South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co.

I was at South Block yesterday early evening with friends who recommended it. Service was efficient, and I like the atmosphere. But, I was there mostly for the food, and that left much to be desired. The pork belly we had was sadly overcooked and we had trouble cutting it even with a sharp knife. In retrospect, we should have sent it back. Ribs were ok but also overdone. Corn on the cob...same. Was it left over from lunch and they served it to us anyway? I've been to Hayden and Comery, enjoyed both but this didn't come close to meeting the same grade. Parking - I usually park on the street when in the area but my friend has mobility issues so I used adjacent pay parking, a bit pricey but plenty of spots available for obvious reasons.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

We used to visit this restaurant regularly, especially on Sundays for lunch. However, my small children, aged 9, 7, and 6, always found the food too spicy, and they don’t offer a kids' menu. To make it work, we would buy McDonald’s for them to eat so we could enjoy the place. This was never an issue before.

But on our last visit, they didn’t allow my children to bring their food inside and made them eat outside on the sidewalk in -20°C weather. I spoke with the manager, but he didn’t care and told me to go somewhere else if I didn’t like it. I promised never to return.

The staff were rude, even though we bought from them and ate there almost every Sunday. A place that doesn’t care about its customers doesn’t deserve my money or my business. I’ve never been treated so poorly anywhere in Canada, only at this place.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

I can't speak for service or atmosphere, by far the best BBQ as of late to take home. So impressed, will order every time I need BBQ 😍

Food: 5

Recommended dishes: Salad, Smoked Meat, Potato Salad, Brisket

If I wanted to recreate my experience here, I'd put a roast in an instapot with zero seasoning and eat that in the dark while listening to terrible music at full ear splitting volume while screaming at my dinner date to be heard. And then I'd light my money on fire.

The brisket was okay but the sauces were sub par. The pulled pork was tasteless and fatty. The service was slow and inattentive - we got 2 napkins for 4 people and no one told us anything about the specials or the ordering process.

The band "warmed up" (ie played annoying bloop bloop beep bop noises on an organ at full amp volume) for 30 minutes and then played at a decibel level that should have come with earplugs. The sound guy kept trying to adjust but clearly had no clue what he was doing as the treble was so high I was worried that local dogs might be smashing their heads against walls in their homes. It was so loud that we could not even talk to each other and the server (when we saw her) could barely take our order.

My smoked old fashioned? Yah. Not really smoked. Just expensive with too much orange in it.

Plus having to pay for parking? Pfft. No no no.

Dietary restrictions: Attention Celiacs: When they say the smoked meat is gluten free but they cannot recommend ANY sides to be safe, that's not a place that's "great for celiacs" (to quote a review I read before I went).

Kid-friendliness: This is over 18 after 8 pm

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Brisket

Good sized servings of quality food. We had a speciality seasonal co cocktail that hit the spot. Good casual BBQ vibe. Would definitely go back especially in the warmer months when their patio is open.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Cornbread, Broccoli Salad, Brisket

Atmosphere is nice, and I liked burnt ends!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Brisket

Really good brisket and assortment of meats. Left feeling full. The service was really good too. Place was packed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Smoked Meat, Green Bean Salad, Pickles, Bacon Wrapped, Cornbread, Brisket, House Slaw

What can I say? We didn't have a good time. We were there on a Saturday night. We were a small group of 7 people. One person in our group was celiac, and we let the server know about this. To be fair, the server took the condition very seriously and was helpful in getting us a copy of the menu that marked all the GF items and items there were potentially cross contaminated. Unfortunately this is where the help ended. It turns out that ONLY the meat is considered safe and GF. This made for very limited eating options. There were 4 sauce choices on the table, but the server neglected to inform us if they were GF. The place was not very busy, maybe 60% capacity when we arrived (7pm ish) and it felt like service was lacking, not very attentive. We went long stretches without the waitress checking in with us. We were unfortunately seated two tables away from the band. Now, I don't know if it is always like this, but this night the band was so loud that having any type of a conversation was near impossible. Not ideal for a group gathering for food. I don't know the name of the band, but the 30 min sound check at what seemed like max volume felt a little excessive. Other points to note, the menu is not very extensive, unless you are looking for something to drink. There was an extensive list of bourbons and beer, but not much else. Also note, there is no free parking in the immediate area.

Would not recommend!

Dietary restrictions: I wouldn't recommend this place if you have a gluten allergy! When the waitress can't recommend a side that would be gluten safe, you will simply be eating meat all night!

Wheelchair accessibility: Not at all! The tables are so close together, I don't think it would be possible to get to them with a wheelchair. Most of the establishment is long tables with benches, not very comfortable and not possible to pull a wheelchair up to.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

Amazing food, great staff and service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food and drinks!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have to say I was disappointed.
The food was fine but not great.
The beer however was poor. Watery, no head, and very simple flavor profile.
Nice place though.

Great spicy fries!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

we really enjoyed the short rib was incredible

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food, good prices and great location.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent 👌 service and food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5