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The Fickle Frog
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Pizza, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
5675 Spring Garden RoadHalifax, NS B3J 1G9
(902) 429-9999
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Kimberly W. said: "Every single pizza I've tried here so far has been AMAZING. My faves so far are the Big Pineapple and the Haligonian. Looking forward to trying out the rest of the menu." read more »
18 reviews for The Fickle Frog
18 reviews in English
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Review from Alex P.
Saanichton, BC
11/29/2011
Can you beat a give dollar breakfast? And the OJ came in a pint class. lol. Fast, friendly, well presented. Thanks for a nice Saturday late lunch (till 3pm)
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Review from Rhia P.
4/18/2012
Dropped in here Sunday morning for a quiet brunch/lunch. Being possessed of a three-year-old we'd already had eggs for breakfast much, much earlier, so opted for the lunch menu. We ordered the sliders and Manhattan Veggie pizza to share.
The pizza was great, and the burgers pretty solid. I can't be certain they didn't come from a box, but they were tasty enough. The pickled red onion topping was delicious. They have a good beer selection, with lots of local picks.
The prices are a bit higher than I'd expect, but it is Spring Garden, after all.
Service was great (though initially a bit slow) and the decor is pretty sweet - we snagged the giant red booth in the back for maximum child containment.
It wasn't awe-inspiring, but I'd go back. -
Review from Navoda S.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've read some of the other reviews on here and I have a feeling that the Fickle Frog does not exactly deliver in consistency. But alas I can only judge this establishment on my trip next door and the Frog was quite good. The service was great and the food was exactly as I expected. Good for a quick lunch for relatively cheap.
Most of us ordered some variation of the pizza - either gourmet or calzone but the lone wolf in the group had a wrap and informed me that it hit the spot! We picked one of the big booths in the back which were comfy, however walking past some fellow patrons on the odd stools on the way out was enough to give my butt a little sympathy pain!
May have to venture in there again, (especially since it is something I pass by every day) and see if it lives up to the first time. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Dartmouth, NS
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can say that the newly named restaurant sure lives up to its moniker. My experience here was rather unsteady.
This used to be one of my old university haunts. Cheap, good food in a dark and casual atmosphere definitely meant no expectations leaves you satisfied. However, a couple coats of paint, a new mascot reminiscient of Battletoads (Double Dragon era), and a uniform was an effort to class up the place that falls oh so very flat. It seems unfinished and lacking in concept; the bright booths and choice of colour make it look like it's trying to be classier than it is, but the cartoon frogs and t-shirt uniforms scream university casual. Basically, it's suffering an identify crisis, and neither personalities are polished.
Unfortunately, the service was just as fickle as the decor. Our waitress didn't give us the specials, and forgot what our order was after she walked away from the table and had to come back to take it again. Even after getting it twice, it was brought to us all wrong; instead of taking it back to the kitchen to get it fixed, she stood idly by bumbling about not being sure what to do while we fixed it ourselves (basically our sides were mixed up, so we traded sandwiches from our plates). It also took a request after her third visit to the table for refills; the glass had been empty since before she had taken our order. The place was only half full and there were a few other waitresses, so it's not like the chaos of the place was a factor for the poor service.
The food didn't make up for the lack of everything else. Gatsby's had cheap prices, but the Frog has suffered a bout of inflation. $12 for a quesadilla wrap sans meat (that's $3 extra) that is essentially cheese, peppers, and onions; $12 for a plate of spaghetti and sauce, not even meatballs; $12 for a hamburger that doesn't even come with fries. Yes, that's right, no fries. If you dont want a side salad with your expensive meal, your only other option is a handful of baked Lays chips with parsley sprinkled on top make it classy enough to justify the price point. I ordered the ceasar wrap, which was decent, but still overpriced for what it was.
What brought this dining experience to the almost-literal boiling point of bad was the suffocating heat. The thermostat was cranked, so even though there was a slight chill in the air outside, the restaurant was a balmy 30. I guess it's alright if you don't mind a tropical heat wave while you try to consume your hot meal.
I guess it's still a good place for a beer or liquor special, because there were a couple of groups of university meat heads coming in for a pitcher of draft when we left. Overall, I think I'll pass and next time patronize any one of the other dozen restaurants on Spring Garden road.Listed in: The Lunch Bunch - Downtown…, The Pub Club
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Review from Hilary G.
9/16/2011 ROTD 1/27/2012
Apparently this restaurant had a renovation and renaming, but is owned by the same people. I just came here for a drink and enjoyed the chocolate martini. It sounds too girly but it was strong and well made (and on special for $6-not bad). The service was slow initially but it was the waitress' first night so you have to give her some slack. The tables and chairs are up against the wall so it's easy to have a private conversation. They have a different special every day so it's worth checking out the Fickle Frog.
Mondays: 3 sliders/32 oz mug, $10
Tuesdays: Toonie Tacos ($2), $4 tequila/well shots
Wednesdays: 12" pizza + pitcher, $19.99
Thursdays: Unlimited spaghetti $7, pints $3.75
Fridays: $4.95 mussels/steiners $7.50
Saturdays: Ladies Night, double martinis $6
Sundays: $5 chili / 5 bottle buckets $20
So many options! Double martinis sound good right now.... -
Review from Derek S.
Dartmouth, NS
9/21/2011
Gatsby's has renovated and re-branded as the Fickle Frog. I decided to swing by on a Tuesday evening and check out the new look and menu.
Although the renovations don't look bad, they also don't look complete. The back lounge area looks good, with some comfy couches and seats to lounge on. The front seating area has only been partly re-done: some of the booths and seats are now in bright colours, and some are the same old dingy worn out seats. The colours don't really match and the end result is it doesn't look quite as good as it should. they closed in the kitchen a bit more which is too bad: I used to enjoy watching them make my pizza. The bathroom also looks the same: soap dispenser is still a bit low, paper towel dispenser is still a bit high. Some things never change.
The menu has new items, but also lots that will look familiar to anyone who hung out at the old Gatsby's: lots of pizza, pasta and pub food. I decided to go with something new and tried the sliders. Most places try to do something unique with their sliders, to put a bit of a twist on the idea of a mini-burger. In this case they really were just ordinary small burgers on a regular bun. Nothing to complain about here, but nothing special either.
The service was fast and friendly, although the server didn't seem to know much about what they had on tap or what the specials were. But the beer was cold and delicious.
At the end of the day, the new Fickle Frog is pretty much so-so: nothing to shake a stick at but nothing to write home about either. They've struck a balance between the new and the familiar, and I'm sure it will continue to be popular, especially with the student crowd. -
Review from Sarah H.
11/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have to agree with Jenn, my dining companion. about the lack of luster with our dining experience at the Fickle Frog.
To begin, I believe the layout is just odd. Everything is backed up against one wall with booth against the wall and stools on the floor. Perhaps I am just showing my age, but sitting me on a stool for dinner is not my definition of comfort. I love back support though (especially after a days work). So Jenn and I opted for a booth, which was oddly shaped. Instead of being able to sit and look at each other as we talked we had to turn sideways. I just found it weird.
Then, as Jenn mentioned, our waitress was unbelievable. She took forever to actually come give us menus, then just as long to take our order - and never once were we told about the specials. I also found everything overpriced. My meal came to 16$ for a chicken burger and a soda. I know if I had just crossed the Spring Garden it would have cost about half the price.
After taking forever to actually take our order (and I had to tell my friend what the choice of sides as I am not sure our waitress knew), forgetting our order and taking it again 5 minutes later, not even asking my friend if she wanted a drink, ignoring my empty glass on the table, THEN messing up our order (by reversing the sides) I was not too happy by the time I left. Furthermore, I think it is odd for a place to deem themselves as healthy by not serving "fried" foods, but then placing potato chips on your plate. The menu indicated "oven baked chips," which both myself and my friend thought would have been home cooked potatoes (hey, it's not the USA - chips still mean french fries) it was disappointing to see parsley covered Lays on her plate.
On top of all of that - I would not write home about my meal. I had the chicken burger which was nothing special with a Caesar salad that was too heavily loaded with pepper.
All in all, I will not be going back, nor would I recommend it to friends. -
Review from Mel H.
10/15/2011
While the renos and renaming of this place have certainly spruced it up, part of the charm of Gatsby's was it diveness. But then again, I love me a good dive bar. Anyway, this place seems pretty busy and they definitely have some good drink specials ($5 thunder mugs? okie dokie.) But I just kind of get the feeling they're struggling with their identity a bit. Is it a bar? Is it a pub? A pizza place? A restaurant? Classy? Sud soaked? It just feels a little all over the place. All in all, I'll likely go back, if only for the cheap beer....
Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Narda L.
Halifax, NS
11/17/2011
The Worst French Onion Soup that I've ever had! It tasted more like a bread stuffing for a Turkey with Oregano and Vinegar, perhaps? However my friends tell me that the
Spinach Salad and the Seafood Chowder is quite good. I must say though that the waitress was a good one and put up with a lunch group of 8 people who were in a hurry to get their food, gobble it and leave. I personally think that must be very irritating
for restaurant and bar staff. -
Review from Sarah G.
Halifax, NS
2/10/2012
Love it.
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Review from Laura P.
7/10/2010
The dog days of summer means that there can never be too many patios. Gatsby's proves itself as a decent perch to catch a breeze and a beer in Halifax's downtown vicinity, with both a worthy patio and inner sport fan accommodations.
A much sought place to go watch "the game", sportsters are often at the forefront of capacity. Pop on a jersey and come on down, as Gatsby's seem to have a following.
Regular pub food like pizza, wings and nachos are some staple menu picks. The food seems fresh and quality for what you pay for, and there are no complaints here.
Not so much a spot for me personally, I'd certainly pop in with friends, no questions asked, if this was the top pick. Gatsby's is average in aesthetics, but with great energy and love for the game. -
Review from Sarah A.
Halifax, NS
2/2/2010
I used love going here to eat. But ever since they changed their menu a few years ago, it hasn't been the same.
The food seemed to become a little generic for me, almost as if everything was being nuked in the microwave.
I used to enjoy watching the people make my food, I still like the atmosphere, the staff are nice and it's very well located. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
3/23/2010
My first experience with Gatsby's came by chance. Last week before going over to the Cohn to see Henry Rollins, my wife and I were strolling along SGR trying to decide what to do about dinner. We pondered Il Mercato (but were there last week, which reminds me, I have to write a review on them) but kept walking. It was her that picked Gatsby's, and it turned out to be a good choice.
The interior could use a lot of work - but at the end of the day, it's a pub, and I care a lot less about how it looks than I do about the food. And in this department, at least, I wasn't disappointed. We settled on their hummus and a Four Cheese Pizza. I'm normally extremely skeptical about pizzas without meat, but the basil pesto and great mixes of cheese sounded good enough to step out of my comfort zone.
The hummus was good, it was white bean, not the traditional stuff, but adequately complemented by pitas and corn chips (interesting, but workable). The only thing I'd have changed was toasting the pita a little to make it better for dipping. Other than that, I was prety happy with it.
The pizza. Wow. It was excellent. Adding chevre (goat cheese) solves the no meet gap for me, it adds the saltiness and the depth of flavour. We split a small with our hummus and it was more than adequate. This isn't gourmet wood-fired stuff, but ti's not priced that way. The crust was nice and buttery, not thin, and the pesto was great. It was the perfect portion, becauase if we'd ordered bigger I'd have kept eating well past what is reasonable and prudent.
And the whole thing with was topped off with happy hour drafts, reasonably priced as well.
Definitely a fan, definitely will be back. -
Review from Bethany J.
Halifax, NS
3/14/2010 1 photo
I first tried Gatsby's on a cold winter night. My friend and I had intended to go to the Fireside but it was packed and we wanted conversation, so we headed elsewhere.
We arrived at Gatsby's more by accident than design. Inside, the atmosphere was dark but welcoming. We seated ourselves and began a marathon session covering everything from our significant others, to our children, to the state of world peace.
Gatsby's was efficient and prompt in providing the food we ordered. They were also cool with leaving us to our own devices since we needed little by way of attention and more wanted to be able to discuss life in a relaxed and comfortable way.
I had the corn chowder, which was delicious. Sadly, I don't remember what my friend had but I remember that she was delighted.
The only drawback to Gatsby's is that we froze. It was particularly cold outside and I don't know whether it was the door that let in the frigid air, or whether their heating system was on the blink, but we spent the whole time huddled into our parkas.
Gatsby's is popular with the business crowd on Spring Garden Road. They offer several different types of pizza available by the slice as well as daily specials. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
7/10/2010
Gatsby's is located along Spring Garden Road, Gatsby's has a few things going for it. The first is, there is an outside patio, if you can get a seat. Enjoy the people of Spring Garden, if you are watching the World Cup, you will like it hear , they have multiple screens and one outside to watch.
The food is good, pizza was n the menu for us. I was nervous on the pizza, as I had not eaten here. The pizza was great, done crisp, just the right amount of sauce and a cold beer to compliment the lunch.
This is a great spot to stop by and grab some lunch. -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
2/6/2010
The Great Gatsby's. Okay, that may be the title of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, but the same applies to the bar. This place is great, and that should be all I need to say.
I enjoy going here for lunch because they have a nice menu with reasonable prices. The service is great and the food comes quickly, which is nice when you're on a time limit for lunch.
I've only experienced their new menu, but I like it all the same. I especially enjoy their soup-of-the-day because it's always delicious and always warm.
Gatsby's is a nice place to go, located right on Spring Garden Road. I could see myself spending a good couple of hours enjoying their food and drinks. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
3/29/2010 1 photo
If you are ever just walking down Spring Garden road in the summer time and you can manage to grab a seat outside of Gatsby's I would do so quick. I don't know how many times that I have tried and was not successful. From people to enjoying a cup of coffee with friends to a couple having a romantic supper tor trying to with all the traffic.
It was a Saturday and the Desk or sidewalk as you call it was bustling with people. It is funny if you are a people person just to sit and watch all the people. Anyway we decided to order the pizza for a treat it was excellent as you know me I like a good crust and this had just that. Not all think and doughy it was cooked to perfection. The sauce was right and tasty and did not have that acid after effect that some can have on you. We of course added our own topping as some of those fancy pizzas do not spark an interest with my partner. Maybe next time I will try the Basil Pesto.
Overall it was a fantastic time with great service all for under $25 bucks. See you on SGR in the summer. -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
11/10/2009
The pizza here tries to be better than average, but it falls far short of any "gourmet" pretensions it may have. That said, Gatsby's can be a nice place to just pop into off the street if it's raining or snowing. The dark wood and big booths make for a nice intimate atmosphere, so it can be fun to just chat and enjoy a drink with a friend here. There's nothing particularly appealing about the place, but it's totally inoffensive.
