The Barrie Restaurant Review
We dish out the lastest and greatest buzz on the Barrie restaurant scene
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Like A Pie In The Face
34 Commerce Park Dr.
Fare: Pizza, Italian, Wine Bar
Price:$12-25
It's always sad when a good idea goes wrong.
A restaurant dedicated to the union of a crust, sauces, cheeses, meats and vegetables is an immediate attraction to this reviewer. As well, a restaurant that manages to pair wine with different kinds of pizzas must have some idea as to what should go into a proper pie.
But upon closer inspection, they don't.
The restaurant gives you the feeling that you're in for a treat: the pies are prepared on the spot to order, and are baked in a massive wood-fired oven. The kind of preparation techniques you would find in Manhattan.
The true pizza enthusiast will realize that the completed pies are somewhat soggy and unevenly baked. The toppings are choice, and the cheese is quality but it seems that the chef manning that big wooden paddle should go back to dough-spinning school.
Another turn-off. Having to wait over 10 minutes for a table when the restaurant is near-empty.
Overall: 4.9/10
A Toast Of The Town
Fare: Steak & Classics
Price: $15-50
If you're looking for a dining experience that is ripe with garish decorations, pumping techno music and scantily clad waitresses, Town & Country Streakhouse is not for you.
If what you're looking for is steak, and everything to enhance your steaking experience, T&C should be at the top of your list.
Located in the heart of Barrie for over 30 years, T&C has had a traditional approach to dining: A small, quaint seating area with excellent, personal service and quality, traditional dishes.
Their menu offers an excellent variety of meats, seafood, and appetizers. What you will not find is the latest creations from the trendiest restaurants, but the kind of food that has been served for hundreds of years.
T&C is an example of what was. In essence, a trip back to when dining was considered one of life's simpler pleasures.
Overall: 9.5/10
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
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CK Chinese
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Stop By Mullies Bar & Grill
This is a great place to grab a bite and shoot some pool if you are all for a bar atmosphere while you eat. I love the atmosphere of this bar and it gets you just off the main drag of downtown Barrie. This is also a great late night spot because you are away from the College Students who are partying on Dunlop so it is a little quieter but it is still somewhere you can hang out and enjoy your late night.
Being a College Student I prefer the Pub over the Bar so Mullies appeals for me. The food is great and the beer is cold however the service is not always there.
I would give Mullies a 7/10 for their establishment as it is just your normal bar but some people may like it and some may not as it really is what you feel and if the pub life is for you.
Tell us where to go!!!!
Look forward to hearing from you!
-The Official Taster Of Barrie
Mom's the word!
South St. Burger Co.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Flashback to the Past!
FRANS-tastic!
507 Bayfield St.
Fare: Greasy Spoon
Price: $10-17
Fran's restaurant is an ineresting institution. The original Fran's is located at College and Yonge, which has expanded to four other locations in it's six decades of operation. Fran's has two other locations South of Bloor, one location in Barrie, and one in... Kansas City.
Kansas City? Yes, Kansas City. Not New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Not even elsewhere in Southern Ontario. Kansas City, Missouri.
Dispite that, Fran's offers a respectable dining experience. All things considered, above average. Being a chain, which we typically avoid on this blog, Fran's has a certain level of expectability. That is, when you walk into a Fran's you know what you're getting into.
Most chains are succeptable to microwave dish syndrome: Where the accountants determine that it is cheaper to provide pre-packaged meals that are re-heated on site as opposed to fresh cooked meals made with care. Fran's is not among those chains.
A meal at Fran's will be of a standard quality: fresh and fantastic, as you can see below.
This blog consideres Fran's a great place to dine, whatever the occasion. We just wish the Barrie location offered the same hours as those in Toronto.
Overall: 8/10
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thai One On
61 King St. W
Fare: Contemporary Thai
Price: $8-22
Once again we travel to the industrial jungle that is Barrie's south-end. The network of plazas and strip malls make for good hiding places of little-known eating spots. In this review we will offer a brief discussion of a hidden gem found in the south-end, Thai Bamboo.
Much like other restaurants in the area, the interior decoration and ambiance can be related to a warehouse. Considering what the operators of Thai Bamboo have to work with, the interior looks decent. Nothing to write home about, however. To comment, the restaurant is always clean and tidy, and service is always above par. If there's one characteristic other restaurant should mimic, it's this.
This hidden gem really sparkles once you open the embroidered menu. The offerings are simple, yet provide enough variety to satisfy most. I personally have been many times and still feel the menu is fresh.
The quality of the food is decent for the price range. It is better to what you would find in a food court at a shopping mall, but when compared to what's available in Toronto, Thai Bamboo misses the mark.
Thai Bamboo scores big points on price. The menu offers simple pan-fried noodle dishes, extravagant seafood curry platters, and everything in between. Of highlight, $7.90 tax-in nets you a pile of stir-fried noodles, veggies and chicken. Excellent for early lunch or late night snack on the go. My favorite: house fried rice before the movies with friends.
In a nutshell, Thai Bamboo offers some decent thai food at what you would want to pay, and overcomes all objections when selecting a restaurant.
Overall: 8/10
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Bow To Akira Japanese Cuisine
The service is lacking a little but I would expect that from an All You Can Eat restaurant as the more they visit the table the less money they make. I am always shocked at the price especially for the amount of food I eat while I am there. If your someone who doesn't eat a lot yes...you will not get your monies worth in food but for all those who are ready to sit down and undo that top button get ready for a great time.
Some people have complained about the pop and beer and having to ask for it but hello!!!!! You need to ask for a drink at the other restaurants as well and at least they give you water right at the beginning as most restaurants don't give you water unless you ask.
Overall the food and service at Akira would get a 7.5/10 from me but I will be going back in the future because of what I said with it being the best in Barrie.
Georgian College Review - Chartwells Cafeteria
Now these days the Georgian College Cafeteria is a touchy subject as it is kind of a love hate relationship. Yes they offer a wide range of food with Tim Horton's, their own version of Pita Pit, Pizza Pizza, Coyote Jacks and their Healthy options but that is usually only true from about 10am to 4pm Monday - Friday.
Now when it comes to Cafeteria's I don't know what people are expecting from them. It is a cafeteria! Most Cafeterias have cold sandwiches and a couple of soups and some burgers of pizza. Chartwells does try to give Georgian Students and anyone who visits a good meal but hey.....if you are going to a school cafeteria then what do you expect. You are not going to get a five star meal. When I have to go to the Cafeteria it is usually for a slice of pizza or a quick snack or going to Tim Horton’s.
Where they do drop the ball is operation hours. Yes, I realize it is a business and that you need to make money but when you offer students a meal plan and expect them to purchase it you better be open 7 days a week Breakfast to Dinner because we buy the meal plan expecting not having to buy any food or go grocery shopping. The moment we have to buy a meal off campus because they are closed it becomes useless.
Now they have smartened up recently offering a convenience card that you can fill like a meal plan but come on really........buy a card that we can only spend at the cafeteria??? I would rather keep the money in my bank and spend it where I feel and it the Cafeteria is the lucky place then be happy I am visiting you.
Also, price of their food is extremely expensive and really eats away at the bank account. I would rather visit somewhere else than have to spend my money there. The last part of this rant is that the Debit Machine charges you $0.25 for a debit transaction. I am sorry but that is a cost of doing business. They should not be able to charge me extra to use the debit machine. If they didn't offer debit I would simply not spend my money their but somehow they get away with charging students $0.25 for every purchase made on debit! It is ridiculous and needs to be changed.
I would give the Georgian College Chartwells Cafeteria a 5/10 as they have a long road ahead to improve service and need to stop raising prices and think more about what the students need and want out of their cafeteria.
For more info on Chartwells visit: http://www.dineoncampus.ca/Georgian/?
Let Us Know Where To Go!!!
Look forward to hearing from you!
-The Official Taster Of Barrie
Georgian College Review - Bun on the Run & Georgian Dining Room
Georgian College Review - The First Class
The First Class is the morning business for the Students` Administrative Council. The Last Class is your student’s pub where you can come and sit down and have a bite to eat with friends whereas The First Class is a place to come in a grab a quick sandwich and head out to class or while you are on break. The First Class has plenty of options to choose from and it is absolutely amazing that everything is made fresh before your eyes. The First Class has it down to a science and over the past couple of years we have seen huge improvements to The First Class. Since the renovations The First Class now has an express beverage line.
It obviously takes time to make a fresh sandwich which sometimes is their downfall because many students are in time constraints. However, by adding the beverage line it ensures that people just looking for a Coffee or a drink don`t have to wait in line behind someone getting a sandwich. Their sandwich and wraps are an absolute hit on campus and it is a great price for what you get.
The First Class is to me the best place to go on campus for a sandwich or wrap. They have fresh vegetables and sandwich meat and an amazing selection of wraps and bread to choose from.
To download The First Class menu visit: http://www.georgianc.on.ca/tlc/the-first-class
The First Class gets a 8/10 for their greats menu and amazing wraps and sandwiches but the line still is an issue for many.
Georgian College Review - The Last Class
The Last Class is the on campus pub for Georgian College run by the Students' Administrative Council. While most student pubs are usually the same with the same food The Last Class adds a little more to give you a full restaurant feel. When you enter The Last Class you almost feel like you have gone off campus to a Kelsey's or a Applebee’s as it has a very nice feel to it and the staff are on the ball.
The food that they serve really surprised me the first couple times I went and every year it just gets better and better. When I first went I assume it would be nothing but "Pub Grub." By that I mean Nacho's, Burgers, Fries. They really surprised me when I saw that they had a full menu and that there are quite a few healthy options as well on the menu.
Most of the time when you go to The Last Class you could just order a couple of appetizers and it could be a meal. However, the many entrees’ they have are prepared with great touch. Also, like most restaurants their Meat and Bread are delivered daily to ensure freshness.
Now if you are looking to bring you family to have a nice meal it is an option to go to as The Last Class is open to the public as well but most people have to get over the stereotype that they are going to a College Campus for dinner but it is most definitely an option to go to for dinner/lunch.
Overall I would give The Last Class an 8/10 for their service and food. It is a great place to go and has a wonderful atmosphere.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Where Should We Visit In Barrie!?!?!
Look forward to hearing from you!
-The Official Taster Of Barrie
What's The Matta With You - Italian Eating In Barrie
Food Worth Thought - Big Bone BBQ & Wicked Wings
- They have a wonderful facility and a great open concept to be able to look into the kitchen as they prepare your mean
- The portions are more than enough and you are usually able to take some home after you are done but they are not too big that they are wasting food
- You definitely feel that you are getting you monies worth and still getting quality food.
- You can order take out and pick it up on the way home and have an authentic BBQ meal
- It is also has a family feel to it and is very inviting
- Serving staff are very friendly and outgoing
- Service is sometimes lacking as they usually have one server and a cook for the evening which means you are waiting for a little while if the restaurant is busy.
- Limited amount of Beer/Alcoholic drinks available. This is a downside as some people enjoy a premium beer with a BBQ meal
- Closes at 9pm most days which isn't too early for the south end of Barrie but it would be nice if they were open until 10 or 11.
State Of The Onion: This Chain's For You
Les 3 Brasseurs can be found all over L'ile de Montreal. The restaurant is designed to be part brewery and part pub. Stills and piping for the purpose of brewing beer can be found throughout the restaurant, and is accented by the decor. The menu is designed to compliment the beer that is served, typically in four variants: Dark, lager, whie and blonde.
Priced around the same mark that you would find at a Kelsey's or Boston Pizza, and offering a more diverse menu, The 3 Brewers would be an excellent alternative when shopping for a new restaurant.
The restaurant has seen some obstacles in marketing itself outside of Quebec, and that is it's concept is centered around the consumption of alcohol. This alienates the brand from a large segment: families. However, there is currently one location in Toronto, and the company is planning on growing the brand outside of Quebec.
#2: Pizzaiolo
Pizzaiolo has almost 20 locations around the GTA, and for good reason: they make quality pizza at a decent price that actually tastes good. Pizzaiolo serves gourmet pizza at the usual pizzaria price.
Of the three chains mentioned here, this one is the most likely to see entry into the Barrie market. What I like most about Pizzaiolo? Their Capone Pizza: Chicken breast, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, parmigiano, mozzarella and pesto sauce.
Mama Mia!
You're probably wondering "why Olive Garden"? And I'll tell you why. Because for the money, Olive Garden beats any other chain in terms of quality, service and ambiance. At least the ones I've attended.
Located only south of the border, Olive Garden gets a lot of flak from Americans for being cheap. Considering the variety of food vendors our friends to the south have, it is no surprise. In a nutshell, what Americans may consider mundane, may be considered exotic to us canuks.
The best part of the Olive Garden: When you're there, you're family. What other restaurant in Barrie can claim that?
State Of The Onion: Chinese Food
Of the numerous Chinese restaurants in Barrie, not a single one offers “real” Chinese food. Sure, I like chicken balls and fried rice as much as the next guy, but over time the novelty wears off. I want me some BBQ pork dumplings, fried chickens feet and rice wrapped in lotus leaves.
I don’t mean to poo-poo the current roster of restaurants in Barrie, but it’s time for a refresh.
Alternatives could be Thai, Vietnamese or even Indian, if you’re looking for something new. But what is missing in this town is some authentic Chinese. The kind of authentic Chinese you would find on Spadina Ave.
Does Barrie have the capacity to handle such cuisine? Sushi, for example, has been in town for over ten years now, with numerous successful locations. They aren’t going anywhere. Same with Thai restaurants. And the Mandarin has a nightly line-up at their front door. Barrie has a more than adequate demographic to support at least one dim-sum restaurant, but the real question is:
Does Barrie have a refined enough pallet for real, authentic chinese food?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Bring Your Big Bib To Big Chris's
Big Chris BBQ and Smokehouse
110 Anne St. South, Barrie
Fare: BBQ
Price: $7-25
The term "barbecue" is a relatively ambiguous term. By definition, it is a means of cooking with indirect heat, often smoking the meat over wood or charcoal.
Big Chris BBQ and Smokehouse is barbecue in it's truest sense. At least this far north of the border.
Big Chris offers up the usual crew of ribs, chicken, sandwiches and burgers, all served along with 'slaw, beans and/or fries. Big Chris seems to have two maxims in which he brings to the absolute, and uses to define his dishes: quantity and flavor. And quality. And flavor. The only thing lacking is the health department. Not exactly guilt-free, Big Chris is the kind of restaurant you would attend if you're living life to the fullest. Might as well call the restaurant Porke Diem. If health food is what you're after, go eat a veggie wrap with Jared.
The physical layout is of cafeteria-style. No nonsense, and better yet Big Chris is licensed to serve. As any BBQ place should be.
Big Chris seems like the kind of guy who likes to shake the game up. In a town devote to the Tim's, McDonalds, et al, Big Chris's one of the only actual BBQ joints around. That in itself makes him somewhat of a renegade. Of course, if you're the only game in town, it's not mediocrity that will get you noticed: It's something like the "Ultimate Dirty Burger".
Pictured above, the "Ultimate Dirty Burger" is something that you would find on the show Man v. Food. 2lbs of pulled pork, a serving of poutine, six patties, bacon and cheese all between two buns and has never been eaten in one sitting. This reviewer, although quite brave, does not have the cojones to take on that $35 beast.
If I were to find a fault, it's that Big Chris BBQ is only open until 9pm at the latest. No opportunity for late-night manging.
All in all, Big Chris's is everything you would want in a BBQ restaurant. All without having to travel to the American south.
Overall - 8.5/10
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Diamonds Are Forever
Thursday, September 15, 2011
What We Are
This is going to be a very honest and open blog that will evaluate Barrie and its restaurants. Please feel free to comment on all of our posts as we go along. Every time we visit a Pub, Restaurant, Coffee Shop we will be posting and giving you the 411 on the hot spots in Barrie to grab a bite to eat. We will also be visiting some of Barrie's undiscovered gems that some of you may never of heard from.
Stay tuned for many posts as this blog will be the one stop shop for all that is food in Barrie!