Due South: the GTA’s five best southern dishes
Five finger-lickin’ dishes
Torontonians used to drive hours for the gastronomic pleasures of the American South. We’re not Memphis North just yet, but the city’s southern cuisine is gaining momentum as its dishes infiltrate bistro menus and dominate the takeout market. Here, the top imports from the land of charm and excess.
Rack of Ribs, $15
Nobody in the GTA puts a smoker to better use than Buster Rhino’s Darryl Koster. His simple spice rub and peppery secret sauce make these fantastically tender ribs sing. 2001 Thickson Rd. S., Unit 7, Whitby, 905-436-6986.
Fried Chicken, $13.50
The world’s finest finger food rarely lives up to its crunchy, juicy potential. Finally, someone in this town has mastered it: Stockyards brines it for a day, then soaks it in buttermilk for another. Post-fryer, it’s sensationally moist under a seasoned crust. 699 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-658-9666.
Blackened Catfish, $22.95
Harlem’s chefs are almost showing off: the heaping mound of fish, its spicy batter still buttery despite the blackening, could be served on its own. So could the luxurious seafood étouffée that tops it. Together, the two classics make the most decadent Cajun dish this side of Bourbon Street. 67 Richmond St. E., 416-368-1920.
Barbecue Beans, $5
With all the morsels of pork and beef, Lou Dawg’s version is more like a stew than a side dish. Maybe that makes it inauthentic, but when it’s this good, who cares? 589 King St. W., 647-347-3294.
Biscuits and Gravy, $8
Like a true southern biscuit, Hank’s crumbly, buttery bombs need no adornment. The creamy, sausage-heavy white gravy, however, is too good to forgo. 9 ½ Church St., 416-504-2657.
Stockyards was recommended by an officemate so I trekked off to try it out with a friend. My friend had the fried chicken which was very dry inside and tasteless. The chicken skin was very crispy, though. It seemed as if the chicken was boiled without seasoning and even the skin was tasteless. I had the rack of ribs. Same as the chicken, the actual meat was tasteless but very tender. Again, seemed like it was boiled without any seasoning and was only dipped in barbecue sauce when placed on the grill. The place was not well ventilated as well. I will not go back nor would I recommend this place to anyone.
You have left out the very best BBQ in the GTA at Phil’s Original on College St at Ossington. It’s totally authentic and has a very southern taste.
You are crazy! Stockyards is amazing. Nothing there has been tasteless and I’ve been a few times. Complain about something important!
The Drake’s Fried chicken and waffles should be on this list. Finger lickin’ good.
There’s a little hole in the wall on Dundas at Church called Smokin’ Bones. The pulled pork is worth veering the little bit off the beaten path – and so are the ribs.
I agree Carmen. The fried chicken was dry and not much seasoning on the skin. This was a few months back maybe its changed a bit but I’d love to find a really good gourmet southern cooking in this city.
A sloppy article about Southern cuisine in Toronto that doesnt even mention Southern Accent.
I was at the Stockyards just yesterday for lunch and had the fried chicken with onion rings. I can tell you it was the juiciest, most flavourful and well seasoned fried chicken I have ever had. I cannot imagine anyone finding it as described above, frankly there must have been something off about your taste buds. They use quality ingredience and it is marinated in real buttermilk. Nothing could be finer. I know that the food there is all created with great care and great attention to detail, otherwise the public would not have embrased them and are willing to stand outside for a hour to get in. Please, do not go by my review nor that of others – go yourself and you be the judge, only then will you know.
cheers
I am so glaad there others who agree that chicken at stockyards is dry with not much taste to it. On top of that with the lemonade (which was excellent) it came to $21.00. yikes! I couldn’t even finish the last piece it was so dry.
Highway 61 on Bayview does good ribs, excellent southern-style pulled pork, and the only authentic cornbread I’ve tasted since leaving south Texas! (And blues music most nights.)
I agree with Matt S – You mention a place in WHITBY and you don’t even mention Southern Accent? Sacrilege.
Outside the GTA in Cobourg at the Northside, the hush puppies and blackened catfish is the catch! AND they feature world class Blues shows in an intimate venue every couple of months.
i was totally geared up for a great meal at Harlem last weekend to try the catfish but the horrible service and lack of compassion from the servers turned me right off. I ended up leaving without eating. I’m sure the food is great but no one should have to wait for an hour and a half to realize they aren’t getting thier food. stockyards it is next time
For some really great smoked meats, you should try Paul and Sandy’s Real BBQ on Dundas at Burnhamthope! Paul smokes his meats for around 12 hours–ribs, chicken, pulled pork, even meatloaf! His salads (cucumber/tomato, coleslaw) and bourbon beans are made fresh every morning, as well as his beans ‘n greens soup! Pulled pork sandwiches are a deal @ $5. If you go there after 6pm, you should give them a call since they do sell out!
If you mention Whitby, can you not mention Burlinton? Hillbilly Heaven, a small joint on a side street in the downtown core, does a lovely job. My ribs could have been more moist, but unbeatable on flavour!!!! And I think a franchise is opening in downtown Oakville as well. It seems we call it “southern” Ontario for a reason……
Posting the “best”, not just to “mention”
Busters hands down best BBQ anywhere!