Reviews of The Grand Trunk Saloon (Restaurant)

Sreekar Reddy

Food was great, Drinks were Awesome, Ambience was Fantastic! Enjoyed the weekday evening here with workmates!

Maraz Rahman

I went to visit some friends in KW and we went out for dinner and drinks at Grand trunk. I loved my experience delicious food, the cocktails were interesting and the service was exemplary. Honestly some of the best service I've had. Bartender came over to talk us through the drink and the waitress was a ton of fun. Would recommend trying the fried chicken, mac and cheese and the coffee and cigarettes cocktail.

Kyle Coleman

Best drinks in town!! Get the chicken !

Rui Pinto

Incredibly tasty food. The fried chicken is a must.

Suzie Alexander

Great fried chicken and hot sauce! Also recommend the Trunkwich sandwich. Tender, juicy and comforting. Covid takeout/pickup process works fairly well. They open Tuesday-Saturday 4-8pm. They answer the phone as early as 3:15-3:30. Getting through the phone ordering system can take some effort but well worth it. I ordered, paid and reserved a pickup time over the phone. Pickup was easy, on time and had no crowds. Thanks for keeping the soul food coming! Looking forward to getting back into the saloon, which is a fun and unique atmosphere, once it opens up.

Ellie

They now have a little patio, that’s kind of a hidden gem downtown. Limited set of cocktails, but pretty delicious — they’re kind of famous for their coffee and cigarettes.

Shane McFadden

Saw reviews and some photos and had to try. Amazing food great service neat bar! A little pricey but the food was well worth it. As close to proper southern food as I have had here in Canada. Only real complaint was it had a very small menu.

Zachary Balloch

The people behind the bar are masters of their craft. The food is also absolutely incredible. Service has always been too notch as well.

Samo Szakal

Best chicken and waffles I've ever had! Cooked perfectly, and well seasoned. We also had a sweet potato, loaded with beans and other toppings, which is a fantastic vegetarian option. They also have fantastic cocktails; I don't typically get them, but I would absolutely go back for more.

Out There

Great little place to go grab a drink and some food, friendly staff and a interesting menu made for a great time

Bingxu Hu

Loved the chicken, taco board, Mac and cheese. The drinks were equally awesome!

Nathanael de Boer

Great service, fantastic selection of custom cocktails as well as quality craft beers. We just went in for drinks but the Southern-USA-inspired menu looks great and we'll definitely be back to try it out.

Ella Pettit

This restaurant is so good! We got the fried chicken and it was such an experience. If you want high quality food for a good price, this place is worth eating at. The staff is friendly, too! Yummiest chicken around!

Scott Ruddick

First time here, and I am truly regretting it took so long for us to visit. What an awesome dining experience. Great ambiance, good service and stunningly good food. It's not cheap, but it's truly good value for money. Highly recommend!

Carrie Q

Hush puppies and fried chicken are the winners with couple of their ever changing cocktails. Mac and Cheese is pretty good as well. It definitely has become one of my regular place for going out

Courtney Cassel

Grand Trunk (and it's sister bar down the street, Tiki Lounge) are a welcome addition to DTK. For those of us who have outgrown the student bars but still enjoy nightlife on weekends, this is a great stop. Interesting cocktails, fantastic food, and great atmosphere for chatting with friends. Try the absinthe! The Parisian dispenser is a cool novelty.

Brent Bisaillion

Amazing place. Great food. Great cocktails. The best service. Fantastic ambiance. Try the coffee and cigarettes.

Stephen Lizak

High quality food. Great old-fashioned. A great restaurant focused on quality and a fantastic saloon atmosphere. The frog legs were surprisingly good!

Marcus Eby

Absotutenlutely amazing. I love finding restaurants that surprise me. Especially in Kitchener. We had buttermilk chicken which is soaked in black tea and then buttermilk close to a day. It's super moist, tasty and a nice light crisp batter. Then we had kitchen toast. A staff snack that got put on the menu, goat cheese, veggies, and finished with a fresh white anchovy. Not too salty or sweet. Just perfect. Love this place. And it's my first visit. Served by Kacey who knew everything about the food. And didn't hover. Thx Matt (bartender) and Kacey.

Julia Kaitlyn

Best chicken I’ve tasted. Such friendly/attentive staff :)

Benjamin Kappheim

Great ambience and motif. Love the design of the drink menu, having a Venn diagram style to help choose based on flavors. Great for the novice drinker. Food had great flavors and is exactly what you need when looking for comfort soul food. Chicken and waffles was exceedingly valuable, super filling and at a good price. From candlelight to the local artwork to the subtle flair and details to their dishes, its a great western look without trying to hard.

Ben

Best fried chicken in the city! Oh and they have great cocktails and other stuff too but that chicken tho!!! Drink ya coffee and cigarettes! If this review doesn’t make any sense you haven’t been here, go get that chicken, right now.

Eugene Harder

Tried fried chicken Tuesday but unimpressed has to have the bone in it for me. Otherwise pretty good . Better if you can get in the place!!

Julia Ko

My friend and I strolled into this place for a quick afternoon drink after work today, and I was very pleased with my experience. In this comfortable yet hip place, we were able to enjoy a few delicious cocktails and beers alike. The service is super friendly! - the server was able to explain menus, let me sample the wine infusion to help me make up my mind, and didn't crowd our space. Definitely will be going back to try their food sometime.

Shawn Ryan

An amazing place to come to eat and have a wonderful cocktail. Went here with a large party and was in the back private room. There was a speaker which we were allowed to use to put on background music. I had the jambalaya which was outstandingly delicious and had the Canadian Tuxedo drink which had smoked maple syrup in it which you could smell and went down with ease. Also tried the Frog Legs and some of my friends Fried Chicken which was very flavorful. For desert I had the s'mores which came with a pieces of wood chips burning to give you the aroma of a campfire. I did find it very smooth chocolate, however it was cold which is kinda of weird but would still order it again. The staff was amazing and the bartenders knew how to make drinks. Would highly recommend this place if you enjoy different cocktails because they have a lot of different ones, and also to eat, everything on there menu sounds and looks delicious.

Lucy Chai

Got the chicken & waffles + the burger. Reasonable prices and quite tasty. They provide chips instead of your usual fries with some slaw on the side for the burger, and it was pretty juicy with every bite. The chicken was tender and generously portioned with the waffles, which were a little more flat than what I'm used to but pretty good overall. You can choose for gravy or sweet/spicy sauce with this and we chose gravy but next time would probably try the other sauce instead.

Jaya D

Yee-Hawwww ???? If you're in DoentownKitchener , you have to visit the @kwgrandtrunk ! ???? The food was out of this world excellent & I absolutely loved the saloon theme. They apparently have burlesque shows if you're into that as well. I liked the fried chicken but B's favorite was the softshell crab. Totally unexpected but pleasantly surprised.

Linda Lober

Soul Food and sophisticated drinks collide with knowledgeable staff and a fun and funky New Orleans vibe! Absolutely love the food and drink menu. I live in the south in the States and I can tell you that they nailed the menu! I had the Cesar salad and chicken and biscuit sandwiches, hubby had the Mac & Cheese...spot on! Thanks for showing us some true Canadian/Southern hospitality!

Kayla Gerry

2nd Visit - Thoroughly impressed! I love their cocktail selection and local taps. The coffee & cigarette was exactly as it sounds, with an intoxicating aroma. I had the fried chicken & waffles with habanero syrup and my boyfriend had the burger, both were amazing. They have a house made cherry bomb hot sauce that is AMAZING, it started off deceivingly sweet, and about 30 seconds after you were done chewing the heat would set in as a slow burn. It was absolutely delightful, I wish they sold it in a bottle to take home with you. I definitely recommend you stop in at the grand trunk saloon. 1st Visit - Good atmosphere, drinks were delish, frog legs were amazing, the dish had the perfect blend of flavours. I wish I had tried the fried chicken, the waitress explained the process of making it and it sounded interesting, will definitely be trying this next time.

Sara Simon

We ended up picking this place because it was right across the road from the office but it turned out to be a really pleasant surprise! We were tempted to try the gator nuggets but instead I went for the Monday special, "chicken shack". Tender, juicy pieces of buffalo chicken with homemade pickles on a slice of white bread that soaks up the house made hot sauce. Definitely a good choice and I'm going to return!

Mat Horsman

Excellent drinks, great chill atmosphere, fabulous food ( fried chicken is amazing) and extremely attentive staff.

Alison Lam

What a great place! Bustling place but still great for social conversations with your group. Great food options. LOVED the fried chicken. Awesome cocktails. The drink menu is laid out in a really clever way. Friendly staff. Will definitely be back.

Michel Brown

Good interesting food and amazing drinks.

Matthew Patten

Absolutely delicious drinks. Highly recommend checking them out.

Jackie Chow

I love their menu and drinks. I am also addicted to their fried chicken, a must-try!!!

GARY N.

Service good. Beer good. Buttermilk fried chicken, awesome. Prices reasonable. I am definitely coming back here.

Terry Pender

Soul food served in a place with great atmosphere. Some of my favourites here -- fried gator nuggets, Cajun blackened catfish on a bed of mixed veggies with collard greens on the side. All good. But the bartenders and their amazing menu of cocktails are the real stars of the show. Service is excellent.

SIR REXINGTON J. ATTACK

One of the nicest atmospheres for a bar in Downtown Kitchener. It's great to see the new options for food, and the drinks are always delicious.

Randy Sparre

Prices pretty high for what you actually get. Everything's a-la-carte (sold separately). $18 for a single stuffed vegan pepper is laughable.

Drew Gillingham

Some of the best fried chicken I've had in Waterloo Region.

Paul Bisanti

This place was amazing. Might be my new favourite spot in town.

Stephen Beath

First came for cocktails which were great. Food was fantastic too when we ate there. Lovely atmosphere even on a Wednesday night

David Bistolas

Fantastic food, great cocktails, nice atmosphere

Chris Carew

Every part of my dining experience was perfect, from the friendly service, to the great food and large portions, to the s'mores dessert complete with campfire smoke. 10/10 would eat again. Try the chicken and white sausage gravy and cheddar biscuits. Also the sister bar Grand surf lounge down the street has top notch finely crafted drinks. Go there after your meal for some Tiki goodness.

Chris Koy

Great place the service is fast and the drink ideas there bar tenders come up with are awesome. Plus the atmosphere is something I really dig kinda a western vampire bar feel.

Crushnaut

Good atmosphere and staff. I ordered the burger, wasn't that good. Asked for no pickles and received it with pickles. Overall it wasn't bad just not worth $18. Girlfriend got the chicken and waffles. Chicken was well prepared and the syrup was very tasty. She also got the cocktail special which was $12. Not worth it. The other couple we were with enjoyed their food and it looked tasty. I might return to try the chicken and waffles myself.

Keith Schappert

really good cocktails, they usually have good local craft beer on tap... Food is good but probably not for everyone. You really need to like southern style cooking to find the food amazing. I found it good and you can tell the chef is good... just not that into the southern dishes... i do go back often for the beers and cocktails

Katie Kullman

Great atmosphere- small place, but it’s cozy and warm! The drink are wonderful! You can tell the bartenders are passionate about what they do. I ordered the tacos and they were delicious, but on the spicy side! Great place for high end cocktails!

John Chen

The best fried chicken in town

Shonna de greef

Their bucket-o-chicken. Let me tell you; that dry rub they have is an incredible seasoning/spice blend! Yum Hot sauce has an amazing smokey smell immediately when you open it and the taste matches. It has a little heat to it, and it's phenomenal to dip in after you have dipped your chicken in their habanero cane syrup sauce... This habanero cane syrup is something else, I seriously wanna dip it in everything. Super tasty; with a sweet taste at first soon to follow a very subtle, delicious ease of heat that will leave you mouth and lips wanting more.

sivaramakrishnan r

Best cocktail drinks made here. Friendly staff. Amazing customer service. Celebrated new year eve with a champagne!

Draculion

Amazing cocktails. Highly suggest "New kid on the block" as well as their chicken and waffles.

Heather McD

Super fun place bursting with personality. Its a great spot for drinks, the menu includes a lot of unique fun options and the bartenders are experienced and creative if you are the type to go off menu with your cocktail choices its the perfect spot.

Alex Kinsella

Can never say enough good things about Grand Trunk - but I will try. From the food to the cocktails, it is one of the best joints in all of Southwestern Ontario. Looking forward to sitting inside again one day, but for now, have takeout and Coffee & Cigarettes in a bottle.

Troy Dettwiler

After a bad first experience, this place totally redeemed itself. The cocktails and food were both amazing. The environment was also cool and just formal enough to not feel like DTK (but also not feel like it was trying to be Toronto). I will be back. I do hope the menu gets changed up with a few new options on the healthier side once and a while.

Sarah Rosenquist

Drinks are amazing. Food is good. Great vibes. Perfect place for a first date imo. Only downside is the kitchen can be slow sometimes but that just means more time to chat :)

Dave Merchant

Date night! Amazing food, cool drinks, great atmosphere. Excellent service.

Emily CW

Ordered from Grand Trunk Saloon last night for 6:45pm pick up. We ordered the bucket of fried chicken and the full size order of the mac and cheese. The food was and always has been fantastic. It's always such a treat to order from here. We ordered a TWB beer and two cider's from Hamilton, also very good choices. The service was timely and friendly, I'm so thankful for this restaurant and their soul food.

Carrie Gofron

Haven't had a bad thing here. Not a ton of tables but full menu that is great. Definitely try the coffee and cigarettes drink.

Xavier C

An interesting soul-inspired menu, and a great cocktail list. Vibe is dark, cosy, and a little eclectic/funky, which might put some people off, but that's the defining character of the place, in both atmosphere and food. The chicken and waffles were well enjoyed. Waffles came thinner than anticipated, but were well seasoned, and ended up being just the right amount of light and crunchy. Chicken was fried well, and the collard greens were sweet and nutty, albeit a little less than tender. The "gravy" sauce on the side went well with everything on the plate. Alligator nuggets were more of a novelty than anything noteworthy. The half-mouthful sized nuggets coated in a tangy sauce, with something like salsa on the side seemed like it would work well in concept. However, the nuggets were tough and a bit stringy, perhaps either from leg meat being cooked less than ideally, or tail meat not being as fresh as it should have been - it was hard to tell. Beetroot and chocolate torte was rich, and chocolatey. Unfortunately, the beetroot did not play much of a role in enhancing the torte, and was only noticeable from the occasional sliver of beetroot that managed to find its way into a mouthful. The spiced yogurt was delicious and creamy, much like a cross between icecream and cream, and brought needed sweetness to the plate. Finally, the drinks. Proper cocktails, mixed by people who know what they're doing. The selection comprised of mostly classic whiskey cocktails with a twist (ordered the old fashioned, and rob roy-esque "Grand Debacle"). Prices are on the higher end of cocktails, but they don't hold back on the good stuff - these drinks are strong, like they should be. With modest presentation, and packing a punch, these drinks are a winner. Seating is quite limited, and it may be hard to seat groups >4 when busy. Prices ranging around $15 for appetizers, $20 for entrees, and $12 for cocktails mean that it's probably out of price point for everyday fare. This place is a recommend for character, a fun menu, and a good stiff drink.

Ray Simonson

Cool patio, excellent fried chicken, great cocktails

Dial A tire (Dial A Tire Ontario)

Great service and even better food! I have been here twice now and they haven't let me down. Atmosphere is nice and the food quality is really good. Parking can be a bit tricky but there is a paid parking lot right next door. Serving size is just right and you wont feel overstuffed when you leave from a meal. Would recommend the burger and anything with chicken here! I haven't had a chance to come here on the evenings but I hear the drinks are top notch!

Grant Andrews

Way too many restaurants serve variations of the same thing. Guess what I had at Grand Trunk? Catfish. It was fantastic. And the drinks? Amazing. The Coffee and Cigarettes was the best cocktail I've ever had.

Jeremy Daniel

All the food I have had is great especially the fried chicken. Nice beer selection and good atmosphere. I recently ate at grand trunk again I have to say the service was amazing and the cocktails were some of the best I ever had. The coffee and cigarettes cocktail was amazing! Definitely one of the best places in town to eat and drink and probably the best place anywhere for a cocktail.

Brenden McNair

The food was perfect, the drinks were incredible as always and the service was fast, friendly and accurate. I would not have changed a single thing!

Shane Everest

Tasty drinks and great grub. Nice and chill mid week but expect a dinner rush. Taco boards are impressive too. I wish I had a picture of the pickerel taco board we ate. I always try their drink specials, even if they sound a little intimidating. Prices are a bit steep, but, you know. 4.5 stars.

Greg Bentz

Drinks were well prepared and we found that sitting at the bar watching them be made was a big part of the entertainment. We were a group for eight who all ordered different cocktails which did take a few minutes to whip up. It was a good thing we weren't in a big hurry. A great stop on a cold night.

Steve D

Great cocktails, great soul food, great atmosphere, and great service. You can't go wrong with this KW staple.

Alaster Duncannon

Had the salmon and my husband had the cat fish. Both were delicious. Friendly service, good craft beer (limited selection) and good food. What more would you want? Well maybe slightly more reasonable prices... All good - would return. Highly recommend.

Shyun Atøwn

A really cool spot. Great Mac and cheese, chicken and waffles! No one does it like them!!

Mi De

Chicken and waffles and all the side dishes are completely delicious! Can't wait until we can dine-in again!

Trish Pintar

This is an awesome, trendy spot in Downtown Kitchener! The staff are always prompt and friendly, the bartenders are phenomenal and knowledgable -- the craft cocktails, the beer selection, and the food are always phenomenal. I've been here on numerous occasions over the last two years and have never been disappointed! The atmosphere/decor is really cool -- a perfect spots for lunch, dinner, or just drinks! The fried chicken is DIVINE.

Eric Dettweiler

We are beyond impressed with Grand Trunk. We ordered some fried chicken and corn bread for our small wedding celebration (during covid 19). The food was outstanding. And the honey butter is to die for. They were incredibly generous to give us a complimentary wedding gift. Make sure you get out and support this incredible local business! Thanks grand trunk for making our day so special!!

Steph Noble

Great food, amazing cocktails. Cozy atmosphere. Wait staff is friendly and helpful. Awesome place for dinner or just drinks. I really like that the cocktail menu is a Venn diagram, so I can pick a drink that's bold yet sweet, or bitter but mild etc.

Mark Arsenault

They have an amazing selection of alcohols, and great custom cocktails.

Christina Pastore

This place is amazing! Food is delicious and their beer selection is quite unique. A quaint bar with a dope atmosphere and really welcoming staff. 10/10 would go back :)

J

Amazing food amazing service! My partner and I went here for the first time a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. The service was fantastic; fast and efficient. I believe our server was the owner of the establishment (Darryl?) and he was awesome. So friendly and passionate about the place. The food was amazing. We got the soft shell crab appetizer to start, and the chicken and waffles & mac and cheese with lobster to share. By far the best chicken and waffles Ive ever had. The lobster mac and cheese was great too, could have used just a tiny bit more sauce, however. Other than that everything was fantastic. Loved it and will be returning for sure!

Sarath Chandrasekheran

This place is awesome. I don't normally go overboard with praise, but this is really a great place. We went in to have a beer on a sunny day and ended up having a bucket of chicken (10 piece 20$), though I suspect it was 12 or 13 pieces. The craft beer was just perfect and our hostess was a delight. 100% will visit again if I chance upon this town.

Linyue Clem Qiu

A bit pricey but the food is really good!

Melissa Janzen

The food here is insane! You'd better come here hungry because you are going to want to try as much as you can. I've tried the Low Country Cheddar Biscuits, Octopus and Grits, and the Jalapeno Hushpuppies and they were all delicious! Not only do they have delicious food, but they also make classy artisan cocktails. With such an extravagant bar, I'm sure they can make almost any drink you could think of.

Cas

We got the bacon mac and cheese, bucket of seitan fried chicken, fried brussel sprouts, and the pickles and everything was phenomenal. The brussel sprouts are my new favourite food. If you don't like vegetables or brussel sprouts, please just try them, they are the best thing in the world! The seitan was really good! Texture freaked me out a bit because it was very meat-like, but still very tasty and very filling. The pickles are so good as well, I loved the watermelon and wished there was more! We'll definitely be back :)

Ryan Collier

Not your typical bar. Tell the bar tenders what flavors and notes you like in your drink amd they will create a unique cocktail just for you, while explaining the details of the mixology to you personally. You can learn a thing or two.

Marina T.

Came here for lunch and enjoyed their Cesar salad and house sweet tea. A good portion of salad for $12, tasty bacon and plenty of parmesan. Only complaint, the "craquelins" were some sort of crouton, not the crispy pork belly I'm used to them being. Still tasty, but not what I expected. Service was good, not pushy. Atmosphere is cosy in a masculine lounge sort of way.

Tiffany Martindale

This is one of my favourite cocktail bars in the region, and that trunkwich is a happy place.

Roger Psutka

Great cocktails! A bit pricey. Lovely service but slow. Makes you chill.

Nicholas Armstrong

Grand Trunk never disappoints - the cocktails are amazing, and somehow the food is even better! Each visit brings something new, with frequent menu updates, new cocktails, and daily features. Tonight's was a Halloween-themed take on a Negroni, with blood orange and cherry dripping down the side of the glass for a creepy-looking cocktail. Very tasty, too!

Mike McCauley

Great food and cocktails in dtk - highly recommend the hash!

Breanne Waddell

Creative cocktails, southern food, friendly service & chill vibe - always a great night out!

Robert Gowland

The staff were super considerate and the food was delicious. They made it a great date night for my wife and I filled by a walk in nearby Victoria Park. EDIT: November 2020 Still great food. The hush puppies were amazing. They took social distancing seriously and my wife and I felt safe (unlike the last restaurant we went to).

Mike Lerman

Amazing drinks! Good chicken, too.

Jacquie Kimmel

Ate in the restaurant at Grand Trunk, the first time I've eaten in since Covid. Very pleasant experience, tables were nicely distanced, only a couple other tables had guests, sanitation was great, Service was good,Tuesday night fried chicken was delish!

Arielle N

Loved loved loved Grand trunk saloon. Their fried chicken with that sauce is quite delicious. We also tried their shrimp gumbo but ours had zero shrimp, still tasted pretty good, we mentioned it to our waitress and the she even took the dish off our bill. How amazing?! I wanted a lemonade with rum but then I said let the bartender do her thing, instead she mixed it with bourbon and now I'm hooked. It's always our go to drink at home now. We will definitely be back! Excellent food, drinks and service!

Paul D

Chicken and waffles were the highlight the burger was good as well....but it really comes down to basically just get the chicken

Kissan Mistry

Was really excited to go here for their Tuesday bucket-o-chicken special after reading all the rave reviews about what sounded like the best fried chicken in Kitchener. Unfortunately, we found it extremely dissapointing! The chicken lacked true seasoning and im not talking about the seasoning that was sprinkled ontop after the fact. I mean the chicken inside lacked any flavor, was very bland. Doesnt seem like it was marinated in any brine or anything. Furthermore, a few pieces were dry, stringy and felt like chewing on leather. I was expecting some bone in pieces but unfortunately there werent any, and it was cut up a whole lot smaller than the conventional fried chicken pieces you would expect at any other restaurant. Adding a few slices of green onion ontop doesnt allow you to charge high prices for bland, boring chicken. The only way we could finish the chicken was dousing it in the hot sauce they gave. Additionally, we ordered a side of mac and cheese. It looked like it had croutons in it, which is kind of strange. This also lacked salt and was served lukewarm. Our fried chicken craving was left unsatisfied, so we went to KFC after for their toonie Tuesday meal.

Luana Garrido

Good place for have cocktails. The selection of craft beer was pretty fair as well. The service and food was good.

Julie Craig

My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this bar! Great cocktails and apps - we tried the seitan chicken, Brussel sprouts and cornbread - all delicious, with the cornbread definitely being the highlight. We can’t wait to come back for dinner sometime!

Kaila Armstrong

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Such a unique venue! Amazing menu, for both food and drink, superb service and so many great events. If you have not been, I definitely recommend giving The Grand Trunk Saloom a try! I assure you will not be disappointed.

Josh Rajasansi

Absolutely incredible!!! Back for my high school reunion. No one showed up!!! Lol. Actually, Justin changed the rules so I could come back. Almost 18 months since I have been in Canada. Glad that this place took it to the next level!!!! Oh and Helena our culinary/cocktail consultant listened to what I liked and made awesome suggestions. Customized a cocktail that was amazing! Thanks GT Saloon!

Sarah Hohner

Came here just for drinks: Idle Worship (unbelievably delicious with complex flavours!) and Coffee and Cigarettes (also good but definitely strong). Server was fantastic with her recommendations. The lounge chairs were comfy. Love the nice and cozy, unpretentious vibe. In the past, I've had the mac and cheese (without the ham) and biscuits with jalapeno and honey butter. Both of those items are craving-worthy.

Emily Baxter

If you plan to head to this restaurant on a weekend be sure you are ready to possibly wait a little. I will tell you that it is 100% worth the wait. This place has some really good vibes and exceptional service. We had to wait around 45 minutes because we had a group of seven. The hostess was amazing and told us we could grab a drink at the bar or she recommend some great places close by. She just texted us once our table was ready :). Our server was a gentleman with a beard. I've worked in food and beverage and let me tell you he is the best of the best. He had so much knowledge, gave us awesome recommendations and had the cool personality! Now on to the food. I am still dreaming about the mac and cheese and I can't wait to go back to try something else. Everyone at the table was very impressed! The food was hot and fresh and every bite was as good as the first. Enjoy your visit!

Dani Stock

Delicious, creative cocktails and always lovely service. Also the best fried seitan "chicken" and Brussels sprouts!

Vince Chinner

Awesome venue, great food and had an amazing waiter, thanks Dan, we had a great time

persis newton

Delicious chicken, and an excellent deal on a Tuesday! The hot sauce with it was A+ as well, not too hot, just right. Also enjoyed the homily frites!

Ray Higgins

On Tuesdays they have a $20 10 piece buttermilk fried chicken special. We takeout almost every week.

Rosie Watkins

The owner Darryl has had a fascination for Louisiana food for years and now he is making it available to downtown Kitchener. Pretty much everything I have tried is very good. The Fried Chicken is the best I have had in Ontario. The Brisket is excellent and used in several dishes. The Gumbo is perfect. The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive. I don't drink beer so that I cannot comment on the craft beer that I saw. Was here for a family dinner. Thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and service. Highly recommend the mac and cheese or the patriot burger. Both excellent choices. Lots of beverages including some really funky cocktails.

Lester Andrews

Killer good, interesting food. The drinks are amazing (Katie was fantastic). Ambiance is wonderful. Not really Saloon, but feels southern, a little edgy, and wonderfully upscale yet informal. Table raved about the friend chicken. Very creative and tasty drink menu, sitting at the bar is like a show watching the bartenders make the variety of drinks. A little pricey, but worth it. Tuesday night is a grand night in downtown Kitchener... The Grand Trunk Saloon has a special on a bucket of their famous fried chicken. Eat in or take it out, but those boneless thighs with a side of slaw and cheese biscuits was an epic treat. I'd like to make this a habit! Warning: The hot dipping sauce is SCORCHING.

Mike Bentley

Drinks and meal were awesome . Great service

Michelle Bellamy

Fantastic cocktails and food.

K Surey

Great staff! Excellent fried brussel sprouts!! Pickle tray...deal of the century!

Caroline Cosentino

Cute little neighbourhood spot! Staying up the street at the Wallper☺️ hotel! Amazing Paloma , fabulous homemade cesare salads… and the Mac and cheese with 1 piece of chicken! ❤️

Graham Murphy

One of my favourite restaurants in KW. Amazing take on southern food, with the staff and ambiance to match. The bucket of chicken (seriously!!!) is killer, and the brisket burger is amazing. Chicken and waffles will leave you satisfied! If you are interested in an outstanding dining experience, in a low-key, comfortable environment, this is the place. Prices are very reasonable.

Brandon blueberry

I was a frequent costumer at this place but last night when I ordered food for pickup I realized they put the prices up by a lot, good food but definitely not worth the money. There are plenty of other places in kicthener that has just as good food which is either cheaper or worth the money. Instead of going here check out the Lancaster smoke house.

Charles Amos

The owner Darryl has had a fascination for Louisiana food for years and now he is making it available to downtown Kitchener. Pretty much everything I have tried is very good. The Fried Chicken is the best I have had in Ontario. The Brisket is excellent and used in several dishes. The Gumbo is perfect. The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive. I don't drink beer so that I cannot comment on the craft beer that I saw.

Courtney Gagnon

Amazing, unique cocktails and great food! A definite recommend!!

Aarón Graciani

Had the salmon and my brother had the cat fish. Both were delicious. Friendly service, good craft beer (limited selection) and good food. What more would you want? Well maybe slightly more reasonable prices... All good - would return. I highly recommended this place.

Maryam Hebert

Had the salmon and my husband had the cat fish. Both were delicious. Friendly service, good craft beer (limited selection) and good food. What more would you want? Well maybe slightly more reasonable prices... All good - would return. Everything is nice.

Jayne Bailey

The owner Darryl has had a fascination for Louisiana food for years and now he is making it available to downtown Kitchener. Pretty much everything I have tried is very good. The Fried Chicken is the best I have had in Ontario. The Brisket is excellent and used in several dishes. The Gumbo is perfect.The cocktail menu is extensive and inventive. I don't drink beer so that I cannot comment on the craft beer that I saw.

ChristineMarie HAASE

Food is fabulous I had the Jambalaya and my husband had the fish. Our server was very attentive and professional. I love the decor and ambiance. Their southern style is very authentic. The shrimp and sausage were melt in your mouth. My cocktail was very elegant! We will go back!

Eric J

Best place in town for cocktails and ambiance, hands down!

Mat Nadrofsky

Awesome little spot. They've got some of the coolest cocktails around and a great atmosphere as well. Taps rotate regularly and the food is unique and very well done. The burger and the fried chicken as must try items. Other neat item to note, they've got some awesome lounge chairs setup where you can chill. There is also a private room if you are looking to book a private event.

Dominique McFarlane

Excellent service n great food

Wil Candlish

Delicious food that came to the table quickly. The service was thoughtful, without being pushy. Ambiance was modern without being sterile. Great whisky list and a fun, innovative and tasty menu. Overall, I heartily recommend this venue!

Keith Rattmann

I love their fried chicken and cornbread. Best in KW!

Gray Filiatrault

Good food, good service, good drinks, good atmosphere, good covid procedures. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good date spot.

Luka Thiessen

Phenomenal Drinks. Best fried chicken in the world. Highly recommend.

Jeff Kelly

Excellent service, delicious food. I could stop my review there, too be honest. A great space in downtown Kitchener, serving an eclectic array of cocktails both contemporary and classic, as well as southern food with a modern twist. The fried chicken and waffles are a particular treat, and their burger may be the best KW has to offer. Don't skip the bread pudding dessert.

Frank

Got it as takeout, not cheap but the chicken is excellent. If you want a better alternative to greasy fried chicken, this is the place. The hush puppies were ok, salad underwhelming. But the chicken was the best I have had in a long time. It comes with a side of this smoky hot sauce, that I made the mistake of thinking it was some kind of tomato sauce and dipped my chicken into it...it is not!! It is very spicy but amazing if you just lightly put some on the chicken.

Frances Carson

I got the Chicken and Waffles club sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The chicken was crispy, yet super juicy which really worked well with the sandwich! Definitely the star of the sandwich. No issues with the waffle or the rest of the sandwich. Portion was on the bigger side for me, but that just means extra leftovers for later over! Indifferent to the coleslaw, but overall, love the chicken, the service and the vibes of this place! Would recommend!

Henry deJong

We had an absolutely amazing experience. The cocktails are out of this world and the food was incredible. The service was outstanding. Our server was extremely knowledgeable when it came to the cocktails and even gave us recommendations that were not on the menu. Great dining experience. We will definitely be back and would recommend to everyone.

Eric Teh

Nice little cozy place with good food and good service.

Geraldine Keller

My first time here was for lunch. The place is old time cozy, a large antique bar is central, yet walls host numerous original art works. Service was excellent and appropriate, and the food (above average bar food) was delivered quickly. Some selections were Cajun. I imagine there’s more energy in the evening, but mid day calm was perfect for lunch conversation.

Jeremy V

Bourbon flights and delicious drinks

Julie McDonald

You must try their fried chicken..nothing else compares!!!

Kirti Lad

I got the Chicken and Waffles club sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The chicken was crispy, yet super juicy which really worked well with the sandwich! Definitely the star of the sandwich. No issues with the waffle or the rest of the sandwich. Portion was on the bigger side for me, but that just means extra leftovers for later over! Indifferent to the coleslaw, but overall, love the chicken, the service and the vibes of this place! Would recommend!

Chris Randall

I had their fried chicken on a Tuesday which is when they feature it at a discounted price to pick up and it didn't disappoint. Worth the trip to Kitchener.

김빛나

Bit pricy but great food

Rocky Moose

A rare find! Like a 70 year old bottle of scotch unearthed. Blackened Salmon and Waffle Chicken both signature dishes live up their reputations. Host, servers and drink makers are pleasant, happy and focused. Cocktails are desire fulfilling. Set up and ambience are cozy, casual, lots of personal space. Worth the drive and a memorable evening.

Scott Wenderoth

If you’re going to advertise beautiful lobster rolls with lots of lobster maybe when you’re preparing them it at be a good idea to give me an actual lobster roll not a chicken scratch of meat if I wanted so much salad with a lobster roll I would’ve ordered a salad don’t waste your time on this

Kieran Hussey

Very impressed with the quality of the cocktails here. Unique and delicious drinks. The atmosphere here is also quite pleasant. Will be coming back to try more of the cocktails here.

Samantha Dobkowicz

Quaint little place to grab food and drinks. The day we came there was a live band which was awesome. Drinks were delicious but mid price range, just something to note. The food was good and the kitchen even accommodated my weird request for just waffles and berries. Super friendly staff as well!

Don Sheppard

Picked up the Valentine's Day dinner. Caesar salad and great butternut squash soup. The steak was amazing, with grilled brussel sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes. The chocolate mousse was the final great touch to an excellent meal. You get alot of good food for the money! Cannot wait to actually dine in there. I highly recommend eating from here.

Sergio Severs

Been here quite a few times now. Food is delicious and consistent. Staff are friendly, informed and welcoming. Best fried chicken anywhere! Not a fan of the ribs - great flavour but tough. Hamburger is delicious. Portions are good size. Nice surprise for Sunday Brunch - they had a really good bluegrass band there. Stopped in for lunch. I ordered the Tasso Mac & Cheese. The flavour was incredible. My friend had the burger and was very impressed as well. I would certainly return here and look forward to trying more menu items.

Sara Mitchell

The best Fried Chicken in the area. I have travelled extensively in the Southern US, the fried chicken here is very bit as good. The only addition I would make is honey and biscuits. It is worth every penny charged. As a plus, or perhaps cautionary note, the chicken reheats marvellously in the oven, so get more than you think you can eat!

ReXx Effects

I was visiting some friends in kitchener and they recommended that we head to The Grand Trunk Saloon for dinner ... the place looked great ... a lot of detail went into the design of this location ... the atmosphere when we walked in and were seated was electric ... the menu was filled with fantastic sounding items and I was excited to try anything I would have been served ... our server was great and very helpful ... so why 4 stars ? There was an expediter/floor manager/I don't know who, but some guy that dropped off our food wearing a blazer who proceeded to pretentiously tell me how the flavours of my food would mix in my mouth as I ate them when he served the appetizers, it was really annoying as not everyone will experience food the same, I didn't enjoy being told how it would be enjoyed, it threw the whole thing off for me, and also I personally feel that the portion size of the mains was not equal to the value of the price.

Christal Stevenson

It was a wonderful Halloween night with friends and family.The service was exceptional.... the ambiance was perfect great background music and not too loud that you could easily carry on a conversation. The food was excellent burgers were juicy and the succotash (that’s a dish a had) was delicious, will definitely eat there again.

David Balazic

Drinks and food are positively amazing. The service can be hit or miss depending on the night. Always friendly and genuine. Plan on a decent visit if you budget a good time out without a rush.

Toree MacLean

I went here for lunch and was thrilled with the food and drink options. It’s a really great atmosphere and the food was absolutely amazing. They also had some really neat cocktails! Highly recommended.

Shannon Johnston

Took my friend for her birthday Saturday night, first time for both of us. Amazing experience our server was great always checking in to make sure we were fine. Food was beyond our expectations so tasty and presentation was amazing! Atmosphere is very welcoming and fun! I will certainly be back and if you haven't been there before you need to check it out!

Andy Greene

Must have caught this restaurant on a bad day because the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I've struggled with giving 3 or 4 stars because the staff was extremely friendly and amazing (I could be wrong, but I believe the young lady that helped us was named Kelsey or Candice?) along with a few menu items that tasted amazing. However, the shortcomings were too much of an issue and I hope this catches the eye of management/ownership because when I was there, on Aug 3, there was a lot of room for improvement. Here is my synopsis on our meal: Catfish slider - awesome dish from start to finish Biscuits - good flavour, could use a little more salt, but cold in the middle--butter couldn't melt and that's a big disappointment. Hushpuppies - very tasty and cooked well. mac and cheese - I'm sorry for being frank, but it was flat out awful. The worst mac and chese I've ever eaten. It lacked salt and had no cheese flavour. A little parmesan on top or some cheap chedder in the sauce would have enhanced it. It was basically macaroni in a bland white cream sauce. Chicken & Waffels - one of the best chicken and waffles I've ever had--and I've eaten plenty in Nashville and other southern states. Habenero syrup - really good for the most part. The sugar cane added some great flavour, but when I see habanero, I expect heat and that was lacking. Again, the staff was great and maybe I caught them on an off day. I know the industry is struggling with staff and managing their costs because of the closures. It can't be easy. There were some gems (catfish sliders & fried chicken) and I'd still eat there again.

Joe Cullen

Staff,food,drinks,best around

Pete

Got the 6 piece chicken thing for twenty dollars. It was impressive! Boneless, the skin was dry and crunchy while the chicken was still very juicy. Also tried a sour beer, which I didn't like, but I don't like sour beers; I was just giving the whole beer genre one last chance. I'm sure if you liked sour beer it would be great.

Matthew Gayford

I'd been wanting to visit Grand Trunk for a while due to word of mouth and when we finally went I was not disappointed. KW has a lot of places doing Southern/Soul Food wrong so Grand Trunk is a welcome change. We went on a Monday night and it was not too busy, which is surprising considering the great deal they have on a fried chicken sandwich that day. I had the sandwich, it was excellent, and I look forward to trying their bone-in fried chicken in the future. My wife had the burger and it was also very good, with the meat just perfectly pink in the middle of the two patties. I also had a nice gin cocktail, which was good. I look forward to trying some of their other drink options in the future as they seem to have a good bourbon selection. I'm interested to try the more Canjun/Creole options on the menu as it is hard to find good Louisiana/New Orleans food in Ontario, but if it is as good as what we had we will be back. The restaurant itself is small but nicely decorated in a laid back, understated way. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. We will be back soon.

Dunn Kruger

I didn't love it...I think that is my fault though! Don't get me wrong, it is super great but the issue was that it was just so built up for me and I had heard all about them. However, when I had it and it was just really good instead of mind blowing I was slightly let down. So, great food, just didn't live up to the hype in my mind!

Leah Vandermeulen

Best fried chicken I've ever had!

Aidan Keogh

Have been several times. Always great food, signature cocktails and service. We always get the deep fried peanuts, there absolutely amazing.

Chris Engelhardt

Amazing cocktails and excellent service. One of the greatest hidden gems of downtown kitchener.

David O'Neil`

Went for the fried chicken; not bad! Cool place!

Renee Ledwinka

Great food, drinks and service!

k C

I had the chicken and waffles with the spicy cane syrup and it was absolutely delicious. Cocktails were excellent, food was wonderful, chicken cooked perfectly, the only minor detail was my waffles were a little too hard for my liking but the flavours were great :) 10/10 would recommend

Joe

Great food and great service with a unique atmosphere. They don't have a deep fryer so you get chips instead of fries. But, their menu offerings are all tasty. Like most restaurants they only serve full sized meals for lunch so bring an appetite. I really wish they'd offer lunch-sized meals so I could eat here more often.