Score on Queen
Score on Queen is the second Toronto location from Score Pub Group, following the success of Score on King.
Originally from the West Coast, the establishment is known for its over-the-top novelty Caesars, happy hour specials, elevated pub fare, and street-side patio.
"We are a sports bar by trade. But we're also a date spot, late-night party spot, or family night out," shared General Manager Cameron Sokalski, who has worked at Vancouver's Score on Davie and Score on King.
The restaurant occupies the historic space that once housed Toronto's oldest bar, the Black Bull Tavern. In taking over, the team was mindful to preserve its original charm and integrity.
"We wanted to keep a lot of the facade and the ambiance of it being a heritage spot, but at the same time make it our own. So that was the most careful consideration," said Sokalski regarding the design approach.
A signature feature of Score is its expansive patio, which sits prominently at the corner of Queen West and Soho Street. It's easily one of the largest street patios in the city, and with the warm fall weather, it's been buzzing with co-workers, friends, and families alike.
Inside, the space is outfitted with plenty of flat-screen TVs perfect for catching the game, cozy booths, and the signature Score metal walls adorned with letter magnets.
For cocktails, there are a number of fun offerings. The Rocket Pop ($16) is a dark-spirited drink with whisky, amaretto, lemon, and bitters.
The Burntini ($17) is crafted with vodka, butter ripple, pineapple, and lemon. Smooth and buttery, with a subtle sweet toffee and citrus finish, it's a delicious take on a martini.
The Marcy Sun ($18) is a Score on Queen exclusive. Made with gin, lots of orange juice, vermouth, and bitters, it’s got a good balance of sweet and bitter.
For group dining, the Sangria Pitcher ($39) is a perfect option to share. The white sangria blends chardonnay, peach schnapps, triple sec, pineapple juice, ginger ale, and a generous amount of fresh mixed berries.
Score's famous Caesars are a meal and a drink all in one. The Royale with Chaesar ($16) arrives topped with a classic cheeseburger and three crispy onion rings.
The Mac and Chaesar ($16) features two mac and cheese balls, more crispy onion rings, and a large pickle sphere to cut through the richness.
The story behind the Caesars is rooted in a social media war between Score and a New York City bar. The two establishments went back and forth, exchanging photos of who could make the most outrageous, larger-than-life caesar. The battle culminated with Score's creation of the Checkmate—a Caesar to end all Caesars.
For the truly adventurous, Score offers $60 Caesars like the Checkmate, loaded with extravagant garnishes like a fried chicken sandwich in a nacho bowl or a pulled pork mac 'n' cheese hot dog with a side brownie.
And while the Caesars often draw new guests in, the quality bar food, welcoming team of staff, and lively and casual atmosphere keep them coming back.
The Cauliflower Wings ($17.50) are tempura-battered and tossed in your choice of hot, honey garlic, or sriracha pineapple sauce, then finished with a topping of crispy kale chips.
The Hot Chicken Sliders ($18) are a Queen West special and probably my favourite bite of the night. The three sliders come with tender, crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy chilli sauce, coleslaw, and pickles.
Sokalski often recommends the Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese ($24). This signature dish layers braised BBQ pulled pork over cavatappi noodles in a creamy beer cheese sauce. I'd argue their spiral shape is more fun than the traditional elbow variety.
If cheese sauce isn't enough, it’s also finished with a generous amount of mozzarella before being baked. It's a sweet and savoury dish that is the epitome of game-day comfort food.
For something lighter yet equally satisfying, the Buddha Bowl ($19) is a great option. This jam-packed veggie bowl features broccoli, coleslaw, microgreens, candy cane beets, chilli pickled pineapple, and avocado over a bed of quinoa. It's dressed with a delicious sesame dressing.
Another Score on Queen specialty, the Mushroom Melt Burger ($23), combines a ground brisket and chuck patty with roasted mushrooms, smoked cheddar, crispy onions, lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli. Served on a brioche bun, it has all the elements of a good burger.
Beyond the dinner menu, Score also dishes up a generous and reasonably priced weekend brunch.
Score on Queen is located at 298 Queen St West.
Fareen Karim
