The story
In the city’s Port Lands neighbourhood, Cherry Street Bar-B-Que is a counter-service barbecue house that takes its cue from classic Southern smoking traditions. The team cooks meats over live white oak fires, a method that gives brisket, spareribs, sausage, and pulled pork deep, smoky character. It’s the kind of straightforward, flavour-driven cooking that earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand—an award for good quality, good value food.
The restaurant’s philosophy is rooted in authenticity but unapologetically local. As their own website puts it, “Like the multi-cultural nature of our city, we are proudly Toronto BBQ.” That means the menu draws on a variety of regional American styles, while sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and South West salad round out the plates. For groups of four or more, the “BBQ Experience” delivers a daily starter spread that includes brisket, spareribs, wings, sausage, pulled pork, and a selection of sides—a communal way to dig into the pit’s full range.
Cherry Street Bar-B-Que is casual by design. There are no a la carte reservations; walk-ins order at the counter and settle into the spacious dining room or outdoor patio tent. The vibe is unfussy and welcoming, built around the simple pleasure of well-smoked meat. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch or a late dinner, the kitchen keeps steady hours from 11:30 am (11 am weekends) until 10 pm.
The Bib Gourmand recognition underscores what regulars already know: this is barbecue done with care, craft, and a clear sense of place. Cherry Street Bar-B-Que proves that Toronto’s BBQ scene stands tall on its own terms, one pit-smoked rack of ribs at a time.
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