The triple AAA bar is doing the opening soon - The Texas style restaurant in the Toronto

[Indianguy]

Yes? Hi! There is the new Bar-B-Que spot doing the opening soon. at the adelaide and jarvis. It says it is the texas kind of BBQ.

http://www.tripleabar.ca/

I am wanting to hear if it is the super goodness or the dumb.

[ylsf]

So, I went tonight for the "burger week" promo of a $5 chopped beef sandwich. It was okay/good for $5 but I would not pay the normal $12 price for it. The side of "mac and cheese" at $4 was a rip off as well. Pretty mediocre cheese sauce, small portion for $4.

I am curious to try the brisket down the road. Service was pleasant and decor was okay.

[justsayn]

I find this place to be terribly overpriced and mediocre...at best.

[Strongbad789]

I've been there three times and overall I quite like it, although the last time I went was a bit of a disappointment so perhaps they have some consistency issues.

All three times I've gone I've ordered the dry ribs; the first two times they were amazing (some of the best dry ribs I've ever had, and while I'm definitely not a bbq expert, I have eaten my fair share of ribs), but the last time they were way overcooked (the meat was quite dry, although the flavour was still good). I've also been able to sample the pulled pork sandwich (I liked it, good smoky taste, although it is also served without any sauce so if you like it saucy you have to add sauce to it), the brisket (very good...nice and moist and flavourful), and the chopped brisket sandwich they had as a special last time I went (it was okay but not great...not as much of a bbq taste to it; probably wouldn't get it again). I haven't tried the chicken and waffles, but someone I was with tried it and they said they really liked it.

Anyway, I would definitely recommend this place, hoping that my recent visit was the exception rather than the rule. I'd also like to hear if anyone else has had any more recent experience there.

[justsayn]

Thanks for the update! Sounds good.

I am wondering what others are saying as well as I personally haven't felt a need to return based on my visit shortly after they opened.

[szw]

I've heard really good things about the food, but it was really overpriced.

[pourboi]

Electric Mud: 3 ribs - $13.50
Barque: Half Rack + 2 sides - $19
Swiss Chalet half rack + roll and one side - $15.49
Aft on queen East half Rack + 2 Sides - $19

AAA Half rack (w/ slice of Texas Toast) - $15

So sounds like they are pretty much in line with everyone elses pricing...

[Gary]

Wow, lots of pre-hate for this place. Anyway, my wife and I stopped in after work a week or two ago for a few beers and some food. Nice addition to the neighbourhood. We liked the renovated space and the staff were friendly. They have a decent selection of fairly common local beers (Mill St, etc.)

They were out of brisket that night, so we ordered the ribs and the chicken and waffles. Both were enjoyable, the ribs were dry rub but they'll give you BBQ sauce on the side in a squeeze bottle if that's your preference. They were pretty good for Toronto ribs, flavourful, not too dry, tender but still clinging a bit to the bone. The fried chicken was very moist and I enjoyed the sweet-salty contrast with the waffles and syrup.

Verdict: this is not a destination restaurant I would implore anyone to travel across the city to visit, but it's definitely not worthy of the vitriol on here. Pretty solid, especially for a place that's barely been open a few weeks. We'll be back for sure.

[ylsf]

So, do they only do the BBQ off site or all of their food? I would assume Fried Chicken would be fried to order.

Thanks for the review.

[hal2010]

From the review: "The dish is not chili in the traditional sense (no beans)"

Isn't it considered a crime to put beans in chili in Texas?

[eppicurious]

F-their attitududes on beans being in chili.....it's $14 a bowl!!!!!! I can make an awesome serving for 20 people for $20. Sign on the widow should say closing soon...oh but wait!!!!...hipsters think it's cool.....give it two months then the closed sign is out.

[Wil]

Wow, that is alot of vitriol, not sure where that is coming from!

Anyways, ya Texas chilli definitely has no beans, if I learned anything from Top Chef:Texas it was that! :)

[ylsf]

A "first look" review on BlogTO this morning:

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/tri...

I have never been to Texas before but do they serve their food in tupperware down there with wax paper?

I just had some awesome BBQ in Detroit on the weekend (two different spots) and was hoping for something like that up here.... I guess I will give this place a shot at some point out of curiosity but if anyone goes in the meantime please let us know what you think.

[Davwud]

Where in The D did you go??

DT

[ylsf]

Slow's and Lazy Bones. Wish I had time and more stomach space to try out more spots! Going to write a full food report up in the detroit forums.

[szw]

the best bbq I've had so far served it on parchment paper on a half sized baking sheet. I loved that!

[Davwud]

I've had awesome food, not just Q served on waxed paper, no plate/tray/dish/anything under it. I've had it served on sectioned trays, cafeteria trays from a school (at a place that wasn't a school), paper plates, plastic plates and have seen nachos served in a hub cap. I don't care what vehicle it is that gets the goodies to me. It just better work.

I love all the comments in that article cutting the place up for being "Cheap."

DT

[Googs]

Davwud, you won't convince those that think its cheap any more than you'll convince others that think it wasteful. One thing you can't accuse the owners of is not knowing their audience. Were it on china, I'd be running for the hills. Now the only thing that stops me from going is a) I have Rally Smokehouse in my backyard and b) yep that brisket AND the pulled pork do look mighty dry. Seems they shouldn't have cheaped out on a food stylist.

[ylsf]

Also, they smoke "off-site" vs. Rally's etc that have on site smokers...

RE: wax paper... I think maybe it is more of a comment on the pricing vs. service level. For that price maybe people are expecting plates/etc. I remember seeing a thing on tv where they had butcher paper/wax and loaded up BBQ on it, looked like awesome food but it was also really cheap compared to pricing at this spot.

[C mac]

I never even heard of Rally but man does it look good!

[Davwud]

It is. I love their Fried Chicken.

DT

[bytepusher]

This is what Texas Hill Country BBQ is served like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytepusher/2349381581/

or if you are feeling particularly fancy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bytepush...

Also Texas BBQ is a problematic term since there are actually several regional styles although generally when one hears the term it's usually meant to imply Hill Country with brisket and beef hot links.

[biggreenmatt]

Picture of the brisket looks dry. Which is too bad because I've got lots of time for brisket.

Maybe I'll give it a shot anyways. God I love brisket.

[estufarian]

"Texas inspired but uniquely Canadian"
Does that mean we're all inspired by Texas - or only 1 of us? (OK own-up who is it?).

And who prefers Canadian Bourbon to Texas Bourbon?!!!!!!!!

I guess the Canadian part is that they've substituted oak for hickory; Canadian beef for Pastured (or Longhorn), Bourbon (why? - what about maple syrup).
Perhaps the unique part is that they have TV's and Wi-Fi in Toronto.

[TorontoTuna]

All Bourbon comes only from Kentucky. Period. Canadian Bourbon is like Canadian Champagne as in it isn't.

[prima]

I think we're being a little hard on Triple A Bar and Gangster Burger. These guys didn't open restaurants because they are good at conceptualizing restaurants.

Hopefully the food will taste good, regardless of the provenance of their bourbon and beef.

I hope they add ordinary fried chicken to the menu, in addition to the chicken and waffles.

http://www.tripleabar.ca/
Smoked Beef Brisket 15-

-

Smoked Dry Rub Ribs 15-

-

Texas Chili 14-

-

Chicken 'n Waffles 14-

-

Pulled Pork Sandwich 12-

-

Sides
Creamed Corn 3-
Potato Salad 3-
Coleslaw (spicy or regular) 3-

[kwass]

I think the menu looks good. I'm looking forward to trying the chicken and waffles. Wish they were open for lunch though.

[Davwud]

Crappy hours for me.

DT

[childofthestorm]

Pretty much every pitmaster in Texas would roll their eyes at the notion of "bourbon soaked oak."