Food Needs Maintenance at the Cadillac Lounge

1296 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-536-7717

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Posted by Tim
August 9, 2006

Currently 2.59/5
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Rating: 2.6/5 (17 votes cast)

I've been to the Cadillac Lounge many times to grab a pint and chill on their huge back patio, but it wasn't until recently that I sampled the food. The occasion? It was their 6th year anniversary party, but that was just coincidental. It also happened to be around dinner time and my friends and I were all famished.

I opted for the vegetarian curry ($8.95) and what arrived was a huge plate of green slop served on top of a bed of rice which had an eery resemblance to the Uncle Ben's 5 minute variety. (read: nasty)

The dish might have been saved had the green slop had some taste. But someone forgot to tell the chef to add some spices. Or any fresh ingredients.

The selections made by my friends were equally unsuccessful. Someone ordered chicken fingers and fries ($8.95) and described it as a low grade version of something you'd take out of the freezer at home.

The victim who opted for the poutine ($5.95) pointed out it lacked traditional cheese curds and instead dressed soggy and underwhelming (McCain?) fries in a pool of fake gravy and low grade mozzarella.

The whole experience was enough to swear me off their food menu forever. But I will go back for the patio and the drinks (if they'll have me).

Here's a photo of the chicken fingers:

The poutine:

Outside the Cadillac Lounge. The iconic sign:

The Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen Street West, 416-536-7717.

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That photo actually doesn't do the poutine much justice in that it looked far worse by naked eye. :P

Posted by: a victim at August 9, 2006 2:13 PM

Ah, but the plum sauce was good. Tasted like President's Choice plum sauce, but it was still good. =)

Posted by: Sameer Vasta

at August 9, 2006 2:26 PM

"So the other day, I was out at this bar, right. And so I am hungry, and I order food."

"So can you believe it when they sent me bar food At a bar! For shame!"

Posted by: Steven

at August 9, 2006 2:37 PM

sigh.

who eats at the Cadillac Lounge?

Posted by: Garry at August 9, 2006 2:43 PM

There's good bar food and then there's Cadiallac Lounge's bar food.

Posted by: Tim

at August 9, 2006 2:50 PM

Insomnia is a bar with great food!

Posted by: photosapience at August 9, 2006 2:53 PM

Finally someone who agrees with me that the food at this place is crap. I'm never eating there again. I've only had brunch there once and I wanted to throw up after the first bite.

Posted by: Lois at August 9, 2006 3:34 PM

Just because its bar food, doesnt mean it needs to be shitty bar food.

Posted by: Kaniz at August 9, 2006 3:47 PM

I've eaten at the Cadillac numerous times and was nothing less than completly satisfied. I must agree the vegatarian dish looked somewhat ungodly, but I'll happily stand up for the food there.

Posted by: Rob Karbaum at August 9, 2006 4:25 PM

The Rhino across the street is definatley a better place to grab a bite. But nothing competes with Cadillac's Patio.

Posted by: Diego Maress at August 9, 2006 4:57 PM

Each Wednesday the Cadillac Lounge serves an "authentic Mexican special"- I happened to be there on a Wednesday, and the special was a "spicy beef burrito""...I ordered it, partly because I wanted to see what they considered "authentic"....
What I received was a sloppy joe served in a flour tortilla, covered in melted cheddar and cut in half like a wrap. Served with mixed greens and balsamic. How authentic ;)

Posted by: phoenikia at August 10, 2006 12:20 AM

I'm with you Diego,

The Rhino has much better beer and much cheaper too... and better food! A jug of Weisbier or Tankhouse Ale is about $10.50!

Posted by: Luke at August 10, 2006 7:59 AM

While food critiques have their place, I have to say I've eaten at the Cadillac many, many times and I think the food is far better than most "pub-grub". I know of some very popular Toronto chefs that go to the Caddy just for the fries. And, has anyone tried the jalapeno poppers? Incredible.

Question: Did anyone mention anything about the food not being good to any of the staff?
My take is this: If there's something wrong or just unappealing about your order, bring it to your server's attention and chances are, they'll try and accomodate you.

Posted by: Lia at August 10, 2006 11:34 AM

I thought the fries were pretty average. Soft, really. I usually am not one to send food back to the kitchen, but my Boca burger was so charred black I had to ask for a new one. They had no problem bringing me a decent burger and gave me more fries too. The stuff is edible, but you can do better. Isn't going to stop me from going there.

Posted by: Tanja at August 10, 2006 4:17 PM

Whatever dude. The Caddi has pretty decent pub grub, and it's priced reasonably. I suggest trying the chicken pot pie, or the greek platter. Excellent.

Whoever said that Rhino is better is insane. Their food is *awful* (especially the calamari), and their service is even worse. They do have a decent beer selection but you have to order two or three at a time since it might take 20 minutes for them to bring it to your table.

Posted by: Jimmy at August 10, 2006 4:40 PM

I'll agree - the food at the Caddy's a shade better than the Rhino, though neither's super-great.

I do have to say... I mean - order the vegetarian curry if you have to. But that's not exactly their specialty.

And - how can you suspect those of being mccain fries?

Posted by: banjo at August 10, 2006 10:23 PM

I'm curious who these "chefs" are that Lia knows who go there for the fries.

Posted by: sookie at August 10, 2006 11:27 PM

maybe it is time to check out some restaurants north of downtown

Posted by: jack at August 11, 2006 12:37 PM

I'll buy you and ten of your friends a round of drinks if you can present me with an undoctored photograph of Susur Lee and Jamie Kennedy sharing a plate of fries at Cadillac Lounge.

Posted by: jerrold at August 11, 2006 12:50 PM

I ate there 2 weeks ago. I ordered the Fish & Chips and honestly speaking it was the largest fish and chips portion I've ever had. Like twice the size of Chippy and half the price!

I had no problems with it. If you want gourmet food go to King West.

Bottom line, for a bar in Parkdale it's pretty good.

Posted by: Sonny Phono at August 11, 2006 2:34 PM

Susur goes to Oyster Boy.

Posted by: sookie at August 11, 2006 11:44 PM

Those are definitely not McCain fries. Looks like they're homemade.

Posted by: ljf at August 15, 2006 9:34 AM

Susur also grabs cups of cap from Terroni's for those who care about such things.

Caddy's personality is music and drinks with food if you're hungry. Staff generally rocks.

As per the previous post, if you think the food blows, speak up after the first bite.

Posted by: jimjim at August 16, 2006 12:11 AM