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We’re not your regular backyard BBQ! We use seasoned split hard wood to smoke our meats to tender, juicy perfection. No charcoal, gas, or electric burners here! Depending on the cut, marbling, and thickness of the meat, our smoking process can take up to 14 hours to give you the experience of an authentic Southern style BBQ with a Northern touch. All our meats are hand slaughtered halal. No Machine Methods of Halal accepted here. No Cas Methods of Halal accepted here.
Straightforward restaurant & takeaway offering sandwiches & platters featuring halal smoked meat.
Hours
| Sunday | 12–10 PM |
| Monday | 12–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–10 PM |
| Thursday | 12–10 PM |
| Friday | 12 PM–2 AM |
| Saturday | 12 PM–2 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 371 Old Kingston Rd #12, Scarborough, ON M1C 1B7, Canada
Phone: +1 416-284-8448
Website: http://www.northernsmokes.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
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Northern Smokes – Scarborough
371 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1B7, Canada 416-284-8448 647-612-RIBS (7427) Hours We close earlier if we are sold out.
Reviews
Crisanto Gines
The portions were huge and packed with real meat – corned beef, beef bacon, beef ribs, and sausages – all super satisfying. The subtle hot sauce was a great touch and added just the right kick. I also tried the mac and cheese and the cornbread was really good. We ordered both the classic and honey – garlic chicken wings, and honestly, they were amazing and everything came out hot and fresh. Definitely worth it, I’d come back again!
… moreSusan Abraham
Looking to try a new place in Scarborough. Location is in an old coffee time location in highland creek strip mall. Glad some new businesses are coming to an otherwise dead location. Store is small and has some seating although was crowded when I came. I ordered take out an was told 40 minute wait. I can and waited another 10 minutes for packing. This is a halal smokery. The smell when you walked in was amazing and noticed they were A Michelin star restaurant? I ordered a few items – brisket sandwhich, spicy pulled brisket sandwich, pulled beef macaroni cheese and piri piri chicken.
The food was interesting. I drove a short drive home and even though the food was freshly packed it was already cold. Brisket was super tender lacked a little flavour. Havarti Sandwich had horseradish and pickles and was ok not my flavour preference. Needed a bit more taste. Spicy pulled brisket was extremely spicy liked the heat but still lacked flavour. Lots of meat in the sandwich. Mac and cheese was abit dry and had a floury taste. Bought the following sides spicy jalapeño corn. The spice profile was strong but lacked flavour – corn needed to be sweeter but was bland. Fries were soggy. Corn bread was ok tasted like corn muffin. Size was huge – I sort of liked it. Overall food was ok. I might choose a meat platter next time to taste the meat without toppings to see the real flavour. Personally I’m not sure it’s a Michelin star worthy but was nice. Meals are a bit expensive but realize meat is expensive too. I think it has potential but needs things to improve for me to truly love it.
… moreThe food was interesting. I drove a short drive home and even though the food was freshly packed it was already cold. Brisket was super tender lacked a little flavour. Havarti Sandwich had horseradish and pickles and was ok not my flavour preference. Needed a bit more taste. Spicy pulled brisket was extremely spicy liked the heat but still lacked flavour. Lots of meat in the sandwich. Mac and cheese was abit dry and had a floury taste. Bought the following sides spicy jalapeño corn. The spice profile was strong but lacked flavour – corn needed to be sweeter but was bland. Fries were soggy. Corn bread was ok tasted like corn muffin. Size was huge – I sort of liked it. Overall food was ok. I might choose a meat platter next time to taste the meat without toppings to see the real flavour. Personally I’m not sure it’s a Michelin star worthy but was nice. Meals are a bit expensive but realize meat is expensive too. I think it has potential but needs things to improve for me to truly love it.
Diyaa Ashrafee
It’ll be a big review — but please take it as constructive feedback and connect with the chef to fix it. The place has great potential, but a few issues could really harm the experience.
First of all, the service was excellent. Both team members working during my visit were amazing — polite, attentive, and professional. They truly knew what they were doing, and I appreciated their effort.
However, the food was below average. Honestly, I felt like I just paid for the meat. Even if I tried making it at home as a joke, I think it might have turned out better. Nothing had real flavor — everything was too bland. The BBQ sauce tasted like a regular store-bought one (very similar to HP BBQ sauce).
The brisket was overcooked and not tender at all. The beef tri-tip was the worst — hard, chewy, and completely lacking in seasoning. It even had a gasoline-like aftertaste, which made me think the oven or grill wasn’t cleaned properly. The ribs were also overcooked and not soft. I didn’t even try the chicken — I just took it home, already too disappointed.
For sides, I’d suggest skipping the jalapeño corn — it wasn’t worth it. Also, there were flies inside the restaurant, which made dining uncomfortable.
I honestly don’t understand how this place received a Michelin Star 2024. I drove all the way from Oshawa after seeing that and had high expectations, but unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience.
The two guys working there were fantastic, but if the food quality doesn’t improve, the restaurant’s reputation will suffer. Please, talk to your chef — this place has potential, but the food needs serious improvement.
I’ve also attached photos for reference.
… moreFirst of all, the service was excellent. Both team members working during my visit were amazing — polite, attentive, and professional. They truly knew what they were doing, and I appreciated their effort.
However, the food was below average. Honestly, I felt like I just paid for the meat. Even if I tried making it at home as a joke, I think it might have turned out better. Nothing had real flavor — everything was too bland. The BBQ sauce tasted like a regular store-bought one (very similar to HP BBQ sauce).
The brisket was overcooked and not tender at all. The beef tri-tip was the worst — hard, chewy, and completely lacking in seasoning. It even had a gasoline-like aftertaste, which made me think the oven or grill wasn’t cleaned properly. The ribs were also overcooked and not soft. I didn’t even try the chicken — I just took it home, already too disappointed.
For sides, I’d suggest skipping the jalapeño corn — it wasn’t worth it. Also, there were flies inside the restaurant, which made dining uncomfortable.
I honestly don’t understand how this place received a Michelin Star 2024. I drove all the way from Oshawa after seeing that and had high expectations, but unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience.
The two guys working there were fantastic, but if the food quality doesn’t improve, the restaurant’s reputation will suffer. Please, talk to your chef — this place has potential, but the food needs serious improvement.
I’ve also attached photos for reference.
M U
Been here a couple of times and have never been disappointed.
Their platter for 1 contains a good medley of flavors this place had to offer. Its pretty reasonably priced and more than sufficient for a person. Love their pulled beef and the cornbread is a must have.
If you’re eating in, call up ahead to get your name in line and place your order so you don’t have to wait almost an hour to get your food after coming in.
… moreTheir platter for 1 contains a good medley of flavors this place had to offer. Its pretty reasonably priced and more than sufficient for a person. Love their pulled beef and the cornbread is a must have.
If you’re eating in, call up ahead to get your name in line and place your order so you don’t have to wait almost an hour to get your food after coming in.
Bilal Dost
Drove one hour 20 minutes to this location, place was packed and almost an hour wait time. But once food arrived, It was Worth Every Penny and Calorie.
Having lived in seven other countries, this is by far the best smoked meat i ever had.
I ordered, meat platter 3 i think, it contained brisket, ribs, baby back ribs, tri tip steak, chicken quarter and chicken wings.
When went second time, i only ordered Brisket and Dino ribs only. Ultra soft, incredibly seasoned and deliciously fatty… i understand eating it regularly is not an ideal thing but… as i said… Worth IT!!!!!!!
… moreHaving lived in seven other countries, this is by far the best smoked meat i ever had.
I ordered, meat platter 3 i think, it contained brisket, ribs, baby back ribs, tri tip steak, chicken quarter and chicken wings.
When went second time, i only ordered Brisket and Dino ribs only. Ultra soft, incredibly seasoned and deliciously fatty… i understand eating it regularly is not an ideal thing but… as i said… Worth IT!!!!!!!
NUI
One of delicious meat, you will love it and go again and again. They are superb and done the best job to give us good taste of meat.
My first experience is the best one. House was full and they were very busy in serving customers.
… moreMy first experience is the best one. House was full and they were very busy in serving customers.
Rizamarie Cuevas
Absolutely loved this place! We came here to celebrate our anniversary, and the food did not disappoint. The brisket was so tender, and the sampler platter was perfect because there was something for everyone to enjoy. The staff were extremely kind and helpful, and their recommendations were spot on. We will definitely be coming back. The banana pudding was also amazing and a must try. 🙂
… moreAvi Mascarenhas
I’m writing this as a long-term customer, not a first-timer. I’ve been a Northern Smokes customer since you first opened, and I’ve supported this place from the very beginning. That’s exactly why this review is so disappointing to write.
Today, I ordered the Korean short ribs, and honestly, it was absolutely disgusting. There was barely any marinade, and it wasn’t even cooked properly. Korean short ribs are supposed to be flavourful, tender, and well-marinated and, this was none of that. It tasted rushed, careless, and completely off from what this place used to deliver.
What’s more concerning is that this isn’t a one-off experience. Over the last 6–7 visits, the quality has been consistently going downhill. Portions feel weaker, flavours are off, and yet the prices keep going up. It feels like corners are being cut while customers are being charged more.
Northern Smokes is the only halal smoked meat spot in northeast Scarborough, and it honestly feels like they’re taking advantage of that position, charging whatever they want because there’s no real competition.
That’s not how you treat loyal customers.
Something has clearly changed. I don’t know if it’s new management, untrained staff, or a shift in how the food is prepared, but this is not the Northern Smokes that built its reputation. The quality, care, and consistency that made this place special seem to be slipping fast.
As someone who has supported this brand since the early days, I’m truly disappointed. This isn’t what customers expect from Northern Smokes, and if things don’t improve soon, I can’t see long-time customers continuing to come back.
I really hope management takes this feedback seriously and fixes whatever is broken — because this place used to be great, and right now, it’s heading in the wrong direction.
(Pictures taken after I took it out of the box)
Update: Apologies, I removed the smoked part. Imstead of focusing on why a long term customer didn’t like the ribs, you figure it’s best to read my Google reviews and point fingers and, tell me to go to other restaurants. No problem. Other customers will soon follow suit, rest assured.
… moreToday, I ordered the Korean short ribs, and honestly, it was absolutely disgusting. There was barely any marinade, and it wasn’t even cooked properly. Korean short ribs are supposed to be flavourful, tender, and well-marinated and, this was none of that. It tasted rushed, careless, and completely off from what this place used to deliver.
What’s more concerning is that this isn’t a one-off experience. Over the last 6–7 visits, the quality has been consistently going downhill. Portions feel weaker, flavours are off, and yet the prices keep going up. It feels like corners are being cut while customers are being charged more.
Northern Smokes is the only halal smoked meat spot in northeast Scarborough, and it honestly feels like they’re taking advantage of that position, charging whatever they want because there’s no real competition.
That’s not how you treat loyal customers.
Something has clearly changed. I don’t know if it’s new management, untrained staff, or a shift in how the food is prepared, but this is not the Northern Smokes that built its reputation. The quality, care, and consistency that made this place special seem to be slipping fast.
As someone who has supported this brand since the early days, I’m truly disappointed. This isn’t what customers expect from Northern Smokes, and if things don’t improve soon, I can’t see long-time customers continuing to come back.
I really hope management takes this feedback seriously and fixes whatever is broken — because this place used to be great, and right now, it’s heading in the wrong direction.
(Pictures taken after I took it out of the box)
Update: Apologies, I removed the smoked part. Imstead of focusing on why a long term customer didn’t like the ribs, you figure it’s best to read my Google reviews and point fingers and, tell me to go to other restaurants. No problem. Other customers will soon follow suit, rest assured.
Brendan Andres
Would I get the meat plate again? 1000%
The pulled brisket is the craziest thing I’ve eaten in a while, I could have a pound of that everyday
The regular brisket is fantastic as well. If you’re trying to decide what to get just make sure those are included
I like the ribs too but not as crazy for them as the brisket – it’s hard competition
Next time I’ll prob get the briskets with Mac and cheese or mashed potato’s – more coleslaw and I’ll be a happy knowing I found some consistent great tasting protein
For $30 I’m definitely full and feel like I got the value based on quality of food and quantity of meat
… moreThe pulled brisket is the craziest thing I’ve eaten in a while, I could have a pound of that everyday
The regular brisket is fantastic as well. If you’re trying to decide what to get just make sure those are included
I like the ribs too but not as crazy for them as the brisket – it’s hard competition
Next time I’ll prob get the briskets with Mac and cheese or mashed potato’s – more coleslaw and I’ll be a happy knowing I found some consistent great tasting protein
For $30 I’m definitely full and feel like I got the value based on quality of food and quantity of meat
Michelle Chang
First time checking out Northern Smokes and ordered the sample platter #2. The brisket and short ribs were incredibly tender and juicy, easily the highlight of the meal. The wings were a bit on the smaller side but still flavorful. We ordered the cole slaw and mac and cheese as sides; they were decent, though not as memorable as the meats. The real stars were the sauces, the BBQ and maple-garlic were both 10/10 and tied everything together beautifully. Overall, a great spot for BBQ with generous portions and amazing flavor!
… more