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The Stockyards
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Southern Canadian (Traditional), Barbeque, Southern [Edit]
699 St Clair Ave WToronto, ON M6C 1B2
Neighbourhood: Wychwood
(416) 658-9666
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 9 pm
Sat-Sun 11:30 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
133 reviews for The Stockyards
Review Highlights
"Pretty much THE best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had."
(in 18 reviews)
"Amazing grilled cheese."
(in 9 reviews)
"The homemade ginger iced tea is also a rare find."
(in 7 reviews)
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133 reviews in English
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
2/7/2012
just call me pigpen
It's been a while since I left a new restaurant smiling ear-to-ear. And by new I mean, new to me. It's not that I haven't tried to go to Stockyards. I have - many times - but I always fail. I get lazy, especially on weekend mornings and St. Clair seems likes Richmond Hill when you're all the way downtown.
But last Sunday I got my butt in gear because my sister was in town and I wanted to be sure she left with something yummy in her tummy. She can get particularly rabid if not fed well.
We arrived at Stockyards and found ourselves second in line. There was a party of four in front of us. As soon as we got seated, we were brought water. Then we were brought coffee (in gigantic cups; I love cute big things), and then they took our order. Pretty super and all with a smile.
It was OBVIOUS to my sister and I that we would be sharing the chicken and waffles. We added the Whole Nine Yards and got started. Everything on Nine Yards' plate was so flavourful. Deep fried poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, sausage patties and the most spectacular piece of bacon. So smoky, meaty and tender. I could write a song about that bacon.
The chicken and waffles were bad ass. The plate was like magic served with a subtle sprinkling of rosemary.
Fluffy waffles that witheld their bounce and didn't get soggy. AMAZING crispy fried chicken. There is only one thing that describes what happens when you bring crunchy flavourful chicken together with belgian waffles and then douse it with some seriously lickable chili maple syrup with a hint of citrus: --------------!
I swore right there.
Stockyards is a cute spot - relaxed and welcoming, though small and a bit cramped (bar seating) - that serves up rich savoury flavours for brunch. It just got added to my list. My list is THE list - where fabulous people brunch. -
Review from Tiffany G.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012
Everyone and their mother had been raving about Stockyards so I decided it was time I experienced this meat haven. The first time I tried their butter burger. It was OK. Nothing to call home about. Then on the second occasion I tried their pulled pork. Again, it was just OK. I detected a vinegar flavor in the sauce but nothing really amazing jumped out. I have had much better pulled pork sandwiches at the Longo's downtown than at this crowded eatery.
Stockyards is over-hyped. I can count off a number of much better burger eateries that for some reason have not reached their level of fame. If you're in the neighborhood sure give them a try. But, it is not a trek worthy destination. -
Review from Nayha M.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2012
Good stuff: Have been here for brunch and dinner; it's been a brouhaha both times. Despite this, staff are level-headed and jovial, so it's easy to forgive them for occasional slip-ups.
Better stuff: The homemade "extras" like sandwich sauces, jams and ginger iced tea add a lovely touch. But let's face it, we're here for the....
Best stuff: ... MEAT!!! The fried chicken is simply delicious - moist with a spicy/crunchy batter. Pulled pork is slow-cooked stringy goodness. I could eat the bacon and arugula sandwich every day. I probably would, but I'm trying to keep my weight slightly under three hundred pounds.
No, one can't have a health-concious meal here. But when you're craving chicken n' waffles for breakfast, this is the place to be.
They do lose a star for a few misses on the menu. The burger is nothing special, and the sausages aren't too exciting either. Also, the gravy looks like vomit. To be fair, it probably tastes really good, but it's hard to visually overcome the chunkiness factor.
Logistics: The place is small and meant to be a takeout service, but unfortunately the chicken and ribs aren't as tasty when re-heated in the oven. If you're planning on eating on-site, be prepared to wait for the goods (especially at brunch).
Definitely call ahead if you want the ribs... they only have them on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and often run out.
Funds: Brunch for two with coffee, ginger iced tea, tip and takeaway southern biscuits was about forty bucks. -
Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2012
In need of a place to feed my small town father and his long-time best friend (like, 50+ years since they were chitlins long-time long-time), I settled on the obvious: they both love BBQ. So, where do I take them? Sure, Hogtown has no shortage of options... but really, there was only one choice: Stockyards.
So, armed with the assurance of a son who knows his dad can't resist a Fred Flintstone calibre rack of ribs, I dragged them out of the comforts of my 'hood to the uncharted waters of St Clair North...
Verdict? Unabashed praise, amigos, oh yes, they loooooved them some Stockyards!
Pops had a full rack of ribs with a large serving of fries (lunacy!); best friend braved the Butter Burger with a side of said fries.
Ribs: They defeated my once mighty father, standing as Ali to my dad's Sonny Liston. Still, he couldn't be happier as he bibbed himself clean.
Butter Burger: "What'd'ya expect, Patrick -- it was greasy! Good though! Greasy!" Honestly I think he kinda regrets not getting something else, not because it wasn't delicious, but because it was his monthly intake of butter in one sitting. At 60+ years of age, that's not inconsiderable.
As for me, fried chicken platter. Oh my, way way way too much food for one person, and hey, I'm pushing 6'4" and I'm not exactly wafer-thin. I ate about half, and took the rest home to Heather (who sung the take-away's praises while joyfully stuffing her face).
So, why not 5 stars? Well, as good as it was (and it was good!), really, I've had better BBQ on all counts. Better ribs, better chicken, better fries... can't speak to the burger, but I've probably had a better one of those, too. In light of the vast praise heaped upon Stockyards, I just can't seem to take it out of context. I was expecting the best or damned close to it, and I was... "disappointed", though still quite happy. I'm sure we'll be back.
As a great place for carnivores it's hard to beat -- tiny spot but cool vibe, very friendly staff, dependable, tasty food, and prices that seemed a bit too low for what we were getting (enough that it kinda makes me wonder where all that meat is really being sourced from).
Now back to my mostly vegetarian diet. -
Review from Aamir M.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012
Stockyards has the best damn fried chicken period. The chicken was perfectly juicy with the skin so crisp that you can hear the crunch a mile away. Somehow they know that this beautiful chicken goes well with the amazing spicy sauce that comes on the side. The cole slaw was perfectly balanced and the fries delicious. The service was great and everyone was very accommodating. They make up for in customer service what they don't have in space. You had at me at Fried Chicken......
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Review from Amy D.
1/30/2012
I came to The Stockyards about a year ago, and i was unfortunately in a rush so i couldn't wait for an 1hr long plus, for a bar stool. Ever since i have been itching to come back, well yesterday that itch was scratched. We came for their brunch, i have been eating chicken and waffles for years in the states, however most Canadians have never heard of this treat. This version is quite nouveau, usually the fried chicken is served on a waffle with a plastic package of syrup, not at at the stockyards. The chicken came and it is honestly one of the best fried chicken i have ever had, the crunch was there, it was moist, and the dredge was very flavourful. I wish the dish was as good as the chicken, because on its own the chicken is a five. The waffles need to be the vehicle for the chicken, however they were just flavourless, and somewhat soggy, they needed to be crispier. There was also way too much sauce, the flavour profile was molasses, chili, and citrus. the colour was like orange koolaid, and tasted like an Asian sweet chili sauce, definitely didn't taste the molasses, it would have really helped cut the sweetness.
The seating is very sparse at the stockyards, and be prepared, unless u are lucky enough to grab window seats, or seats overlooking the kitchen otherwise you are staring at a wall a foot in front of you. The final nail on the coffin was the service, we waited at least ten minutes after for our meal for the bill, and another waitress had to bring it, ours completely disappeared.
Overall go for the chicken, but avoid going on the Sunday for brunch unless u have time, and you do not mind tight dining quarters. -
Review from Fiona L.
Toronto, ON
1/12/2012
After hearing all the rave reviews, was really excited to try the food. Went on a Wednesday night with my husband and sister.
Wednesdays are probably slower nights as we got seated right away. Both my sister and I ordered the fried chicken meal and my husband ordered the butter burger (beef patty with bone marrow and blue cheese).
The orders took about 30mins to arrive which is surprising as the restaurant wasn't that busy. The skin on the chicken was the best part however the meat was dry. The butter burger was also underwelming as well. The burgers at burger's priest is much better and have better value.
Overall the three of us left disappointed. -
Review from Kathy H.
Mississauga, ON
12/21/2011
This has to be my favourite place of all burger joints I've been to.
We had the Pulled Pork Sammy with fries. The fries were so crispy and delicious delicious! so delicious!!! The sandwich was really good too. Awesome how the entire sandwich comes together with so many different tastes.
It was packed when we went! There was a line... and we had to wait... there were no seats... and it was soooo cold outside. I wish I lived closer! -
Review from Gary S.
12/28/2011
Best fried chicken I've ever had and I've tried it throughout the states. You can really taste the buttermilk and herbs.
Brunch is amazing as well. -
Review from Jessica M.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2011
A solid 4 stars.
After a friend has raved and raved about how delicious this BBQ joint is, I decided to visit. First impression was that it really does look like a classic BBQ joint with mainly bar seats. I warn you though, there isn't much arm room but dining here is so worth it.
I ordered the 'pulled pork sammy' with fries (which were thin, delicious, right amount of saltiness and way too big of a portion for one person!). The pulled pork sandwich was delicious, flavourful and they didn't cheap out on portions. Staff were nice there and really friendly as well, which is definitely a plus!
I'd definitely come back here to try the chicken and waffles but I believe they're only available on certain days. Oh yeah, not that it really matters but I ordered an orange pop and it came in an old school bottle and came with a cute tropicana-looking themed straw. ++ -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/27/2011
VIBE
Easily one of my top favourite places to eat in the city. Yes, it's small, cramped and you may have to wait for a seat; or wait for take-out. But it's worth it. The staff are efficient and friendly. Plus, Hello! Wychwood barns is around the corner and it's the perfect picnic spot.
I EAT/ATE
I come here once in a while because I'm not in the neighbourhood. Their buttermilk chicken is one of my top five favourite meal s of all time. It's always cooked so perfectly and their fries have just the right amount of flavor. Add some of their homemade limeaid into the mix, and you've got a meal that will incite cravings for months on end.
Their burger is one of the best in the city. I've had their basic cheeseburger and it was more flavourful than the Priest's and I struggle with which one is better.
Where they miss: their ribs. I heard the hype and was ready to try and came super early to avoid the line up (unnecessary before 6:30 p.m. on a weekday). They were a bit dry and lacking flavor for me. I was wishing I got extra BBQ sauce (the sauce was delicious!).
Overall, their food is a solid 9 out of 10 and I'm excited to try their animal burger, another tasting of the chicken and their brunch. It's one of those places I continue to go back despite the commute. Added bonus: I get to go shopping at the Joe Fresh on St. Clair on the way. It's one of the best locations in the city and they always have good stock there. I should try to go BEFORE eating though.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Their milkshake may not bring the boys to the yard, but their buttermilk chicken certainly does (and the girls too!).Listed in: It's Just Lunch, Meat, All Time Favourites, The Toronto Near.Afar. Tour, Burger Time
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Review from Maheen M.
11/6/2011
I checked out the Stockyards with a friend on Saturday night, the place was hopping! Stockyards does not take reservations, as they have limited seating. Luckily, when we arrived, we were seated right away.
After hearing rave reviews of their fried chicken, I had to order it. It was a huge portion - 4 pieces of chicken, a large quantity of fries and coleslaw. I was only able to consume 3 pieces of chicken and had to package up more than half of my fries. But it was really good fried chicken, I was in a fried chicken coma after the meal.
My friend ordered the beef brisket and she really enjoyed it. She lives in the area and said that she would be back. I will DEFINITELY be back to try out their other meaty creations on their menu.
Hit up Stockyards if you are craving for some good meaty eats. -
Review from Karl M.
North York, ON
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Eat at The Stockyards. That is all.
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to say I am a little underwhelmed. The SO and I ordered the fried chicken dinner with sides and a sandwich. The location is terrible, but we happened to be passing by. The decor is fitting, very farmhouse-industrial. I have to say I am not a huge meat eater, and not really a fan of heavy, greasy food or white bread. What I was expecting was some down home goodness and some flavour. Everything was a little bland. The coleslaw and the gravy especially.
All in all it was ok. Not the freakout fabfest I expected after hearing all the hype here. Everything needed something. Salt maybe? The buffalo sauce was indeed delicious. If you are in the hood give them a shot, but i wouldn't bother making your way across town. -
Review from Edwin A.
Let me start off by saying I came here for one thing only, the fried chicken which I had heard so much. I've had it book marked for the longest time. Yesterday I was finally able to make it to the St. Clair to pay a visit.
Now this ain't no fancy cuisine. You're given a fork, a stainless steel bowl ( for bones ) and wet naps. This kind of food is downright pedestrian. Roll up your sleeves and get your m'fing hands dirty!! :D
Atmosphere: Decoration sparse. The server was friendly, the music loud - you practically have to shout when communicating to the person next to you. Come to think of it's very much like a bar atmosphere, but you got a grill-tender behind the counter instead of a bartender. lol :)
Seating arrangements are communal. Wood counters along edges with bar stool seating is the only option here.
Now for the meal:
It took twenty minutes for my fried chicken, fries, coleslaw order to arrive ( $14 ).
It was presented in a huge but comically iron pan :) The platter looked ridiculously large for just one person to eat! Bring your appetites folks because you get a lot for your money. It looked pretty good though.
After sizing up the chicken platter I developed my plan of attack - first started by putting aside the coleslaw, ate through mountain of fries to uncovered buried 4 pieces of fried chicken treasure.
I grabbed my first piece ( a leg ) and chomped down, the meat was juicy with tons of hot oil escaping and scorching the roof of my mouth. However.. but the spices were not strong enough to distinguish it was rather bland tasting.
The other side items; coleslaw was finely shredded and it was not your typical regular Starfrit shred but a gourmet kind, and the shoe string fries were one of the the best I've had.
So what's to take away -
Anything fried tastes good. That's a given.
Stockyards highly talked about fried chicken was good but wasn't amazing great. Lacked any notable spice flavor.
They offer excellent side orders of coleslaw and shoe string potato french fries I tried. -
Review from Jonathan C.
Oakville, ON
10/17/2011
The Verdict: I'd go back! Awesome fries and chicken was juicy.
The great: the fries were thin, fresh and crispy, and the chicken was fried perfectly, even the white meat was succulent.
The good: simple menu with a good selection. Everything looks great and they have a friendly staff.
The bad: The pulled pork was "meh". Some of my friends like it, maybe I've just had realllly good pulled pork in my life and have become a snob. Anyways, that's my opinion :)
The ugly: If you want to be seated, the wait is horrendous. Get takeout!
The full review:
Definitely not for the healthy eaters out there (hey, it' sa LARDery) but I recommend you check out this little (I mean, little) on your cheat days. They have some of the best fries I've had in Toronto, thin, fresh and crispy, and the friend chicken is cooked well. It's not for those that love batter (it's rather light on batter) but the meat is juicy - even the white meat!
I've had better pulled pork, so I would pass on that. Next time I'd try their beef brisket (looked great) and ribs (also looked good).
It's a shame they got rid of their fish tacos though (it's still on the website, but they don't serve it anymore), I heard those were awesome.
But I warn you, plan ahead and get take out, and just eat somewhere else. My friends waited about 40 minutes to get a seat (I showed up casually late so didn't wait long)!
Only reason I deduct a star is because I've had better pulled pork, and the wait time is horrid. -
Review from Sheila B.
Toronto, ON
11/5/2011
3 and 1/2 stars.
Finally ventured over for lunch to meet up with DH who had daughter with him on bring to work day, and our Electric Bike Friend. The four of us got the last of the stools in the back facing the wall. I don't really like this stool thing, ok for lunch but i don't think i would sit there in the evening.
The order:
2 x Buttermilk Fried Chicken:
(come with half chicken cut up into four pieces, coleslaw and fries & hot sauce $14)
The Animal Burger:
two mustard seared patties, cheese, sauce, lettuce, pickles, caramelized onion $7.50
4 x Boylans Classic Pops $2.75 each.
The fried chicken is excellent, crispy on the outside and juicy on inside. it doesn't need the hot sauce which i really think is franks red hot. The fries are handcut shoestring style and perfect, i did like those dipped into the hot sauce. The coleslaw i didn't like because of the over use of caraway seeds in it, but DH and daughter loved it, so if you like caraway it's a winner.
Had one bite of Animal Burger, cooked perfect medium rare. A great burger if that's your fancy that day. The Boylans are yummy just like the old days.
I wish they had the ribs & chicken at lunch, only available after 5pm...boo hoo.
Tax & tip $65
***when you do sit on the stools facing the wall, the wall is covered with mirrors, so it's not so great looking at yourself pigging out on fried chicken, or maybe it is, eat less. -
Review from Jenny M.
Toronto, ON
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Definitely worth the trek, this place has great food! Super busy, and somewhat small, so don't expect a table during the dinner rush, at least not without a wait.
We ordered buttermilk fried chicken for takeout, and were not at all disappointed! Not only is the batter perfectly crisp, but it has so much flavour with a bit of heat, unlike most fried foods where you only taste the grease. The chicken comes with a side of fries, and hot sauce; a large portion for the price, we were actually eating leftovers for the rest of the weekend. Who doesn't love fried chicken leftovers after a night of drinking?! -
Review from Geoff B.
Brampton, ON
10/31/2011
I went here yesterday for dinner. I was looking forward to it a lot since I really liked it the last time I was here. I was disappointed this time.
The problem with this place is they are way too busy for their own good.
I waited an hour for my order, which was not that large (2 brisket sandwiches, fries, coleslaw, and a half-rack of ribs). This time includes probably 15-20 minutes in line and the rest just waiting. They actually had the order "ready" almost 10 minutes before they called our name. It just sat there. When I finally got the order the coleslaw ($5) was missing. We didn't realize it was missing until we had already left the restaurant.
The brisket sandwiches were delicious, the fries were not great (likely because they sat for so long and cooled off) and the ribs were tasty but kinda tough and chewy.
I want to like this place but until they have more space and better organization to deal with their popularity I won't be going back.
Sad. -
Review from Kat T.
10/7/2011
Seriously good well-done fried food and diner-style grilled cheese. This place is so unhealthy, but in a good way. An indulgence for sure.
Faves for this Pescatarian:
Trout sandwich (minus the bacon wrapping) on bready bread.
Fish tacos
Grilled Cheese
They've got a butter roller on the grill- you roll a slice of white bread on the roller, which brings up some hot, melted butter to slather on your bread before making the most delicious grilled cheese ever.
The new kitchen must-have!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2011
This is a great place.
I would frequent The Stockyards much more often if it weren't so damn far. Even so, the food is worth the trip. Go with one other friend and enjoy each others company in this stuffy little restaurant.
I did just that and let me tell you, it's a hustle and bustle little spot that doesn't disappoint. After our great dining experience at Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill last weekend, we decided to venture to another BBQ restaurant. This time, something along the lines of good ol' American BBQ goodness. Something charred, smoked and grilled. The Stockyards was the place to be.
After a 7 minute wait, we were seated right in front of the grilling station along the bar. There are only 3 seating sections in this shack and I lucked out by sitting in the best. The restaurant was run like any other restaurant, but it's a eyeopening experience when you're able to see them grill your food to perfection. It feels like you're part of your dinner (staring and drooling counts alright...) while you sit there waiting, mesmerized by the sounds of sizzling meets, toasting bread and frying chicken.
The menu is small and will appeal to anyone that isn't a vegetarian. Burgers, sandwiches, BBQ plates, fried chicken pretty much sums it up. Everything sounds good. Anything with bacon, pork cracklings or garlic aioli sounds good in my books. Lucky, that's almost everything on the menu.
There wasn't any Porchetta left, so I chose my second option: Smoked Beef Brisket sandwich. My friend ordered the Fried Chicken Dinner.
I'm telling you now, these portions are good and hearty. They come out served in cast iron pans. It was a nice touch to the presentation.
The brisket sandwich was really good, but make sure to ask for garlic aioli on the side to dip your sandwich and fries in. It's quite a slimming meal so, no worries.
The fried chicken came with 5 pieces of crispy battered, spiced and golden brown chicken. Cole slaw and fries are your sides. The chicken was tender, juicy and moist. The crispy skin was spiced just right and reminded me of...dare I say... KFC. Just slightly.
After our meals, we were full to the max. Got up, paid at cash and took a nap when we got home.
Verdict: Stockyards is one of my favourite restaurants. It provided quality food with unique twists done right. It was a lively and different environment with great service and reasonable prices for the portions. Go only if you like food...Listed in: The Best Of Toronto...
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Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
9/1/2011
Stockyards introduced me to the joys of on-line food criticism. A neighbourhood joint with a DIY aesthetic, it's the kind of place I'd walk by a thousand times without notice. Well, I wouldn't notice it if I didn't have a nose (with which to smell sizzling burgers and smokey barbecue), or a laptop (on which I read the near-evangelical reviews of my colleagues).
Believe the hype.
Recently, an indy magazine proclaimed a new nickname for the City of Toronto. A lame piece of wordplay, it need not be repeated here. Instead, I propose that we live in Brunch City, and I am the Mayor of Brunchkinland (THAT's how you do lame wordplay, junior). As such, I award Stockyards with the Fork to the City for their Southern-style concoctions, fortified with strong coffee. Fluffy biscuits smothered in creamy, sausage-flecked gravy come sided with fried green tomatoes and perfectly runny scrambled eggs. It's a meal that will last you the whole day.
The tomatoes themselves are worth balancing ones behind on rickety long-legged stools: admirably crunchy and golden on the outside; crisp and almost citrically tart on the inside. I still don't know if their creation requires a special kind of tomato, or any under-ripe thing from the local grocer. If you're a helper yelper and can provide an answer, drop me a line!
I'm sure the smoked ribs and chicken would be great, but they're still not consistently available, and sell out before I get there. Instead, I must content myself with Stockyard's strong contender for the best burger in Toronto. Griddle-smashed rather than flame-broiled, they're ridiculously juicy, served fresh with toppings that range from standard fixings and cheese, to more creative versions. A pimento-cheese laced option is spectacular, especially when the fattyjuicygoodness spills onto accompanying twice-fried shoestring potatoes. Add a tall glass of cool limeade and you're spoilt for anything else.
Well, almost anything. A giant basket of fried chicken sees half a bird marinated in buttermilk and spices; then floured and deep-fried. Most days it's entirely worth the wait. The chicken's skin fuses with the breading, making for an addictive dinner. Occasionally, the bird's texture is off, as though it sat too long in salt or the buttermilk's enzymes. Kitchen staff may also be a bit free with the salt shaker, but since it's all prepared fresh in front of you, you can ask them to go easy. Easily the best fried chicken I've tried in Toronto.
What. they serve desserts? I'm sorry-I couldn't eat another bite. -
Review from Keziah T.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2011
I read about this place numerous of times from other food blogs and I must say, the place definitely lives up to its hype. Food is just fantastic, fried chicken - very moist and freshly fried; pulled pork sandwich - foodgasm, just gotta have it... and don't forget their fries.. makes me drool thinking about it. I recommend this to people who just want to indulge! hahaha!
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Review from Daniel O.
8/24/2011
I really really don't get all the praise for this place.
Have been twice now and both experiences left a bad taste in my mouth. Close friends live about a 10 minute walk away, on a visit at dinner time (twice) we decided to walk over and get take out.
First time I attempted to order ribs but they were sold out. Opted for the pulled pork sandwich (which everyone raves about) and fries on the side. Waited for about 20 minutes, received our food and walked home quickly to enjoy it. During the 10 minute walk my sandwich was pretty much rendered inedible.
The pulled pork was over-sauced, seeped through the bottom bun, making it impossible to pick up, because the bun was a cheap Wonder bread style grocery store bun. Come-on guys, if you are going to serve saucy pulled pork you need a sturdy bun, one that can hold up to all that sauce! It's pulled pork 101. The fries were good, but lukewarm as well. The addition of coleslaw on top of the sandwich was good.
Tried again with the ribs about a month later. Sold out again. Opted for the porchetta sandwich with grilled rapini. And fries. Better choice than the pulled pork, good crackling and a garlic aioli. Not as good as Porchetta and Co. but still good.
So why the two star review? It's a combination of lacklustre food, the fact that they have no seating, don't think about how their food will transport (to people's homes considering they don't have seating), and also the fact that they constantly sell out of their popular items. Toronto has other great options for really good BBQ. -
Review from angie c.
Everyone has pretty much already mentioned the holy yum-ness of Stockyards.
Boy and I picked up and took our food over to the Wychwood barns to sit outside and eat last night. We put our order in around 7:45 and it took maybe 10 to 15 minutes, certainly not an unreasonable wait time.\
He had a double patty burger with mustard griddled in (7.50) - kind of animal style and loved it. We split an order of the fries- huge and delicious.
I had the Porchetta sandwich and I opted to add the rapin (sidenote - spell check wants to correct rapini into raping.) Holy mouth-gasm, Batman. I died a little. The soft sesame seeded bread, buttered and griddled. The aoli sent down from heavens. Some delicious pork, top with crispy little cracklins and garlicky delicious rapini. Maybe not the most date-friendly food but damn if it wasn't amaaaaazeballs.
Sandwich isn't cheap - my sandwich + rapini + fries we split came to around 15.50, but it was huge enough that I couldn't even finish half last night., and was going to take the second half to work today. My mom however had to try a bite when I got home last night - and even cold, it was mind blowing. So she ate the whole thing.
Can't wait to go back and try the fried chicken! -
Review from Hilary S.
8/10/2011 1 photo
It hurts my heart to give Stockyards such a low rating.
I would give it five stars, I honestly would.
I LOVE fried chicken with all my heart, and I had heard amazing things about the chicken here.
They didn't disappoint--the chicken was warm, crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. (I had the fried chicken dinner...or something with a similar name.)
It comes with coleslaw (meh, I don't like coleslaw), fries (nice), ketchup (for the fries, of course!) and hot sauce that tasted suspiciously like tapatio.
But I'm sorry. We waited over half an hour for our chicken, because our order was forgotten. A few minutes after we ordered, the woman came by to give us napkins and forks, saying the chicken would come soon. It didn't.
It didn't.
It didn't.
We didn't know what to do--it was pretty busy and we didn't know if we were delayed because of the business or if we were forgotten.
And then it became pretty obvious when the woman walked by, saw us with empty table, and yelled "I'M MISSING A CHICKEN OVER HERE!!!" and the girl behind the counter working at the grill said something like "WHAT? I NEVER GOT THIS ORDER" or something.
If it were anywhere else, I'd give one star. But I can't bring myself to give such amazing fried chicken one star...
And, like a doof, I would so TOTALLY come back here in a heartbeat.
The things I do for fried chicken so heavenly.Listed in: FAVSIES, Stomach Fillers--Taste the…, Date, don't rape
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Review from Malcolm G.
Orléans, ON
Great service and really friendly staff. However not a very big area and gets congested very easily
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Review from Elle G.
Toronto, ON
9/14/2011
OMG! So wonderful -- I tend to come for Brunch -- and if you are a fan of Southern food, you must try the Biscuits and Sausage Gravy!
This is something you normally only get south of the border but it is magnifique!
I have had their sandwiches - the pulled pork, porchetta and brisket have my vote. To keep it authentic - go with Po' Boy style (slaw on top).
Some day, I have to get there for the ribs.
So -- summarizing:
- love, love the food
- good food is worth it!
- premises are small - take out is best
- if you do eat in -- the counter works -- but the raft of awesome odours will drive you nuts! :)
These people have the Southern food thing DOWN! -
Review from Jesse S.
Toronto, ON
8/15/2011
Sunday dinner with the family... takeout... Stockyards....scrumptious... even the dog recognizes the smell and hoovers under the table. We always do a big order and set up the table at home buffet style. Get ready to spend big bucks... it's not cheap.
We're seasoned customers and we expect a long line, then a 15 minute wait once our order is placed. One downside is that they always seem to be out of whatever my wife wants to order. Last night it was fish tacos. Another downside is getting through on the phones to place an order for pickup.... was busy all night...Good luck with that. -
Review from Chris G.
Whitby, ON
12/8/2011
Made a special trek to the Stockyards from the Danforth upon recommendation by a good eater friend of mine. 2 subways and a streetcar later, I was in.
The staff and the vibe they bring is worth a visit alone. There were a lot of them for a late afternoon Wednesday, at least 6 roaming around in such a tiny place. I'm thinking one was the owner, and the rest were there for a shift change. Still, they all came across as dedicated employees, interested in making up some good, good food.
Ordered a classic with sautéed onions and aged cheddar, which also came with traditional toppings and mayo.
Place your order, grab a stool and they do the rest: bring me napkins (which you'll need), a fork (?), a metal cup of water and, when ready, your burger.
Instead of the traditional silver platter most of these burger joints deliver their fare on, these guys offer it with a cast iron skillet.
So I dug it and, since it's a flattop fried burger, it instantly filled the skillet's wax paper line with a combination of liquid toppings and fat.
This was a good burger. Not a fan of the fried burgers but this one was tops. I will return. -
Review from Joe C.
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
ordered 7 buttermilk chicken dinners (shared with friends ofcourse) over the weekend and it def lived up to all the fried chicken hype. chicken was so very tender on the inside. The crispy skin was well still very crispy even though i didnt get a chance to eat it for an hour after picking it up. such a contrast from KFC and popeyes where they plow the sodium on to enhance that flavour. This place is is worth the trek if craving quality fried chicken. Service was very friendly as well. The building is quite narrow and the sign is small so it can be easily missed.
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Review from Richie S.
Sadly, this is only my 2nd time inhaling the fried chicken here, but I will do my best to increase that number as soon as possible.
Had to pick up some furniture in the area, so I decided to make my woman eat fried chicken for lunch. Showed up around noon, so:
a) Parking was open right outside and free until 1 p.m.
b) Seats available right away
The perfect time, as by 12:30 the place was jumpin'.
I don't know why I love the OJ here so much. I suspect that it is the old-school striped straws they use and I'm okay with that. For food, I ordered the chicken & waffles this time, while my "roommate" (recognized legally by the Province of Ontario) ordered the granola and yogurt (WTF?!) and a side of bacon of the day, which was "Bacon" flavoured bacon.
I love the savoury syrup poured on the waffles. My broad had never tried either the chicken or waffles and it was a struggle to get my plate back, let me tell you something. Although the chicken is a wee bit greasy for my personal taste, the chicken is uber-juicy and that alone makes up for the oil-issue. Pleasantly seasoned.
The side of bacon was cut thick and cooked to crispy perfection. Staff, just like last time, was awesome. Funny, non-pushy and friendly. We squeezed into the last two seats at the kitchen counter and therefore had the full-bore of the music playing - soulful treats I hadn't heard in years.
(Psst - if you crank the Cross-fade up to 10-12 seconds in iTunes preferences, you'll avoid the awkward space between songs. Just sayin'). I was sure to bug my wife all the way home for eating "healthy", but I was pleased when we were leaving and she asked for biscuits to go.
Oh, I shall return. With wet naps. -
Review from Erwin M.
Ajax, ON
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Coming with pretty high expectations after reading all the Yelp reviews, The Stockyards definitely did not disappoint. I tried the famous buttermilk fried chicken and boy, was it amazing. So crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. Not to mention that the fries that comes with it are awesome. Wife had the brisket sandwich. The portion was huge, and the meat was so soft. Definitely worth the trip from Ajax :) We came around lunchtime and it was pretty packed but I think everyone was just finishing lunch because within 15 minutes it was empty. A little pricey but worth the money. Bill came to about 50 bucks, tax and tip included.
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Review from Kenny T.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you have not tried Stockyards - then get off your butt and go! Really original and totally indulgent food - We live near by so we have been a bunch of times. Love the Spicy burger, the pulled pork, the fried chicken...you can count on it all. Brunch is pretty intense...I didn't try the chicken & waffles, but they were insane looking. I usually just order to go, but the few times we have snagged a seat it has been a fun experience...will be back many times...well not too many or my clothes won't fit!
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Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
6/10/2011 2 photos
Came here for brunch on a busy Saturday afternoon.
First up, the Stockyard sandwich: deep fried poached egg with country sage sausage and aged cheddar on house baked buttermilk biscuit. I was sold when I read "deep fried poached egg". However, I found the overall texture of the sandwich to be overly dry. I didn't get the moisture from the cheese (since it wasn't melted) or the egg (due to its deep fried treatment). A little more moisture would've made this a killer breakfast sandwich.
Fried chicken and waffles was the real winner: fried chicken over Belgian waffles with chili maple molasses citrus glaze. I fell in love with this dish as soon as it came out! The chicken skin was deliciously crispy and the meat was just incredibly juicy and flavourful! The waffles were also a great complement, and strangely enough, that chili maple molasses citrus glaze worked for both the chicken and the waffle. It was tangy, sweet and just downright irresistible!
It was truly a delightful brunch and I can't wait to come back to try other items on their regular menu!Listed in: Comfort Food
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Review from Matthew S.
Etobicoke, ON
5/24/2011 1 photo
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested that we visit The Stockyards for lunch, so we made our way over to St. Clair and I'm glad that we did.
We ate at the bar, which only made my mouth water more than usual as I saw what was already cooking on their grill.
The coca-cola bottles in the fridge were a nice touch to my meal, and ice cold water served in stainless steel cups was refreshing.
I ordered the pulled pork w fries. It was tender, flavorful, filling but most of all it wasn't dry! It had coleslaw on top too boot. I wasn't able to finish my fries as there was just a lot of them. I'm certainly not complaining about that though, the fries were very good and crispy (as requested).
The price was right. If I can recall correctly $20 tops w tip. Service was great, and the cook talked to us a lot bc we were eating at the bar.
And most importantly for The Stockyards, I will eat here again.
-Stone -
Review from Jane M.
5/18/2011
This one was a hard one... I LOVED the food, but man, that meat baby stayed with me for THREE DAYS. Not only did I wake up at 4am in the morning feeling like I had rocks in my stomach, it literally was three days before I got rid of it. For those of you cringing, count yourself lucky that that is as gross as that description got. I had a much more graphic way of explaining it but decided to tone it down a little for the TMI Police.
So, moving on...
There's little in the way of seating at this place. Well, there's a moderate amount but like any popular food joint, you're not doing it right unless there's a queue out the door and people willing to wait it out. I ordered the double burger (and was surprised that it impregnated me with a meat baby, I know, not exactly the sharpest tool in the box) and it was delicious. The bread didn't stand a chance with all that cheese, mayo and GREASE, but oh was it fabulous. It handled it all perfectly, and only really gave in towards the end, soaking through in the spots where I was clamping down on it with my fingers.
The beef ... my God, the beef! I've had some nice burgers but this was exceptionally good. My boyfriend had the pulled pork and he said that while it was good, there was a lot of sauce, which kind of overpowered it all. He would have liked to have been able to taste the flavour of the pork a little more. Our friend had the fried chicken, which he devoured. Watching him, my boyfriend went back in and got an order to take home. Watching them made my tummy want to cry but they said the chicken was great.
I also ordered one of their cute lemonades. They come with a little papery straw that discourages nursing your drink (it just turned to muuuush!) but the pop was lovely.
Pricewise, it's a little on the expensive side, considering it's "just a burger." Really, though, you need to go to realise it's more than a burger. It's fabulous. Minus one star because there's been no child support for that meat baby I was saddled with. I was not sorry to see the back of that! -
Review from Alice T.
Fried Chicken Review
Very good just not quite 5 stars, it was a bit salty for my liking but the meat was very tender and flavorful and the skin was crisp and not too greasy though I do wish the skin was slightly crispier. Still much better than anything else I've had in Toronto except my flatmate's fried chicken.
Basically everything was done well, the fries, coleslaw, and chicken were all made with more attention than most restaurants in Toronto. Just don't find myself dying to go back for more. Perhaps my expectations were too high?
I would like to try many other things on the menu so will probably be back soon.Listed in: Great Take Away for Groups
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Review from Lara P.
10/19/2011
The best fried chicken dinner that I have had in TO. It is crispy, satisfying and tender inside. It is cooked well so you do not miss any nuance of the deep fried experience. The biscuits and gravy is wonderful as well reminding you of a big Southern hug in a plate. I was really lucky to find seating at the end of the bar so when I fell of my chair from the gustatory delights I did not bring anyone down with me. I saved the pulled pork for a next time. One can only indulge in so much for one day, right?
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Review from Joe T.
York, ON
11/4/2011
Everyone has told me about this place and it lived up to the hype.
