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I can't judge whether neophytes would appreciate the fare without having ever heard of one Chef Paul Boehmer - this isn't Opus, after all, and there's not a linen napkin in the house - but the slow-cooked fare is so steeped in Southern BBQ flavours that a primer is likely unnecessary.
Boehmer and team don't overstress their southern-style metaphor; they're driving their own train that doesn't linger at any theme destination. If you've managed to work your way through some of the chain rib joints in the city, most of which are occasionally earnest but mostly dismal, dark and garish, you can't but believe there's a great little niche in Boehmer's future. – D.E.
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 AT A GLANCE
Cluck, Grunt and Low
362 Bloor St. W., Toronto ON
416-962-5050
Comfort Food
Annex
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Price Range:
$$$ (Within Reach)
Payment:
Mastercard, Visa, American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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9 Reader Reviews | We saw an article in the paper that lead us to believe this was a great classy place to go. We celebrated our friends anniversary there last night and I was very dissapointed.
One of our guests CAN NOT eat spicy food, so we asked if the "Stcky and Sweet" ribs had any spice, we were told they didn't and that a 2year old eat them a few nights prior. So that guest and I decided to order them. We got our meals and as soon as he took one bite his mouth was on fire!! We were LIED to about the spice and he (One of the guest of honour) was NOT able to eat his meal. He was too shy to say anything at first, but we mentioned it while paying the bill. The waitress said sorry and that next time we should tell her first!!
So a) we told her from the start he could NOT eat spicy food, b) She saw that he didn't eat his meal and c)She didn't even offer a free meal??????
We will NEVER go back and for anyone who thinks this is the best rib place in Toronto, they obviously don't eat out much!
1. Gizmo's Review :: October 24, 2008 Gizmo's Rating: 1 Stars |
My favorite local restaurant in the Annex. Although the pulled pork disappoints, the fried Rotisserie Chicken and ribs are completely crave worthy. Cute atmosphere. I take all visitors here.
2. Montie Brewer's Review :: October 09, 2008 Montie Brewer's Rating: 3 Stars |
One of those great places you find when you are just sorta wondering about the Anex. I have a soft spot for holes in walls too.
Probably the best barbeque place I've found in the area. I'll have to agree with this article that it is probably one of the most authentic as well.
3. John Chang's Review :: August 27, 2008 John Chang's Rating: 3 Stars |
Bad food and Bad service
4. James's Review :: August 23, 2008 James's Rating: 2 Stars |
Meat : Awesome.
Sides: Tasty but obnoxiously small servings. A bit of a rip off.
Atmosphere: If they're going for a cool cheap-o vibe, the chairs and tables are all wrong and don't go with the fakey barn board walls. Wayyyy overlit - too bright for my liking. So bright the atmosphere disappears. I also don't like being inside a restaurant with floor to ceiling glass along one wall and all glass garage doors on the other - the atmosphere would be far better if it wasn't a giant glass fishbowl. Music was kind of tacky.
Staff: Super friendly, super nice, very attentive.
WARNING: You will smell like ribs for the rest of the day and should consider showering before going to bed.
5. Anonymous's Review :: November 05, 2007 |
Meat : Awesome.
Sides: Tasty but obnoxiously small servings. A bit of a rip off.
Atmosphere: If they're going for a cool cheap-o vibe, the chairs and tables are all wrong and don't go with the fakey barn board walls. Wayyyy overlit - too bright for my liking. So bright the atmosphere disappears. I also don't like being inside a restaurant with floor to ceiling glass along one wall and all glass garage doors on the other - the atmosphere would be far better if it wasn't a giant glass fishbowl. Music was kind of tacky.
Staff: Super friendly, super nice, very attentive.
WARNING: You will smell like ribs for the rest of the day and should consider showering before going to bed.
6. Pete Largo's Review :: November 03, 2007 Pete Largo's Rating: 3 Stars |
I've been to the restaurant twice and the service never fails to be disappointing. It takes more than 45 minutes to get your food when most of the lunch crowd only have an hour for lunch. I thought the first time was only because they just opened up the restaurant and haven't figured out the logistics but I guess they still haven't figured it all out even after being open for a few months. In the restaurant business, no matter how good your food is, customer service is key to the restaurants success...never again.
7. Anonymous's Review :: July 18, 2007 |
The restaurant is very different for that part of town, something other than noodle houses and fast food grub. The lack of seating will be an issue as they move to profitability, given not many singles are going to stop in for $22 in ribs plus a $5.50 beer... so why all the single bar seating vs. tables? There is ONE option for a group of 5-6, no options for 6+, and 2-3 is your ideal number if you visit. Seating is a huge issue.
Food was good, the ribs as ribs go were good, but fatty, and the dry rub was flavorful. I am not sure who suggested to place side orders in the smallest side cups you can imagine, so that you pay for a single portion of sides, vs. larger share platters to synergize with the larger share portions of ribs/chicken. The chicken isn't great, nothing good to say there... just never happy to have more flavor at Loblaws vs. a restaurant for a full chicken.
If you arrive early, or want to settle into something light prior to dinner, forget about it. You won't find fries, potato skins, or any light, sharable fare, and this is prob again because groups are not very welcomed by the setup... thus sharing vs. getting down to eating isn't encouraged by the menu.
Desserts are very good, but lack creativity... as you don't get the fancy Wild Turkey ice cream with the pie, but rather it is one or the other or you mix them yourself. but Desserts are good choice if you can find room after slathering a few ribs down.
One of the best things going is the wipes. Yes, I said it wipes. They offer you not small finger wipes after you eat, but large 6"x8" full face wipes to clean up and feel like heading back into the world without beef or pork meat hanging all over your face.
I would go again, but prob as a single or for take out. This place at 1am would rock for university crowd leaving the Madison... but I have never seen a student with $22 to spare leaving any pub in my life.
8. Anonymous's Review :: July 17, 2007 |
The restaurant is very different for that part of town, something other than noodle houses and fast food grub. The lack of seating will be an issue as they move to profitability, given not many singles are going to stop in for $22 in ribs plus a $5.50 beer... so why all the single bar seating vs. tables? There is ONE option for a group of 5-6, no options for 6+, and 2-3 is your ideal number if you visit. Seating is a huge issue.
Food was good, the ribs as ribs go were good, but fatty, and the dry rub was flavorful. I am not sure who suggested to place side orders in the smallest side cups you can imagine, so that you pay for a single portion of sides, vs. larger share platters to synergize with the larger share portions of ribs/chicken. The chicken isn't great, nothing good to say there... just never happy to have more flavor at Loblaws vs. a restaurant for a full chicken.
If you arrive early, or want to settle into something light prior to dinner, forget about it. You won't find fries, potato skins, or any light, sharable fare, and this is prob again because groups are not very welcomed by the setup... thus sharing vs. getting down to eating isn't encouraged by the menu.
Desserts are very good, but lack creativity... as you don't get the fancy Wild Turkey ice cream with the pie, but rather it is one or the other or you mix them yourself. but Desserts are good choice if you can find room after slathering a few ribs down.
One of the best things going is the wipes. Yes, I said it wipes. They offer you not small finger wipes after you eat, but large 6"x8" full face wipes to clean up and feel like heading back into the world without beef or pork meat hanging all over your face.
I would go again, but prob as a single or for take out. This place at 1am would rock for university crowd leaving the Madison... but I have never seen a student with $22 to spare leaving any pub in my life.
9. Paul Nowosad's Review :: July 17, 2007 Paul Nowosad's Rating: 2 Stars |
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  362 Bloor St. W., Toronto ON |
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