The Real Hammer Hogs BBQ — Restaurant in Ontario

My partner and I have been to Hammer Hogs at least 20 times since they opened. Tonight we went into Hammer Hogs for a late dinner. We arrived shortly after 8pm.

Our server was absolutely wonderful. Placed our order, and checked in on our drinks while we waited.

We have noticed a decline in the quality and consistency of the food the past several visits. For example, the mac and cheese tasting different with watery sauce.

We went in tonight hoping for the best. I ordered the waffle club, a chicken waffle sandwich that features their smoked chicken. A sandwich that I have ordered 90% of the time when we eat at Hammer Hogs.

Tonight, I took one bite of the sandwich and realized something was off. Instead of the usual smoked chicken, it was a breaded chicken cutlet.

I was immediately quite put off as this sandwich has a very thick waffle and the breaded chicken on the heavy waffle did not make for an enjoyable bite and was also not what I had ordered.

After triple checking the menu to ensure nothing had changed, I saw an older man leaning against the bar whom I had seen before and thought may be a manager.

I asked if he was, he announced he was actually the owner. I began to express my concerns about the decline in food quality along with the change in menu. His demeanour changed.

He suggested that the kitchen may have run out of smoked chicken.

I asked if they had, he said he didn't know.

I expressed that is a more than acceptable answer however, I inquired as to why I had not been informed that when I placed my order.

He responded again with I don't know.

I then expressed if the owner doesn't know any answers to my questions then who does?

I was met with instant hostility. I do believe that his change in demeanour was uncalled for as I feel my questions were more than fair.

He followed me back to my table, confirmed that indeed the chicken was different and said he would look into it.

A few minutes later he came back, confirming the kitchen was out of smoked chicken and then asked what else I would like instead.

I gestured to my partner who at this point in time had finished 95% of his meal and said that I will pay for the onion rings but I don't want to place another order and don't want to pay for the meal I didn't eat.

Again, I was met with hostility and was told that because his ratings are high what I had to say about the food must be incorrect. I am not too sure as to what the owner considers as "high" but the last I checked a 3.8 star average on google reviews was not considered high.

We paid for our food, left a tip for the server as she was lovely and left.

We will not be returning. We hope that the owner can learn to take polite constructive criticism as a means to improve his business and takes a further interest in knowing what is happening within his restaurant; rather than...

Review date: Jan 25 2024. First time setting foot into this building in 24 years -previously Wiggies. (Ordered Wiggies wings on take out 24 years ago and noticed feather stems on my first wing thus my order went into the garbage lmao) This has no reflection on Hammer Hogs Caledonia however. Moving forward two decades +.... "Reviewed the reviews" before coming last night and was skeptical for the food ordering but came with a large group of 8 people and was primarily there to see the Walter James Band. 6 people ordered from menu which consisted of house wings/ sliders/ chicken fingers w' fries/ deep fried ravioli/ vegan burger. Every meal including my own was very well enjoyed. (Can't speak for the bbq fare which this restaurant is focused on) . Large portions/ meals came out at the same time- (cafeteria tray style) with no issues whatsoever. Two very pleasant servers were running off their feet all night. Drinks were never ever delayed . Servers ran like clockwork and were very organized. Unsure if the other reviews are the real deal that are slagging this establishment. This place , in a nutshell, is for co workers/friends/locals getting together to: 1) have a simple beer 2)watch sports on six huge tv's 3) catch a live band 4) eat deep fried or bbq pub style fare 5) have a laugh. Nothing more - nothing less. Don't expect many healthy choices on the menu as this is not the place for it lol. Entertainment: The Walter James band were fantastic. Massive repertoire of songs spanning all music styles from old to current. If you have a favourite you want to hear, I'm sure they know it. Very talented duo. Washrooms are huge and meant for one person at a time with auto door lock push button lol. They are even equipped with an " emergency button" beside the toilet lmao. What kind of emergency would be expected on the toilet? Who knows lol. Tons of parking BEHIND the restaurant with a back entry. *Only minor gripe for me is they do not carry Stella Artois on tap ( to me the most single popular beer in the world...) and no red wine available but again, this place is for the beer swilling crowd. I've been to many restaurants and my reviews are on point ( when I choose to leave one) I hope this review creates some fresh interest in coming here. You may need reservations on important game or entertainment nights. All 8 of us had a fantastic time. Will be...

Updated to respond to the owners reply below:

Your response to my review just shows exactly what was wrong with our experience. I DID tell the server about our experience, as noted in my review, and she did not care. Why would I bother telling anyone else about it? That makes no sense. Your job clearing our plates would have been to ask "oh, why is all your food still on your plate, was there something with your meal?" Check your cameras or whatever, because I know 100% that you did not ask how our meal was. And for the sausages, boiled or not, they were disgusting. Your reply to this review has solidified that "you MOST CERTAINLY are not the spot for us" as you suggested.

We were so excited to visit here and have a "local" spot for breakfast. We go out every weekend for breakfast, so I hate leaving reviews like this, but feel it is necessary. This is probably one of the worst breakfast experiences I have ever had. The Breakfast we had today was terrible.

I ordered poached eggs - medium - they were barely cooked - runny, soggy, gross. The sausages must be boiled and then fried? Not sure - but they were WHITE inside, and also pink in the centre. They tasted like raw meat. One bite and I left the rest. My food was also served on small plate - almost like a kid size, felt really weird. The server asked how the food was and I actually said "it's just alright to be honest. The sausages taste very weird." she literally just said "oh, hmm. Ok". That's it! Then proceeded to clear some tables.

The potatoes were good and the toast (although very inconsistent, some pieces were very dark, others were barely toasted). My husbands scrambled eggs were ok too.

We also saw the server go to the bar area, open a carton of milk, smell it, make a face, check the date, smell it again, make another face, then proceeded to pour in a glass to serve! WHAT?!

Service was SOOOOO slow. We were one of 4 tables when we arrived and didnt get our order taken until after 15 minutes. Food took another 15-20 minutes to arrive, and then another 20 minutes to clear our plates and bring the cheque-and that is only because we had to ask for the cheque!

Unfortunately, the experience had no saving graces which means we wont be returning.

Oh, the cutlery is SOO cheap too. Which is fine for breakfast, but if you actually had to cut something a bit tougher, you...