Authentic southern BBQ spots in TO?

[Goon23]

looking for any good reccos for best BBQ in Vaughan/GTA

Thanks.

[Lefty]

It's not in TO and it's only open Wed to Sat. but Muddy's Pit BBQ in Keene (north side of Rice Lake) is serving up some great BBQ and even the digs feel down south.

[Googs]

That looks mighty cool. Do you happen to know if there's a marina where one might "park" nearby?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Muddys-...

[Lefty]

I have never done it, but I am told that with a small boat you can go up the Indian River from Rice Lake right to Keene .... contact the Indian River Campground? they might have more info

[Googs]

While I hate to say this out loud because I've enjoyed not lining up for them, Big Bone BBQ is also in the middle of the Food Bldg at The Ex. It's my one and only must-have when I'm there. And a ride on Craaaaazy Mouse.

Please open in Toronto soon BB bbq, please. Preferably near me in East York.

[TexSquared]

That booth's been there for years. It was Purple Pig's booth for awhile, then Memphis BBQ (Woodbridge, same people as Big Bone) took it over.

Anybody remember who used to occupy the current Epic Burgers location in there?

[Davwud]

Purple Pig begot Memphis BBQ begot Big Bone. All the same people.

DT

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Memphis BBQ
8074 Islington Ave, Woodbridge, ON L4L1W5, CA

Purple Pig
1 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H3W4, CA

[TexSquared]

Thanks. I thought Purple Pig was a different group (and they were downtown, right?) while Memphis/Big Bone were strictly York Region.

[justsayn]

Purple Pig was downtown when it was open yrs ago - real dive!

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Purple Pig
1 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H3W4, CA

[Gary]

There was a Purple Pig location downtown at Yonge and Richmond, and another location in Aurora. Both were decent when they first opened, but then in later years went way downhill, rode on their early reputation for a few years, then finally closed.

[Googs]

Yes, and in the 3 years(?) I've been going to the Big Bone booth, I've lined up for more than 2 minutes exactly never. You'd think people didn't know it was there.

[TexSquared]

I know. That booth never had a long lineup... it's kind of hidden in that alley that too many people bypass....

[Googs]

And so, against my own interest, I point it out. Good places should also be successful even if it does mean waiting.

[SuriniGirl]

Buster Rhino's has just opened a location in the Distillery District - I found that out when they were at the recent food truck festival. Worth a visit.

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Distillery District
55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A, CA

Buster Rhino's
2001 Thickson Rd S, Whitby, ON L1N, CA

[justsayn]

I believe they sell their pulled pork and brisket to Sweet Escape for sandwiches, but I am pretty sure they havent opened a location there!

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Sweet Escape
55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A, CA

[Davwud]

So far the best I've had is Big Bone BBQ in Newmarket.

Buster Rhino's in Whitby is another good option.

IMHO nothing is as good as the best places I've found in the south but these two could certainly hold their own down yonder.

I find we tend to not have enough smoke flavour up here. That's a personal thing though. As well, I feel most places over try on their menu. Fancy mac n' cheese and upgraded buns for pulled pork just don't cut it. If you know what I mean.

DT

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Buster Rhino's
2001 Thickson Rd S, Whitby, ON L1N, CA

[ylsf]

If you want smoke (and good BBQ in general) hit up Memphis Fire BBQ in Winona. They have a wood smoker out back. My car smelled like smoke during the ride home with takeout :) There is another thread on it here.

I like Barque (by high park area), Sweet Smoke (Oakville) and Camp 31 (Paris, On). I enjoyed Buster Rhino's too but that is the further away of all the places for me. I did not like Highway 61 at all, and I hear that the other "Memphis" bbq place on Yonge north of 401 is not good.

[Snarf]

Highway 61 has a nice room and decent beers. But it's on Bayview, which means there is some karmic reason they can't serve good food. Might be over a burial ground or something.

Also good in town is Stockyards, though not licenced when I was last there.

[ylsf]

Oh yeah, totally forgot about Stockyards. I guess because it is a bit tricky actually getting some chicken or ribs there (high demand, only certain days/etc). But, I really enjoyed the ribs I had there too.

[Philip T]

Highway 61 on Bayview is crap. Stay far away if you want real BBQ.

[hski7]

Agreed 100%, I avoid it completely.

[Gary]

Sadly I agree -- I made two visits to Highway 61, and wanted to like something about it other than the beer selection, but didn't. Last time I shared a meat sampler platter that contained almost every type they have: two types of ribs, chicken wings, pulled pork, and more. All the meat was simply flavourless, some was dry, some was chewy. The sides were boring. Service was odd and lacklustre both times.

[justsayn]

One word - Barque

[TexSquared]

Yes... the big avoid is "Memphis Style Smoke House" at Yonge and Sheppard. Went once. Big mistake:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/368902#6642401

"Memphis BBQ and Wicked Wings" in Woodbridge is not associated with them at all, and is fine:

http://www.memphisbbq.ca/home.html

[TOFoodie1]

"Memphis BBQ and Wicked Wings" is the original location for the Big Bone BBQ franchises. Apparently, they couldn't copyright the original name.

[TexSquared]

Thanks for the heads-up (I think Davwud pointed out the common ownership in other posts); they use the same logo/mascot design which is also a clue.

[TOFoodie1]

I had great ribs and smoked wings at the Big Bone BBQ in Barrie a few weeks ago. I had a bad experience at Camp 31 - was served totally dried out ribs and had to send them back (no apology was offered). I've only had take out from Buster Rhino's (their north Oshawa location), but the ribs were excellent.