570657 Sat Nov 08 15:20:03 -0800 2008 52 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 4158722 If you're ever in Whitby on a weekday, stop in for a pulled pork, pulled chicken or brisket sandwich at Buster Rhino's. They have a lunch counter operating out of their production facility with limited hours (Mon, Tues 10-3) (Wed, Thur, Fri 10-8) no weekends. They offer cafeteria style seating if you want to eat in. I've never tried their ribs but the last time I checked they offered a Friday special which was a full rack of ribs right from the smoker, a side and a pop for $13 or so (I'll have to double check). It'll be the only place you'll find a consistent BBQ product in the GTA. The BBQ will more than likely be reheated but let me say think you'll find it to be the best you'll find in the GTA. Pick up a combo with their fries, they are excellent as well. I'm not totally sold on their salads or hushpuppies but that's a matter of personal preference... Here's a shot of my last brisket sandwich: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/DSC00204.jpg Here's a link to their site: http://www.busterrhinos.com/ Sat Nov 08 15:20:03 -0800 2008 45153 Dr Butcher 1 4158795 So how do they compare against, say, Memphis Style or Camp 31? This is obviously a foodservice operation that caters sports bars in the GTA (which would explain the "reheated" comment -- if they're closed on weekends, if you ordered one of their products at a bar on a weekend it had to have been made on Friday and reheated 1-2 days later). Given that I'm in Pickering I may head over and give them a try. Sat Nov 08 16:03:38 -0800 2008 4158722 30620 TexSquared 2 4159174 I've not tried either of Memphis Style or Camp 31 so I don't know how they compare. You have it right TexSquared, they cook throughout the week and the product is vacuum sealed into individual or bulk portions. When you order you're getting an individual portion of your chosen meat. As I stated in another thread, as a consumer we'd like to see food fresh from the smoker but logistically it's tough to do. What's nice about Buster Rhino's is that the food is authentic, very consistent, flavourful, and a good value. A sandwich combo is $7 plus taxes. You can barely get a fast food lunch for that and here you're getting a quality, locally produced product. As for the weekend closings, I am pretty sure the business runs all week long, the lunch counter is simply closed on the weekend. They also cater some festivals and events around Ontario during summer weekends... Sat Nov 08 20:52:51 -0800 2008 4158795 45153 Dr Butcher 3 4161172 interesting point is that the owner appeared on Dragons Den who seemingly loved his product (sauces and rubs) and gave him a deal which I do not think has come to fruition yet. There was an article about him and the business in the local Whitby paper. MY SO and I went for a drive to locate the business but alas discovered the counter is only open Mon through Friday Mon Nov 10 05:08:17 -0800 2008 4159174 237794 kayia1 2 4688890 This is excellent, true low and slow barbecue. Ribs rubbed and smoked, sauce on the side if you have to. Melt in your mouth smoked pork butt - a generous serving of pulled pork on a really large fresh bun with hand sliced, vinegar & mayo coleslaw to go on top. This bears no resemblance to chain BBQ. While we've never had the pleasure of traveling through the Southern states, this is the best we've had along with Muddy's Pit BBQ catering in Peterborough, ON and the Armadillo BBQ in Woodinville, WA. Sat May 16 05:22:57 -0700 2009 4158795 190543 firehouse 1 4162017 Sounds interesting, so since its a production facility I assume there is all kinds of good stuff to bring home for the fridge & freezer as well? I wouldn't mind keeping some nice pulled pork handy for the winter Mon Nov 10 10:39:58 -0800 2008 4158722 115105 duckdown 2 4162504 duckdown, you've got it. I enjoy their sauces as well (although they are tough to come by if you don't live Durham or pick it up at Costco in the summer) so if you stop in, pick up a bottle or two. They have three varieties, regular, medium and hot. I prefer the regular and medium. kayia1 et all, if you haven't seen the episode (season 3 episode 3, you'll need to choose the episode) you can find it here: http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/video.html Buster Rhino's section starts around the 9 minute mark. Mon Nov 10 13:16:52 -0800 2008 4162017 45153 Dr Butcher 2 4162705 Hello, I am the owner of Buster Rhino's and yes we are also a production facility. We manufacture Southern BBQ products for the food service industry. Darryl Koster President Buster Rhino's Inc. PS. If you have any questions your more than welcome to contact me off board, I do not want to violate any policy's on this site - have read it for years and love it. Mon Nov 10 14:16:28 -0800 2008 4162017 222256 BusterRhino 3 4805660 Hi, just had the pleasure of having lunch in your facility today...had brisket sandwich hushpuppies and a coke...was wonderful...had the sandwich with just a bit of the medium Texas style sauce and if I closed my eyes would have thought I was back in Austin where I had brisket the first time (less the hush puppies)...hot bbq sauce was a nice peppery Texas style sauce, the Habanero was good in limited (ouch!) consumption...you really need a decent sign on Thickson as I had to enter off Wentworth and drove past it a few times...but other than that, You Rock dude! I always try brisket when i try a new place as to me brisket is the judging factor on how good things are. Just my rule of thumb... Combo of sandwich, hush puppies and can of pop for under $8.00....if I was hungry would have tried the pulled pork but was stuffed. Thu Jun 25 11:15:43 -0700 2009 4162705 273330 ebay3392 4 4805675 The brisket as you said is excellent at BR's, but if you liked the Brisket you have to go back and try the Ribs they are the real deal. I agree with everything you said BR's is the only place in the GTA where I have really enjoyed my BBQ, in my opinion his establishement is the top in the GTA right now. Thu Jun 25 11:21:28 -0700 2009 4805660 126590 Matt H 5 4805789 Normally I would have, but going to Ribfest Fri and Sun so did not want to spoil Ribfest with something of superior quality beforehand if you know what I mean. Good thing I go to Oshawa every few months on business so will make it my regular pit stop. Thu Jun 25 11:53:16 -0700 2009 4805675 273330 ebay3392 4 4806345 I tried the brisket sandwich and hush puppies and liked it - so I bought some brisket to take home and holy smokes was that batch ever salty - could not eat it. Kind of disappointing to have such salt variation in the same product. Thu Jun 25 14:06:23 -0700 2009 4805660 14403 Pizza Lover 1 4163210 Cool, I called them today, they're actually open til 4PM and not 3PM during the early weekdays, so I'll go by tomorrow when I visit a buddy in Oshawa Looking forward to it, thanks for the tip, will report back What do you like there the best? pork brisket or chicken? Mon Nov 10 17:40:23 -0800 2008 4158722 115105 duckdown 2 4163331 Don't forget the poutine at 36 Simcoe (at Bond) http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/506719 Mon Nov 10 18:29:16 -0800 2008 4163210 56131 jayt90 3 4163914 Living in Oshawa and working downtown years ago when that place first opened up (Montreal Fries) I can absolutely attest to the fact they have extremely good poutine and steamies. Haven't been there in a couple years, think I know where I am going for lunch later this week. Darryl Koster President Buster Rhino's Inc. Tue Nov 11 04:57:49 -0800 2008 4163331 222256 BusterRhino 2 4167669 Okay DD. We seem to be on the same wavelength about ribs. Give 'em a try and let me know. I may have to venture out there. The fact that it has limited hours and I'll have to reheat them at home will certainly be a strike against them though. DT Wed Nov 12 10:36:26 -0800 2008 4163210 11291 Davwud 1 4174025 I picked up a take out lunch today, a brisket sandwich and a bowl of chile. They were OK, but geared toward passing lunch traffic, quick and simple. The brisket was smoky, lean, and well done. It is thin sliced and held on a steam table, so it is still moist. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the fresh cut, succulent Caplanski's. The chile was dense, thick, with lots of ingredients (beans, corn, tomatoes, mushrooms and more). Mine was the final serving from a steam table tray, and very well cooked. Good flavour, not hot or spicy, but the meat in it was shredded and I couldn't identify it. Lots of shreds in each spoonful. Next time I'm in the area, I may get take home ribs, as they can withstand the lengthy cooking. I picked up a bag of Quebec charcoal lumps there, about $1/lb. Fri Nov 14 12:17:46 -0800 2008 4158722 56131 jayt90 1 4174316 I am hoping to pass by here tonight, I wonder what the deal is today on the ribs though... OP said $13 which sounds awesome but is most likely wrong Fri Nov 14 13:49:56 -0800 2008 4158722 115105 duckdown 2 4174628 They had a $13 rib special on today. Fri Nov 14 15:44:21 -0800 2008 4174316 56131 jayt90 3 4174736 will definatly try them the next time i'm in whitby Fri Nov 14 16:39:33 -0800 2008 4174628 161694 fatman0000 3 4174933 wow, i stand corrected then, that is a sweet deal sadly my friend wasn't in the area so i didn't make it down there today... but next week for sure cheers Fri Nov 14 18:35:50 -0800 2008 4174628 115105 duckdown 1 4292028 After reading the positive reviews on this site I knew we had to give this place a try. I lived in Toronto for quite a few years and have never had anything that even resembles mediocre BBQ. This place though is a major exception! Our group had the Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans and Hush Puppies. The Brisket was moist, thinly sliced and was not too lean at all. You can taste the smoked flavor and I enjoyed this quite a bit. The pulled pork was also moist and was actually true pulled pork and not shaved roast pork as someone mentioned above that most restaurants in the area try to pawn off on people. The sides were all very tasty, especially the baked beans, These taste like the beans I am accustomed to having back down south where I grew up. The only addition I would personally make is adding some Pork or Ham Hock to the beans, which would basically make them perfect. Now saving the best for last....the Ribs. Heavy smoked flavor, perfect dry rub and only needed a little of their excellent home made sauce. These are good ribs by any standard not just the best I have had in the GTA. The owner took time out to explain that his family is from South Carolina and are BBQ champions in that area. They taught him how to cook BBQ the right way and he has a respect for the art of cooking great BBQ and takes pride in doing it the right way. This place is worth the drive out to Whitby, you will not regret having the best BBQ in the area Bar none! Sat Jan 03 06:57:52 -0800 2009 4158722 126590 Matt H 1 4293834 I'm still dying to try this place Whitby is just so bloody far away; and my buddy out there moved to Calgary... So I have no reason other than the food to go out that way Wish they had a location in the GTA Sat Jan 03 20:33:03 -0800 2009 4158722 115105 duckdown 1 4293860 I still have mixed feelings about the lunch counter: it's a steam table with pre-cut portions for sandwiches. This is not the kind of personal service , or cooking, that I have come to expect from Caplansky's. I respect what Buster Rhino is doing, except for the lunch counter. Sat Jan 03 20:44:52 -0800 2009 4158722 56131 jayt90 2 4437216 I was back today and now I understand the steam table food a lot better. As Dr Butcher says, the portions are individually vacuum packed and reheated to serving temp. on the steam table. The brisket won't be hand sliced as at Caplansky's but the fries are definitely hand made, as are the beans and chili. All the food comes from the commercial kitchen in back, and it is excellent and freshly made. The steam table is a convenient way, maybe the only way, to serve passing traffic. And when you see the location, in an industrial strip, there would be little weekend traffic. This is a great place to pick up take out food, charcoal,rubs, and sauce, and even large quantities of ribs, pulled pork, and brisket for a weekend bash, as long as you can get there before they close on Friday (8PM) for the weekend. Fri Feb 20 15:26:25 -0800 2009 4293860 56131 jayt90 3 4472792 So still no weekend hours eh? Wed Mar 04 09:51:49 -0800 2009 4437216 25243 magic 4 4472847 No, still no weekend hours. Traffic in this area is just too weak to support staying open on the weekends - Sorry. Wed Mar 04 10:02:03 -0800 2009 4472792 222256 BusterRhino 5 4472898 Oh no worries. Everyone deserves weekends off anyways. Especially people in food service. What are your hours? I’ll make it there for sure regardless. Wed Mar 04 10:14:05 -0800 2009 4472847 25243 magic 5 4472920 Darn. Only make it to Whitby on weekends for hockey-have to talk to hockey scheduler about getting games during the week. Wed Mar 04 10:19:41 -0800 2009 4472847 195352 smlltwnchow 5 5099712 Coming in from MTL yesterday we really wanted to stop in Whitby for some BBQ, but we were too late with the traffic and I wasn't sure this place would be open on Thanksgiving. Looking forward to stopping in sometime soon. Can someone who's tried the place describe the sauce? Is it mustard based? Thanks. Tue Oct 13 09:58:30 -0700 2009 4472847 1088484 South Carolina Girl 6 5100020 I believe he only has tomato-based sauces in varying levels of heat - I don't remember seeing the mustard-based variety there, as much as I'd love to see it. I think I had the "Hot", and I remember it being pretty good, although it's been a while and I don't remember specifics. Tue Oct 13 11:26:13 -0700 2009 5099712 139230 Wahooty 6 5100044 All of BR's sauces are red (pepper based?), and I don't think mustard is a dominant flavour. They have a regular one which is slightly vinegary, a hot sauce which is medium hot (to me) and a habañero one which I've heard is insanely hot (I haven't tried it). Tue Oct 13 11:32:45 -0700 2009 5099712 192183 CeeQueue 7 5100921 I asked the proprietor about a mustard sauce, and he suggested adding mustard until you get the right taste. I tried that , with Billy Bee mustard, about 50% addition and I liked it. Tue Oct 13 16:42:03 -0700 2009 5100044 56131 jayt90 6 5100975 Hi, I was there once and was pleased with the brisket sandwich I had...the sauce was tomato based, hot was pretty darn hot...but no mustard style sauce. Tue Oct 13 17:10:57 -0700 2009 5099712 273330 ebay3392 1 4807188 They also run a Saturday course on how to make smoked dry rub ribs which teaches you the tricks of the trade. Following the techniques taught, some fairly simple advice and a few practice efforts, excellent ribs are quite possible, even on a gas bbq. Information on the course is on the website. I shared some with the staff at school and they thought they were close to the best they've ever had. Almost as good as the ones available from Buster Rhino's. Thu Jun 25 19:59:35 -0700 2009 4158722 219051 Dflip 1 4957375 My first visit to Buster's and was very impressed. We bought the vacuum pack ribs to bring home and they were just excellent. Who needs Ribfests when you can go to Buster Rhinos - unless of course Buster's is one the ribbers! Tue Aug 18 16:39:59 -0700 2009 4158722 1098376 Hooter1 2 4957535 I can't wait to get out there and try it. There's a brisket sandwich calling my name. After two disappointing visits to Ribfests (Pickering and Scarborough), I really need me some good BBQ. Tue Aug 18 17:49:08 -0700 2009 4957375 192183 CeeQueue 3 4958245 This is where you should go...was there a month ago and the brisket sandwich was excellent. Wed Aug 19 03:10:23 -0700 2009 4957535 273330 ebay3392 4 4966305 much preferred the ribs to the brisket (which is still good). Fri Aug 21 13:14:43 -0700 2009 4958245 14419 Chester Eleganté 5 4966685 Product quality here is excellent, love the ribs, beans, pulled pork, pulled chicken. I thought the brisket was a little salty. A little disorganized about what they have in stock for takeout frozen. I wonder if the beans can be bought in reheatable bags because last time i went, there were not many beans left and they said they could do up a batch in about 5-10 mins. Sauce is excellent but a little pricey, I think it was approx 3.65 for a bottle. Fri Aug 21 15:14:44 -0700 2009 4966305 265268 Crispy skin 3 4989365 Finally made it out to Buster's on a Friday afternoon. Traffic was horrible, but after getting off the highway at Salem and taking Bayly the rest of the way, things got moving a bit better. I wanted to get the Friday special, but would make sure to go before the weekend rush starts next time. I'd actually just eaten a veal sandwich at Agincourt Bakery when I remember the Friday special at Buster's, so I got a large brisket to go and the Friday special of ribs with one side and a pop sort of to go as well. I got fries for my side and ate them there, since they don't tend to travel well. They were amazing. Cooked past golden, as OTFOODIE described. Very tasty and great crispiness with fluffy insides. Lightly seasoned with some kind of seasoning salt, which I thought I wouldn't like but found just right...subtle but good. I brought my ribs home and ended up eating them cold so they wouldn't get dried out by reheating. Very tasty, huge pink smoke ring, great smoky taste. They're back ribs, which aren't my favourite, and I found them a bit less meaty than I'm used to. I still want to get back and try some again and eat them there to get the true experience. Overall I thought they were really good. I used very little sauce with them because they were so flavourful. I boiled the brisket in the bag for 9 minutes, as suggested by the staffer who sold it to me. It made a delicious sandwich, but I discovered it's even better eaten on its own so you can really taste the smoky flavour. I didn't find it oversalted at all. I ate the last of it cold with my breakfast the next morning and it was even really good cold -- kind of like smoky bacon with the texture of roast beef. I definitely have to get back there for more brisket and to try some of their other sides. The server told me the baked beans aren't homemade, but have lots of stuff added to them to make them really tasty. That put me off at first, but having since read how many CHers liked them, I'll give them a try next time (if I have room after scarfing down some of those amazing fries). Sat Aug 29 18:38:08 -0700 2009 4957535 192183 CeeQueue 1 4968754 I finally got a chance to try BR, and it was worth it. I was hungry, so I ordered a brisket sandwich and a full rack of ribs with my side being fries. The brisket was good, but over-powered by the sauce (hot, but not the habenaro). I'm also used to the meat being piled higher at Caplansky's or the CSD, but this sandwich was only $5. When the ribs arrived, the aroma was fantastic. The ribs were outstanding - excellent meaty texture with the best smoky flavour I've had with ribs. These were not fatty at all, in fact I would have expected some fat. The fries were a huge pile of homemade fires cooked past golden to a tan color with excellent crispiness. (Maybe they were double-fried?) Best I've had in a long time. My only negatives are (1) the location (Oshawa-Whitby border is a long drive for me and it is tucked away in an industrial strip mall and (2) the Styrofoam clam shell used to serve the food. I took home a 6 oz pulled pork and a 6 oz brisket, which I had for dinner tonight. I heated both slowly in the microwave in the bags in which they were packed. and had both without sauce. The pork was naturally string, but extremely tender and flavorful with a similar smokiness to the ribs, albeit less intense. The brisket was also very good: quite lean with more subtle smokiness compared to Zane's, but more tender. Overall, It's a great place to go, particularly if you are in the East end. Sat Aug 22 16:49:11 -0700 2009 4158722 267771 OTFOODIE 1 5020387 Mmmmmm, I just got back from Buster Rhino's. Had a brisket sandwich there that was SO amazing I had to order more to bring home with me. The clerk told me it was just freshly made today. This is the type of sandwich one dreams about...melt-in-your-mouth meat with just the right amount of fat and a great smoky taste. No sauce required. I can hardly wait until my first sandwich digests so I can have another. On a side note, I found out that Buster Rhino's is one of the ribbers in the Oshawa Ribfest that starts tomorrow afternoon. So if you are one of the people bemoaning not being able to go to his facility because it's closed on weekends, now is your chance. It's worth the drive to Oshawa! Thu Sep 10 15:08:03 -0700 2009 4158722 192183 CeeQueue 1 5023261 So I finally remembered to make a detour and try this place. Love the staff. Have to agree with most posters that the ribs were pretty fantastic. Every Thurs. & Fri. they have a special; full rack of ribs, 1 side (beans, coleslaw, fries, hush puppies and a pop ($14.99). The ribs were dry, lean, but tender and very flavourful. The fries were quite good (I think) but for me were way too salty and I LOVE salt. Not sure if this is the norm or if the kitchen had a heavy hand with the salt today - I think they use a type of seasoning salt that's probably part of their dry rub. Sadly, the extremely generous portion (easily enough for 2) went to waste because I just couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. Tried the brisket sandwhich - lean, subtle smoky flavour, but just OK. Coleslaw - too much vinegar and on top of that, they add mayo to the dressing. Not to my liking. Will definitely go back just for the ribs. Choice of 3 sauces - mild, hot, habanero (which really wasn't very hot, just tasted like they added chili powder to the mild sauce). At these prices, I won't need to fire up the coals in the winter! Fri Sep 11 15:54:04 -0700 2009 4158722 219915 tuttebene 2 5024490 It is a great deal. Sat Sep 12 09:19:46 -0700 2009 5023261 25243 magic 2 5025404 Heading out there this Thursday just for the special! Thanks for flagging. Gotta say that, even though you can debate the quality, one of the best foodie developments in the GTA this year has been the emergence of some authentic (or trying-to-be-authentic) southern Q joints. I can remember when there was only Phil's. Sat Sep 12 17:38:31 -0700 2009 5023261 16030 Brennius 1 5094482 Dropped by while I was in the area after reading the recommendations. Ordered the ribs with two sides (fries, and hush puppies which I'm in love with) The sauces are very flavourful, this was my first experience with ribs and I preferred to really top the meat with a lot of sauce. The menu was a tad bit confusing, hopefully the new one is up because at the time they said they were doing a menu change so the prices up on the board weren't correct. I also thought it was rather sad that with such a good product and great food that the staff clearly expression zero passion. I understand they are training new staff but that's no excuse, a newbie like me comes in and asks what a hush puppy is I would expect more than a blank stare - even when she did go around to the back and ask she came back with nothing which just made me try to guess what it might be and order it anyway. I would go back. Sat Oct 10 23:26:17 -0700 2009 4158722 224081 BamiaWruz 2 5103416 If you look on their Web site, there are a number of retailers who each carry some of BR's products. Some only carry sauces and/or rub mixes, while others have pulled pork, ribs, etc. Most are east of the GTA. I've wondered if one could approach a retailer in their area and see if they can get them to bring in some of the products on a trial basis. Mind you, your idea cuts out the middle man and would keep the prices down. Wed Oct 14 15:00:37 -0700 2009 5103332 192183 CeeQueue 3 5103786 interesting, too bad they are east of the gta though :( thanks for the input though, something to consider indeed cheers! Wed Oct 14 17:33:07 -0700 2009 5103416 115105 duckdown 1 5104788 OMG. Got some pulled pork, ribs and the mild sauce to go. We had the pork with sauce on a soft kaiser last night - yummy yummy. Too bad it's halfway to Peterborough but maybe that's a good thing...... Thu Oct 15 06:28:15 -0700 2009 4158722 14196 DUH CAR 1 5174554 After hearing about BR so many times on this board, I knew we had to try it, so we passed by on our way to Ottawa and picked up 3 lbs. pulled pork, 1 lb. pulled chicken and 1 lb. brisket (all frozen) and 3 bottles of mild sauce for less than $60. We served it to my family on Halloween (9 adults, 8 kids) and we loved it! My parents loved the brisket best, but I couldn't get enough of the pulled pork. Thought the sauce was good, will try the hot next time. We had it on its own, not on buns, so we could really enjoy the flavour. Great value too, IMHO, since we even had leftoevers for a few sandwiches the next day for lunch. Really easy to prepare, just boiling the packets for about 12 mins. Would definitely do this again for a large crowd as it's so ridiculously simple to prep. Couldn't take any of the sides with us as we were serving a couple of days later, but looking forward to getting to try them. Hmmm, actually might have to do a run out there soon as after writing this I want some!!!!! Definitely go when you get a chance! Wed Nov 11 19:41:31 -0800 2009 4158722 185565 chuang 2 5176934 The Habanero sauce is nice, i had it with brisket my only time there...i live on opposite side of the city or else I would be heavier for sure..haha Thu Nov 12 15:02:05 -0800 2009 5174554 273330 ebay3392 2 5180997 Don't neglect to get the amazing fries. Sat Nov 14 07:41:20 -0800 2009 5174554 10789 Wiley