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    Toons Bar & Grill

    3.9 (301 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Burgers, Barbeque
    Open 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Toons Bar & Grill Photos

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    TOONS BAR & GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Toons Bar & Grill

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    Emily M.

    I ordered a late lunch from Toons via DoorDash today and it was amazing! I got their chili and a Caesar salad and I literally inhaled every bite. The flavors were so good and just hit the spot perfectly. I love Toons because it is a KC Chiefs bar whenever they play. It really feels like my home away from home and every order reminds me why I keep coming back. Highly recommend if you want great food and a cozy, fun atmosphere!

    Outside
    Rob G.

    This is one my favorite stops for wings in Chicago. If you are going to get any flavor, you must try the Buffalo Garlic. These have the traditional Buffalo wing sauce but have more than a hint of garlic. Perfect! The bar itself is your traditional Chicago corner bar with lots of TVs, great beer selection and friendly service. I would make this a stop if you're in the Southport or Wrigleyville area.

    Pineapple infused vodka
    Bryanna J.

    My friends and I went here to watch the Illinois vs. Northwestern game. Such a fun atmosphere! Lots of space and tvs for watching and wasn't too crowded. We ordered wings, onion rings, fries, and mozz sticks. The wings were so yummy, recommend the buffalo, buffalo garlic, and sticky Korean. The staff there were all kind and funny. Also - they make their own pineapple infused vodka, it's so good, recommend if you're not a huge fan of plain shots. I would definitely come back!

    Annie's Beer Cheese Soup. I almost ate it all before taking this pic, sorry
    Patrick P.

    I lived in Chicago for 20 years, starting in December of 2000. My friend lived nearby, on Clark and Byron which was two blocks away. This was the first bar I went to when I arrived. Neighborhood joint, but also good enough for people to make it a destination spot to visit. The Southport corridor has changed so much over the past two decades...bars and restaurants coming and going, upscale retail buildings replacing old one story strip malls. But Toons has endured and also thrived. I never lived in a big city before, and it was a crazy experience. I first lived near Lake Michigan on Sheridan- but still came up to Lakeview to play pool and for the first time I saw an indoor shuffle puck game in a bar. The freezer where they keep the popular liquors cold for shots is the same. Reminds me of my childhood and now is covered in stickers and decorations where you cannot find one open millimeter. It felt like nothing has changed since that night just under 23 years ago. My friend Sean now has worked here for almost 3 years now, and I disclose that while stating that he didn't when I first visited so that this is a genuine review of this place. Ally was also friendly, professional and easy to chat with. The entire team looked out for me, Tyler asking if I needed any utensils, extra items, refills- I never needed to ask for anything whatsoever. Laney was also super friendly, turns out we have a couple mutual friends. I'm in town visiting as many friends as I can, while helping my good buddy promote his new tequila line by making introductions- and decided to come by here and get something to eat before going back to my hotel for the night. It's 8 PM and the bar is busy but I was told "it's a slow night" I miss Chicago. Tonight on special was Annie's famous Wisconsin beer cheese soup. Sold! Got a bowl and it came piping hot, hearty with veggies and potatoes and a hot roll that I broke up like mini croutons and devoured it. By the time I remembered to take a photo it was almost gone so I am sorry for that photo heh heh. The food coming out of the kitchen is flying out at an incredible pace. I could watch this all evening. I ordered the popcorn shrimp and asked to sub out the fries with tater tots. Look at the photo below! These are not your ordinary popcorn shrimp. These are essentially actual shrimp (tail free!) and comes with Buffalo sauce and homemade Blue cheese dressing and some truly tasty pickle chips for a relief from all the fried items. I'm really happy to take a trip down memory lane and had an amazing meal while catching up with a friend I haven't seen in a while. Also bumped into some folks I knew from when I lived here- just another part of the amazing place and experience that is Toons. Support small owned businesses! Come on by, eat some great food, and have a few drinks and make some lifelong friends. Thanks to the team here at Toons for making a guy who came alone to eat feel like a part of the family/team dynamic. I gotta give my bud Sean a shout out for introducing me to everyone. Now I'm feeling the food coma coming on so I'm off to my hotel for some much needed sleep!

    Bar staff rocks

    Toons is our favorite neighborhood spot. Iconic. If you visit Southport and don't visit Toons, you have failed. Tonight - Cole and Scott had us dying when we asked them to take a pic and they also snapped a stunning shot behind the bar. Could this place be any better? No! By the way - get the buffalo wings. Go cubs.

    Grilled Portobello Salad
    Tracy L.

    We are frequent diners at Beck's, so we finally made it into Toon's to try it out. The vibe was similar, but more dive-y and younger crowd at Toon's. Menu offerings had a few of the same items, but we tried the Fried Catfish Po'boy and Grilled Portobello Salad since they aren't at Beck's. My bf said the Po'boy was good and nicely fried. The Salad was fresh and generous with mushrooms, but it was too heavy on the vinegar. It seemed busy inside, and we were seated outside -- The service was friendly but just okay.

    bar space
    Kate M.

    Toons! I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this neighborhood spot. If you're looking for a classic dive bar with amazing food - this is IT! Seat yourself at the bar or one of the hightops and wait for the (awesome) bartender to come grab your order. Everything is super relaxed, friendly, and is far enough from Southport Corridor and Wrigleyville that it's not overly crowded. As someone who isn't a fan of your classic beer, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of ciders and less beer-y tasting options available. The Strawberry Lager from Abita was perfectly light and refreshing. I'm also a huge fan of the Vander Mill Totally Roasted which Toons carries. Food: the food here is really what sets it apart from other bars (and even some other restaurants!) in the area. It's bar food, but it's perfection. We started with the buffalo chicken strips which are served over a bed of fries. The chicken strips has the perfect crunch and the mild sauce was not too spicy but packed with flavor. Fries? Phenomenal. Jive sandwich? Delicious. Pulled pork quesadilla? YES PLEASE. The only thing I wasn't super in love with was the pretzel which was very average and the cheese was cold. Everything else was was so yummy. In you're in the area and missing out on this gem like I was, this is your sign to drop into toons and grab a beer

    Pulled Pork Quesadilla
    Garrett M.

    A long-time hidden gem on the Southport corridor. Food well outside of its league (bar food, to be sure, but absolutely phenomenal). Haven't had a bad night at Toons. Always welcoming. Always fun. Fair prices and a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend the Buffalo chicken strips and pulled pork quesadilla. Another go-to is the Jive Turkey.

    Buffalo wings and garlic Parmesan wings
    Alyssa G.

    This place was great! We got two servings of XL wings, 4 flavors, for four people. The wings were tasty and came with plenty of ranch. We sat in the back room and they put the game we requested on the TV, really appreciate that. Service was great and overall recommend!

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    29 days ago

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    2 months ago

    My go-to place to hit up before Wrigley. Drinks are always good. Food is always delicious. Service is always on point.

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    8 months ago

    Fun as always! Family outing to an oldie but goodie! Service was excellent. Love the ambiance. So glad it's still around.

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Our favorite neighborhood spot! Great food and staff. Best wings (and French fries) in Chicago. Doesn't get any better than Toons!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great service, and a great neighborhood bar. Loud, but to be expected. Small patio as well that would be nice to sit at.

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    2 years ago

    Great place! I got the buffalo chicken tenders and they were super good but a bit spicy. The fries here are out of this world good

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    3 years ago

    "A culinary journey worth taking! The menu boasts an array of delectable options, ensuring a memorable dining experience."

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    3 years ago

    Great neighborhood bar. Friendly staff. Solid draft beer selection and food. A classic spot in the Southport Corridor.

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    Green Street Smoked Meats - Sliced Brisket, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, complimentary white bread, Cornbread with Honey Butter

    Green Street Smoked Meats

    4.4(2.4k reviews)
    4.8 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    food was very good, whole group felt a little robbed for the portion sizes though, $36 for the…read moreposted picture, friend got 3 skinny ribs and a large slice of cornbread for $25. The Star seems to be the sides, which, while still quite expensive, are all very filling and come in similar or more weight than the meats. Service was nice and ambiance was great, but not nearly enough to make up for the expected quantity.

    BABY WHEN I TELL YOU THIS RIGHT HEREEE!!!! This was the best barbecue I've had in years. I thought…read moreMr.Tendernism was in the back grilling. TOO GOOD. We ordered the brisket, baked beans , and ribs. The brisket was juicy and tender. It was delicious!!!! I do wish it was more hot temperature wise. The brisket got cold quick. The ribs were my favorite! I wish we got three orders of them. They were perfectly tender filled with flavor. The char on them had the perfect smoky touch. The baked beans were delicious, they weren't too sweet but they were filled with a slight sweet note that I believe comes from the pork bits in it. So good! We enjoyed our food with the spicy barbecue sauce. I highly recommend that barbecue sauce! Total we spent for all that was around $55. To drink I had the bourbon sweet tea. The bartender was a bit rude. I feel like my drink could've been made with more love but it did the job. My drink costed about $17 I will be coming here again. There was ample enough seating. It's beautiful coming here at night. From the scenery inside you'll feel like you're in a movie. This experience fully blew my mind.

    Photos
    Green Street Smoked Meats - Photo from the bar

    Photo from the bar

    Green Street Smoked Meats - Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

    Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

    Green Street Smoked Meats - Inside

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    Inside

    Offset BBQ - St Louis Style Ribs - Half Rack Elote Cornbread (2 pieces)

    Offset BBQ

    4.7(304 reviews)
    3.2 miHumboldt Park, West Town
    $$

    This is my favorite restaurant in the city. Service is great. They play good music. It's a bunch…read moreof people. They remember my name and treat me like I'm their friend. It's nice to have a place like that to go to. It's also a nice low key date spot. The garlic buffalo sauce is incredible. The half chicken is awesome as is the brisket. Try the waffle fries yum!!

    I've been craving some MEAT for a while, and after reading Sam C.'s review, I was sold - I grabbed…read moremy keys and made my way over! When I find myself thinking of a return trip while still there, you know for sure Offset BBQ delivers! I ordered the All Beef Platter, and got the Brisket Chili (upgrade) as my side. The sausage was fantastic! It had a snap which made all the Chicago Hot Dogs within a 20 mile radius jealous. Inside was a maximally savory, salty but not over-salted filling. The kind of meat that needs no sauce. Then comes the brisket! A lovely piece of meat that was so tender, looking at it and licking my lips caused the meat to start falling apart. I also loved that it was a good balance of meaty and fatty bits. However, there is a small 'but' here. For my taste, the brisket needed a very light sprinkle of salt. No matter, with the help of the sauces the brisket leveled up enough to take on any boss battle thrown at it. Speaking of sauces: The KC Style and Hawaiian were both good. Both were sweet, and had some tang, though, it seemed the KC had a slight edge in the bold department between the two. A sauce I loved though was the Chicago White, a fantastic Horseradish and Mustard sauce that was unique, interesting, savory, fresh, and a little spicy. The kind of sauce I want to buy a container of and take home! For my side, I upgraded to the bowl of brisket chili. I loved this so much, I may just order this as a main on a return visit. The chili did not at all skimp on the meat, which was tender and flavorful. The use of beans, corn, and veggies were there to help accent everything else, and were themselves cooked perfectly. Kudos also for the inclusion of a couple pickled jalapeno slices. My heat tolerance may be too high to feel a burn, but the crispness of acid did wonders! The included coleslaw was one thing I did not love. I appreciated that they were not heavy handed on the mayo, and the dressing overall was light in quantity and consistency. However, the cabbage was sliced as if by a sleep deprived stagiaire who has yet to master knife skills. The slicing was terribly inconsistent, with some pieces being way too large. For dessert, I ordered the Blueberry Handpie. This was so much better than expected! The crust was flaky and wonderful, and the filling had plentiful sweet blueberries. This dish also excelled in its execution. The cast iron pan kept the pie warm, and the ice cream was such that didn't melt right away. I also loved that the blueberries weren't screaming hot and exploding with lava. When it comes to the service, the bar-server was fantastic. She was kind, friendly, and attentive. Food came out pretty fast, too, considering how fresh everything was. Finally, while I did not make laps around the entire establishment, the vibe has just the right intersection between BBQ and Rock & Roll, with the music playing at the perfect volume to be appreciated while being not at all intrusive. Final verdict: There are many who sing the praises of Smoque BBQ, which is a great spot. However, between the two, I prefer Offset. Other than a sloppy-chopped Coleslaw, the experience was fantastic not only in the food, but in the execution and the thought put into the experience.

    Photos
    Offset BBQ
    Offset BBQ - 12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

    12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

    Offset BBQ - Looking out at California.

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    Looking out at California.

    3 Little Pigs Chi

    3 Little Pigs Chi

    4.6(396 reviews)
    3.4 miIrving Park

    Being my first time in Chicago, I definitely had to try 3LP as it was highly recommended by all my…read morefriends. And boy, my mouth is still watering from the thought of the salt and pepper fried chicken sandwich! Juicy, crispy and huge-- I devoured it so quickly after taking that first bite that I didn't even have time to let the camera eat first. Best fried chicken sandwich handsdown! The bbq pork was also another standout with its sweet and tender goodness! And can we talk about how cute the takeout bag is?

    When I researched food spots to hit up on my visit to Chicago, I stumbled upon 3 Little Pigs and…read morewas really looking forward to this spot. Came here on a Thursday afternoon. The place is inside another store which threw me off since I watched YouTube vid of this place and had a different vibe. Placed my order in a kiosk and waited for my order. Sat at a table with a swing. The place didn't smell like bbq food which makes me think that the food is not made at the store itself... ended up ordering the BBQ Pork Char siu ($11.95) which was luke warm and was ok. Also got the salt and pepper chicken box ($12.95) which was also luke warm and the rice was dry and not hot... Maybe this was an off day or the food was premade and just heated up but I was def disappointed. Or maybe I had high expectations prior... If I visit Chicago again, I might try the other location, if they make the food on premise.

    Photos
    3 Little Pigs Chi
    3 Little Pigs Chi - BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

    BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

    3 Little Pigs Chi - Full order bbq pork

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    Full order bbq pork

    Blackwood BBQ - Crispy Juicy Chicken Sandwich and waffle fries  They will see me a second time

    Blackwood BBQ

    4.1(408 reviews)
    4.8 miThe Loop
    $$

    My meal here was surprisingly tasty for a chain BBQ place…read more The lunch special was great. $12.99 for a pulled pork sandwich, side, and drink. That is essentially unbeatable downtown. The pork was juicy and the KC style bbq sauce was good (other options were Chicago, Memphis, Carolina(?)). The mac and cheese was really tasty, I found myself scraping the bowl for more. It had a really nice crust on top. The service was quick and friendly.

    I've had the full spectrum of BBQ from mind-blowingly incredible to places I send people I don't…read morelike. I am pleased to report that Blackwood BBQ is somewhere between "good" and "very good". It won't knock your socks off, but it is nowhere close to "bad." It's perfect for what it is, that being: a spot for a bite during the lunch hour. On both visits, I ordered the two meat platter, with brisket and sausage. Both were flavorful and savory, with the brisket being balanced in terms of meaty vs fatty (as requested). Now, that said, the prices at Blackwood are on the high side. On the one hand, I know the price of a pound of ground beef is greater than the minimum wage (as of this writing). However, I also can't help but feel the punch to the wallet when two meats and one side, where one of those is brisket, and a soda comes to somewhere between $20-25 (I think it's close to $25, but don't want to misspeak). Half a pound of meat is not a lot, making the wallet punch even worse. Then there comes the service. Most of the folks working here are professional and welcome. There is this one person, though, whose level of gruffness seems a bit high. It wasn't so much a lack of pleasantries for the sake of efficiency as it was annoyance that customers exist? Final verdict: If you're working in the loop, and craving BBQ, Blackwood is a rock-solid spot, but the high prices mean it likely isn't practical for a regular spot. If it's a weekend, there are better options out there.

    Photos
    Blackwood BBQ - Menu

    Menu

    Blackwood BBQ - Salad option

    Salad option

    Blackwood BBQ - Half a dozen sauce regions!

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    Half a dozen sauce regions!

    Soul & Smoke Avondale - Brisket Sandwich

    Soul & Smoke Avondale

    3.7(116 reviews)
    1.8 miAvondale
    $$

    While visiting Roscoe Village we went out for lunch. We had several items and they were all very…read moregood. The side sampler was a lot of food. Portion sizes were generous. There are a couple of ways to order. There is a kiosk or a QR code to order and pay or if you are using the "InKind" app you will order from the counter. Once ordered there is table delivery. The counter staff was very helpful. There is a large comfortable indoor seating area and also outside seating both with views of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Tips I recommend the In Kind app and so does Soul & Smoke. If you're in a group share to experience the various offerings.

    I discovered Soul & Smoke Avondale via Google after searching for good black-owned businesses to…read moresupport on Juneteenth. Soul & Smoke was one of six top black-owned spots to support. This women-led restaurant in Chicago is renowned for its mouthwatering barbecue, brisket, and soul food sides, making it the ideal spot for a meal on Juneteenth. Once I realized it was the closest to me and offered a plant-based option, I knew exactly where I wanted to order from. I ended up ordering the smokey joe sandwich (vegan sloppy joe sandwich), with a side of mac + cheese, and a sprecher soda. Whether I'm using Grubhub or Uber Eats, I love ordering online because it's so convenient. I also want to praise my delivery driver for arriving at a reasonable time with my order and meeting me right in front of my residence. Grateful to have had a smooth online ordering experience because the likelihood of me ordering online again is very high. As for my order, my first response after my first bite of the vegan sloppy joe was, "Mmm, that is good!" If you are a foodie like me, then you know what the next few minutes--or, better yet, seconds--consisted of. Yes, I pretty much devoured that vegan sloppy joe, leaving nothing behind but what was left on my fingertips. The last time I had a vegan sloppy Joe was a few years ago in celebration of my birthday, and trust me, it wasn't as good as this one at Soul & Smoke. It could easily be confused with real meat if you aren't aware that it is vegan. I saved the side order for last, which was that delicious-looking mac and cheese. Mmm... "Oh my God!" was my initial response after my first forkful, which was lightly seasoned with a delightful taste. I must say it was the perfect side for the vegan sloppy joe. After my last bites, I had the slightest grin on my face, and the only thing on my mind was that I will definitely have it again in the future. The sprecher soda - cherry cola was the perfect complement to my meal. Introduced to me by Soul & Smoke, I am so pleased with this award-winning craft soda from Milwaukee's oldest craft brewery that I will be on the lookout for it in the future. I would gladly order from Soul & Smoke Avondale again, whether online or whenever I am in the area. With that, I am happy to share my endorsement of it with you all here on Yelp. Ambiance: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Food: 5/5 ~ You Are Your Choices. ~ Thomas G

    Photos
    Soul & Smoke Avondale
    Soul & Smoke Avondale - SMOKED PRIME BRISKET,  SMOKED DUROC RIB TIPS, & SIGNATURE MAC CHEESE

    SMOKED PRIME BRISKET, SMOKED DUROC RIB TIPS, & SIGNATURE MAC CHEESE

    Soul & Smoke Avondale - MEAT SAMPLER

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    MEAT SAMPLER

    Chicago q - Happy Birthday, Kate

    Chicago q

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    3.8 miNear North Side
    $$

    Food: one of the most consistent BBQ restaurants in Chicago! The food is flavorful, moist, and well…read moreseasoned. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Sunday Brunch...OMGGGG. Go there once and you'll make a Sunday ritual for the boys and the girlies especially during football season . Afterwards, enjoy a nice cigar from next door. Service: The service is amazing! I've been a patron for over 15 years. Even after relocating to Virginia, returning to Chicago twice a year, I dine here at least twice per visit and bring my husband's favorite back each time. Everyone is always smiling, very knowledgeable of the menu and the "Master Bartenders" make the best cocktails. They are extremely knowledgeable of their extensive bourbon collection. Honestly, one would assumed they worked for a distillery. Its so great to see staff help and support one another. In addition, they immediately acknowledge customers when come into the restaurant. They make me and my bestie feel right at home. Ambiance: The Ambiance is inviting, comfortable, and more importantly, you'll feel right at home. The summer outdoor seating makes you feel like you're at the best backyard BBQ you'll never want to end. It's important to recognize a good business who deserves to be in business. I can't wait to return for some good ole lip smacking BBQ

    Consistently great barbecue, the beef ribs are a standout as is the whole shoulder. The service is…read moreefficient and the menu has great sides, if you have vegetarians unfortunately this isn't the place if they want more than the coleslaw and cornbread (both are great). The restaurant is in a historic building area on Dearborn, its upscale barbecue but not stuffy

    Photos
    Chicago q - BBQ done with style

    BBQ done with style

    Chicago q
    Chicago q

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    Carson's

    Carson's

    4.1(472 reviews)
    4.9 miNear North Side
    $$$

    Loved the bar over looking the Riverwalk. Enjoyed the foos very much. Great service, nice people…read more Will return if I go back to Chicago

    I have been dining at Carson's restaurant for over 30 years, but after my experience last night, I…read morewill be looking for a new barbecue spot. Up until four years ago, I used to visit at least five or six times every single year. Last night was my first time back since then, and I was deeply disappointed by how much the standards have slipped. The entire evening felt incredibly rushed. The person taking our order seemed to be in a massive hurry, acting short and dismissive with us. To make matters worse, an automatic gratuity was added to the bill. While I understand this is becoming a common industry practice, a gratuity should ultimately be an option based on service. The server did mention at the end that we could have it removed if we wanted to, but customers shouldn't be forced into that awkward position in the first place. Unfortunately, the quality of the food has also gone downhill. I always used to order the ribs and frequently took extra food home because it was so good. Last night, the food left a lot to be desired. The barbecue simply isn't what it once was. When my uncle graduated in the 90s we went to your previous downtown location.He loved the restaurant as well; the food, the exceptional service, and the warm atmosphere. I went there year after year. While I respect that they have managed to stay in business for 30 years, there were just too many issues with both the service and the food for me to return.

    Photos
    Carson's
    Carson's
    Carson's - Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

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    Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

    Toons Bar & Grill - bars - Updated September 2026

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