The Auld Spot Pub — Restaurant in Toronto

I’ve lived in Greektown for more than twenty years. I Love a pint of beer. I Love good food. I’ve had a few adopted “locals” between the Broadview to Pape strip over the years. They change over time. Sometimes staff changes make me leave, sometimes management changes send me off, sometimes menu changes, sometimes the menu stays the same but the quality of ingredients takes a dive. Point being I have been up and down this strip again and again. Yet I’ve never managed to even like The Auld Spot. I’ve tried a few times. The food is not too bad, although I did spend a ridiculous amount of money on a lamb special one day that was dry as hell, but that’s my own fault. I know better than to order a special in a pub. It’s been too long since I had the burger but I think it was good. The pulled pork is too sweet, pork is a sweet meat, why anyone wants to pair it with a sweet sauce, I don’t know. But it’s a thing, I guess, apple sauce was the go to for our conservative forefathers, why stray? The problem I really have with the Auld Spot is I can’t get in. It is a very regular oriented pub. I can’t blame them because they’ve been in business for years, so keeping the regulars happy is a good policy. Being on a tourist strip in Toronto, you’d think they may want to make newcomers feel welcome, but no. When I have got a table, it mostly felt like I was invisible. I had to wave, big time, like I’m guiding a helicopter in, to get the attention of a server. Then when I ordered my beloved pint, the server ran away to get it...eventually. I could have been looking at the menu, but one wasn’t offered. When I did receive my pint, I had to shout to the server to please bring me a menu. I’ve read a lot of reviewes here about how slow the service is in this place, not so if you’re a regular. My server was laughing and joking and serving the heck out of a few other tables. This sums up my experience pretty much every time I’ve been in. So I didn’t go for quite awhile. And then I thought, heck, it’s just down the street from me! I should be able to pop in for the rare pint and a bite! So I popped in just when they were opening one day. But the entire restaurant was reserved. I got an apology, and I left. I can’t remember how long ago that was, but today I got off work and I was looking for a pint and a snack. And I walked in, and there was a reserved sign on every single table. It’s World Cup 2018. A pub that reserves every single table during World Cup has got to be so dependent on their regulars, that even in a Greek neighbourhood during the biggest “footy” event in the world, and they can’t take a chance on walk-ins. It’s utterly unheard of. To get good service at this place, you have to work at it, you have to do your time to get your seat at the mean girls table. And since the food isn’t great and the prices are high, why bother? I got my pint down the street at The Brass Rail. I haven’t been in this place in fifteen years. I was surrounded by single men also just looking for a pint, and I only ventured a seemingly safe nachos and chips. But at least I got a seat and served two pints in a somewhat...

Outstanding service. I can’t say enough about my evening on Monday. My friend and I arrived at 6:30. The atmosphere from the lighting, to the music and decor was perfect. Our server was Christine (my friend and I have also worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years). Christine was attentive, friendly and an obvious professional in the biz. I could go on about all of the little things that she did well, but we’ll be here forever so I’ll get to the point lol. I have a disease (Diverticulitis)…. I can basically eat most things, just not together. Carbs and proteins separately. It’s always pain when dining out because even sauces etc., get complicated. Always embarrassing to request modifications. I ordered the fish but needed to swap some carbs with green veg. I noticed another dish had spinach so I requested that with a hand full of baby greens. After discussing my embarrassing dietary issues, Christine of course was more than accommodating. There was zero note of irritation on her part at all. Believe me, it’s unfortunate that many servers are bothered by simple accommodation of these sorts. Well, I guess she felt I was trying to make it easy for them, and wanted me to have exactly what I wanted. So although I was extremely happy with my simple substitutions, she brought out the chef Tommy to offer me countless options and ways to prepare my sides!!!!!

Anyone can deliver plates. True hospitality professionals go a step beyond. The food was spectacular for the both of us. I will be recommending The Auld Spot to anyone who...

I’m sad to say that my visits since change in ownership have not been good. First visit was on a weekend (restaurant was quiet) and while service was pretty good, the steak was completely flavourless and unseasoned. I had to ask for and add salt. Second visit was a Tuesday for Buck a Shuck which is specifically advertised as “available all day” (restaurant was packed). The server informed us that buck a shuck was sold out. Due to health issues I was unable to eat almost everything else on the menu. I went there specifically for Buck a Shuck. I settled on a side salad as it was the only other thing i could eat. The side salad is a good size but tasteless as well. Dressing had no flavour. Steak that i ordered for the salad was cold and strangely seasoned considered it was a side/add on steak. Tasted like… tandoori? Not sure. But aside from the quality of the food, this restaurant has very minimal spacing between tables and no partitions. Several staff wore their masks on their chin or neck. Our server was friendly but i think she could tell that we were very unhappy with the restaurant. Based on the poor food quality, inaccurate advertising of specials and lack of adherence to proper PPE protocols… I won’t be returning. Very sad. We miss the old owners and the prior...