I spend alot of time downtown...

September  8th, 2012

Pickle Barrel (Yonge & Dundas)
312 Yonge st.

I first was introduced to pickle barrel by a friend of mine, Robin.  Robin is a friend that is as wacky as me, and I love that she gets me! For that I love her to death.  She doesn't eat meat, but she eats hamburger?  Don't ask!  She orders a feta cheese burger with extra feta, and extra salad.  It's a hoot just watching her eat, it just warms my heart talking about her.  Now back to my visit today.

So as you gathered it's not my first time at the "barrel".   They have locations at Yorkdale, as well as the downtown location, where we are today (312 Yonge st).
I have been to both several times.  They have great food, you just have to watch what you order, so you don't get sucked into the fried food trap.

Today Brandon is my escort, we worked today and needed food after work.

The atmosphere is great at the Pickle barrel as long as you get a good table, but if you happen to get stuck in a table with another table beside you with people that are yapping?   Good luck with that! Because no matter how hard you try, you hear their whole conversation whether you like it or not.
Don't be afraid, if you don't like the table you are getting seated at, to challenge them.  What? they say? You have to wait another 5 minutes for a better table?  Yea! I will wait!  I told you before, it's not just the food itself in a restaurant, but it's the table you get as well, makes all the difference.

I ordered the mussels to start which are so so, they are awful small, but they are tasty, and they only give you 1 piece of bread.  You have to pay 59 cents for another  hard, dry piece of bread if you want extra.  I do, just because I want extra bread, but think after why did I bother?

I ordered the steak, it was good, but I have had better. 

Brandon was in awe of the continuous line of girls that were heading into some party in the back.  He kept turning to look at what seemed like an endless line of girls and  was like "ah, I'm here??? hello".......  calm down Brandon.  don't worry one day we will find your match.

We also were intrigued by this beer type device that was served to a table across the aisle from us.  It was a contraption that dispensed draft beer.  It was very cool. 

Wine list is good. Makes all the difference in the visit.

All in all, pickle barrel is what it is.  You just have to get to know what to order, and pray to god that you get a good server.  Generally we have been lucky, but on some occasions I have got a few duds.  Today was good our server was OK.

But I got to say, I think that the Yorkdale location is better.

I will go back to the pickle barrel, if I have to, but it won't be my first choice.

1 smiley face.

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