Tommy's Brewing Company — Restaurant in Trinidad

Updated 15.09.24

After visiting a few more times since the original review, I can provide an updated take on my earlier experience. I can state without reservation that I have enjoyed my recent outings to Tommy's east gates so much so that I've been visiting semi regularly; certainly more for the beer than the food.

Hikari is still my go-to but a close second has to be the Earthstrong IPA. If you're not into beers on the more bitter side you won't like this one. It's reminiscent of Amsterdam brewery's Boneshaker IPA, with a similar effect.

The wings seem to have improved: I'm satisfied with the portion size, flavor and quality of the meat though the grade of the wings could stand to be upgraded considering the asking price. Buffalo is 👌, bbq is 🤝.

Pizza is still bad: too salty - definitely not decent quality mozzarella with that much grease. The crust is both far too thin and too floppy, a very baffling combination when you really think about it. Pizza guy: the basil gets too bitter to enjoy when it's boiled and roasted in greasy cheese. Can we get a little more pizza sauce too?

Quality/boutique pizza places make the dough the day before and rest it so it gets a mild ferment; as a brewery focused pub one would think that in pairing pizza and beer you'd lean into the fermentation aspect of the process. If there's a pizza making station on site, why is my crust so limp and soggy, not a single crispy bubble in sight? I had the cheeseburger, medium. And it was fantastic. Zero complaints on the quality, size flavor. Service has not declined one bit; all of the new faces are super friendly and helpful. From servers to bar staff you'll be well taken care of no matter when you visit.

Food: overpriced for the quality. Entrees and apps are not good, period. The fries are great when you get 'em hot. The nachos are so-so (guac is old and almost grey, the tortilla chips are crispy but overfried). The wings are the absolute worst, due to a combination of small portion size, very poor quality meat, terrible grade chicken size (i. e. very small pieces) and gross sauce.

The pizza is SO. Salty. They don't skimp on the cheese but it's a flat, limp offering. Why make it super cheesy if you're gonna cheap out on the dough? The pizzas do look and smell amazing but they're disappointing. Pepperoni tastes good but you can't enjoy it with the lack of dough to balance the too greasy too salty top layer. The vege option was tasty but again, it needs a nicer dough.

There's no other place to get locally brewed beer that's not carib or stag, so it's the defacto brewhouse. That being said, most of the options aren't gonna wow you and the prices will make your head spin. Highlights include the St. Benedict and often what's limited time only is pretty decent.

I loved the Hikari. I'll go back for that alone if it ever makes it to regular release with the same quality. The blueberry maple tart is lovely for a dessert beer, and the pineapple cider is closer to a well done pineapple radler; crisp with a tart bite and not overly sweet. If I wasn't told it was pineapple, I likely would not be able to guess it right with three tries.

Whoever spearheaded the Hikari needs a raise, or at least a bigger role in getting new beers out the door. If it's the same person/team that worked on the blueberry maple as well, please. Let them cook, they're onto something.

Final notes; it's a brewpub right? Come on, work on the wings. They need to be at least Grade B or better meat. Find a recipe for a crispy breaded wing like pizzapizza, Hooters or Timothy's - that's not rocket surgery. The nachos are almost great, they just need a fine tuning (the cheese sauce is nice but throw some jalapeños in there somewhere, local farmers are starting to produce those and cilantro too, so you can stop using Chadon Beni in the guac). Everytime I've been there the service has been great. Packed nights or just dropping in to kill some time alone, I've been welcomed. But the managers treat the waitstaff like trash. They need to be trained,...

After my first experience at Tommy's, I will not be returning.

It was a normal day in the week, and we decided to head to Tommy's to watch West Indies vs New Zealand. Once seated, it took fifteen minutes for our server, Jayden, to show up. I asked if the game would be on TV, and he rudely responded with, "Ya have to ask the bartender that" That was just the beginning.

After we placed our orders, one of our friends, who arrived later, asked Jayden for a drink suggestion. He got visibly upset and acted like my friend should have figured it out himself. Jayden continued to give our friend a hard time, showing a complete lack of patience.

Throughout the night, we repeatedly had to ask for the menu, as Jayden kept taking it away. He would sigh whenevr we asked for it again. Another friend arrived and tried to ask Jayden about a drink he had before but couldn't remember the name. Jayden's response was to look at the menu, and when our friend couldn't figure it out, Jayden walked away.

When it was time to split the bill, we calculated everything and informed Jayden. He rudely dismissed us, for splitting the bill although we already calculated the amount. One of our biggest regrets was not reporting Jayden's behavior to the management.

To make matters worse, another friend arrived later, and as we shared our experience, she mentioned that she had also had issues with Jayden in the past. She had even complained to the manager, who acknowledged they had received many complaints about him. It was confusing and frustrating that he was still employed there despite all these issues.

As for the food, it was okay. I ordered the Alfredo, which was very salty and hard to finish. The wings and drinks, however, were amazing. Interestingly, another server who walked by was very engaging and helpful, which confirmed that the problem was just Jayden and not the entire staff.

So, to anyone thinking of going to Tommy's, be aware of Jayden. The place can be great, but his service might ruin...

Title: A Disappointing Third Visit to Tommy's Restaurant East Gate

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)

It is with regret that I recount my third visit to Tommy's Restaurant East Gate, which didn't live up to the high culinary standards that I had come to expect based on my previous experiences. This time, the food notably fell short, and a minor miscommunication in my order further marred the dining experience.

Right from the start, there was a hiccup with my pizza order. I had requested it without pepperoni, a modification that was handled without issue during an earlier visit. However, on this occasion, the server reported that the manager had initially declined my request due to a misunderstanding. After I clarified my requirements directly to the manager, he agreed to the change. While this didn't reflect poorly on the server, it was an unnecessary complication in the ordering process.

The most significant disappointment, however, was the food. The wings were served cold on the inside, giving the impression they had been hastily sautéed in the sauce without being properly warmed up. The pork ribs, a dish I had previously enjoyed, were even more disheartening. The taste was a far cry from what I remembered, falling drastically short of what I had anticipated.

In conclusion, my third visit to Tommy's Restaurant East Gate was a letdown. The marked decline in food quality and the minor miscommunication over my order made for a less-than-satisfactory experience. While I'm not ruling out a future visit entirely, it's safe to say that I won't be returning until I hear of improvements. I hope the management addresses these matters and works towards restoring the quality that I know this restaurant is capable...