Korean Grill House — Restaurant in Toronto

There are Korean Grill locations all over Toronto, but I guess Covid hit this AYCE joint pretty bad because now there are only 4 locations left. This location at John and Queen has been standing ever since I was in uni, many many many years ago. It looks like there's a fresh coat of paint, but no drastic renos have been done in the last decade. But you don't come here for the decor or for a fine dining experience - this is Korean grill, where you get your meat sweats on!

We drove downtown on a Sunday just as the Jays game was about to begin. Our family of 4 (2 adults, 2 young kids) were seated at a table for 6 with 2 grills at our disposable. Sunday pricing is $21.99 for adults, $11.99 for kids ages 4-11. The lunch menu is limited, but it was enough for us. There's calamari rings, fish (I want to say basa/white fish), beef, pork, chicken, rice, beef broth, pickled radish, kimchee (not that good), tofu (I really like this one), bean sprouts, spicy bean sprouts (my hubby's favourite). They do have an all day menu at a higher price point that includes more items like beef ribs, sausage, salmon, lamb, shrimp, mussel, lettuce, mushroom and pineapple (adult $35.99 Fri-Sun).

The meats are seasoned well (you can also dip the meat in a sweet soya sauce that they have at each table) and are sliced super thin to cut down on the cooking time. The beef and pork slices cook within minutes. The chicken was a hit with my fam, it has a slight curry flavour. The rice is hot and fluffy, almost like the Japanese sushi rice. I like the beef broth to wet my palette as I consume copious amounts of meat. I like eating the pickled radish as it cuts the charcoal flavour of the meats. Calamari can be a bit chewy if you over cook it. The white fish is very nice, but make sure your cook it on a clean surface as it does tend to stick to the grill. Today the fish fillets were a nice big and thick cut, only 2 pieces can fit in the square tray that the food is served in.

Overall, my family had a fun time cooking their own food. My kids ate their fill. We all left with our tummies...

I would rate this experience a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I recently dined at this establishment for their lunch special, a $9 bento box that offers a choice of BBQ chicken, pork, or beef (with a $2 surcharge for beef). The meal is accompanied by miso soup and jasmine tea, replacing the previous soft drink option. It appears the price has been raised by $1 in the new year. The special is exclusively available during lunch hours (Monday to Friday) at the downtown location.

The staff is cordial and efficient, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. The restaurant not busy during my visit. My bento box arrived within five minutes of ordering. This rapid service raises questions regarding the preparation of the dish; whether the protein is freshly cooked or merely reheated from pre-prepared portions. One noticeable flaw was the rice, which was clearly not freshly made. It had a hard texture and lacked moisture, suggesting it may have been leftover from the previous day. The miso soup, while adequate, did not stand out in any notable way. Additionally, the BBQ chicken, though flavorful, was somewhat overly salty for my taste.

The portion size, however, is generous and more than sufficient for one person, and considering the price, this lunch special offers reasonable value for somewhat decent Korean BBQ in the downtown area.

A point of contention arose with the addition of a 13% mandatory service charge during the 'tax holiday', which was only disclosed upon receiving the bill. It would have been more transparent and courteous to inform patrons of this charge prior to ordering.

All in all, while the food may not be of the highest culinary caliber, the overall experience remains favorable given the price point. It’s a solid option for a budget-friendly, no-frills lunch, though not without room for...

I recently visited Korean Grill House on Queen Street in Toronto on a Thursday evening around 8pm, and I must say it was a delightful experience. The restaurant was not too busy at that time, which made for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

One of the highlights of my visit was the incredible flavors of the meat. The grill was sizzling with tantalizing aromas, and each bite was bursting with authentic Korean flavors. From the marinated beef to the succulent chicken, the quality of the meat was exceptional, leaving me thoroughly satisfied.

Another aspect that impressed me was the excellent service provided by the staff. The servers were extremely attentive, promptly taking our orders and ensuring that all our needs were met throughout the meal. They even made sure to refill our water glasses regularly, which was a small but thoughtful touch.

However, I must mention that despite the overall positive experience, there was an issue with flies flying around our food. It was slightly off-putting to have these little fruit flies buzzing around, and it did detract from an otherwise enjoyable meal. I cannot pinpoint the exact cause of this issue, but it seemed to be related to those tiny fruit flies or something similar.

Despite the fly situation, I would definitely consider dining at Korean Grill House again. The flavors of the meat and the exceptional service made it a memorable experience. However, I do hope that the restaurant management addresses the fly issue, as it would greatly enhance the dining experience for future patrons.

In conclusion, Korean Grill House on Queen Street offers delicious Korean cuisine with exceptional flavors and attentive service. It's a great spot for a satisfying meal, especially if you can overlook the occasional...