his one’ll get you out of the trailer park or a few hours. You crave a burger. She wants a heaping plate of bangers and mash. If this dilemma sounds frightful (and really it does), the Artful Dodger is the answer to your prayers. Mostly, it’s the food that’s British Pub and the beer that’s Irish, but the cross-cultural wackiness knows no strict boundaries here.

NASA : a one-stop shopping area where you can buy a used stove, get a buzz and buy a parakeet. Life is good. ... Brassaii Jules SpaHa Wish

Dark and slovenly, the Dodger is the perfect American joke. It's got a goofy British name that doesn't mesh at all with the music, the vibe, the decor (dark brown semicircle booths and puffy chairs straight out of '70s-era McDonalds), the food (ballpark munchies like nachos), or the clientele (middle-class kids, 30-something men, the occasional hipster).

It's a funny, boisterous dive, the type of place where a group of inebriated friends can be found singing off key to the songs of yesteryear.

Open all day, and until the wee hours. The music's 80’s rock and the waitresses young and squeezed into tight jeans at this joint tucked behind The House of Lords.

The house drinks might be behind that success rate, sweet and strong as they are. The menu, too, evokes warm feelings: Nothing is over $12. The varied menu offers the likes of burgers and chicken wings with spicy hot sauce, and basic pub fare. Order a few plates of chicken wings and chicken fingers for the table or quirky dishes made using Brit ingredients. But there are only two desserts, so you might want to order both-for yourself.

The Artful Dodger’s location—it’s tucked onto a small side street spitting distance from Yonge Street — is also a godsend for those who’ve longed for a one-stop destination where you can drop off the dry cleaning, get a buzz, and buy a parakeet. Life is good.

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Reader Reviews

DJ JAzzy JAzz Toronto
June 30, 2003
The food at this place is hit and miss. The service is the ABSOLUTE worst you''ll find in the city. I waited 45 min just to order, and the waitress never came back with our drinks. And yet she had the time to sit and chat it up with some friends. On our second visit, we left before the food arrived. DO NOT TRY THIS ONE if you're in a hurry or want some good pub grub (Try Bishop+Belcher or The Foggy Dew instead)
comedy of errors.


Herb, Toronto, ON
Oct. 24, 2001
I realize this is just a burger joint, but lunch here was a comedy of errors. Server was slow and barely spoke English, making wine consultation impossible. Caesar salad was good, but chicken wings appetizer was inedible. Couldn't find server to complain. Pasta was tasteless and, like everything else, delivered cold. Swordfish entree was mushy and tasteless. Beef entree was over sauced. Ick!