Highway 61

No Longer In Business

Visited back in early summer, 2011, for Sunday brunch. Packed! Short selection of Ontario craft beer was nice for the time but not outstanding. The food was definitely the draw -- delicious menu items, and I believe I very much enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich. Too bad they’re out of business. I walked by there just the other day and thought of them. (5/8/7/9/7/14) 68

It’s rated as "Exceptional" as I type this, but I think "Pretty Good" is more accurate. A tiny recreation of a BBQ Rib Shack, all wood and cool bluesy posters, and not much room inside. Very popular with locals, I would expect. I’ve driven past the door many times with a notion of trying the ribs here, and now that I see it listed on Ratebeer, I’ve got the extra incentive to try it out! Ontario Craft Brewing is well represented here, and I quaffed a few samples (Wellington SPA, Muskoka Mad Tom IPA, and the guest stout from Sawdust Brewery, Skinny Dipping Stout) before settling on the Highway 61 Lager. It’s provided by the local Great Lakes Brewery, and goes for $6 a pint here (the others are a dollar more). Toronto is sadly NOT a prime location for great ribs, and these were rather nice for what you can get here. I had a sort of combo that featured very good sausages and some nice onion rings. Back to the beer: The Hwy 61 Lager is amber in colour, but not at all strong, and quite easy to drink. Friendly and attentive staff, nice atmosphere, and an easy place to like. I’d be happy to return next time I’m in the general area. Recommended for those looking to check out the Ontario brewing scene with a couple of sides of meat meat meat.

This place is about half the size I was expecting! Surprisingly busy for Sunday brunch, we had to wait a while for a table. Tap list is pretty decent, with a modest range of Ontario craft beer. The somewhat out of the way location (depending where you are coming from) and decent but not spectacular beer list means you are likely coming here more for the food than the beer. We wanted to try the meat platter with a selection of meats, but it is only available on the dinner menu. We got a pulled pork sandwich and boar ribs, both of which were good but the ribs had a different kind of sauce than I was in the mood for. Sides such as corn bread and beans were tasty. Pretty decent overall.

On a somewhat chi chi midtown retail strip. Small, casual downstairs with larger cozier area upstairs (that often has live blues). Beer selection is decent - all OCB beers although trend fairly mainstream including two ’house beers’ that are just rebranded Great Lakes Golden Horseshoe and Red Leaf. Taps tend to rotate seasonally (e.g. Hocley Black & Tan in spring & summer, Stout in fall & winter). 2 guest taps are usually more interesting - even had Black Oak 10 Bitter Years the other week. I know BBQ is divisive but ribs are among the better stuff in Toronto although not always consistent. Wings pretty good too. Worth a visit if you’re in the area but not something to go out of one’s way for unless you really want BBQ and OCB beer.

east of midtown. Enough offices to keep the boutiques and stores in the area busy. Twelve taps, 7 with micros. Few bottles. A small restaurant/bar when you come in everyone sees you right away, and a similar place upstairs where the blues bands play. On tap the latest Muskoka lagers and all, wheat beers, Wellington, Mill Street, Great Lakes. A rare cask here, as they climb up the craft beer scene map. Apparently staff admit very packed on weekends. Not too bad late afternoon.Far from downtown and just a little less pricey.