Stopped in for a weekday lunch around noon on a Wednesday, and to my surprise, I had the entire place to myself.
The service was prompt, warm, and friendly from the moment I walked in. I ordered the smoked chicken sandwich with a side salad. I always ask for zero sauce on my chicken sandwiches, which is usually a high-risk move because it leaves very little room for error--it's so easy for meat to end up dry. However, this sandwich completely delivered. The chicken was remarkably moist, well-seasoned, and packed with a fantastic smoky flavor that really came through without needing any sauce to hide behind.
The side salad was fresh and decent enough, though nothing exceptional compared to the sandwich.
While the food and service were solid, the completely empty dining room during a prime lunch hour made me think about the spot's long-term push. To really carve out its place and stand out in a competitive stretch of downtown Toronto like Queen and John, I think the pub needs to dial in a clear, distinctive identity.
Overall, a solid lunch experience with great service and impressive smoked chicken--definitely worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood! read more