The Short Version:
Chain restaurant with everyday Happy Hour. Food is good for what it is. Friendly service.
The Long Version:
State and Main is a Canadian chain restaurant that started out in Calgary, AB. I feel it's similar to Moxies. Most items are not made from scratch and the menu while it has creative elements is never all that adventurous. It's a great restaurant for a mixed group. Those meat and potatoes types will find something inoffensive to them, and those with a more adventurous palate won't be too bored.
I'm a bit critical of chain restaurants in general because I prefer small independently owned mom and pop shops where everything is made from scratch, and usually with love and passion. My preference is no secret to anyone who knows me. However, I feel that State and Main is one of the better chains.
I went to State and Main with 2 of my friends for a late lunch that coincided with their Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is 2-5pm and 9pm to close, 7 days a week. Their Happy Hour is not that much of a deal though as you only save $1.50-$3 off the regular menu prices, depending on the item. It's not like those half-price Happy Hours.
I started with a State Soda (HH $6, regularly $8). I enjoyed it because it wasn't too sweet. It was vodka, club soda and a tiny bit of their signature "slush."
I was going to get their soup dumplings, but cannot have sesame seeds and was advised that the packaging on the dumplings said "contains sesame" so I opted to get the Baja Brussels Sprouts instead. I asked for them to go light on the sauce, as I don't like my food too saucy and our lovely server, Dakota, suggested that I get the sauce on the side. Which was a fantastic idea!
I also got a side portion of their mixed greens salad with the dressing on the side ($5.50).
The Brussels sprouts were very good. They were crispy on the outside and had powdered Parmesan cheese sprinkled on them. There was also bacon and roasted red peppers pieces in the dish. The lime and cilantro sauce that came on the side was almost not really needed because the Brussels sprouts tasted good as is. I did try a bit of the sauce and it was pleasant. I would get the Brussels sprouts again.
The mixed greens salad was better than I expected. It was a true mixed greens salad and not just romaine lettuce or the dreaded (well, I dread it because it's cheapie filler IMO) iceberg lettuce (it actually had no iceberg lettuce, yahoo!). It also had beets, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds and roasted chickpeas. Nothing too wild, but a bit more oomph than your run-of-the-mill garden salad. A few of the romaine spines were browning, but otherwise the other ingredients were fresh. I enjoyed the dijon vinaigrette and am happy I got it on the side because I used less than half of it.
One friend got the State Smash cocktail ($10 HH menu, regularly $12) and she enjoyed the raspberry flavour. She also got the Chili Coconut Calamari ($16 HH menu, regularly $18.50). She wasn't as happy with her meal as found it a bit too spicy and found the calamari not large or plump enough. Visually the calamari did look rather small and not meaty.
My other friend got the Baja Tacos with fries from their regular menu ($19). She really enjoyed her meal and the tacos looked great. The fish was battered and deep-fried. The fries were thicker cut but looked to be slightly battered or at least seasoned, and very crispy.
We had a lovely time and our server, Dakota, was friendly and helpful.
There was a slight error in our bills as the Happy Hour foods were charged at regular prices, but when I pointed this out, it was quickly fixed.
The decor I would describe as "casual plus." It's a bit more elevated than casual. They have fun framed prints on the walls. It has a pub feel.
The restaurant is in the Gloucester Centre complex. It's not part of the actual mall though. Lots of free parking available in the shopping complex parking lot.
#72 (2026) read more