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Squirly's
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Dive Bars, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
807 Queen St WToronto, ON M6J 1G1
Neighbourhoods: Niagara, West Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods
(416) 703-0574
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
27 reviews for Squirly's
Review Highlights
"I'd definitely return to their back patio next time, with..."
(in 9 reviews)
"The 7 grain salad is yum, as is the burger."
(in 3 reviews)
"I really love the heated patio, decorated with a sort of..."
(in 3 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Kat S.
7/5/2010
What's my idea of a perfect lunch? A gigantic sandwich made of fresh, thick slices of whole grain bread, with Brie, avocado and portobello mushrooms inside, and a side of mouth watering 7-grain salad, which doesn't cost extra. All for under $10. Plus a tasty orange peel ale to wash it all down ($5.25). Fantastic!
That 7-grain salad is so good, and so hearty, I can't believe it was an included side for my sandwich. I thought for sure only a garden greens salad would be acceptable without an extra charge.
The bathroom doors are so covered in graffiti that it's hard to make out which has the W and which has the M. The women's is first... for future reference. Being Toronto, the bathrooms are downstairs along a dimly lit hallway, past the last known pay phone, at the bottom of the stairs. Despite my fears that it would be an unsavory bathroom experience, it was actually fairly clean. Yay.
It was about 1:30 pm or so when my friend and I came in for lunch on a Friday, so the place was quite empty. We were served promptly and the waitress was very nice and friendly. I would be into coming here again next time I am in town. Maybe when it is busier to get a real feel for the service. -
Review from shyni y.
6/19/2011 4 photos
My review may possibly be skewed for 3 very simple reasons :
1. It was boiling sunny day an they had an empty patio that was shaded
2. I WAS STARVING and suffering from gut rot of morning ice coffee
3. I had great company.
INTERESTING DECOR - a bunch of great little pieces for a hut sorta theme- great stand alone pieces but maybe not so much together. I am a fan of written menu boards - particularly in chalk so +1. Comfy looking chairs +1.
The menus were also interesting - I don't think I'm still OVER the cut out pictures of Buddha and random Asia-related pictures that subbed for a menu cover, or the hand written Saturday menu.
The waitress was great - the water was always refilled, the food came promptly and she didn't ask us a zillion times if everything was okay that I would have to awkwardly try to respond ," yes, thank you."
It's quite possible she never came to check - I don't know - again , I was in great company so I didn't really notice and she brought me food while I was starving so I was ever so grateful.
ONE THING OF NOTE was that nothing had any - flavour to speak of.
It was just bland and unseasoned, save the sausages which were unusually salty. Mind you, this could be a great feature so you can dress as you see fit...but I always feel like the home fries should have SOME seasoning - I dunno, do some shake'n' bake? but it was yummy still.
I will try it by myself one day and see if my review still stands the same. -
Review from Caroline Z.
Toronto, ON
8/12/2010
I feel bad giving such a low rating to a place that I think is actually quite cute and cozy.
Yes, they have very low prices that suited the pockets of a bunch of my unemployed friends.
Yes, they have a small enclosed patio, which automatically warrants a thumbs up or high five.
But really, my visit to Squirly's last night was a downer.
The sangria was so bad. I know people joke about using bad wine to make sangria, but I didn't think a bar would actually do that!!? It was by and far the worst sangria I've ever had and I found myself cringing with each sip.
Then there's the fact that our server was not paying much attention to us. One friend who arrived a little late had to ask for a menu not once, not twice, but THRICE. And each time, the server acted like it was her first time being told this.
Another friend told us a story about how her server at Squirly's messed up on every aspect of their visit, from mixing up orders to charging extra on the bill.
Maybe they need to hire more people so the servers don't get overwhelmed, or maybe they need to consider new talent. I won't steer my crowd this way in the future. -
Review from Vivek S.
6/1/2009
Geh. Service lowlights include being told 'nah' when asking if I could have the burritos without beef, and then being ignored for 45 minutes. I might have been more amenable to the shabby treatment if I was seated on the patio, but I was relegated to the dark and gloomy interior. Thumbs down for me. (I've heard people I trust give rave reviews. I'll have to give them a second chance.)
Obligatory Title Pun: Service is definitely SQUIRLY.
Menu Readability: Dingy and uninteresting.
Need to mention: The patio does look pretty enchanting.
What this place teaches me about myself: A seat on the patio heals all wounds.Listed in: Queen Street Address, Uno Dos, Lions and Tigers and Bears, Dirty Dives
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Review from sarah l.
7/6/2009 1 Check-in Here
Squirleys has bad customer service. If you go there with this in mind, you will enjoy yourself. It's just something I accept here without bitterness or holding a grudge.
I am specifically going to focus my review on the chicken wings at this dive. They are AMAZING. But they lose a star for not coming with veggies and dip. The wings here are baked to a crispy outer layer of amazingness. The sauce is excellent, and they are all around some of the best wings in the 416.
Here is my beef... they have veggies & dip on Tuesdays only. Yes, that's right, Tuesdays only. I have twice offered to pay more to have veggies and dip on another day of the week, and have twice been impolitely refused. That right there (not the impolite part, that doesn't bother me at this establishment - the no veggies part) is negative one star. If the wings weren't so good, I would probably minus 2 stars from this review because of the no veggies and dip business.
In summary, this place is exactly hat you think it is, except with better food and worse service. A solid offering on Queen West.Listed in: Chicken Wings... for better or…
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Review from Kat F.
4/22/2009
Consider me an official fan of Squirly's - I love their heated back patio area and the fact that they don't bust my balls about ordering wine in a pint glass.
The service is pretty good and attentive and apparently there's also a rockin' food menu that I had never even considered ordering from? Who knew! Looking forward to some dinner sometime soon, if I can tear myself away from the tap! -
Review from Anthony R.
1/8/2010
Cool place. I got the wings and the mini burritos with a friend and caught up over a few beers. The inside is perfect for that -- a few small tables in the front area, then some larger ones on the back patio.
The back patio seems like the cooler place to be, but that's speaking figuratively, not literally -- the heating out back, while appreciated, was hugely out of control! It was like sitting too close to some kind of industrial equipment that was too hot. Or like how you might imagine the air felt in the steel factory at the end of Terminator 2. Or something like that - it was hot. We snagged a table at the front and felt a lot better.
I wasn't as happy with the wings as the other reviewers -- they were good. For "medium spicy," they were pretty mild, save a few hotspots, and I'm a fan of a crispier wing, while Squirly's are baked + grilled, not fried or roasted, so you get a more tender but less crispy wing. The mini burritos were good, but pretty mini with a poor tortilla:filling ratio.
Beer was solid, with a lot of local microbrews and pretty reasonable (just under $5/pint) prices.
So: solid beer, decent space, okay food. -
Review from Noel D.
6/12/2009 3 Check-ins Here
I don't mind this place at all... I've been a handful of times and it's usually on their back patio with a pitcher of beer and maybe some Pad Thai. I've not tried much of their menu but I've been pretty pleased with whatever I've ordered. It's not expensive so that always works for me... Definitely a good place for drinks, maybe not dinner. But if you're hungry then you won't really be disappointed. It's pub food, you know?
Service is usually on point. Sometimes the music ranges from good hip-hop to terrible speed metal, but whatever. Staff is nice. -
Review from Duncan H.
Toronto, ON
6/28/2009
Why is it so difficult to order a simple drink in Toronto?
Well, I guess it's not too difficult to order a gin and tonic or rye and coke or draught beer. But, why is it so hard to get a bourbon and ginger with a splash of bitters? Seriously, first I have to explain that Jack Daniels is not bourbon, then I have to explain what bitters are...
Not so at Squirly's. There's a selection of bourbons! They have bar bitters. And the drink doesn't cost $10, less than half of that if my memory serves me correct.
The back patio is open all year, the regulars are good people and the food isn't going to win any awards, but who wants their local dive to win an award anyways? Grab brunch in the front window and watch as Queen West slowly steps out of bed. -
Review from Phil S.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2010
Squirly's for breakfast/brunch?
Why not?
This morning we were on our way to the Harlem Underground based on a Yelp review, for some brunch. Along the way on Queen West, we passed by Squirly's and a sign outside read: "You look like you could use some brunch". and it was absolutely correct. we did.
The special was poached eggs on toasted corn bread, with avocado slices and hollandaise sauce, with crispy bacon. And it was quite delicious. very buttery, but definitely hit the spot after a night of drinking. And because I was with Dee (veggie), I got her bacon, so it was an obscene pile of pig on my plate.
the coffee was a bit weak, but regardless, I was impressed that Squirly's, of all places, provided a delicious brunch. Exactly what I wanted when we went out this morning. -
Review from tokill a.
Etobicoke, ON
8/22/2009
I've been to Squirly's more times than I can count over the last 5 or so years. It is what it is. Slightly above a "dive bar", but you're also not going to find attendants in the bog handing you pieces of silk to wipe your arse with either.
Set your expectations relatively low, and you'll be fine. The food has improved quite a bit over the years, but if you're expecting excellent wait-staff/service...you're probably going to be disappointed. The mood is relaxed, the banter from other patrons can get a bit irritating depending on the volume and the hipster-douchiness on any given night, but - it's a great place to go and unwind, or pre-wound-up for a night out.
Set your expectations low..a bit lower...aaaaannnnd, yes. Hold it there. -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
12/5/2008 2 photos
I hadn't been here in a couple of years, probably, and couldn't remember that much about it, cuz when I went last week, it looked different than I had pictured in my head. In a good way.
I really love the heated patio, decorated with a sort of tiki-Asian fusion that kinda rocks. I had only been here for drinks in the past, but the food was great- I think it was the only time I have *ever* ordered soup in a restaurant in my life (so I guess I'm clearly no soup expert), and you should know that I loved it- Curried Squash, they called it. I also tried the chicken wings which were surprisingly delicious; very round and tender and some kick-ass blue cheese to dip it in. "Authentic", my friend called it, so maybe I should spell it "bleu".
The setting is likely to keep me coming back, same with the service which was prompt and friendly while managing to keep as cool as the Sufjan Stevens playing in the background. -
Review from Leslie-anne W.
Toronto, ON
11/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Squirly's has a great patio, with very warm heat lamps for when it gets cold. Would I eat at Squirly's if I wasn't drinking - nope, but its just fine if you're having a few pints and want somewhat mediocre nachos. The back patio is a comfortable place to hang out, and the service is okay, a bit hit and miss. They have good beers on tap, including Great Lakes Orange Peel Ale.
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Review from conor g.
Toronto, ON
1/7/2009
i always enjoy my time when i go to squirly's. It's very chill, and relaxed.
It is a pretty simple bar. It doesnt boast anything unique in terms of alcohol, but i wouldnt have expected it to anyway.
Squirly's is a great little neighbourhood bar, and you wouldn't really expect it, but the food is f'n great. The menu is very reasonably priced, and I have been happy with my meal everytime.
The Staff are quite down-to-earth, and un-corporate, which is refreshing these days in toronto downtown.
I like to sit at the bar when i go to a bar/pub. Generally, you get better service, and can meet all walks of life, however, Squirly's has a great little back patio in the summer if you want to get a table.
I gave it 4 stars as Squirly's is what it is. Nothing Special, but i don't think it tries to be. It is fine being a solid, good little bar, with no frills. -
Review from Samantha F.
York, ON
5/8/2009
Squirly's is one of those places that you'll probably miss if you're walking on the same side of the road. It's not somewhere you want to take a first date, but it's definitely great for a casual hang with your peeps. The painted animal print ceiling is begging for a repaint, the wall is crying for a chair rail and the bathroom would probably love to not smell like pee ... BUT ...
- The patio is great
- The service is great
- The food is delicious AND cheap
- The 7 grain salad is yum, as is the burger.
The end. -
Review from J H.
Toronto, ON
4/16/2011
usually, crappy (but forgivable) food, and crappy (but forgivable) service is expected at a dive bar. the assumption is the strong drinks make up for it.
that doesn't happen here, i'm afraid to say. i would have actually classed my drinks as "Weak"
food was manageably bad, service was unmanageably bad, drinks were easy on the liver (bad). boycotted.
should mention - it was not busy. Tuesday around 10pm. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/24/2008
The Toronto Yelp crew met up here for our first slamtastic meet-up, and it was fab. Perhaps it was the company, but I think I'd certainly have a good time there even if I'd just lost my job, declared bankruptcy, broken up with my long-term lovers, and needed to sink my worries into a pint of beer.
It's homey. It's dark. And of the few things I mooched from other people's plates, the food is surprisingly good. The quesadillas, in particular, were ooey gooey cheesy and jalapeno-y and altogether perfect.
Having said that, despite the great company, food, and environment, I would've much preferred a spot on the back patio, which is covered and heated in the winter. It's a great hideaway spot, a place with cozy chairs and just as cozy decor. However, the locals who know about this patio are quite possessive of it, and come here early to nab a spot there.
Nice and comforting. I'd definitely return to their back patio next time, with nothing else but a pint and a massive book at my side. -
Review from Wes N.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Sunday special ($19 handmade pizza and a pitcher of beer) is something you can't pass up.
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Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2008
Squirly's just feels so homey inside, it's hard not to love it. It's a bar/pub type place with a decent-sized interior and a huge patio that is heated in the winter! LOVE heated patios. Last time I was there it was decorated with all sorts of tiki crap -- yet again, how can you not love it? It's like when people had bars in their basements in the 80s (we had one...maybe this was not a common thing?). Basements = cozy, at least ones without water damage.
Anyway this place has average-priced booze, good selection, cheap food and a great atmosphere. When I used to work across the street, I ordered ahead and picked up sandwiches for lunch on super lazy student days when I put my whole day on Mastercard. Sandwiches were pretty delish, and I remember their wings being the biggest chicken wings I have ever seen in my life. Totally worth eating again. In fact, now that I remember how big they were, I will be going back to experience the heated patio and eat some oversize chickens very soon. -
Review from Brad R.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/9/2009
After my first Yelp event last night, I maintain my recommendation of Squirly's. The Chicken Asiago sandwich with caramelized onions and 7 grain salad really hit the spot. As always their draft beer selection has a healthy mix of micro brews with a local focus. Unfortunately I didn't get the stellar service of Smokin' Hot Bryenne, but Bridget (I think her name was) did an outstanding job as well.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/4/2009
Very chill, bohemian atmosphere. The kind of place you could easily make your local. Good… Read more »
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Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/17/2008
i go there when im on the west side, for the patio out back. its cozy and loungey. AND its open in the winter with and heated. there's a decent selection of beer here but not wine. and it is completely unpretentious. you can expect simple bar/pub food - ive had the mediterranean tapas plate which has dips like hummous, feta dip, red pepper dip and the like. But overall i dont think its their food that's attracts the locals. its the vibe - kitschy, cheezy, lounge-lizardy, but good like your basement is good, good like you feel like you could chill out with a bong and some chips good (though you cant).
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Review from Joanna S.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2009
Great place to grab a drink with friends. Chill crowd, great music, cheap drinks, decent food, funky back patio. I always have fun there!
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Review from Jonas B.
Toronto, ON
2/28/2009
Hands down, best chicken wings in Toronto. Squirrely's wings are big, juicy, and *grilled* (better than any you can find in Toronto, fried or otherwise).
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Review from Anonymous A.
12/23/2008
Nice people work there!
It feels cozy, it's true. It's a smaller place than most bars, but it doesn't feel crowded. -
Review from Zeb T.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2009
Took some visiting family to Squirly's last Saturday night, since on previous occasions I've had a good time there and it's some of my friends' bar of choice. On this occasion, however, I had the worst service I've encountered so far in Toronto. Our waiter, who it turned out was also the bartender, attended our table of 8 people less than once per hour, and it would likely have been with less frequency if we hadn't occasionally gone to retrieve him ourselves. I'm not sure if the problem was due to insufficient staff or sheer laziness, but I suggest if you do go here to abandon any expectations when it comes to service and make your drink orders at the bar.
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Review from Annaliese R.
2/24/2010
It was reasonably priced. . . but I felt I wasn't ironic enough to return. It was a bit of a hipster-esque place. Not my thing. . . if it's something that appeals to you, perhaps you'd like it!
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Review from Scott J.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2009
The low-fi simplicity of the place is comforting. I hadn't been there for over 5 years and was pleased that it looked and felt exactly as I remembered it. After a few beers on the back patio with a friend, I pulled out my phone and read some yelp reviews of the place. Thanks for the tip about the wings - they were pretty good.
