Whitlock’s Restaurant

A definite new low.
We booked a babysitter and descended on what used to be a one of our places to hit nearby for brunch. When we got there I was surprised by 2 things: it was the «grand new opening» of new owners and the place was just about empty.
We soon found out why.
The potatoe salad had grown a skin and when scooped up, revealed a paler white colour (I decided against it). The bread was all precut and hard as a rock. The butter was placed on the fireplace (and liquid). The one lonely egg benny left had a yellow goo on it, dried and separated (and never refilled), the sausage cold, overdone and rubbery. There were mussels, that looked like raisins. The tomato sauce was so cooled down and it looked like a sticky jam. The potatoes (although cold) were tasty.
Brings me to the staff… When I overheard patrons (regulars, knowing the prior owner by name) inquire about the new owners, they replied «some guys» had bought it. They were short, unmotivated and incredibly rude. I was clearly not eating the buffet and turned to the hot station for an omelette and some pancakes.
The cook in charge of the waffles, poured the batter from a white square bucket, with dried drippings all around it — it was so gross looking that I passed. The omelette withstood the taste test. While eating I saw staff pour left over syrup back into the can used to serve the pancake station. Fancy grand opening this was!
I won’t be back — ever again — and not one person sitting in that restaurant today will.

All I can say is big show, no results. I’ve been here for their brunch and happy hour snacks, which you would think they can’t screw up. Well, let me tell you that it is actually kinda gross. The brunch buffet is awkward, messy and really nothing special other than gut fill. Happy hour apps were all deep fried from frozen and really greasy. As much as I want to like this place for its location and (potential for great) atmosphere, it misses the mark in a big way.

We strolled into this restaurant after a nice afternoon swim. Strategic corner location, it is hard to miss.
My friend ordered the pad Thai and she was not impressed. The noodles were starchy and the spice level could have been kicked an extra notch as she requested. But my dish was great! I ordered the blackened trout, a result of using a Cajun spiced rub. The trout was delicious! The broccoli and cauliflower were steamed and very crunchy. The only downside was the rice which was a bit dry.
We sat in the patio, which due to its eastern location was shady. Very refreshing. We stayed for a long time without anyone rushing us. I would return and try other dishes.

Did Whitlocks change ownership or something. Been coming here for years. Usually once in summer and once in fall. Always for dinner. Place is packed, food is awesome and service spotty. Then there was tonight!!! A block away realized forgot to make reservations. Oh well, if too long of a wait we will go elsewhere. SURPRISE!!! No line up. In fact the place was almost empty. Friday around 6:30 pm. Strange. Then came the food. Now I realize why the place was empty. Four of us. One had Ravioli. One had pasta dish and two of us had chicken parmesan with spaghetti. Spaghetti was fine. The chicken was terrible, Had difficulty cutting it with a steak knife. Impossible to chew. Flavorless!!! So disappointed. I’ll never come back. Always come here with my brother and his wife when they visit yearly from Edmonton. Time for a new tradition. Grew up in the Beach. I know this place well.

Terrible experience. I am a regular at green eggplant and wanted to try a new place. There was no line up however, I was asked to wait as they prepared our table for 20 minutes. The table is blocked with 2 other tables so everyone you get up or even move you have to say excuse me. The server was extremely rude. Forget about being greeted just for asking to options of bread, she laughed at me. The food is alright. I had burger. Nothing special. Would not recommend this place to anyone, let alone be back. To like this place you have to have a taste for rude behavior, slow service, and sarcasm. One of the worse places I have ever been.

I’m not sure why there’s so much sass about this place on here. I’ve always has nice service and a great experience. And always in the cases where something was «off» we were always compensated in some way. I know it’s an old restAurant it’s been around the neighbourhood foreeeeever it feels like so there definitely doing something right! They do need to up their game a bit brunch wize bc there so much competition in the area for brunch spots. What sets them apart is there nice patio… Price wize it’s a little steep for brunch bit it’s ayce style so you get your bang for your buck depending on your appetite so my advice is to go w an empty stomach and big appetite!

Food was okay but it too way too long. Also passed me off that they force you to pay 15% tip on terrible service. Tip is also calculated after taxes so end up paying 20%

A caricature of the typical Beach restaurant, cementing the neighbourhood’s reputation for incredibly bland, boring, blasé food. Came here by accident, really, drawn in by the nice patio. And, umm, that’s the only good thing I can say about it.
Burgers were overcooked and boring, served on an undesirable and somewhat stale bun. Veggie burgers were a bit less boring, but still boring and still not good. Crab cakes were a far more noteworthy but only because they were a frickin’ train wreck of flavourless pulp! Yeesh — I may have nightmares about them!
Prices were very low for a restaurant with such a nice setting and patio, but still not worth the price.

Surprisingly slow service in a half empty restaurant. Waited almost half an hour for a burger. Also saw that customers beside us weren’t happy. They did not get offered a special by their waitresses that we got. When challenged she replied «I thought you read the menu». They also got a small dish of mayo on the side that had begun to grow a skin on top, probably from being uncovered too long, let’s hope in the fridge. The food once it arrived was decent but nothing special. You’ll be drawn to their patio on a nice summer day, which will probably have room on it. There’s a reason for that. Don’t waste your time here. I don’t know if it has a patio, but The Green Eggplant across the street is a much much better choice.

Great food, very tasty. Came with kids and another couple. Everyone enjoyed it. The food was very delicious, every single dish we ordered.

Such an amazing location gone to waste mostly by the poor quality food and the inconsistent service. I’ve been here three times now and can say that the observations from the first visit proved to be a fact. What you’ll find here is an amazing location and decent setup. There are some nice small booths, tables by the windows and a decent sized patio. The staff is a a hit and miss, but unfortunately it’s mostly on the bad side. Food portion is ok and menu price is average, on par with other restaurants in the neighbourhood, but definitely lower in quality and taste. Some might say that the price for the all you can eat brunch buffet is an awesome deal, but is a decent price worth bland testing food? Seeing all the reviews for this place from the past and realizing that things don’t seem to have gotten any better make me believe that it’s simply a matter of time before this place shuts its doors.

Awesome ambiance, great food (we had the fish), friendly and helpful as heck service.

Very meh. Nice ambience, fun location on Queen East. Mediocre food, mediocre service topped with a side of attitude from the server. The type of place that could easily go from ok to great if someone put a little more care and effort. It’s not that hard to give decent service and put some heart in the food.

I’m here. Its 9:30 am. The restaurant is open yet the only thing currently ready at the breakfast buffet is rice… this is awkward. Why are they open if the buffet isnt prepared? It is now 10 am. Many buffet items are now prepared but several trays contain only steam. The staff are pleasant but they are tragically under staffed and if you want a waffle or omelette you have to search the place to find the chef. I have also discovered that once you have said waffle you are expected to go out to the sidewalk to dress it. They do have REAL whipped cream though. It is now almost 10:30. The entire buffet seems to be prepared now. The eggs benny are good but a bit too vinegary. The «tiramisu» is waaaaayyyy sugary. Can’t eat it. The experience hasn’t been as terrible as some reviewers claim but it leaves a lot to be desired.

Disappointed. My husband and I frequented this place every year for the Jazz Festival. Last year we didn’t go and this time we were in the neighborhood and decided to eat there. The only thing tasty was their brie appetizer. I ordered a salad and it was just about the worse salad I’ve had in a very long time. The avocado was so nasty. Not sure why, but it was. normally you can’t go wrong with salads, but in this case it was just really bad. My husband ordered the special which was a baked fish. We had to add a lot of salt to both dishes just to get some flavor in there. I use to love this place. Definitely not going back.

Had lunch for 2 — spent $ 50 and it felt worth $ 10. The fries are garbage and the food was mediocre at best. Service was pleasant — so no problems there — but definitely did not get value for the money. Would not recommend.

Served by clumsy lady in yoga pants. Service was slow.
Menus were dirty. One of our menus had 2 of the same page.
We were not told about specials or offered the Prix Fixe menu advertised in the window.
The bread was served in a plastic basket.
Sangria consisted of Red Wine and a scoop of random melon, and nothing else.
The 12oz New York Striploin was actually a 6oz grilling steak reheated in a microwave, and necessarily overcooked. The «demi-​glaze» was actually gravy from a package. The «Chef’s Daily Vegetables» consisted of mostly stalks. Finally, the mashed potatoes were scooped like ice cream and microwaved on a plate.
While they did replace the overcooked «New York Striploin» with a filet mignon, the mignon was then undercooked.
The combination of poor service, dirty menus, and mislabeled and poorly cooked food results in a rating of 1 out 5.
Would not Recommend.

I had been to Whitlocks before for brunch but not in the past two years. I looked it up on Unilocal to get the number and noticed it didn’t rate well. My previous experience said to go for the brunch anyway as it is in the neighborhood.
I used to recommend this restaurant but can no longer give it my stamp of approval.
There wasn’t any big problem but a series of things that left us disappointed. Dirty dishes and glasses, lack of knowledge on ingredients (allergies), dishes not cleared, no coffee refills offered. Food is ok (no bacon!).
My 2-​star rating is in part due to the disappointment that brunch used to be very good.

Terrible food! $ 19 for a plate of watery undercooked ravioli! After sending it back, it just doesnt look very appetizing at all! The only good thing to comment on was their bread, it came with two types of dip!
Don’t even bother with the salad, the tuna salad was basically a few spoonfuls of canned tuna & mixed greens! Not only are the food terrible, they charge highness prices! Doubt this place will last very long!
Best to go elsewhere!

Took my parents to brunch this past weekend. This review is based only on their Sunday Brunch, as I have not gone there for anything else.
I «liked» Whitlock’s but each time I go for brunch, it seems to get worse every time.
What’s stable is the dishes are always dirty… my wife complains about this and when I checked, it took a bit to fine a clean plate/​cup. Service was a hit or miss. They greeted you but when I needed a refill on their tiny cup of coffee, I could have gotten it myself faster. And the waffles were burnt (put enough whipped cream on them and my kids would eat anything).
The roast beef was good — not dry, cooked well for my kids to eat. And the price is decent for a buffet — I think it’s $ 15 for adults and 7 or 8 for kids.
Will I go again? If my 6 year old bugs me enough but probably not.