After many months of drooling over the weekly "Monday burger special" we were finally able to make the trek to the centre of the universe and visit The Wren on the Danforth on a Monday. We have visited a couple of times before but always on a Saturday. The beer choices were great, maybe a bit weighed to the hopped up tastes, a small natter at worst. And the food......that was what had us coming back, it was excellent, fresh, imaginative, and tasty.
The Monday burger lived up to the hype and expectations. The bun was the best, soft, tasty and just big enough to carry the patti and dressings of the night. To add mustard or relish would have been sacrilege. It was juicy, tasty, burger heaven. And the fries! These were either a diffferent potato or chef has a secret. They were simply the best, seasoned to perfection. All washed down with a couple of pints or in her ladyship's case a couple of first class rum and cokes. We look forward to our next visit.
Between the friendly staff, the incredible food (NOT your normal 'pub' fare), and ever-changing amazing beer selection, the Wren has become my go-to place for a fun evening out in my local 'hood. Totally relaxed (sometimes loud!), and family-friendly, I wish I could give these guys 6 stars.
From the delightful patrons, cozy atmosphere, great wine and beer selection, and amazing food- the only reason I won’t be back more often is because I regrettably live in another country. Thanks for the hospitality!
Our favorite place in Toronto. Best burger ever. Brunch options are fully flavored with real taste. Tap list always updated with the best local beers. What could go wrong?
The food here is amazing. Loved the eggs benedict. The best part though was the service. My breakfast came a little cold and they were so nice about it that it was on the house. You dont get service like that anywhere. The decor is very rustic yet comfy. But more importantly the food is worth it!
Menu has made us want to go back and try more things . Server and hosts very accommodating and nice . The staff seems to know the regulars and is friendly with them . The atmosphere is neat . The list of tap beer is huge and people trying all kinds of it we noticed . We tried the smoked fish appetizers and like them . The others that were ordering from the menus were looking pretty happy with what arrived at their tables . The only thing we were disappointed about was our food temp . I know it was busy and lined up but too bad the food we got was luke warm even on second attempt . A tough job to keep everyone happy but it looks like they keep most that way . " you gotta eat here "
You gotta eat here!
Food is fantastic, beer selection is great and the staff are wonderful.
Atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Would recommend getting in early if you're looking for a table - the place gets packed pretty quickly as it's super popular.
Our favourite restaurant. We've been coming since we moved into the neighbourhood almost five years ago, and it never disappoints. The chef is a sauce wizard.
Awesome as always, such welcoming people even with a 9 month old. Food was excellent and a fantastic tap list.. I have never been disappointed when I have been here.
By far one of the best places to eat in Toronto. And drink and chat and not watch sports.
Always a star. Soooo good. Try the smashburger. God's food.
I eat here almost weekly and I have never had any food that was less than excellent. The specials are always inventive and delicious and there are always lots of options.
Great place for food drink and atmosphere. Highly recommended
Great for brunch, the Brisket Hash was amazing. Nice, friendly atmosphere.
Fantastic food, great atmosphere, and wonderful wine.
Fabulous food! I can't wait to go back. Decor very relaxing.
Its a proper hole in the wall but the food comes out and it is favourable and interesting. Small menu and have to admit we didn't make it past the appetizers as they were so good, we ended up doing two rounds of them instead of dinner. Well we did order the fish tacos on the second round, which were amazing. Don't forget the artichokes.
The Wren on Danforth just east of the Greenwood stop is a very popular brunch place served by great staff, with an imaginative menu, good beers, and the pictured excellent brunch favourites of Bennies, scrambled eggs & quesdillas. Well worth trying them out.
These guys really know how to make over-the-top Instagram-worthy food :) Their creations are great! This is a local, low key spot, and does not take reservations. It is often busy. They do great burgers and lots of other things.
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After craving for a burger and seeing all the amazing photos on Instagram, I decided to try out the Wren. They seem to have a daily special item that changes so there is always something new to try. I decided to get the uncle buck burger which had onion rings, white cheddar, bacon, chipotle sauce and more. Between salad and fries, I chose the fries.
The burger itself was very juicy. Each bite was meaty and full of flavour. The pickle added a nice refreshing bite to the burger. Although eating burgers can be a bit messy, I found that this burger stayed together quite nicely. I wasn't worried about the burger falling apart when I put it down to get some fries. Am I the only person with this concern when eating a burger? My friend had the fish tacos which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Service was also amazing. The special was described to me in detail and you can tell that the employees are passionate for their food. Water was refilled without being asked and we were nicely asked how the food tasted. Although I didn't have beer, they seemed to have a bit of a selection of tap. I would highly recommend this as a place to catch up with friends over delicious food and a drink or two.
Went here for brunch and had a great experience. Friendly staff, cool atmosphere and really good food. We had the tostadas and the beef brisket benny. Both were very good. Food took a while to get to the table but it was worth it in the end. Will definitely go back for dinner- their beer selection was pretty big and the menu looks equally great.
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I made it a point to visit The Wren after seeing them featured on You Gotta Eat Here! We started with and enjoyed some deep fried cauliflower ($8). My gf ordered the Uncle Buck Burger ($15) which is described as a flat-topped patty with beer battered onion rings, bacon, white cheddar, thousand island dressing, chipotle bbq sauce, lettuce, and a pickle. I was lucky enough to snag a bite from her and "boy oh boy" - what a burg! I ordered the Green Chili Chicken ($14) which is described as a seared chicken breast stewed in spicy Serrano chili sauce with mushrooms and topped with guacamole, salsa and sour cream. I was sold! I went for the chimichanga that I saw on You Gotta Eat Here, but after reading the description for the chili chicken I changed course. I was very impressed with my dish. It came with a side of grilled flatbread that just made it all come together. I will have to go back to try the chimichanga but I am not upset about that. Haha. The only knock would be the wait time. We waited awhile for our appy and another while before our mains. Regardless, I would return and most likely will soon.
Having eaten here on a number of occasions, the Wren is a reasonably priced, good quality, casual fare, pub, with a good selection of craft beers. Their menu has some unique items on it with a wide appeal and I have always been pleased with the portions and the quality. I look forward to returning soon.
The food is delicious!!! We ordered the wren burger which was the best burger we have had in Toronto thus far. We also got their fish tacos, also super yummy! The calamari was a touch salty, but regardless we finished it :) their beers are really great and reasonably priced. Gin and tonic was less than $5 before tax which is pretty cheap. Atmosphere was hip and urban, very cozy and staff is very hospitable. Cant wait to go back and try the other items on their menu!
They serve huge burgers. The chicken burger had good crisp chicken, A little steep on the pocket for burgers but worth a try. Great flavour, Hip ambience & kind service. When we visit a place, Kindness is what we look forward too & this place had it all.
My favourite place in the east end. The Wren was also featured in the popular "You've got to eat here" TV show. Their beer tap list rotates quite often which is great as you're able to try a different beer each time you come. The staple items on the menu are the chimichanga and backyard burger. My husband and I wanted something different tonight and tried the shrimp and grits and today's dinner special: shrimp Po boy. Both were delicious. I haven't had a bad thing off the menu yet. Service is also great. Super friendly and attentive.
My husband and I just had the most delicious brunch at the Wren. I had the huevos tostados and they were perfectly prepared and wonderfully flavourful. My husband had the eggs Benedict and he said they were awesome. Great chef. Great food. A gem on the Danforth.
The Wren is one of the neighbourhood favourites around Danforth East. They've got great daily specials that are mouthwatering, and often a surprising combination of ingredients. The craft beer taps have a good selection and their cocktails are interesting and unique. This isn't your run of the mill gastropub!
Drinks , yes. Dinner, maybe. Desserts, no!. Atmosphere: Very nice. Comfortable, welcoming.
Service: Good. Friendly. Timely.
Drinks: Great selection. Tried the Left Field Brewery Brown, and Thornbury Cider. Both very good.
Dinner: He - Oyster Po boy. Not enough Oyster, too much bun. Overcooked fries. She - Smoked Chuck flats w roasted corn salad. Beef was very nice - melt in your mouth, but maybe too fatty for some tastes. Sides were...nice but samey - lime and cilantro flavors. Would break up the monotony with a bean side or maybe spiced rice.
Dessert: He - Chocolate tart - FAR too bitter. She- Nanaimo Bar cheescake. The worst dessert had in any restaurant, ever. Not a cheesecake, tasteless, amateurish in taste and presentation, claggy texture.
Would certainly return for drinks. He would not try food again. She would give another meal a chance. Go elsewhere for dessert. 3.5 out of 5.
A surprise. Four of us stumbled into this place before its real opening because their neighbour, Sauce, doesn't serve food on Wednesday nights. Bottom line is we had a good time with good food, and great beer. I had an excellent smoked brisket sandwich, but my companions, enjoyed their food, but weren't overwhelmed. One thing for sure, the side salad - alternative to fries - is really lame. This place has a lot of potential, and I hope it reaches it. Great atmosphere and service.
...we were waiting for the juiciest scoop, the hottest news in town and now we have it: The Wren (1382 Danforth) is finally open. No more paper on the windows, no more guessing games or secret stalking. The space that once housed a hair salon has finally been transformed into a cozy local that you won't want to leave (and trust us, we almost didn't....!). The Wren is an enviable space - a vintage exposed brick wall, a handcrafted wooden bar, communal tresel tables, and elegant robin's egg-blue brushed wallpaper with framed needlepoints of the Alps hung over cozy tables of four. A look at what's on tap says it all - Beau's Lug Tread is numero uno on the list, followed by a stellar selection of craft beer and interesting picks like Watermelon Wheat Beer. The wagon wheel chandelier is the first, and really the only, sign that there's going to be s
Casey Evertove Palmer
+4.5
I got the sticky coke and bourbon side ribs with fries, a massive portion that needed to come home with me, because my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
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Sunday brunch stop, on the Danforth. This was my first time making a trip down to the Danforth, but not for their glorious selections of Greek spots, but, for brunch! The Wren is a saloon-styled pub with a sublime craft beer selection - a week after the creation of my New Year's Resolution list, I am still at the peak of my confidence that I do not need to drink beer a 1PM. A skim of their craft beer list etched onto a chalkboard up front, my heart still skipped a beat at the sight of Nickelbrook's Immodest showing up on the list, other sweet selections included a few Great Lakes and Flying Monkeys. To soothe myself into my vow for a beer-free weekend, I opted for a low-carb traditional ol' Canadian Caesar.
The Wren's menu oozes of Mexican and Southwestern comfort food, as well as daily specials for dinner. This was definitely going to be a more interesting pick for our Sunday brunch. Into the habit of our lingering experience at Bar Buca, we went for a few dishes that were definitely not going to be tapas, but we went for that style of dining.
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice | $4/8oz
Wren Caesar | $7.08
Smoky Citrus-infused Vodka (1.5 oz), Clamato, Worchestershire and house-made Haberno Hot Sauce
I usually get mine extra-spiced, but this was already packed with a real punch.
The Backyard Burger ($12)
1/3lb of Beef Chuck, Hanger & Brisket on a Brioche Bun and a side of Fries
This super simple Backyard Burger was a beauty, it reminded me of the good ol' Licks days living by Q-beach. With all of the regular burger fix ins of lettuce, tomato, mustard and ketchup. A real pity because we originally ordered The Wren Burger - which had a bunch of other creative and amped up ingredients in it. The Fries on side were super crispy and delicious. A sweet Brioche Bun is also always key!
Pork Belly Eggs Benedict ($12)
Two Poached Eggs with Hollandaise Sauce on Tea Biscuits and a side of Home Fries and Salad
Brunch isn't brunch without an Eggs Benny! We were dang ready for oozing poached eggs. A very simple (untraditional Asian) pull-apart, lightly marinated Pork Belly served on top of perfectly sized warm biscuits. A delightful mixed salad on side - the home fries were simple bland broken up fries.
Jalapeño & Cheddar Polenta ($11)
Cheesy Polenta topped with Salsa, a Poached Egg and Pulled Pork in Dark Mole
Scattered with strips of Tortilla, it's so salted that they definitely needed more to dip with! The Cheddar Polenta was so beautifully seasoned, creamy and nicely spiced with Jalapeño... But it did feel more as an entrée/dip than a main meal.
Overall, a satisfying feed at The Wren. This definitely didn't work as a tapas style as we were absolutely stuffed by the third dish! A swell menu of southwestern picks and great service. The have awesome price points, their dishes running from $12~$17. I totally want to come back a second time around for dinner - their daily specials in particular and a craft pint... One day.
The Wren is my home away from home. We eat there at least a couple times a month, often visiting more like once a week. It's got a nice, Leslieville/West End vibe which is sorely lacking in the east end/Danforth area.
The food is a solid spin on tex-mex with an ever changing beer menu, really great, creative cocktails that are also always evolving and the service is friendly and attentive.
Favourites for dinner:
Great burger, great fries, my kid loves their fried chicken sandwich, I really like the green chili chicken and the chimichangas keep people coming back for more. Their breakfast cheesy polenta with pulled pork in a dark mole and a fried egg is what I order every time and the kid always gets the waffle of the day.
It's really family friendly for brunch at at dinner, with lots of young families there and then around 8pm it morphs into a loud, fun grown up place that is always packed, every night of the week.
My favourite place in the east of the city, by far.
The Yum Yum Factor
There was a bit of a wait when we got there, so we popped over to moms basement for a beer before hand. The wait was worth it. We had some amazing vegan dishes, and the best fries I have had in so long. Amazing experience.
Such a cozy place. Loved everything, friendly and helpful staff, delicious food and reasonable pricing. They have a daily special each day which is really exciting.
You can check their Instagram for the daily specials.
Definitely worth the visit.
Phenomenal menu! This place clearly has a very talented chef. They have a curated menu with probably 10-15 or so options yet somehow all of them sounded insanely delicious. In addition to that, if you check out their Instagram you’ll see they have a daily special. To come up with something of that caliber everyday is extremely impressive. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food and service.
The fish tacos are some of the best I’ve ever had, great fusion flavours. That being said, I’m confident that anything off this menu would be amazing. Everyone at our table was very happy with their meals, and they have a great drink menu to go with it. Definitely stop here for a meal if you’re in the area but it’s also worth going out of your way to get there.
Visited on a busy Sunday afternoon and the servers were amazing and attentive. Food and beer list top notch. Definitely recommend.
We came here a few months ago when it was warm enough to dine outdoors. They had heating lamps and service was impeccable. Overall, the food was very good and freshly made. They had a variety of delicious craft beers available
They change their menu regularly, and many dishes have a Korean flare to them
The burger was delicious, although the chicken sandwich while was quite good, I think I prefer something with a little more crunch.
Fries and wings were very good as well
I enjoyed this place and definitely a go-to place for brunch or a comfort meal. Cheers
Tried this spot on a whim and was not disappointed. Friendly service!
Meal recommendation by the server did not miss. Had the birria beef and polenta...it was fantastic! Will be coming back.
My team and I have been coming here nearly every Thursday night since restrictions opened up. The staff are engaging and delightful, there's plenty of beer selection and rotating taps, and the food is also on point. Surprisingly good fusion food. Their fries are my favorite!
Some of the best fries you will have. Extremely well seasoned (not just salt) and double fried for the perfect crunch. Fairly good selection of beers on tap from smaller breweries. Good fried chicken and a good burger - Solid and flavourful bun that holds together, yet isn't overwhelming.
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