Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto: Cocktails and Ribs in King West Village

Bootleg Smokehouse is located at the corner of Spadina Avenue and King Street in Toronto. The restaurant offers classic American barbecue favourites, alongside vegan and gluten free dishes.

Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto

Bootleg Smokehouse is located in the heart of Toronto’s trendy King West neighbourhood. The barbecue restaurant is brought to you by the team who opened Roxy on King and Watson’s, along with Fritz Wahl from Folly Brewpub.

The two-story building on Spadina Avenue was most recently an after hours bar. The previous space underwent a massive renovation, opening its doors in November 2018.

Bootleg owners explain, “Bootleg resides in a piece of Toronto architectural history at the Bay and Gable House on Spadina Ave. The house remains as one half of the once joined unit that was split after the Second World War to create a laneway. A Bay-and-Gable is a distinct architectural style of house that is ubiquitous in the older parts of Toronto. The style faded as modernism was embraced in the years after World War II.”

Bootleg Smokehouse finds inspiration from the prohibition era, making this unique piece of Toronto’s history the optimal location for a craft cocktail and barbecue concept.

The second floor dining room at Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto. — The second floor dining room at Bootleg Smokehouse on Spadina.

Step Inside Bootleg Smokehouse in Toronto

The conceptual design of Bootleg Smokehouse was done by In De5ign. The owners also added homey touches, such as a framed collage wall and images hanging from prohibition eras in the US and Canada. You’ll also find photos of rum-runners and crowds celebrating the repeal of the 18th amendment, but also fun vocabulary used at the time like “giggle water” – an alcoholic beverage.

Bootleg Smokehouse offers a lower level bar and dining area, an extended upstairs dining room as well as a private dining room for large groups to share feasting menus.

Craft cocktails at the Bootleg Smokehouse bar in Toronto.

The Bar at Bootleg Smokehouse

Hop up at the Bootleg bar and you’ll find a focus on craft cocktails. The popular King West restaurant and bar is known for offering a reasonably priced Scotch and Bourbon selection.

Tomoka: flor de cana 7 year rum, elderflower, jalepeno, lime, ginger beer
Black Bird: montenegro, buffalo trace, angostura bitters
Shebeen: leyenda mezcal, ardbeg 10 year angostura bitters, orange black peppercorn
Harlem Sunset: romeo’s gin, elderflower, aperol, lavender, lemon
Untouchables: bearface 7 year, fernet, lemon, orange bitters

The beverage program at Bootleg Smokehouse also gravitates towards craft beer and fine wine. The restaurant has a rotation off five craft taps and a selection of premium bottles. Wine is a healthy balance of old and new world.

Cornbread and smoked olives at Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto. — Cornbread and smoked olives at Bootleg Smokehouse.

Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto Menu

The menu at Bootleg restaurant is designed to be enjoyed as small plates between friends and family.

Inspired by traditional smoking techniques and modern scratch cooking, Chef Kevin has built a menu that offers a modern flair to the traditional American smokehouse. Wiggling your finger down the Bootleg Smokehouse menu and you’ll find an inclusive menu for all dietary choices. It’s a barbecue restaurant in Toronto you can easily bring your vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friends.

Smoked cauliflower at Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto. — Smoked cauliflower at Bootleg restaurant.

Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto: From The Garden

This King West restaurants most popular dishes from the garden include cornbread of the day, warm smoked olives, smoked cauliflower with creamy coconut, and Mac and Cheese served in a cast iron skillet.

Cornbread du Jour: daily flavour, smoked butter
Smoked Olives: cerignola and kalamata, chili
Bootleg Baked Beans: house bbq, white beans
Roasted Brussel Sprouts: house smoked bacon, butter, house mayo
French Fries: hand cut fries, ketchup
Mushroom + Blue Cheese Salad: smoked portobello, creme fraiche, pickled onion, arugula
Blistered Shishito Peppers: olive oil, smoked maldon
Confit Tempeh: nahsville style tempeh, dill cornbread, house pickles, jalapeno pesto
Mac + Cheese: white cheddar, gemelli
Smoked Cauliflower: coconut, beets
Collard Greens: vegetable broth, collards, smoked maldon

Pork ribs at Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto. — Pork ribs at Bootleg restaurant in Toronto.

Bootleg Smokehouse Toronto: From The Land

Barbecue fans will love the restaurant’s perfectly smoked half rack, brisket, and herbed chicken.

Andouille: burnt thyme, folly mustard
Pulled Pork Tostadas: house bbq, corn tortilla, guacamole, pickled onion
Beef Sliders: jalapeno chimichurri, sticky mushrooms
Tenderloin Tartare: smoked tenderloin, egg yolk, house pickles, folly mustard, jalapeno oil
Herbed Half Chicken: smoked chicken, burnt rosemary, roasted lemon
Three Peppercorn Brisket: jalapeno chimichurri, house bbq, pepper sauce
Bootleg Half Rack: pork back ribs, house bbq, slaw, baked beans