Beach Hill Smokehouse – 172 Main St, Toronto, ON M4E 2W1
Country: United States of America      
Must-try dish: Pork Ribs 
Seating: Only indoor seating. 
Dinner guests: The Thirsty Islander
The high: This is some of the finest barbecued meat you’ll try in Toronto. 
The low: You have to go to a barbecue restaurant early before the products sell out, luckily we did and got the last turkey of the day. 

Texan barbecue isn’t as simple as it sounds – there are nuances in the grilling process or the marinade depending on what part of the large state you find yourself in. Beech Hill Smokehouse specializes in Central Texan barbecue, which consists of meat rubbed in spices cooked over an indirect fire made of oak or pecan wood, hence the smokiness in eat bite. 

The thing about barbecue spots in Texas and beyond is that they seriously follow the (first come, first served” style of operation. There are even roadside stalls in Texas rumored to have the best barbecue in the state where diners line up before sunrise to ensure they get their fill. At Beech Hill Smokehouse, the same rule applies – get there early or miss out on one meat or the entire barbecue depending on how many people came before you. 

The menu is straightforward – grilled meats with side dishes that come either individually or there are meal packages depending on the number of people eating. With a group of three hungry diners, we ordered the Family Cookout. Most of it was devoured, so a fourth person could have helped with the job. 

The majority of the menu is included in the Family Cookout. The Beef Brisket is slow cooked making each bite tender that it’s as though you’re cutting through butter. The Turkey has a smokey flavour, which was new since barbecued turkey is less common in Canada, and would commonly be cooked in the oven. The meat was juicy, which isn’t always an easy task with turkey on the grill. Two Hand Crafted Sausages are on the platter and cut into smaller pieces making it easier to dip and drop into your mouth. This was the least exciting of the meats but still delicious. 

The final and favourite meat were the Pork Ribs. Not surprisingly, they fell off the bone and were smokey without being too saucy. We could have gone for another pound, or more. 

The sides were good, but the star of the show was the meat. The Family Cookout includes Smoked Baked Beans, Deviled Egg Potato Salad, and Poblano Coleslaw. They were helpful in cleansing the palate between bites of protein. If you are going to just choose one, we highly recommend the potato salad as it was the favourite amongst the group.

Aside from the items in the Family Cookout, there’s a Halal Chicken and sandwiches stuffed with barbecued meats. It goes without saying that these sandwiches are massive. 

When you’re looking for grilled meat with a bit of smoke, you know where to go. But go hungry! 

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)