I first saw Northern Smokes at the Islamic Foundation Community Carnival and while they piqued my curiosity, my kid demanded the ice cream she was promised so I walked away.
A few weeks later, one of my closest, oldest and goldest (cringey attempt at mom humour?) friends and I went to their tucked away modest restaurant to try it out for lunch.
Now, being me, I had to look up their menu and I was a little unsure of how I would like it. I’m not a fan of ribs, I’m on the fence about poutine and I have to be in the mood for Mac and Cheese.
Entering off Old Kingston Road, this place can easily be missed in a little strip plaza as it is around a corner that you don’t even really realise is there unless you happen down actual Kingston Road. So Confusing.
Once I had actually found it and had walked into the little place with lacklustre decor and maybe 5 booths lining the window I noticed the outdoor seating potential of the patio.
That patio could be awesome, but at the moment it sort of lacked, well everything. It didn’t look like it was set up and it was a little cluttered looking. A total missed opportunity because with the right touches and maintenance it could be really pretty and enjoyable for a summer evening out with friends and family. It’s so rare for me to come across a halal place with a patio, this could really be something.
Anyhow, the ambience aside, we ordered the Brisket Mac and Cheese with a side of coleslaw and cornbread to share. The food arrived in those foil and styrofoam takeout containers (minus the lids) on a tray. I guess it makes it easier to pack up leftovers and avoids running dishwashers?
The Mac and Cheese itself wasn’t terrible. I might have liked a little more creamy and cheesiness from it. The little strings of brisket were really dry and I definitely felt like there should have been more of them. To me that was a big let down because I come to halal places to eat MEAT.
The cornbread on the other hand was GREAT. It had just enough sweetness and just enough saltiness and was amazing with some butter. I can see it being really nice with honey drizzled on it too.
So we packed up leftovers and my husband gave them a try for a pre-dinner snack. Funny enough, he really liked it and said it was a better than a lot of Mac and Cheeses he has tried. Maybe it just needed to sit? Is that a thing?
Anyway, I was willing to give this place another chance because maybe that item isn’t an appropriate reflection of what this place is all about food-wise. Maybe it shouldn’t be on the menu.
Fast forward a few more days and we saw a tent for Northern Smokes at the Halal Fest East/Markham Halal Fest today. I have no idea which one is their official name, but it was at the Markham fairgrounds… I will do a whole post about it later.
They had a limited menu for the fest and they probably didn’t have as many fixings as they might normally in the restaurant, which is fair enough. The guys at the tent were very personable and friendly, one even gave me suggestions about improving my own homemade cornbread. We tried out their brisket sandwich and it definitely delivered on the meatiness factor. The bun is pretty boring but serves really just to hold together all the little pulled saucy brisket strings. I found it pretty satisfying and enjoyable overall. Like a brisket sloppy Joe.
This redeemed them for me a little bit but I still felt like there was some more potential here.
The sauce was too ketchupy for me and didn’t really taste like a “special homemade BBQ sauce” as their website claims. I think with a more balanced sauce, or maybe even a selection of saucy options and maybe a few greens or even a little coleslaw, this sandwich could be the type of sandwich that dreams are made of.
All the best dreams are in fact made of good sandwiches.
I also feel like they should really make friends with the guy at the Spice of Life booth (Love them!) at the fest who sells hot sauces and BBQ sauce. Missed connection right there.
Once again, I would have to give this place another try, in the restaurant, to finally really make up my mind if the food is worth the trek and the price. I see so much potential here and I really want to like it more and see it do well.
Foodie Muslim 