Jack's Sankofa Square — Restaurant in Toronto

I just want to let you know that I have been a very loyal customer to Jack Astors all around Toronto and GTA. My family and I have been a fan favourite for many many years

Unfortunately today, I will no longer be a customer of the Jack Astors brand and will not be promoting it. My family and I had a late lunch at the Yonge/ Dundas location at 3:45pm and decided to sit outside to possibly catch a glimpse of the eclipse. At first our family of four sat at a 2 person table but the table was dirty with stains and used napkins. We asked one of the servers to wipe the table and he was more than willing. The manager then came out and advised that the aisle should not be blocked, which is fine. She asked that we could either sit in the 4 person table or split up and move beside my children. My wife and I then moved to the next table beside my children. The waitress then came by and got our orders. My wife and I asked for a glass of water, which she brought. I took a sip of the water and then my wife noticed on her glass stains dreid up greens. She told me to stop and to inspect my glass. I was shocked to see my glass was dirty and stained as well. After our food came out I asked the waitress if she could ask the manager to come out. She asked me if there was an issue. I told her about the glasses and she wanted to remove the glasses right away and to replace them. I told her no, I would like to speak with the manager first. The manager then came out and showed her the glasses. SHe then said that wasn't a problem and that she would replace the glasses. I then told her that its not about replacing the glasses, I drank from the disgusting glasses and felt nasty about the whole situation. I explained to her that Jack Astors being a very reputable restaurant should have better hygiene. Her attitude was so condescending and that wasn't a big deal. As we were going to eat we opened the napkin that contained fork and knife and found that the fork had baked on green as well. My wife and I were so disgusted and were close to puking. Again we called the manager over and she was using her condensing attitude telling us that she moved us to this table and that the utensils were clean and basically blamed us. I asked her how can you say this is clean when you have baked on old food on basically everything . I told her that I felt nauseous and sick about being there and to cancel our order. She said she will but again was trying to defend herself and baked on food.

I wanted to voice my concern because this kind of service and attitude is not acceptable in today's society. This uncleanness in such a great reputable restaurant is not acceptable. My family and I are extremely upset and...

I attended Jack Astors for my birthday party. I booked a reservation over 2 months in advance for 20 people at 7pm. The booking process went smoothly and they called me a couple days prior to confirm. At that time everything was confirmed to be exactly as booked.

The day of the dinner arrived and I got a text message at 6:15 saying my table was ready and to arrive at the restaurant. I was not yet there as the reservation was for 7, so I made it there by 6:45. Around 6:30, some of my guests cancelled, so I notified the hostess as soon as I arrived, so the other tables could be used. The first hostess was very pleasant and accommodating, however the second hostess said “you went from 20 to 9 people? Are you serious? Why book a reservation that big if people aren’t going to show up”. I felt terrible because I had gotten last minute cancellations and couldn’t have known myself.

We ended up not being seated until about 7:15. Once we were seated, the night started out well. Our server Zoe was fantastic and made sure we were doing well the entire time! She really helped make our experience so much better. We got our drinks but once our food started coming out, some of it was bland or burnt to the point of being inedible. Zoe was quick to fix the issues and accommodate us and the manager (I believe) did come over himself apologizing and offered to take the burnt item off the bill after replacing it.

By 8:15 we had finished off eating but still had full drinks. The bills were brought to us and we were told we needed to pay and leave because there was another group waiting for our table. I was disappointed because I had made the reservation months in advance and we genuinely felt rushed. I understand it was a Friday night but we were not told there was a time limit of an hour for our reservation. We finished up what we had quickly and left.

I’m not one to usually leave negative reviews but I felt obligated to leave this one as I’m hoping it’s an opportunity for training and reflection for staff. I understand working with larger groups can be difficult but we all tried to be as kind and respectful...

Oh, Jack Astor's, you absolute gem in the heart of Sankofa Square! My taste buds are still doing a happy dance after the culinary fiesta I experienced tonight. This place isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a vibe, a flavor explosion, and a masterclass in hospitality, thanks to the legend himself, Carlin, who deserves a crown, a cape, and all the applause for his stellar service!

Let’s talk food first—this menu is a love letter to indulgence. The truffle parmesan fries were crispy, golden perfection, dripping with just the right amount of decadence. The spicy mango margarita? A tropical inferno that set my soul ablaze in the best way possible—sweet, tangy, and with a kick that says, “Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun night!” My main, the Cajun blackened chicken tacos, was a flavor bomb that had me questioning why I ever ate anywhere else. Every bite was a party, and I was the guest of honor.

But let’s get to the real MVP: Carlin. This man is a hospitality wizard, serving up charm, wit, and efficiency with a side of pure charisma. He didn’t just take our order; he curated an experience. From recommending the perfect cocktail to match my mood (nailed it!) to checking in with a smile that could light up Sankofa Square, Carlin was on point. He juggled tables like a circus pro, never missing a beat, and made us feel like we were his only customers in a packed house. The man deserves a raise, a parade, and probably his own action figure—Carlin, the Super Server! The vibe at Jack Astor’s is electric, with its funky decor and pulsating energy, but it’s the staff like Carlin who turn a great meal into an unforgettable night. If he’s in some kind of server competition, give him the trophy now, because he’s out here slaying the game with a spicy flair that’s hotter than the jalapeños on my tacos.

To the Jack Astor’s team: keep doing what you’re doing, and to Carlin—keep being the rockstar you are. I’ll be back, and I’m bringing friends just to witness your magic. Sankofa Square’s...