The Heartbreak Chef, which was known for drawing in long lines for its fried chicken sandwiches, caused some heartbreak of its own when it closed its original location in December 2023 — but it's already back in a new spot.

Now located in Kesington Market after opening on January 6, owner Jerome Robinson is excited to make the most of their place in this neighbourhood.

The Heartbreak Chef owner Jerome Robinson.

"I think Kensington is a really great neighbourhood," Robinson says, who first started his catering business in the area back in 2018. "It has a lot of art and a lot of music. You just walk outside and there are people dancing."

People should be relieved that everything they loved from the original location is still there, with a few cool additions.

For one, the space is a lot larger, meaning there's a lot more room in the kitchen for Robinson to work on the restaurant's catering services.

There's also more seating room — about 25 seats plus a bar — for people to dine, play arcade games (like they could at its previous location), and host events like comedy shows and music nights.

"I want to turn it into a little event venue for local comedians or artists to have a lowkey night with their friends and family," Robinson says. "It will be intimate, laidback, chill kind of vibes. I don't feel there's enough of those quiet venues in the city."

There will also be a late-night menu available when the restaurant has evening events, with shareables and appetizers rather than the fried chicken sandwiches on the original menu.

You can get private catering when hosting a private event at the restaurant, which includes a more family-style menu.

And if you want some alcohol, canned beer will be available as well, thanks to The Heartbreak Chef's liquor licence.

That being said, a lot of things haven't changed, including being able to eat some of the restaurant's staples — like the Dutty Sandwich ($14), made with grilled pineapple, creamy slaw, and fried chicken tossed in extra-hot jerk sauce.

The Big Ass Sandwich ($14) is back and still big. It's made with two pieces of spicy fried chicken tossed in a savoury sauce, and made with spicy ranch, pickles, and coleslaw.

You can also make the sandwiches a combo for $20, which includes cajun wedges ($6 when not in a combo) and a drink ($2.50).

Another "Big Ass" item on the menu is the mac and cheese ($17), which comes with the restaurant's signature five-cheese blend and is then covered with two pieces of fried chicken that's tossed in carolina butter sauce.

It's creamy, cheesy, (naturally) spicy, and a bit tangy thanks to the butter sauce.

And if you want your veggie fix but still want it comfort-style, the restaurant has got you covered with its deep-fried brussel sprouts ($11.00). It's on the sweeter side since it's tossed in a balsamic honey reduction.

The Heartbreak Chef is also sticking to its style, with a lot of its former location's artwork and graffiti being in the new spot.

And, of course, true to Robinson's taste, the restaurant is still bumping music of every genre and from almost every decade.

It might be a new chapter for Robinson and The Heartbreak Chef, but it was one that he's looking forward to.

"I'm really excited," he says. "It's good to come back and be part of this community again."

The Heartbreak Chef is located at 170 Baldwin Street (where the former Graffiti's Bar and Grill used to be), right next to Blackbird Baking.