Disappointing. First off, I will say the servers were all lovely, attentive and polite, and I don't blame any of them for any of what I'm about to say. I am sure they are all doing their best, given their circumstances.
I live very close by and they have an amazing balcony, but every time I've gone there in the last 10 years living here, I regret my decision. So frustrating! They were closed for a long time over the pandemic and then just kept it closed doing remodels I guess? Finally they opened back up and we thought things would've improved. First time back in about five years, and immediately we were told sorry, no beer on tap because they left the switch off overnight and the tap beers needed time to cool off? It was 5:30pm when we got there so I'm not sure how they were just noticing if they'd been open all day. Also, aren't you supposed to keep the beer taps refrigerated all the time? I've never worked in a bar but I believe it should be always refrigerated. To me, this says the owner is trying to be cheap and save on hydro or something silly like that.
So this didn't bode well. This meant that we were forced to buy $6.50 bottle beer. Our bill ended up being many hundreds of dollars for four people to drink, have snacks, and play pool for around four hours. At the end when I paid, I didn't notice the tip was already included in the bill, and the credit card machine prompted me for a tip, which I gave ON TOP OF the built-in tip, so I ended up tipping WAY more than I should've. My fault I guess, but it would've been nice if someone had brought it to my attention because that's not normal. Or if the bar could disable the machines to ask for a tip if they're going to build it into the bill. This isn't typical and I bet many people get blindsided by this. I thought about calling them and seeing if they could refund the $50 extra dollars I paid in a tip which was a percentage of the total with an already 20% tip of the original total, but I don't think the servers should be punished for the owner's poor operating practices. I probably just won't go back.
The food is just okay. Mediocre and overpriced, much like all of the food at restaurants in Toronto is nowadays. There are some things on the menu that aren't too bad. The $13 pizza is a pretty good deal and is large enough for two. Some other things like the burger are in the mid to high $20's range. It's just really expensive and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'll go...
   Read moreI went to this restaurant for the very first time to give the food a shot. Ordered food for appetizers and then ordered our mains. Emphasized to the server we would like the appetizers to be brought out first. To our surprise everything arrived all at once with not nearly enough space. We were also missing a full meal. Meals were missing toppings or substituted with something completely different. After questioning why some ingredients were different we were advised it was a printing error (both on the physical and online menus) as well as they were out of the items. One item substituted for example was tomatoes but it was clearly not out of stock because other meals were served with tomatoes. The server agreed throughout the night that the issues present were unacceptable, she however did not offer to comp any of the incorrect orders until I recommended it was unfair to pay for things I did not receive. I was then greeted at the end with my bill and the server telling us there is a gratuity tip applied. This gratuity tip was never mentioned nor on their menu. I would have had no problem tipping originally because at the end of the day it was not directly the servers fault. But for her to recognize the problems with our visit and still present me with a 20+ % tip was unreasonable. I told her I was not going to pay for the surprise gratuity tip and she proceeds to educate me on how the tip will come out of her pocket. To the owner who I hope reads this, that is illegal. Overall the food was awful, and the service was alright but other reviews tend to have the same experience when it comes to the food. I hope the owner can address these concerns and the staff can find jobs that do not participate in deducting their wage illegally. I think the pool side of the business is good, but I would highly recommend going to another restaurant if you intent to have...
   Read moreMy recent visit to Chalkers Sports Bar & Grill was nothing short of exceptional. Under the guidance of its new management, the establishment has undergone a remarkable transformation, reaching unparalleled heights of quality and sophistication. The ambiance exudes a perfect blend of contemporary elegance and warmth, creating an inviting space for patrons.
The attention to detail in service is truly commendable. The staff demonstrates a level of professionalism and attentiveness that elevates the overall dining experience. From the moment I walked in, I felt a genuine commitment to ensuring each guest has a memorable time.
The culinary journey at Chalkers is a testament to the culinary prowess of the kitchen. The menu, thoughtfully curated, features a diverse range of dishes that showcase creativity and a dedication to using high-quality ingredients. Each dish I sampled was a symphony of flavors, impeccably presented and a delight to the palate.
What sets Chalkers apart is the seamless fusion of gastronomic excellence with an inviting social environment. It's evident that the new management has not only revitalized the restaurant but has also set a new standard for culinary excellence in the area. My experience at Chalkers Sports Bar & Grill was nothing short of extraordinary, and I eagerly look forward to...
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