Where there is smoke, there is Schryer’s. Not a great slogan, but great ribs though. Not located in an area of the city I spend a lot of time, this little BBQ shack surprised me. I was expecting some back room southern Saskatchewan BBQ attempting to be the real thing, but I found the meal quite enjoyable.
This is how real BBQ is done in my opinion. You first drive through a neighbourhood where your wife locks the doors as you are driving 60 km. A place like East St.Louis in Missouri comes to mind. Then you find some overweight guy that hasn’t showered in the last 3 days cooking a rack of ribs on a 20 gallon barrel cut in half. That is BBQ, but for Saskatoon, Schryer’s does a good job.
Taste was great. Lots of sauce and a good portion of ribs, so I rate the taste above average at 4. The corn bread was good, but the slaw is forgettable. Atmosphere again is good for Saskatoon, so I will give it a 3.5. I didn’t really think too much about the price, which means it must be acceptable. I will give it a 3. Service was fine too, so I will give it a 3.5 to round out the TAPS.
TAPS – 14
2830 Millar Ave
Has everyone been to Earl’s already? It seems that it is a popular place to eat in the downtown area. We enjoy Earl’s, but don’t go as often as it is not entirely kid friendly. When they removed all their high chairs, I think they were sending a message. This may be really good news for some of you.
There are a few staples that I think Earl’s does very well. The wings, Kung Pao and sticky toffee pudding are always respectable when I go. My wife thought her salmon was as good as a chain restaurant could provide.
The atmosphere might be one of the best in Saskatoon. A few years back, they really changed the style including a new lounge and bar area. There is more than enough room on most nights.
Since it is a chain, the price is reasonable while the service remains decent. I would recommend trying Earl’s if you have never been before. If you haven’t been in a while, nothing much changes as it is quite consistent with service and value.
For taste, I give it a 3.5 as it slightly better than average.
Atmosphere, better than most at a 4.
Price is average with most chains, 3
Service, again average with most other chain restaurants, 3.5.
TAPS -14
610 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon
www.earls.ca
| (306) 664-4060 |
Started in 2004 in Edmonton, Wok Box has reached Saskatoon as the “fresh Asian kitchen.” Located in the new Stonebridge Shopping Centre, this physically small restaurant adds a good mix to the rotation of places to eat.
The restaurant was small, but clean and welcoming. It was quite busy for lunch and according to other people that have visited Wok Box, the place is often busy during the lunch hour.
The menu offers a variety even though quite expected for an Asian menu. I decided to go with the one dish that I can compare with all other Asian places, the ginger beef. The presentation was nothing special, just the ginger beef with a scoop of sticky white rice. The ginger beef did have a few chives sprinkled on, but I always pick the chives off anyway.
Even though the presentation was quite average, the taste of the ginger beef was surprisingly good. The sticky white rice tasted like I would expect sticky white rice to taste like, which is nothing. The other dishes around the table such as the Black Bean Stir Fry and the Veggie Shanghai Noodles looked much more presentable.
The price for the semi-fast food was quite reasonable. Although the price is more than a meal at McDonald’s, the value for the quality of food is reasonable.
I did not expect much from the service aspect as it is almost serve yourself. You simply order, sit down and wait for them to call your number. Although we waited 10 minutes for our order, considering it was prepared fresh, I did not mind the short wait.
TAPS -14
Taste – 3.5
Atmosphere – 3.5
Price – 3.5
Service – 3.5
To be completely honest with you I had no clue Kabab King existed until I realized my original restaurant choice was closed and it was the only other option near by.
The Kabab King serves Pakistani and Indian cuisine and what great cuisine it was.
I had curry chicken, rice, and garlic naan. I am not overly familiar with Indian or Pakistani cuisine but this was pretty, pretty tasty.
The one downfall was how long we waited for our food. I think it was close to the 45 minute point. On a good note we did notice that they made the garlic naan bread from scratch so I am assuming the rest of the meal was also made fresh.
They do have a take out menu if you don’t want the wait, but definitely give Kabab King a try.
TAPS – 12.5
T – 4
A – 3
P – 3
S – 2.5
1A-705 Central Ave Saskatoon
If I grew up on a farm and missed the days of sitting down with the family for a good home cooked meal, the Berry Barn would satisfy that need. But, I didn’t grow up on a farm. Yet, I still enjoy the experience of the Barry Barn.
There is something about driving 15 minutes outside of town, parking in a gravel lot and looking over a fast flowing river. The go to meal would have to be perogies and farmer’s sausage, but I didn’t eat that today, so you don’t get that review. If you go for the first time, you have to eat perogies though.
I decided to try the wings and my wife choose the borscht. I don’t enjoy any type of soup, but borscht would be at the bottom of the list, so I won’t review that either. (My wife really liked the borscht though). As a man, I sometimes don’t listen, this is one of those times. Apparently, my wife did not like the borscht at all, so the TAPS has been adjusted accordingly.
The wings were good, but just because they were drowned in sauce. The food is not the main draw to the Berry Barn. You can pick berries there, you can walk along the river and you can just enjoy the copious supply of clean air from the numerous trees surrounding the area.
I did sneak one of my son’s perogies that he didn’t finish. It is worth the drive.
TAPS – 12
T – 2
A – 4
P – 3
S – 3
830 Valley Rd
Saskatoon, SK S7H 0A1
(306) 978-9797
www.theberrybarn.com
Last night was the first time I have ever been to the Ivy. And I will have to say I didn’t mind it one bit. The service was prompt, the food was good, and the atmosphere was nice.
Appetizer – Mushroom Toasts
Main – Diefenbaker Steelhead Trout
Dessert – White Chocolate Mint Creme Brulee
The Mushroom Toasts were delicious. The basic idea of the appetizer was sauteed mushrooms with basil pesto on toast. The trout had a clamato salsa across the top. It was also very good. Lastly I had the creme brulee. I will say I have had better. It wasn’t as rich tasting as your average creme brulee and the texture was almost cake like (thick). Don’t get me wrong, it did taste good but I prefer creme brulee to have a softer texture.
The atmosphere was more enjoyable than any of the past restaurants I have reviewed. The restaurant was decorated well and very spacious. You can find pictures of the interior on their website. http://www.ivydiningandlounge.com/
Prices are in the $20-$30 range for a main course.
T – 4
A – 4.5
P – 3.5
S – 4.5
TAPS 16.5
The Ivy
24th St E and Ontario Ave
Saskatoon
I have been to Park Cafe in the past but this is the first time I have gone for breakfast. Park Cafe captures the feeling of a diner you would find around the 1930’s. The walls are covered with photo’s of Saskatoon in its early years. The atmosphere of the restaurant is like no other I have been to in Saskatoon. It could use a bit of a facelift, but it almost adds to the character.
Park Cafe has your regular breakfast choices. I ended up going with the eggs benedict. It was served with some of the best hash browns I have ever had. The benedict itself was also very good. A bit on the salty side but still delicious. I also gave the sausage a try and it was very good. The sausage was not the typical greasy mush you find at most restaurants. My guess is that it may be homemade. Make sure to get it as a side if it doesn’t come with your breakfast.
The service was also very good. They went out of their way to accommodate our party.
In regards to the price, it would be very similar to many breakfast establishments around the city. I believe my eggs benedict cost around the $13 mark.
TAPS time
T – 4.5
A – 4
P – 3
S – 4.5
16 TAPS
515 20th Street W Saskatoon
I went to Alexander’s for lunch today. All around, it was great. I started off with the quesadillas and for the main I went with the chicken focaccia sandwich with split pea and ham soup.
Let me start by saying that I am a sucker for Alexander’s quesadillas. I think they are really good, and once again I was not disappointed. My dad seems to think Prairie Ink has the best quesadillas around which means I guess I need to go give them a try. Either way, if you are a quesadilla fan try out both restaurants.
My main course was just as good. The sandwich couldn’t have been better and as for the soup, it did have a lot of pepper in it but I don’t mind that.
About 8 years ago I used to go to Alexander’s often. They had my favourite meal/dessert combo. I couldn’t get enough of the BLT pizza and Kentucky pie. Both have since been removed from their menu. It is too bad that it had to happen but they still have plenty of great options.
Here we go!
T – 4.5
A – 3
P – 3.5
S – 4
TAPS 15
414 Cumberland Ave N
http://alexandersrestaurant.ca/
I think it is fair to say that Fuddruckers has the best burgers in town. If you think otherwise, let me know.
I’m a 1/2 pound and fry kind of guy. I add some lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, mayo, and cheese. That’s what is so great about Fuddruckers, you get to put whatever you like onto your burger. They have their malt shop, fresh baked goods, and of course all different kinds of burgers, salads, and breakfast options.
On occasion Fuddruckers can be fairly busy. Employees do move around tables to accommodate groups but if you are with a larger group don’t be surprised if you are sat around a table much too small or stuck at a table extremely crowded amongst other guests.
But who is kidding, these burgers are really the whole kit and kaboodle!!! And if you are like me tonight and feel like you ate to much, just head over to the batting cages and work some of it off!
Anyways, let’s TAPS this!
T – 5
A – 3
P – 4
S – 4
TAPS 16
2910 8th St E
Hola mis amigos! Las Palapas often slips off my radar because it is located on Victoria Avenue. We stopped in for a lunch and left quite happy. The experience may have been a bit influenced by the near perfect weather of 30 degrees with a slight breeze. Rarely do we get those days, but since it was so near perfect, we enjoyed the patio.
Chips and salsa is a must in any south of the border type restaurant. Nothing too special to discuss, but the drinks with the chips and salsa were impressive. The non-alcoholic Jamaican Tea provided a great sipping beverage to start the meal.
The obvious choice on the menu was the Big Burrito. Called the burrito loco, it contained everything you expect in a burrito such as beans, beef, pork, lettuce, cheese, onions and some salsas. Although the burrito was noticeably better than Taco Time, it was not the best ever. To say it might possibly be the best Mexican in Saskatoon is like labeling a native of Mississippi the best skip in curling.
I have heard some say they find Las Palapas expensive, but that wasn’t my first impression. Even though there are cheaper places to eat, the prices are fair for the amount of food you get. I asked the server about the free loyalty rewards program which is placed on the front of the menu, but she didn’t know much about it, so I passed on the membership.
15 TAPS
T – 4
A – 4
P – 3
S – 4
Phone: 306.244.5556
910 Victoria Avenue
