Disclaimer: I won 2 complimentary tickets from Yelp Toronto Giveaway. So we ended up just paying…read morefor the food. Love the set up and location of Taste of Toronto. This is the first time I ever been to Fort York. Getting there was easy as Streetcar 509 get me right to the entrance. The ground is spacious and I like the white tent like set up giving it an English Garden gallery vibe. I was expecting the worse since I attended the Saturday Evening Session but was pleasantly surprised that the event was well organized and it was not too crowded. Maximum wait for me was less than 10 minutes for anything. Most of the restaurant vendors did have good time management and kudos for all the kitchen staff working so hard keeping us all fed and wait time to the minimum. We ended up trying Little Sister's Pork Belly ($8), Morimoto Toronto's Uni Carbonara with a bottle of S.Pellegrino ($8) and THR's Lobster Grits ($10). Each dish was well presented with good flavours. There are also a lot of free sampling and tasting in various food vendors, For wine tasting, they are going for $1 each or so. Love the different demo. Getting into Master Cooking Classes were impossible with the limited first come first serve openings but watching the cooking class was just as fun. American Express Lounge was a nice touch from AMEX as it has free samples and free bottle water to keep you hydrated. I would come back next year on a nice day to spend a few hours to wander around and sample some food. The longest line being Richmond Station and Drake. I would suggest to skip those as it really was no point spending your time lining up for food.

Contrary to a lot of reviews below, I absolutely loved Taste of Toronto…read more Our group wanted to try a variety of options, so we pooled our money and loaded it on 1 card. Surprisingly, the wait time to try top restaurants were not bad at all. We pretty much got a taste of every dish at every place. By the end of the night, I was holding my magnum ice cream with a big smile on my face. My friends were all struggling to walk and wanting to roll home instead. The main dish that made my night was: Splendido - "True North Atlantic Salmon Sashimi from Atlantic Canada - Avocado, sesame, race cakes." This dish had the "Wow factor." After having a slice, I was in shock. I honestly could not stop talking about how delicious this dish was that night. I had to get a second order immediately. The sauce had the perfect amount of flavor without being too strong to cover the taste of the freshly sliced Salmon Sashimi. The texture from the avocado compliments the tenderness and chewiness of the Sashimi perfectly. Amazing! What I really like about this festival is that you get a taste of the food from top restaurants around Toronto. I will definitely be trying Splendido shortly in the future. I look forward to Taste of Toronto next year and I highly recommend others to join me as well!

Was quite fun. For $15 you got to try donuts plus take half a dozen home. I was sugared out but…read moreluckily Tim Hortons & Starbucks provided some refreshments. Plus the kids could decorate a doughnut too! The first 200 got an extra doughnut to try. The event was sold out. 2017 was the first year. Definitely going again We had 3 vegan donuts, one savoury with beef bacon & maple syrup from Caplansky's, even bar raval was there with a custard full donut with dark chocolate ganache, an European plum filled doughnut and more. The Toronto life website has a the article in their opinion of the best donuts. I've got some photos so hopefully I can load them up

I am giving this ribfest 3.5 stars out of 5…read more It has been a few years since I have been to a ribfest in Markham. It used to be an annual event at Warden and Highway 7, but it has changed to the lot next to the Cineplex in downtown Markham. I was trying to figure out where I would park. Just seeing a movie on the weekend at this Cineplex can be a challenge when it comes to parking. Sure enough, all parking spots were taken when I got there after work on Friday. To the organizers of this ribfest, signs to parking should be up to help patrons. There was a lot across the street from where the ribfest was. I drove in and asked a security guy if this was public parking. He said no. He wasn't exactly helpful as to where I could go to park. I just pulled out and winged it. I did find parking in a lot on Birchmount, just south of Enterprise. Parking was free. However, it did take a couple of big Markham blocks to walk over to the venue. You pay $2 for admission, which is decent. If you have a handbag or bag, security requires that a scan be done. I went through just fine. There are a decent number of places for you to test your tastebuds as far as ribs, pulled pork, and chicken go. After much thought, I went with Gator BBQ. I ordered the chicken and rib combo (quarter chicken with a half rack of ribs) for $17. I also got baked beans ($2) and cornbread ($3) as sides. I ended up placing a loonie in the tip jar. When you do that, one of the staff members rings a bell and indicates that you are a tipper. It definitely put a smile on my face. You need to bring cash. Most venues accept cash only. The woman behind me asked if Gator BBQ accepted credit cards. I didn't know. She went up to ask and it didn't. She then asked me if it was okay if she went to the ATM and where she could line up behind me again. I was fine with it. She was grateful, as she had her young daughter with her. My plan was to either eat in my car (many of the benches were taken) or bring my food home. I saw the Beavertails sign and immediately got an apple cinnamon beavertail. The skies were changing from cloudy, to overcast, to downright stormy. Sure enough, nearly halfway into my walk back to my car, a huge downpour took place. I felt like I was swimming at one point. I took shelter in the lobby of a restaurant. Sadly, I don't know what the name of it was, but I would like to thank the folks there for housing me and a bunch of soaked folks during the pouring rain. To put the downpour into perspective, I walked for roughly thirty seconds and my entire front-facing self was soaked. My t-shirt was sticking to me and and I was drenched. I stood there waiting for the rain to stop. It was nearly half an hour. I was still holding my food. It was a first for me to eat food not offered at the restaurant in which I was seeking refuge from a ton of rain! The ribs were delicious. They were tender and flavourful. The baked beans were perfect. They weren't overly salty or sweet. I love cornbread. This square hit the spot. The chicken was moist and tender. I typically don't eat the skin. It was so good that I ate it all up. I didn't have a drink with me. I downed all my food. Everything was that juicy. Naturally, my apple cinnamon beavertail was amazing, as always. It's comfort food for me. I need it, since I was soaked. When the rain was letting up and the sun was trying to break through the ominous clouds, I made my way to my car. Downtown Markham is new and improvements are definitely needed. The parking lot was flooded in a number of spots. It was to the point where I had to walk through one huge flooded area and my sneakers ended up getting soaked, right down to my socks. I had a great food-tasting experience. The infrastructure, including signs to parking, needs help. It also took me twenty minutes to exit the parking lot. (143)

Always a Great Event!!…read more Wow, I can't believe I'm only the second reviewer!! I've been going to this RibFest now for many years. I typically go to 5 or 6 rib Fests in the GTA every year. This is now the second year that the Ribfest has been hosted by Downtown Markham in the parking lot east of the Cineplex Plaza. if you are attending this event go to the website and they will post where to park. I parked just across the street from the Pride of Canada Merry Go Round, and its where I parked for the 2018 Rib fest as well. Save yourself trouble as many try to park in the theatre parking lot and it is usually full of shoppers and moviegoers. Now to the RibFest!! Yes once you walk in they ask for a 2 dollar donation that goes to charity and you have to go through a metal detector when you arrive. The event is full of volunteers to help you so if you need anything ask!! There are portable toilets and a handwashing station so you're covered if you have to go. The event is split into a few areas, the main area, where the ribbers are, the kid's area with rides and prize games. The vendor's area when you walk in and the south side of the event is where the main stage, the beer tent, and a covered area for eating as well as many places to sit if you want to watch the entertainment on the stage. We were a little disappointed with the kid's area this year as the selection of rides was smaller. Last year they had a few more rides. The rides this year seemed to be geared towards smaller children and toddlers. My kids were 5 and 7 years old and they weren't that impressed with the rides. On another note, all of the kid's section is right out in the sun, with no shade and the bouncy castles were burning hot and my kids did not stay in them too long. Note to the organizers, get better rides and set up in a shaded area. Now for the main attraction, the ribs!! I noticed more and more Ribbers are serving beef ribs, which is great since not everyone eats pork. There were also additional food trucks serving other items besides ribs. Some of the selections are stinky tofu, poutine, beavertails, lemonade, and a few other options. This year we decided on Razorback Ribs, the Razorback team were awesome, they treated us very well and let my kids inside the grill area and showed them how ribs were made. They also made us some ribs without sauce, since one of my kids didn't like their sauce lol. Our meals from Razorbacks included Chicken, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Coleslaw, baked beans, and Corn Bread. We got poutine from the poutine truck, which is run by Prince Edwards Fries, which were very tasty. Aside from the Kids area being subpar, and the fact that is was a really hot day, this Ribfest was a success!!! I can't wait until next year!!

Price: 35 CAD or so for adults, a bit less for kids or seniors…read moreTime: 60-90 minutes. Less if you're rushing, but I wouldn't. Add an extra 20/30 minutes if you're going to look at everything/use the shop or station Location: Lower basement of The Tenor Other Notes: Free Wi-Fi and scavenger hunts for kids Side note: There is a separate business page with one review and no photos for their newer name, Pocket Planet Canada. I requested a merge or similar Toronto Review 10/Many: I went to this excellent exhibition, previously known as Little Canada, with another person. They are located downstairs in the basement of The Tenor. The price was reasonable, and we stayed for around 80 minutes, but it definitely could have been longer. I have previously been to a couple of other miniature museums, but never one with this much detail and with so many moving parts. The staff was friendly, and they had some scavenger hunts and other things for kids. The first area goes over Niagara and the surrounding area. Along with showing some early movement, this also introduced one of their interesting features, where the models and room shift between day and night. Then came the largest portion, which, as expected, was the Little Toronto section. This included one of the highlights, a scaled replica of the Rogers Center, including a fully retractable roof and lights and sound that can be turned on and off. There was also, of course, the CN Tower, various squares, and other things. The remaining sections covered the remaining parts of Canada. I would go into all the details, but I honestly think that it shouldn't be spoiled. In case you do want to see, I have also posted many photos. A particular highlight for me was an appropriately wintry take on Petit Quebec. After the exhibits, there was a "Littlization Station," which we didn't take part in as we didn't have time, but apparently it makes miniatures of people using a lot of high-quality cameras. I saw something similar before at a studio in NYC, and it's a fun idea to add that here too. There was also the Miniature Maker's Studio, where a friendly woman was answering questions regarding how they make things otherwise. Finally, there was a particularly excellent gift shop that sold some items you can't buy online, such as miniatures and other things. I bought a nice cherry blossom one, but there were also some options for all different regions of Canada. For how long the experience is and how detailed it is, I found this more than worth it. Overall, this was the unexpected highlight of the trip, and I heavily recommend it for people of all ages. I can see why they've won awards.

Interesting and educational mini Canada exhibit. They make it extra exciting for the kids with a…read moretheme to search for...right now it's Maurice the Moose. In the past, it looks like they have had Superhero's , KPop Demon Hunters and Moana. My little one enjoyed searching for Maurice in each section. Some surprise effects like watching the Skydome open and close, and the odd train or car moving, added to the fun. The whole thing took us about 90 minutes to complete and we were not rushing. We wanted to do the mini figure creation but there was a long line. I don't think we would go here again though, unless it was a completely new experience or something . Giving it four stars for that reason and also because it was pricey for what it was and there was no line up process to see each section. We kept getting 'stuck' behind a group. The only was to pass them meant skipping a large section. A briefing at the start, explaining to keep moving could help. We did make an afternoon of it though. Went to Shake Shack next door, walked down Yonge Street and then through the Eaton Center...

The ribs at Gator bbq were awesome! Games too pricy!! 3 games of Skeeball, $10!!! C'mon, now. 3…read moredarts to burst balloons, $10!!! 3 basketballs, $10!!! Etc., etc. Rides decent, except ferris wheel not working on Civic Monday.

My rating is 4.5 stars. Despite some tough ribs that I got, I'll round up for organization and…read morefriendliness. For years, I'd drive by Thomson Memorial Park when Scarborough Ribfest was on and I'd continue driving. It looked amazing, but the parking looked insane that it was too much for me to handle. I was doing some research on my phone that had nothing to do with food. I saw an ad for Scarborough Ribfest being in drive-thru format at Centennial College's Ashtonbee Campus and it piqued my interest. I decided to head over here to grab some dinner on a rare Sunday outing. I knew where the campus was. I had no idea where the main entrance was, though. Luckily, signs saved me and guided me over to the venue without a hitch. There were lot of staff from The Rotary Club of Scarborough helping out. One asked whether I was here for the ribfest and pointed me over to another section where donations were being taken. Oddly, I was prepared with change and placed it in the bucket. Another woman handed me a menu. I took a slow drive over to the ribbers, mesmerized by the various food trucks out on my drive over there. The menu had four rib vendors. I went with the one that offered mac and cheese, which was Sticky Fingers. I had food from this place at the Mississauga Ribfest a few years ago. I loved their food there and needed to revisit it. The woman at Sticky Fingers was great. I wanted the full rack dinner and asked if I could get a side order of mac and cheese. She checked with her advisor, came back, and said yes. I said yes, too, as if I were getting married to said mac and cheese. I didn't want to get a tub of it, but you could for $10. I paid using my debit card. I tipped and tapped. Done! The folks at Sticky Fingers were so nice. I got my food, thanked the woman, and headed out. I passed by the food trucks, which ranged from funnel cakes, to my favourite, Tiny Tom's Donuts. I knew that my dinner would be way too much food for one meal, so I decided to bypass the trucks and head home. I chowed down when I got home. I was disappointed with how dry the ribs were. Perhaps it was the luck of the rib rack draw. The ribs weren't meaty, except for a handful of them in the centre. As a result, they were tough and I felt like I was gnawing on leather. My poor tired jaw! Bummer. They weren't like that at Mississauga Ribfest. The sauce was delicious, though. The baked beans and coleslaw, however, were excellent. The baked beans were flavourful, savoury, and yummy. The coleslaw was crunchy and had lots of flavour. I could so order more sides. The mac and cheese was so creamy. It was excellent, too. I know that I'd be okay getting a tub of it next time. What stands out is how organized and friendly folks from the Rotary were. It was my first drive-thru ribfest and this one provided the best introduction to this format. (312)

The annual Rotary Ribfest in Pickering is always fun to attend, especially since it's close enough…read moreto home to walk to. There's always good food, beverages, entertainment, and so much more for all ages. I always have a good time, even if just taking pictures, but I do enjoy the food. The vendors are always friendly and welcoming, especially the ribbers. I enjoyed a brisket sandwich from Chef Rayon Campbell of Coal Pot Jerk, while my friends had an assortment of BBQ meats and treats from other vendors. We also had a Blooming Onion from Billy Bobs Blooming Onion. It was all good!

The usual rib trucks set up their shops on a great size and layout location in Pickering. If you…read morewant to enjoy the smell of Summer with all the smokiness from the BBQ, you won't be disappointed with the experience. There are some other food vendors if the kids are looking for something more interested for them too much. Great to drop by if you are in the neighborhood and all ages friendly. It is definitely not as crowded as the ones that held in Toronto so enjoy

Didn't visit Markham ribfest this year as they charge $5 admission and the lines have become…read morecomically long. Instead, opted to visit ribfest on the last day in Stouffville. It turned out to be a much wiser decision imo. More available parking, free entry, much cozier space (held in Memorial Park) but also WAY smaller lines. You were able to get to the front of the food lines within 15 mins tops. My friends and I bought our bbq from Sticky Fingers as it had the largest line (isn't that usually the rule of thumb? Pick the vendor with the longest line lol). So a friend and I ordered: - a full rack of pork ribs - a full rack of beef ribs - a pound of brisket - mac n' cheese - baked beans Funnily enough, we unanimously agreed (along w/ our friends who tried some of it), that even though it was RIBfest, the brisket was the best. We got some fatty and lean brisket in our pound and it was glorious. The pork ribs were 2nd place. While the beef ribs were good they still weren't quite as tender as I think I've ever had. The pork ribs also had way more flavour. The seasoning didn't quite permeate the beef ribs all the way down to the bone. The sides were mediocre. While the mac noodles were al dente, the cheese sauce was bland. Overall 4 stars. Can't give 5 stars because those prices were getting kinda ridiculous ... holy hell. They raised the prices out the wazoo.

Stouffville Country Ribfest has been kicking around for years. Oddly, I had never dropped by until…read morelast Saturday. Since this pandemic, the format has changed from a large ribfest with lots of activities at Memorial Park to a drive-thru version at the same place. I decided to give the drive-thru a whirl. Drive-thru events in Stouffville are organized exceptionally well. If you are getting a COVID-19 vaccination shot at the drive-thru, you need to book through Eventbrite. The same holds true for this ribfest, which was painless and straightforward. I booked a timeslot to drop by between 5 pm and 6 pm. I got there just after 5:30 pm. It was easy to locate. A woman that I first met asked if I had checked in online. I did and showed her my confirmation. She was pleased. She then found my name on her list and asked me to drive up a few feet. A second woman handed me a menu. I thanked her and slowly drove over to the rib vendors. This ribfest is probably one of the smaller ones that I have been to. There were only two rib vendors: - Sticky Fingers - Fat Boys BBQ Since I had already got ribs from the former at Scarborough Ribfest the previous weekend, my choice was simple. Go with the latter! There was good music provided by Excellent Productions to keep us all entertained while lining up. Perhaps I'm the only weirdo who ended up taking a photo of the staff there as I waited in line. Everyone there waved at me! I love friendliness. The Fat Boys BBQ line moved fast. When it was my turn to place my order, I had a helpful and nice woman help me out. I got the following: - Full rib rack meal, which comes with coleslaw and baked beans - Cornbread (2) I love cornbread. I had a feeling that this place's cornbread would be yummy when I saw a sign there that it offered a fully loaded cornbread with pulled pork. I paid using a credit card. I provided a tip. The woman let her colleagues know that I had added a tip and they all said thanks in unison. It was so unexpected, but a lovely gesture. I pulled up next to where all the barbeque magic was happening. Another woman provided a bag with my name on it. I thanked her, placed my food safely in the car as if I were guarding it with my life, and drove home. The food was amazing. Let's start with the cornbread. I love cornbread a lot. It was fabulous. It was perfect. Soft and buttery. Yum! I'm so glad that I got two. I had the other one for breakfast and smeared peach jam on it, which I have never done before. Wow! If I see this place again at another ribfest, I'm getting the fully loaded cornbread. The ribs here are so good! The meat was tender and hearty. The sauce was flavourful and delicious. I loved the ribs so much. I couldn't eat them all in one sitting. I had the remaining half the following day and they tasted even better! The baked beans were the best batch that I have had in a while. It was smoky, full of flavour, and wasn't overly sweet or salty. Just right. So yummy! The only weakness was the coleslaw. Although it was fresh, it lacked flavour. I ended up adding rib meat and baked beans on top. The coleslaw was that bland. I had a great experience here. There were lots of clear signs around to indicate that you're driving in one direction, along with staff to help with any questions. The entrance was at Hoover Park and Park Drives, and I exited at Park Drive and Main Street. (320)

Thanks for the experience! It was a lighthearted, organized and stress free experience…read more I've gone to a similar light show in the past, at Angus Glen, and it appears to be the same company. The location of this is easy to get to since it was right across from the Richmond Hill Go. I must say that the venue was much nicer at Angus Glen since it was on a golf course but I really can't complain! I think this is great for kids and families so be sure to pack into one car and check it out!!

Such a wonderful experience with my kids as a Yelp elite, this is a highly appreciated…read moreopportunity! We went Boxing Day and finished the night off with the spectacular light show in Meadowvale . It is near our place and very conveniently located! There was a Santa inside which added the cherry on top ! Definitely a wonderful experience with the whole family ! Wish I could have went down and walked around with the light displays; however on the other hand, it's chilling!