Review Barque Smokehouse - Toronto

Barque is a neighborhood classic. Serving up good food with good service and a good time, I would recommend anything on their menu given the tastes that come along with it. Not to mention, they also pay fair wages to their serving staff which we all love to support. Will definitely be back!

Amazing brunch and lunch BBQ spot. Their brisket omelet was the best omelet we've ever had. Barque's is a full wage restaurant where staff are paid a livable wage and gratitude is optional. We love supporting local businesses that support their employees! Edit - returned for dinner with family from Vancouver and order the platter for 4 (we were a table of 3) with a couple sides. Personally for us, the platter for 4 is suitable for 3 adults. It included pulled pork, brisket, ribs, turkey, and sausage. As usual, the meat was juicy and tender.

We had the Smoke Brisket sandwich and chicken wings. && totally good. The place is packed especially during brunch. Will try the meat platter next time, as they have different menu for brunch and dinner.

Went there several times. Loved the place before. Food and atmosphere. Made take out for birthday. Everything was good but pulled pork. Wasn't much meat;( only fat;( and mushrooms were too peppery

Ordered take out from here for the first time, Will be the last as well. Maybe it's an off night for the kitchen but I am so disappointed. First, the portion sizes are small. Laughably small. $13 for a tiny tray of mac and cheese that was lacking any seasoning. The brisket was 50% inedible fat cap. While the meat was tender it had little smoke flavor. Turkey was dry, and doused in gravy. The gravy wasn't served in a side container but dumped in the box the other meat was in so it was a soupy mess. The ribs were the worst I've ever had. They were so over done that I couldn't eat them, the meat was like tree bark. The only saving grace was the slaw. Not worth the $100 spent on the platter for 2, slaw and mac.

One of the best spots in town, the 299 dry run wings are BEST IN THE CITY! Also the Barque Rack O Bama ribs are amazing. Try both!

We got the sampler for two with brisket, pork, ribs, dill slaw, Mac and cheese and smoked wings. Everything tasted absolutely amazing. There was so much flavour in every bite. On top of the amazing food, the service was impeccable. All of the staff are so friendly (especially Adrian) and it’s amazing to know that they are paid fairly. The atmosphere is relaxed. Hands down this is the best restaurant we have ever eaten at. We will definitely go again when we are back in the area!

Great BBQ joint - I order the beef brisket sandwich with fries..both delicious and fills you up. The other menu items look just as tasty but this is my go-to!!

Excellent brunch<br/><br/>The brunch is great. The qualitu of the food is high. I like the free sparkling water that they offer. Very kids friendly with cartoons playing on TV and coloring paper for them to color. Staff is very friendly. It gets a bit loud when busy.

Upon arrival with my girlfriend, we were greeted by an unfriendly hostess. Tone was rude and stated "I have a table for you, but I need it back at 1" before saying anything else to us. Waitress was nice and friendly. We both ordered the eggs Benedict, one with pulled pork, one with brisket. Food was okay, brisket was disappointing but pulled pork was good. Salad was bland. Home fries were pretty good. 6.5/10 for the food. Hostess' service was a 1/10. Will not be returning because of her. Server was great though!

Barque is a trendy, expensive BBQ restaurant with mediocre food. If you value style over substance, make this your go-to spot.<br/><br/>The pulled pork was alright, though plain. The $14 serving came with just the 1/2 lb of meat. The pork wasn't pre-pulled, like I expected. Instead, it was just two slabs of pork loin that you had to shred and season yourself. Although the serving was generous, I would've appreciated something else--fries, a dill pickle, or at least a bun--for that price. <br/><br/>There was only one vegetarian option, a smoked mushroom and lentil marinara with roasted asparagus. We assumed it was a pasta with marinara sauce. We assumed wrong. It was a dish of bland, simple, underseasoned tomato sauce with a few spears of asparagus and 4 lentil balls. Let me just reiterate: this entrée was essentially just sauce. Imagine dumping a can of diced tomatoes in a bowl and topping it with a couple vegetarian meatballs, and you've got this $16 dish.<br/><br/>The side dishes all cost extra. The "cajun" mac 'n' cheese had no hint of spice or kick. The cool ranch slaw had a nice crunch, but seemed entirely unseasoned. The succotash was nice, although I didn't taste any "lime aioli". The fries were good, but nothing I haven't tasted before at Five Guys. The sides were decent, but they all tasted like things you could either make yourself or buy at a local diner--and for a lot less than $7 to $9 per serving.<br/><br/>The service was okay. When we were ordering, one of us wanted to order from the prix fixe menu. Only then did it occur to our waitress to tell us that the prix fixe menu only applied if all of us ordered from it. <br/><br/>At the end of the meal, two of us asked for our meals to be packed up to go. The waitress (without asking if it's okay with us) packed both of our dishes in the same container, leaving us to separate our meals after the fact.<br/><br/>What you get is the rustic pails of pre-dinner popcorn, the adorable mini cast iron pans, and the opportunity to feel a little fancier than you are as you ask your friends "Sparkling or still?" What you don't get is a flavourful, satisfying barbeque experience. If you go to Barque, make sure that you're there for the Instagrammable photo ops, and not the food.

Was there prolly 10 years ago! But I still remember the food! It was breakfast and I had one of their hashes and it was probably the veat I have ever had, came in a skillet which kept it nice and warm, the decor and atmosphere are veey comforting too, stools were my only complaint! 10 out of 10 for my experience

We arrived to Toronto and stayed in Roncesvalles, a great neighborhood! Love the place!<br/>For dinner we started to see restaurants near by and we found this BBQ joint.<br/>Wow! Amazing! If you want WOW come here! The staff is 5* stars, the ambience incredible, you can have a calm dinner with good music. And the food amazing, loved the corn and the ribs. Although we asked for two flavors, bama and lemon. I prefer the bama, more juicy! And I am new in Canada, it’s the first time I Visit Canada but they have two choices: still water or sparkling water! Crazy! Love it! Canada you should consider about #zomatogold 😉

The duck pancakes were really good and the serving was quite generous. <br/><br/>The ribs tasted good but they were not falling off the bone. I expected a bit more tenderness. It was also on the dry side. Not the best ribs I have had but the flavor was good.

The ribs are best . They are succulent and so good in taste .The service here is also good and the drinks are more than enough to serve your appetite .I would recommend you to go here once 🍴

The ribs and the wings are so darn good. I especially like their dry rubs. However, I did have the unfortunate experience of finding the food extremely salty one time when it was a specials night, so perhaps good to avoid that particular day.

Visiting from Winnipeg and my sister picked out this spot. We had a fantastic experience! Great service, atmosphere and food for groups of any size. Not too loud inside! Totally would recommend.

I went for a long walk this morning and part of my walk was north on Roncesvalles Avenue. I passed by Barque Smokehouse and was hungry so decided to stop in for brunch. I'd never been there before.<br/><br/>I ordered Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles. My meal came out really quickly ... too quickly. Not surprising, the waffles and the chicken were cold. I've had chicken and waffles before elsewhere so knew they were supposed to be hot. I was going to call over my server when I came across a substantial piece of wire scouring pad. Ewwwww! Needless to say, that was it for me! Thankfully I'd only had a couple bites before I found it.<br/><br/>My server asked me if I'd like anything else. No thanks! She gave me a small bottle of meat rub as an apology.<br/><br/>Not a great first impression!

We had lunch on the patio. They give you seasoned popcorn to start. I had the smoked salmon wrap (excellent) and barque Caesar salad (Also quite good). Recommend giving it a try.

One of the best bbq joints in town, great service and great food make for quite the experience. Barque will blow your mind with their take on bbq.

Had a fantastic meal here and highly recommend it. The caraway stout sausage was delectable and pulled pork was very tender and juicy. Even the fries were covered in a delicious blend of sauces. I will definitely be returning.

I feel bad saying this but my favourite part of my meal here was the Caesar salad. Like really fantastic caeser salad! The baby back ribs were a close second. I also tried the brisket which was very soft and melt in your mouth. The kale salad was only ok. The pickled veggies were good, not great. Overall I think you need to be more of a meat lover to truly appreciate this BBQ house.

I like ribs ... No - I love ribs! So needless to say that I had high expectations for this place. We ordered the rib sampler with a Caesar salad and while they were not bad, they were not outstanding either. The ribs were chewy and the salad needed some seasoning. The only reason I am giving this place a 3 is for their fries and the service.

Go for the smoked wings, but Nothing else. In the summer in hot days, their restaurant gets NO ventilation or air. We were disgustingly uncomfortable and sweating profusely. Of all the BBQ restaurants I've tried in the city, this was my least favourite. Although nothing was bad, nothing was outstanding. Other than the wings. Their smoked wings are dry and easily my favourite wings in the city.

We live in the east end, and there are a few awesome BBQ places there, in Riverdale and Leslieville, but tonight we were in search of something different, so out to Barque we went for a birthday celebration! From the second we entered, we loved it. GREAT vibe...casual, unpretentious, family-oriented, laid back. GREAT staff...friendly, attentive, flexible. And the food? Amazing. One of our group was a vegetarian, and there was plenty for him to eat. The other three of us enjoyed Smoker's Choice, a start to finish extravaganza. Everything was fresh, and perfectly prepared, and the meat was wow. I had also noted a birthday in our group on my Open Table ressie, and a lovely candle was forthcoming :) A lovely evening!

We are big fans of Southern style BBQ and were keen to visit Barque for the first time. Overall the visit was good, but uneven. The 4 oz. brisket was spot on, as was the Chorizo sausage. The ribs, on the other hand, were a disappointment. We had the Rib Taster (1/3 rack of each available style) so we could try each one. One portion (with the house sauce) was cooked nicely, with a nice bite back and delicious sauce. The other two were overcooked (one to the point to dryness and little flavour), so we were disappointed. The sides were good to great. The "Cajun" mac&cheese was a good mac&cheese, but if there was anything Cajun about the flavour it passed us by. The garlic green beans, on the other hand, were great; crispy and flavourful! We'll give these folks another try, but likely avoid the ribs next time (pulled pork and chicken here we come!).

Came here for the weekend brunch! I was looking forward to try the smoked duck pancakes for a while. It was totally delicious and I would say this a must-have one! I was surprised that such a smoked house has kids menu and painting books for the little kids to enjoy. These sweet details and the great foods made me want to come here more times.

I had high hopes for Barque. A lot of people told me it would be good but that wasn't the case. I ordered the brisket with fries and my bf ordered the pork with mac & cheese. Both are cuts of meat were really fatty. The fries were really salty. The mac and cheese was really good..probably the best part. The popcorn was a nice touch. The service was pretty good.

I have been to Barque for their family style dinners, but heard so much great things from friends about the brunch. I booked my reservations online in the morning for the same day, and they only had a reservation available at 1:00pm for a table of 2. I took what we could get. When I arrived, the restaurant was definitely a happening spot and was fully packed, including the bar. The restaurant is located in the vibrant Roncesvalles neighbourhood and attracts many locals.

Weekends call for brunch! We recently visited Barque Smokehouse (mother of Butcher’s Bar) for a smokey brunch. We arrived around noon and were seated at the bar. The place is super popular but I didn’t find that there was too bad of a line for a Saturday. I ordered the Barque Benedict, a poached egg on corn bread with BBQ hollandaise a hash and kale salad. The hollandaise was creamy and had a lovely buttery sweetness. I wanted to lick the plate.

Weekends call for brunch! We recently visited Barque Smokehouse (mother of Butcher’s Bar) for a smokey brunch. We arrived around noon and were seated at the bar. The place is super popular but I didn’t find that there was too bad of a line for a Saturday. I ordered the Barque Benedict, a poached egg on corn bread with BBQ hollandaise a hash and kale salad. The hollandaise was creamy and had a lovely buttery sweetness. I wanted to lick the plate.<br/><br/>My boyfriend had the Scrambled Eggs which came with smoked short ribs, mushroom jus and a kale salad. I looked over and it was gone within seconds so I assume it was delicious too!<br/><br/>Brunch cocktails are a thing right? Well, I decided to make it a thing so I ordered a Bourbon Smoked Sour, which is like a smokey lemonade for adults.<br/><br/>My boyfriend had the Barque Bloody Caesar which was decorated around the rim with candied bacon.<br/><br/>If you’re looking for a BBQ-filled way to start your weekend, head over to Barque for a delicious brunch!

Great little BBQ place in Roncesvalles Village. <br/><br/>The restaurant itself is rather nice and the bar is awesome. They've got some TV's to watch the game and some nice high tops to go along with the scattered tables around the restaurant with the kitchen in the back.<br/><br/>Had a number of items there and they were all pretty damn good. The Smoked Wings were amazing. The wings were large and though it wasn't the crispiest, the meat was so juicy that it was irrelevant. The BBQ Chicken was great as well. I'm not typically a fan of smoked poultry, but they had a real nice juiciness to it. The beef brisket was also real good as it was just cut, so you still had all that juicy liquid fat coating the meat. For sides, the mashed potatoes were good while the brussel sprouts were a bit too salty, but doesn't detract from the overall meal.<br/><br/>It's pretty hard to find good BBQ in the GTA so it's nice to find some going down Toronto. The place itself is located off the beaten path of the downtown core, but was well worth a trip. Will definitely be back.

I was here with my wife one evening.  We each had a pound of wings, and I ordered the side of fries to share.  The fries were an utter disgrace.  They are the skinny shoestring frites style, which seem to be served cold  irrespective of where you buy them.   My order seemed to have an abundance of small bits.... Serving them in a small cast iron pan is a nice idea, but the cast iron pan is an excellent heatsink.... it will cool anything served in it very quickly.  The fries have a seasoning on them, which I did not enjoy.  It is due to this atrocity that I gave Barque 3.5 stars and not more, for there certainly would be more if these were replaced with standard size fries of even potatoe wedges.... <br/><br/>The wings are roaster size, so they are the BIG ones.  They are cooked exactly as I would do so in a smoker.  Dry rub and smoke then mopped with a chipotle sauce.  Terrific flavour profile, non-greasy wings.  I like it so much, I went back for lunch with a buddy the next day.<br/><br/>This time, while we did have the wings, they were dry rub only.  They remain non-greasy served this way.  They arrive with a wedge of smoked lemon.  Just the right compliment to the dry rub.  <br/><br/>We also had a couple lunch sampler platters.  The pulled pork was entirely forgettable.  I found it too soft, and underflavoured.  Not greasy, but nothing special.<br/><br/>On the otherhand, the Brisket was out of this world.  Very very smokey, without being acrid.  Excellent flavour profile.  Best brisket I have had.  <br/><br/>The ribs were also very good. Pefectly cooked to allow a small tug with the teeth to remove the meat from the bone.  If I could smoke this well, I'd start a business.<br/><br/>The atmosphere is very comfortable, there is not a lot of echo in the room, so you be comfortable.  Sort of roadhouse -- no carpet, wooden floors, walls, etc., but the small space almost makes it cozy.  <br/><br/>My one complaint is the cartoon channel on the TV above the bar.  That was present during both of our visits.   If I were to recommend anything, change that.  The novelty wears off in seconds.  <br/><br/>I suggest that they should broadcast something like the youtube Ted talks channel to entertain the bar partrons.  That's where you'd be at lunch alone, and it would be much better than reading a book or newspaper with sticky fingers.<br/><br/>They provide a personal wet wipe for each diner.  Sauces are applied with a small brush.  I wish they were from a squeeze bottle, as the brush becomes the proverbial source of "double dipping" as a second layer of sauce gets applied to a half eaten wing.....

We eat here often. Reservations are recommended as it is a very busy place, however, several times we showed up <br/>without a reservation and the hostesses do their best to seat us ASAP.<br/>The food is very good, I haven't tried anything on the menu that I didn't like. The popcorn sprinkled with the Barque seasoning/dry rub is delightful to snack on while awaiting your order. Smoked half chicken and the wings are my favourite. All the sides are delicious, and served in mini Lodge pans, nice presentation. <br/>

Tried this place for the second time awhile ago and enjoyed it very much. The space is very cool and situated in the trendy Roncesvalles neighborhood. Usually very busy reservations are recommended, although we've managed to walk in and be seated at the bar both times. If you love meat this is the place for you! There are plenty of combos available allowing you to sample a variety of meats in one meal. I especially enjoy the side dish options and the popcorn they give you when you sit down.

Came here with a group of friends and ordered the set menu. Every item that was brought to us was pretty good with the dry ribs and chicken wings as the clear winners. Such good barbecue food. Highly recommended!!

it was a Tuesday afternoon as I arrived at barque bbq. Neatly tucked away in a small homely hipster neighborhood. I ordered the lunch sampler with the Ribs, pulled pork, fries and salad. The meal even comes with a ice bucket full of bbq powdered popcorn for you to munch on while you drown your sorrows with a tastey beverage. As I got my meal they gave additional sauce with paint brushes so you can lather up those baby ribs. So I went to town and stroked it. It was by far the best bbq I had in Toronto and would give it the D. I'd definitely return a second time to have a go at her again.

The space was great, as were the staff, the meat sampler platter was good but not amazing, the brisket was forgettable, the ribs sauced well but a touch dry (the Obama ribs the better of the two) and the Piri Piri Potates are a waste of a side. The pea spatzle however is worth ordering again and again

BARQUE * Pronunciation: BARK as explained by our host/Chef David Neinstein that they came up with this name for a few reasons including that even though it does work as a short form of the word BARbeCUE it also describes the outer skin on BBQ meat which is fondly known as BARK.

Great vibe and great service. Now to what we all go to restaurants for: the food.<br/><br/>BBQ is the key word and they deliver, but not the way you would think. It's a storey of two halves: protein vs. sides. The sides are the winners. <br/><br/>Popcorn to start whets the appetite just enough to get your juices prepared for the feast to come. I don't know why more places don't do this. We ordered one of almost everything from the sides and not a single miss. Deliciousness after deliciousness. Palmegranates in coleslaw? Genius! You wouldn't believe how good that goes, especially with the touch of tahini (or I think it was tahini). I know fries are fries, but you have to try these. Perfectly browned and on the exact level of salty.<br/><br/>Now the meat: ribs are ok, but something was off. It was a struggle to part the meat from the bone. Taste was great, just the battle that was exhausting. Sausages need help: more flavour please. Good news was that the sauces were so crazy good, they saved the day.<br/><br/>I would definitely return for the sides hoping they can fix the rib/chicken issue.

Their salads were amazing, and their chicken was quite the surprise. I wasn’t expecting too much from it, but it was some of the best I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about their ribs, which I found to be a let-down considering they’re the backbone of barbecue. However, there’s definitely more good than bad going on at Barque. For the most part, I really enjoyed the food, and the atmosphere was definitely up to par. The lacquered wood tables and brick walls lend the venue a true down-south barbecue feel, and I just know the restaurant is going to be a welcome addition to the family-oriented Roncesvalles neighbourhood.

0 By Marc Smith on 22 April, 2015 Where to Eat/Drink Share This Post Something that has surprised me as I explore Toronto is the amount of BBQ restaurants I’ve seen. I’ve pretty much seen a BBQ joint in every neighbourhood I’ve been to, including my favourite neighbourhood Roncesvalles Village . In Roncy it is Barque Smokehouse  and if you ask anyone they’ll tell you serve some of the best BBQ in Toronto. Never one to turn down the opportunity for some great BBQ I booked a lunch there with a friend because I’ve heard the weekend brunch lineup can be long and I think lining while smelling BBQ is just cruel. Barque Smokehouse in Roncesvalle Village Located at  299 Roncesvalles Avenue , Barque Smokehouse is right in the middle of Roncy. My favourite Roncy coffee shop,

Barque Smokehouse - Salmon Wrap I have friends moving to Toronto from Cancun.  Actually, they're from Mallorca.  They did a whirlwind tour of Toronto in 4 short days.  I took them to Roncey on Thursday and they fell in love.  I knew they would.  The homes have character and you don't have to get into the car to buy a carton of milk.  That was what I had asked him they wanted in a lifestyle.  Did they want the big yard but then have to get in a car to pick up necessities.  After visiting a house, we went for lunch at the Barque. It's funny what you take for granted in culture.  I told them that one of the features that was nice about Roncey was that many of the restaurants, if not all, are family friendly.  I knew it was important to point this out because they have 4 small kids and in Spain you take your kids with you.  It's not unusual to be on a terrace at 10pm and see a kid sleeping in his stroller.  They're immediate reaction was of course, 'What do you mean family-friendly?'  I replied, 'I mean, it's okay if you bring your kids for dinner.... or other meals.'  they replied, astonished, 'What?! you mean? you can't bring them everywhere?' D and I have been to Barque for brunch before.  They have decent on theme brunch.  I'd never been there for lunch before.  I will say, for people with diet restrictions, there are not many alternatives to cow.  Yeah yeah, I go to a smokehouse and I'm surprised? No, don't get me wrong, I knew and it was their choice.  Actually for lunch, there's only 1 option, the Salmon Wrap, which I had.  My friends, opted for the highly recommended Burger. The Salmon was nicely cooked, a tad ruby in the middle with a nice crust on the outside.  Some might actually have considered it a bit underdone but that's the way I like it.  The fries, as I have had before, are seasoned, and VERY SALTY, TOO SALTY.  My friends both had the burger and loved them. He had the soup of the day, perfect given the drizzly weather we had.  It was Red Bell Pepper.  

Barque Snarkue. This place is great if you're into lukewarm, dry, inauthentic barbecue with uninspired side dishes. Not sure why everything is doused in the same seasoning?! Save yourself a few bucks and some heartache and avoid this one!

LOVE IT. Hard to get a table. Everything is amazing, popcorn is seasoned and brought to the table, Cesaers are rimmed with bacon bits. I love the sampler for two, we always leave full and satisfied.

Great service, great food!. Went here with two friends and we had the Smoker's Choice which came with smoked wings to start, a delicious arugala salad, and then ribs, brisket, and chicken, and quinoa and roast vegetables. The serving size was perfect, and also came with the daily dessert, which was also delicious. Our server, Astrid, was great. She wasn't always at our tables asking about things, but seemed to know exactly when to ask about more drinks, etc. Overall, very impressed! Will definitely return next time I'm in town.

Heard so much about it, had to try. Overall meal was quite tasty. A few callouts: Brussels sprouts were amazing, back ribs were good but the dry rub was too dry. Overall all the food could have been hotter. Will return though!

"Fantastic. We just decided to try this restaurant because it was so central. What a delightful surprise! They made us feel so welcome from the very first minute. Communication was no problem at all. The service was speedy and our server was just lovely.

Delectable BBQ. Great ribs and pulled pork. This place must be some of the best BBQ in Toronto if not in Canada. The service was great too!

BRUNCH. Went here for Brunch on a Sunday morning around 12, we waited about a half hour. Got the eggs benedict with brisket which was really good, the BBQ Hollandaise on top was so good & the potatoes so flavorful. WE added candied bacon on and this totally rounded off the dish. The star was the Duck pancakes which was a perfect balance of sweet and savory I wish I had all of it to myself instead of sharing.

Most over rated BBQ in the city. The ribs are dry, the fried chicken is chewy, and they over do it with that smokey paprika powder that's on everything. If you want your fries to taste like your chicken strips and to taste like the stale table popcorn, then I guess this is the place for you. There are better BBQ places on the West end, if you happen to be driving. Indie Ale House in the Junction, or Stockyards on St. Clair are far better choices! Barque seems to be busy due to convenience and location, but definitely not for it's BBQ.

Go elsewhere. Have tried this spot several times - persuaded by its popularity. Thing is, it's just not a good restaurant. The staff is reliably accommodating, and the food comes quickly. Both pluses that should be noted. But the food is mediocre, as is the interior/atmosphere. A low point was the pomegranate bbq lamb, which was less good tasting than most food court sweet & sour. Their pricing strategy aggressively pushes toward the $35 per head mixed dinner. Make up your own mind about that. It's a shame that people will still line up for places like this in Toronto.

If you fall off the vegan wagon and want an abundance of meat...Barque Smokehouse is your place.<br/><br/>Had the platter for two and was impressed! I think the ribs maybe the best I have had in Toronto (very memorable..Barque Obama sauce). The platter was a perfect size to share...chicken thighs, ribs and brisket (could choose Italian sausage) The sides were good (except for the penne..which was bland). Was a little disappointed there was no pulled pork on the menu..but perhaps it is on a special menu?? (saw pictures posted on urbanspoon from others).<br/><br/>Great place...lots of fun. Will likely go back to gorge on meat. YUM

Ribs.. yummm. We tried the sampler for 2, the ribs were by far the highlight!!

We went on a Tuesday night late. We ordered the sampler for 2. It was exactly the right amount of food for us. I loved the baby back ribs but wish it was served hotter & fell off the bone more. I'm not normally a meat eater but love ribs! We had corn, kale salad & fries for our sides. Yummy to all 3! Just wish there was a little more meat on the beef ribs but I love the o bama spices!

Disappointing Burger Week. Not impressed, patty had not seasoning, bun was soggy, boring toppings.

Comme ci, comme ca. Pretty good, but the ribs were dry. Nothing to write home about.

Knifey Spoony - 2 Stars. Barque serves up juicy, exquisitely cooked meats, delivering subtle and harmonious flavours with a bias towards the sweet. A decidedly safe combination for a BBQ joint, but when’s the last time you craved safe BBQ?

Must Love Meat. Ordered the sharing menu... Holy cow do you get a lot of food... Went with a group of four, and had enough leftovers for two more people! But it was delicious. Ribs are amazing. And the sides were fantastic (the risotto was outstanding)

After waiting for so long to come try this place, I was a bit disappointed. As an appetizer I got the soup of the day, cream of asparagus really good but was cold. My partner got the rib trio (sp of the day) and I got the sampler for 1. The ribs were on the dry side and so was the brisk. The seasoning was good on the upside :) the atmosphere good and awesome staff. But as far as the food it was just ok

Three times no charm. Went to Barque last night for dinner, my third time trying this local restaurant.<br/>There were four of us. The waitress was very sweet and accommodating, but there's only so much she could do. All, and I mean all, of the food that came to our table was at best Luke warm. I understand that it's cold outside, but isn't that why ovens exist? The meat was tasty, I can only imagine how much better it would taste freshly cooked. My ore two experiences with this place are similar, so I won't be going back. The real only plus for this restaurant for me is proximity to my house.

Not impressed. Dry ribs and chicken.. expensive, don't look for salt and pepper on your table.. server brought over 2 mills one almost 24" and didn't work lol..sorry but there are better BBQ around ..l eave this place for the trendy Roncy people.

Awe-Inspiring Gift Baskets. We have eaten at Barque... and we loved it. No seriously, LOVED it. Great atmosphere, attentive, fun wait staff and food to die for (meat of course, but the sides- seriously- brussel sprouts, butternut squash and bacon- AMAZING). What has really blown us away though is their gift baskets. I had planned on buying a gift card for a work colleague to experience Barque but came across the gift baskets on their website- thought they sounded yummy and so went for it. I have since sent out a second to a good friend who did us a huge favour and let me tell you- both recipients have been wowed. Delicious ribs, brisket and a selection of their delicious BBQ sauces and rubs along with some tasty snacks- SO GOOD! And the customer service was spot on- no muss, no fuss- ready and delivered exactly as requested. Thank you Barque! Can't wait for our next chance to dine with you again!

Great take out. So as far as briket take out sandwiches go, this place rocks. Deliciously filling brisket sandwiches without breaking the bank. Got to go back for the ribs

Delicious!. Wow. We were so impressed. Everything was wonderfully prepared. The brisket was the standout for us. Absolutely yummy!!

Best smokehouse in Toronto, hands down! Great service, good cocktails and drink selections and everything is good. Brisket is out of this world!

Just okay. There is a lot of hype around this place but I found the chicken dry and not that tasty. Not worth the wait or the prices.

This is a decent place, but.... When a place gets this popular it can have a negative effect on the experience. The service was pretty slow and the food was OK, but not outstanding. I like the ribs and the brisket was also good, but both seemed overpriced. Perhaps the fact that I like to smoke at home...food that is...has spoiled me. Probably the best smokehouse in Toronto, nevertheless.

The food was ok but I felt it is overrated. I won't say don't go but it was just ok.

Excellent Baby Back ribs. I had reserved a table a week ago for my birthday and was looking forward to going. There was a huge party behind us so the servers asked us we wanted to move somewhere more quiet, I think they deserve high marks for this and I was impressed. We moved to a nice booth and were well on our way. I had the barques sampler which consists of beef ribs, baby back ribs with sweet heat bbq sauce I believe and chorizo sausage. My sides were the smashed potatoes and caesar salad. The stars of the show for me were the caesar salad with generous portions of candied bacon and real parmesan cheese in a tasty caesar dressing and the baby back ribs which were outstanding, full of flavour, and the meat was the perfect texture. I didn't care for the smashed potatoes which were bland and void of flavour and my server noticed this, she offered me fries instead if I wanted, I was pleasantly surprised for her to offer this but politely declined as I was trying to make room for dessert. Alas, the dessert was a big disappointment but if I go there again I will stick to what I know they do right, the baby back ribs and their caesar salad;)

A+ amazing. This blog post is long overdue as BS is one of my favourite places to eat and one of the best cheap eats in Toronto.<br/><br/>thanks to the staff

Good food but really expensive!

Brunches are great - love the pancakes! Yummy ribs and great chicken fingers, yes chicken fingers.

Great bar b que. Excellent bar bq ue , the brisket was very good , smokey , moist and tender , good service <br/><br/>in its a great location

A good meal spoiled. Went with the family celebrating several birthdays. Having reservations, we were seated by the kitchen when 1/3 of the restaurant was empty (surprisingly). <br/><br/>Ordered the Family Menu - 8 courses for $30 each. Everybody agreed that the Fried Green Tomatoes with Pulled Pork and Hollandaise Sauce was the best dish, the brisket a close second. On the negative side, the ribs were dry, the two sauces too small for our party (and never refilled) and the desert was the size of a loonie. Even still, we all enjoyed the meal.<br/><br/>However, the beer I ordered mid meal (when the meat arrived) finally arrived almost when the meal was over - after asking for it twice. The server apologized, stated the drink was on the house due to the long wait but oddly enough still showed up on the bill. BBQ without a beer is like...

Bad Service. Food was good but not worth the price or dealing with the service. Ordered a platter and it was missing one of the meats. when we asked about it the waiter seemed to think we were lying and had eaten it. Also he rushed us out. I understand that this is a busy establishment most of the time but there was no wait or line on this particular night. Overall it was a poor experience and enough to make it unlikely that I return.

Food good but very slow. Came here for brunch on saturday morning. The wait for food was very long (at least 30min), and they brought the wrong order for my boyfriend. He was too hungry so he ate it anyways. There were a few good points though: 1) we both had the barque benedict and it was very well done (both the trout and the brisket version). Not too heavy, but just the right portion size. The spinach side salad was good. 2) coffee was good. 3) complimentary sparkling water.

Service With Attitude - I will not go back. I told the waiter what I wanted and he talked me out of it saying the Beef Ribs were small and not enough to eat - I would end up hungry. I told him I wanted to pace myself and order that and some corn and if I was hungry, I'd order more...as you do. He insisted I order the Baby Rack Ribs instead. Like a fool, I gave in. Baby Back Ribs were not very good and nobody at my table wanted them. What a waster of food. Meanwhile, my friend ordered the Beef Ribs as an appetizer and we were amazed at the size. Dinosaur Ribs! HUGE. <br/>Oh, I get it - the waiter wants me to order more expensive items so the bill and tip will be larger. I could have had ONE Beef Rib and been satisfied. The waiter had way too much attitude and I'll never be back. The corn was not very good either.

Very disappointing food, especially for the price. I got the chicken meal and it was dry. You can buy a pre cooked whole chicken at sobey's for a much better price and it tastes wayyy better!<br/>Overpriced and not worth the wait.

Sooooo disappointing!. We had such high expectations for this restaurant. Meat was dry! Not fall off the bone. Truly a nothing spot! Absolutely not the BBQ I was expecting.

Barque was a great experience from beginning to end. Our group was welcomed in with the aroma of barbecue and a smile from the hostess. We sat down and the waitress instantly came and asked us if we wanted anything to drink or an appetizer. We ordered our drinks respectively with a plate of dry rub wings. The wings came and when I had the first bite. It was heavenly. For dinner I ordered the Sampler for One, which comes with 3 meats and 2 sides. For my meats I ordered Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, and a Merguez Sausage. For my sides I got fries and an Asian Slaw. Upon arrival of the food I could instantly tell. This would be Barbecue to remember. The brisket was slowly cooked to perfection and the baby back ribs were just as delicious. The sausage was Spicy yet delicious. The service was impeccable, unlike any other restaurant in the City. Definitely would recommend this restaurant to other people.

Great ribs. We got take out from this place for the Victoria Day long weekend. Excellent ribs. Tangy sauce with just enough sweetness. The sides were good too. Cuban corn , coleslaw and excellent fries. Highly recommend.

Meat Heaven. Make a reservation and make sure you're ready to eat ... A lot . You'll want to try everything on the menu .... I had the sampler for one and it was soooooo good ... Mouth watering. Never tried kale before and that was an excellent side with all that meat. The bacon Caesar was okay if you eat the bacon separately because I don't necessarily like to chew my drinks .. But the drink itself was great just spicy enough.... I will go back and very soon

Come hungry!!. I've been about 4 times. Have never been disappointed. The duck tacos are a great start. I always just stick to ribs. You must try both. My personal favorite are the dry rub. For 4 people, 1 full rack of each with the 4 sides it comes with is amazing. The fries are incredible, very different!! The sides change a few times a year. I don't bother with the chicken or the prix fixe meals. RIBS AND RIBS ONLY. Also, the Bloody Caesar is one of the best in the city. Spicy, fresh horse radish, and a candied bacon rim!!! You won't be disappointed

Too hip for us.... Arrived there at 6 pm a week ago tonight and were greeted by a young dancing guy who was holding an ipad looking like he had to pee really bad. I referred to him as the Barque wiggler. In his arrogant tone he seemed quite disgusted we were there expecting a table for two without a reservation. He intently studied the seating on his device and said we could have a table but would need to give it up in 40 minutes as real customers were coming lol,,,The nice girl on the phone last trip said they keep 20% of the tables unreseved for local walk ins. Hmmm. Sad that they have gone to such extreems to make people so uncomfortable simply showing up. Go to the Blue Plate instead where the food is better and the owners "get it"

The brisket was great! But DO NOT order the Caesar. They use glucose syrup to stick large bits of bacon to the glass. It runs everywhere once water condenses on the glass and ruins the flavour of the drink.

First Rate on all counts. Went for lunch and left very happy! Parsnip soup perfect for a wintery day.<br/>Brisket sammy was generous and big on flavours. Try the in-house scotch bonnet/mango hot sauce. Warning: A bit goes a long way. Great wine list by the glass. Friendly knowledgable servers. Looking forward to returning soon.

Everything in this place is delicious! The dry rubbed wings were incredibly juicy, and the taster platter is great value. Also great service... And who wouldn't kill for a candied bacon rimmed Caesar?

By far some of the best BBQ in the city! Get the chicken wings! You will not regret it! They are amazing. Really nice staff. Food was awesome. Enjoyed the decor. Overall, we had a great experience and would go back in a heart beat.

Great ribs. We tried this restaurant a few weeks ago for the first time. Didn't make reservations so unfortunately got stuck at the bar. I ordered the ribs and my bf had the chicken and both were delicious. The ribs were tender with tons of flavor and I loved how many side dish options they had. Also the final bill was surprisingly reasonable for the quality of food including the portions. Will definitely come back.

Much ado about nothing. I went on a saturday night . Things did not get off to a great start when the hip waiter forgot my beer and whe I mentioned it abut twenty minutes later. the response was"Oh, did I?"<br/>About the food. Beef rib was pretty good but $8 for a beef rib? Pork ribs were dry and lacking flavour other than smoke.<br/>Won't be back.

Amazing. can't wait to go back. loved it. unreal. food. drinks. service. :-)

They'll smoke ANYTHING!. This place is no joke. Great location, warm decor, and the food rocks.<br/><br/>Yes, line-ups are often on weekends; but they'll get you in quick. We ate at the bar as was the first seat we could get our butts on. I had the rack with a side of smoked asparagus. Yes, smoked asparagus. I've found a new love for this smelly-pee inducing vegetable. The bartender told us they'll pretty much smoke anything, and have tried. I thank them for that. <br/><br/>Great draft on tap, nice atmosphere. The food IS delicious. <br/><br/>Can't wait to go back.

Order the burger. Smoked burger was awsome! skip the popcorn and fries as they both have the same nasty sweet/spicy "cuban" flavour.

Totally delicious food, great service and fab atmosphere. The line was out of the door and it was full all night - tables tall and short as well as the bar. Staff were knowledgeable about the food & wine and were extremely efficient. 6 of us had the family platter, giving us 5 courses for $35 each; total bargain considering the amount and quality of the food. All the meat was incredible, especially the wings and the brisket. They accommodated my nut allergy in the blink of an eye. I will definitely be recommending this place and going again!

BAD FOOD. This was the most bland bbq i have ever had. the beef rib was flavourless, the brisket was completely unseasoned, and the chicken (thigh) was sickeningly sweet. it appeared that all the missing seasoning ended up on the fries which were thickly coated in a grainy spice mix. it was like the powder flavouring of kernels popcorn. the aioli was not fresh, in fact the outer layer of it had started to go clear and it tasted like bottled lemon juice rather than fresh. the pickled vegetables also tasted old, which normally is fine for pickles but they tasted as if they had languished out of their brine. they were dry, tasted off, and had an overpowering basil/tarragon/licorishy flavor.<br/><br/>the service was so rude that the bartender didnt even respond to my sincere "thanks a lot" when she brought over my drink. the server was so impatient with us as we attemped to order that he walked away as soon as we showed any hesitation/indecision with our order.<br/><br/>all in all this place is completely overrated and was a huge disappointment.

Meat Couldn't Get Much More Dry.. We had a late, weeknight dinner (around 9pm), so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and set aside the fact that they were out of two sides I wanted as well as the dry rub ribs, and I'll set aside the fact that my manhattan had too much vermouth, and that their House and Malbec wines tasted chemically and bland respectively. I'll set these things aside and get to the main point: this is less than mediocre barbecue at a price most of us can't afford anyway. And this is what's really insulting: paying $25 dollars for a small plate of BBQ meats that wouldn't pass at any backcountry rib fest even if it cost $4. <br/><br/>So here is the breakdown. I ordered their combo platter for one, which included three meats and two sides. Meats: 1) The brisket was dry, fatty, and flavorless. If you can't showcase one of the best cuts to BBQ then there is a serious problem. 2) The ribs were flavored nicely, with a decent spice, and a good amount of meat, but they were too dry to enjoy. My assumption here is that the dryness of both of these meats could mean an isolated problem, but I don't think I'll go back to find out. 3) Their "competition" chicken was pretty excellent, with a modest layer of flavorful sauce and a nice pink juicy meat. <br/><br/>Maybe they had a bad batch of meat that night. At $25 for a pretty small batch of food, I definitely won't go back to find out. This might be a treat for people who haven't eaten much BBQ, but for those of us who have eaten a lot of great BBQ, I'd beware of the hype.

Anniversary Dinner at Barque. My wife and I celebrated our 27th Wedding Anniversary with dinner at Barque. This was a last minute decision, so we didn't have reservations. Wait time was reasonable. We were offered seats at the bar, but chose to wait for a table. Service was fast, friendly and attentive. We had the Sampler Platter for two. Now down to business:<br/><br/>I'm a BBQ fan. We sample it everywhere on our travels. We've never found a place like Barque. The food was excellent. While most Q joints are "casual", Barque raises it to a high art. The meat was succulent, moist and tasty. The spices added a mix of flavours that enhanced the meat's rich, smokey flavour. The sampler platter provided an ideal introduction to Barque's menu.<br/><br/>How does it compare to places like Phil's (my personal Gold Standard)? Different. Not better. Not worse. Different. While Phil's is casual, this is BBQ raised to high art - new and differnet colours on the BBQ pallette. We'll definitely be back.

Good BBQ, OK atmosphere. My wife and I have eaten here 3 times, and the food has been consistently good. The bacon rimmed caesars are solid, but my favourite item is the brisket. I always feel rushed when we eat at Barque, but the food is good enough that we come back once in awhile.