Co-owners Karen Young and Adam Urquhart (Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
This End Up is the latest in a series of new Dundas West eateries to colonize the once Portuguese-dominated strip. Co-owners Karen Young and Adam Urquhart serve a menu of sandwiches and easy-to-share options, along with a long list of cocktails (“Ever since he was a little boy, he’s dreamed of having a sandwich shop,” Young tells us). The couple met (and starting dating) 16 years ago while working at All the Best Fine Foods , and after dabbling in the film world, they realized they were spending most of their spare time thinking about food.
The two lifelong west-enders couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the changes sweeping the neighbourhood (Midfield Wine Bar and The Federal Reserve are within spitting distance; NoNo’s is still to come). The restaurant’s space is modelled after their own dining room, host to many a successful dinner party. True to the emerging Dundas West style, the room features exposed brick walls and plenty of wood and fire-engine-red accents. A playful mural by Adrian Hayles (who also did one for Elle M’a Dit ) is visible through the front window, while prints from travel photographer Julie O’Neill line the walls and a huge “Brewers Retail” sign (The Beer Store’ s past moniker) hangs by the bar.
The menu riffs on classic sandwiches, and while the selection has yet to be finalized, the banh mi ($12; all prices at the restaurant include tax) has proven most popular so far. Served on a SanRemo bun, it’s filled with smoked pork belly and pickled daikon, carrot and cucumbers, along with cilantro and jalapeño mayo, and comes with a choice of fries or a side salad. The spicy chicken wings are infused with red chili–rife gochujang ($10), betraying Young’s current love affair with Korean food. Bartender Bryn Bratton Wall was given free rein for the cocktail menu (she also makes her own sodas, which get incorporated into some drinks). The KY (named after Young, naturally) combines gin with Grand Marnier, blood orange, lime and basil ($15). Testing out Bratton Wall’s cocktail list was all in a day’s work, Young tells us, laughing. “I was drunk by 4 p.m.!”
129431 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The KY ($15): gin, Grand Marnier, blood orange, lime and basil Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp24.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup24/ mar12thisendup24 0 0
The KY ($15): gin, Grand Marnier, blood orange, lime and basil
129425 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Bartender Bryn Bratton Wall pours a KY cocktail Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup19/ mar12thisendup19 0 0
Bartender Bryn Bratton Wall pours a KY cocktail
129427 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Bartender Bryn Bratton Wall muddles blood orange, lime and basil for her KY cocktail Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup21/ mar12thisendup21 0 0
Bartender Bryn Bratton Wall muddles blood orange, lime and basil for her KY cocktail
129426 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The well-stocked bar Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup20/ mar12thisendup20 0 0
The well-stocked bar
129421 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chicken wings ($10), house salad ($9) and pickled veggies and meat sticks ($7) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup15/ mar12thisendup15 0 0
Chicken wings ($10), house salad ($9) and pickled veggies and meat sticks ($7)
129423 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chicken wings with gochujang-infused barbecue sauce ($10) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup17/ mar12thisendup17 0 0
Chicken wings with gochujang-infused barbecue sauce ($10)
129419 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) House salad with arugula, smoked beets, orange, cucumbers, pecorino cheese and pickled fennel and sweet onion ($9) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup13/ mar12thisendup13 0 0
House salad with arugula, smoked beets, orange, cucumbers, pecorino cheese and pickled fennel and sweet onion ($9)
129420 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Vegetarian sandwich with marinated and spiced chickpeas, parsley, olives, lemon, pickled cucumber, garlic and smoked tomato sauce ($10) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup14/ mar12thisendup14 0 0
Vegetarian sandwich with marinated and spiced chickpeas, parsley, olives, lemon, pickled cucumber, garlic and smoked tomato sauce ($10)
129417 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Banh mi ($12): smoked pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots and cucumbers, cilantro and jalapeño mayo, served with a fresh green salad Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup11/ mar12thisendup11 0 0
Banh mi ($12): smoked pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots and cucumbers, cilantro and jalapeño mayo, served with a fresh green salad
129416 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The burger ($12): seven ounces of ground chuck with Corvo cheese, sweet onions, pickled cucumbers, garlic and smoked tomato sauce, served with fries Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup10/ mar12thisendup10 0 0
The burger ($12): seven ounces of ground chuck with Corvo cheese, sweet onions, pickled cucumbers, garlic and smoked tomato sauce, served with fries
129414 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup8/ mar12thisendup8 0 0
129413 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup7/ mar12thisendup7 0 0
129412 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A sign for what’s now The Beer Store Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup6/ mar12thisendup6 0 0
A sign for what’s now The Beer Store
129411 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Detail from a mural by Adrian Hayles Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup5/ mar12thisendup5 0 0
Detail from a mural by Adrian Hayles
129410 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Photographs by Julie O’Neill Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup4/ mar12thisendup4 0 0
Photographs by Julie O’Neill
129409 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Four stools line the window bar Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup3/ mar12thisendup3 0 0
Four stools line the window bar
129408 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The narrow space features exposed brick walls and church pews Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup2/ mar12thisendup2 0 0
The narrow space features exposed brick walls and church pews
129407 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The view from Dundas West Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup1/ mar12thisendup1 0 0
The view from Dundas West
129406 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Co-owners Karen Young and Adam Urquhart Introducing: This End Up https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp_intro-624x414.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mar12ThisEndUp_intro.jpg 624 414 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-this-end-up/slide/mar12thisendup_intro/ mar12thisendup_intro 0 0
Co-owners Karen Young and Adam Urquhart
This End Up, 1454 Dundas St. W., 647-347-8700, thisendup.ca
Adam is pretty cute..
I dont understand how this city gets off charging insane prices for the simplest food, especially in a “working class” neighbourhood
No thanks, much too expensive for a sandwich or a burger.
Our prices include taxes, and are based on the standard mark up derived from the calculation of our food costs. We believe in using quality ingredients, and our prices reflect that. We are doing everything we can to keep our prices as low as possible, while maintaining a very high standard of quality.
So excited! I am just moving to the area & can’t wait to explore all these new places. Don’t worry about the complaints about pricing!
McDonald’s isn’t cheap either & there’s nothing ‘quality’ or food-like really about their products. Keep serving up good quality eats & you’ll keep afloat!
Looks great! It kills me how people whine about food prices (Wendy’s awaits your arrival) $12 for an awesome house made burger, very reasonable.
Fantastic quality and innovative menu.
Great classic food, well taken care of. Very reasonable prices for the quality delivered.
…and this without mentioning possibly the best cocktails in the city. Cocktails that won’t cost you Bay St. prices.
If you want a $3 burger or a $40 cocktail, you know where to get them.
Amazing, welcome to Toronto, I felt like I was in NYC, prices are bang on for the high level of food delivered. I sampled many cocktails and will go back to try some more!!! The cocktail list is genius.
Try the pickles and sticks, and yes the wings are amazing. This is a much needed addition for all foodies and people who can apprieate cocktails.
As for the people who complain about pricing….. Please don’t go it’s a small space and I don’t want to wait for this gem!!!!!
One of the nicest afternoon meals we have had in a long time! Feeling so content & satisfied. 1st delicious thing Sampled was the mutt cocktail, so refreshing but not for the faint of heart! Followed by the perfectly executed mojito! The chicken thigh sandwich with the pickled carrots and daikon gave it the perfect crunch and the blue cheese dressing with a little heat was just yummy! Cooked to perfection!
The smoked pork belly sandwich is a must have! The blend of ingredients just make your taste buds smile. Along with the house salad which was just a burst of freshness in its simplicity. As a bonus we had the fries which had the best taste and texture. No condiments needed.
Dessert – chocolate molten cake served in an espresso cup was just the right way to end the fantastic meal in size and pleasure….
Oh and the service very genuine in a nice relaxed atmosphere. We can’t decide who’s cuter, Adam or Karen! :)