters here demanding to know where your party is, and the food and drink selection is superior.
Renowned for its burgers, it's hard to go wrong when you use a cheese bun as a base. They do charge extra for toppings which at some places are gratis, but the price is reasonable. The fries here are top-notch. Since I'm usually here for drinks I won't comment much on entrees, but the potato skins are always well-received. Note: the nachos use home-made deep-fried chips, which I find way too heavy. They're a meal onto themselves.
The beer selection is one the best things about HOD. Pilsner Urquell, Sapporo, Blanche de Chambly and Mill St. Stout (optioned in to replace Guinness) are on my constant rotation. The HOD Caesar gets a lot of love, and it is indeed, one of the best Caesars in the city (ask for an extra pickle when you order it). I'm not one for cocktails, but they've a large selection to choose from.
Wait, why am I selling this place so much? Please don't come here when I'm looking for a spot on the patio. I hear O'Gradys is pretty good... -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
4/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Hair of the Dog is dark, comfortable, quaint, homey and romantic. It is the perfect place to go with some close friends for a catchup and to drink coffee drinks with booze in them. Or wine! as they had a decent list and the prices are good. Cute second floor which I did not notice until I had to visit the ladies, which is a shame, I would have loved to sit up there.
Really friendly staff. Really cozy and comforting vibe. Will return. -
Review from Spiro P.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2010
This is my favorite pub for the food and atmosphere.
I love the homemade nachos that they make. You can get it served with shrimp or tofu. For breakfast, I recommend their banana bread french toast.
Unfortuantely, they don't serve escargot anymore. This is the first place that I've tried it and I love it.
There is a lot of candle light and the artifical light is dimmed. The mood seems cozy and intimate. This is a great place to go out with friends, or even to take a date to. -
Review from Kate M.
1/12/2011
I live quite close to Hair of the Dog, and would often pass it by with the intention of going cus it looked dapper. Well after living down the street from it for a year I finally went, and wow is it yummy!
One word: Brunch
One other word: Caesars
Yet another word: Eggs benny
Those are three pretty great words, and Hair of the Dog did em up right! Slightly more pricey? Sure. Worth it? Very. -
Review from Michael T.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2011
"Meh" pretty much sums it up.
Drab food. Drab decor. Drab waiters. Drab smiles.
OK, maybe "drab" sums it up better.
That and the cold food that's supposed to be hot and the vermouth-drenched martini that's supposed to be "extra-dry"! -
Review from Vivek S.
Magical spot in the Village. The food (brunch, lunch, dinner) is great, the service is even better, and the drink selection is top drawer. They have an eclectic assortment of martinis and mixed drinks with names like "My Little Pony" and "Hot Tranny Mess." For my money though nothing beats the H.O.D. Bloody Caesar. It's massive, mouth-watering, perfectly spicy, and served with a delicious pickle. (God, I want one now.) In the summer, their shaded patio is a brilliant spot to sit. Truly one of my favourites.
Obligatory Title Pun: This DOG has bite.
Menu Readability: I have it memorized, so I can't remember.
Need to mention: Where's the men's washroom? Upstairs, behind the black curtain.
What this place teaches me about myself: I love Caesars. Is it my superiority complex? -
Review from Danielle F.
Toronto, ON
11/1/2010
I had an UNREAL dinner here a little while ago. UNREAL.
I tend to order pasta in restaurants. I just do. I just love it. So I tend to at the very least enjoy whatever is placed in front of me. However, this dish knocked off my socks! It took an original take on pasta with cream sauce and sundried tomatoes- a combination I already devour on a regular basis. Damn, maybe soon I'll step out of my box. Maybe.
So this penne had sundried tomatoes within the sauce, spinach, portabello mushrooms, SMOKED gouda cheese and SMOKED chicken. Unlike some places where the descriptions do not match up to the final product, this dish was to the t and delicious. The smokiness really came through in the tender chicken and there was enough of everything to pick up something for each bite along with a noodle. Ah, it was a good sized portion and I finished it.
I also got to try my friend's pasta as well, the special of the day. She's a fancy one. It was shell pasta with pesto, shrimp, mussels and mushrooms. So good too! Shell pasta might just be my new favourite- the little ones- and I can't wait to scoop some up during my next grocery trip. They collect everything so nicely. As expected given the quality of my own dish, this one's flavour was top notch too.
The space, vibe and being downstairs really added to the experience of food. You have to take stairs to hit the washroom so I saw that it was much quieter up there and not as dark and romantical. Our waiter was very nice and on top of things like water refills, though I did appreciate the wine bottle of water that was never left dry at our table. I loved that the waiter gave us a moment to actually taste the food before shoving a gigantic peppermill our faces. Because after a bite I can actually consider if I want said pepper, as opposed to just guessing. I am definitely coming back and like I said, maybe I'll expand my horizons from pasta.Listed in: 5 Star Toronto******
-
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love Hair of the Dog. Why?
Well, I probably visit an average of once a month and always enjoy myself.
First, the food is good and tasty! And they have several vegetarian options (I think only the vegetarian burger is vegan, though), GOOD vegetarian entree options. You can add TOFU to quesadillas and curry for the same price as adding chicken. They have a tasty veggie burger. They have several veggie apps. All in all, this is a good place to go to if vegetarians and meat-eaters are dining together. (Please note: I haven't eaten brunch here since their menu change so I can't comment on the brunch food, it used to be GREAT).
Second, the staff is typically attentive and friendly. I don't know if they're technically allowed to, but staff have altered food on request for me and they keep the drinks coming quickly.
Third, the beer selection is great. They tend have my standard favourites available, including Mill Street Organic and Blanche de Chambly.
Fourth, the ambiance is way more restaurant than pub. Which means you can also take a date here.
Fifth, the prices are not the cheapest in the city but overall, they're VERY reasonable.
Lastly (and in the spirit of summer), the patio at Hair of the Dog is fantastic. Tables are not too crowded, it's just off the main drag, and there is a nice mix of shade and sun most times of the day.
Hair of the Dog gets two thumbs up from me! -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
6/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The Caesars are great, but Martini Mondays on their fabulous patio are even better. I mean, they have awesome names like "So Good It's Got to Be Gay," which is almost as fun to say as it is to drink (it's like boozy Tang!). The food is pretty decent, too. Not the greatest, but reasonably priced and served with a smile. I love this place.
-
Review from Will E.
Toronto, ON
4/29/2009
Hair of the Dog is my favourite restaurant in the village, and the occasional wait for a table is testament to that.
An excellent and broad menu in the style of a gastro-pub, Hair of the Dog serves up delicious treats like jambalaya, spaghetti and meatballs (a favourite), a decent hamburger, and on the weekends one of the best brunches in the city. Everything comes served by friendly staff who can make an excellent Caesar or pour you a good, cold beer (ask which taps are better though - sometimes the Sleeman Honey Brown comes out flat - my only gripe.)
Lots of good ambiance with velvet curtains, pictures of dogs (wearing hair - natch) and candles. Hair of the Dog is a great go to place as well as a date option - especially if you want to run into friends so they can evaluate your date from a distance or save you from date hell. -
Review from Emily V.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2010
I will preface this by saying I haven't eaten here yet...but I have had many many martinis.
and god are they delicious! my bf and i tried the ride 'em cowboy, the 'breathless', got to be gay, and twisted apple. they were all scrumpticious and cheap on mondays! we sat on the patio which is cute and fairly secluded from the street, very cosy! the service was phenonmenal, especially for a pub. i'll def being going back soon, as it's right around the corner from my place.
**EDIT** nom nom nom. had the smoky chicken penne with gouda and sundried tomato cream sauce and it was quite yummy. -
Review from Siobhan L.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2011
Great fish and chips. $5 pints of the house beer--okay okay, so this beer won't win any awards, but is refreshing enough on the cheap. Also crab ravioli and fresh mussels on the menu. Haven't tried the cocktails, as they sound sugary and gimmicky.
Consistently friendly and cheerful staff, plus a really nice summer patio.
I'm a fan! -
Review from Sean O.
Oakville, ON
5/25/2009
A great find in the big city. I was meeting my sister for her birthday and she suggested this as a good place to start off for a drink. I actually used to work near by and didn't know about this pub. We tried a number of others nearby and always wanted something else. I really wish we had found this earlier it is just a great place for a drink or a meal.
Now it wasn't really patio weather when we went but it looks to have a nice one and will be sure to check it out ASAP. The service was great very nice people and the drinks where tasty and fun with name reflecting the village. -
Review from Monica S.
11/28/2010
I was incredibly surprised by the yummy food.. Pub food tends to be touch and go..
The crab ravioli was really, really good! They serve a pretty healthy portion.
The bartender was adorable and makes a mean cocktail.
Thanks Andy P for the recommendation.. -
Review from Rita E.
6/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Monday Night Martini specials! 3 oz. martinis for $6.50, oh, why, thank you! I am a fan. With drinks named "So Good It's Got To Be Gay", "Frothy Shot to the Tonsils", and "Ride 'Em Cowboy", you better come ready for a good, yummy time for your taste buds.
I came with a martinis in mind, and did not divert. I enjoyed the "So Good It's Got To Be Gay" (best of the night!), "Tropic Thunder" (I love Blue Curacao), and the Razzmatazz (tasted so sweet I forgot there was alky in it). I also ordered their spicy mac 'n cheese to temper the 3 oz. bursts of inebriated fun, and it was delish.
The group I was with sat indoors, right under the staircase. It must've been custom made to fit the funky corner of the room, but it was the perfect size for our 10+ group. They also offer bar and patio seating.
Service was pretty good at the beginning, but it seemed like they were trying to cut us off when all the waters rolled out and they stopped taking drink orders... dude! we're shelling out good money for drinks. That was a little frustrating, but I suppose it keeps you coming back for more. What a tease! Hahaha... whatever, I'm totally coming back for a "Hot Tranny Mess". -
Review from Renata R.
6/22/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This place deserves the "totally awesome" badge.
There's no word to describe their martinis - and the names are super, like "So Good It's Got To Be Gay". You HAVE to go there on Monday to drown on their martini menu! BUT I'm a traitor. I believe their absolute best is the Caesar, definitely the best I've had in Toronto so far.
The food is also delicious, well served, and I'm still in love with my waiter two weeks after. Unforgettable experience. Can't wait to come back!Listed in: Party Time
-
Review from Mike K.
Toronto, ON
4/4/2011 1 photo
You must have a caesar. That's what this place is for. Glorious, enormous, delicious caesars. Good place to bring friends or a date. Music is not too loud either, particularly upstairs.
-
Review from Gwyn H.
Toronto, ON
8/23/2010
FANTASTIC place in the city with a great partly shaded patio - not necessarily for people watching as it's on the side of the restaurant but great atmosphere. The beer selection is good and not too expensive, martinis are fruity and one of the best caesars in the city!
An excellent and fairly broad menu including good nachos, great huevos rancheros for brunch and mac and cheese is sooo good.
I doubt you'll be disappointed. -
Review from CHAR C.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
came here last night. it was alright overall, really great patio though. had the caesar it was ok as well, nothing outstanding.
the service was slow, our waitress was grumpy and waited a long time for our orders to be taken, for water etc. the host was friendly and quite appraochable though. their Visa machine is shody and so we had to go inside after 2 attempts on the patio. the food (i got the special pasta) was a small serving and just ok. the other ravioli dish was well liked by other ppl at the table. the menu was enxtensive and prices were quite reasonable. i would come back here for the patio in the summer, awesome place for a beer. -
Review from Nick S.
10/1/2008
This historic house-turned pub can be thought of as three restaurants in one.
The main floor has the makings of a boisterous bar, with patrons and staff engaged in laughter and conversation. The upstairs dining area is usually quieter and softer in feel, perhaps a good spot for a romantic date. In warmer months, the huge outdoor patio has the feel of a garden party full of friends, with all the benefits of enjoying Toronto's urban vibe.
The food is excellent. Pay particular attention to the salads and sandwiches, with the vegetarian burger being one of the city's best. The beer selection is good, though lacks a decent microbrewery selection. -
Review from Eugene M.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2010
Good selection of beers, great food, good ambiance, nice patio. Definitely worth a visit, though going too often may break the bank.
-
Review from John G.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2010
We stopped by this place for the first time after I saw the write up on Yelp. I had the Crab Ravioli which I recommend you skip. The Crab tasted like canned shredded meat (I think it was crab) and the ravioli was like cardboard with just about as much flavor. I tried the Terrace/Vale Semillon/Sauv Blanc and it was VERY bland. My bud had a martini there which he said was average at best. There are definitely better places to be on a lovely sunny day. Go for a nice beer and skip the food/martinis. Nice patio, reasonable service ...
-
Review from Brandon T.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2009
One of my favourite local places to eat and have a few drinks with friends; an excellent and affordable alternative to the chain pubs. Comfortable enough to be relaxed and nice enough to show off to non-locals. Any dish I've tried so far has been excellent, I'm looking forward to trying the entire menu.
-
Review from Rob H.
4/6/2009
Stopped in here for Sunday brunch while visiting Toronto this past weekend -- good food; very friendly service; and the inside is cute and cozy ... perfect for avoiding bright lights if the night before was just a little too much fun!
-
Review from Tina H.
3/18/2010
Absolutely lovely service here, which is important to me. They look like they love their job. The food is high quality pub food. I don't go often because I'm into fine dining but when hanging out with my pub-going friends, this is the only pub I can think of off the top of my head that I'd actually go to.
-
Review from Tom D.
7/2/2009
I love this place! I had the fish and chips there and it was so good. One of my friends had the baked fish, I had a bite and it was probably one of the best things I've ever tasted! The staff are hilarious and just great to be around. We even were able to see Carol Pope sing from where we were sitting. It really was as good as it gets!
-
Review from dt h.
Toronto, ON
7/27/2011
under-welming for sure. Poor service (the server was a jerk but it might just been a bad day for him who knows.) The patio is pleasant but the food was mediocre. Nothing to complain about but definitely not a destination place for drinks or brunch. Lola's Commissary just up the street is much better (although their patio isn't as nice).
-
Review from Amanda S.
2/21/2010
Went in for an almost-midnight snack for our first visit. The chicken fingers and fries were the best my boyfriend's ever had (and he practically lived on chicken fingers for a while). The nachos were cheesy-good with freshly made chips. The prices are a little high, but the atmosphere of the place and good service make up for it.
-
Review from JAllison M.
3/21/2010
Went here late at night with a big group that kept growing. The waiter was really flexible with us and kept bringing food and drinks as needed. Didn't think the food was that great but LOVED the fun drink names, as other reviewers have noted.
-
Review from John G.
East York, ON
5/6/2009
Best in the summer time for weekend brunch on the side-street patio.
Menu and Food is so-so inside.
