Sloppy Hogs Roed Hus (10406 118 Ave)

BBQ BBQ BBQ is what men always crave. So when I give the chance for my partner in crime to choose the restaurant, it was going to be BBQ or steak. I visited this place once before bringing along my male BFF.

This place is packed. By packed I mean, this place is super small and they take reservations and is quite busy. I went on both a Friday and again on a Tuesday and there wasn't any smaller of a crowd.

This place features a pig riding a motorcycle and purposedly misspelled name as its sign.

The first thing you see when you walk in (besides the amazing amount of people with large amounts of food in front of them) is a quaint little house on the prairie stove selling their marinates/ dipping sauces. In my opinion, I liked the honey mustard the best - its tangy with the right amount of thickness. The other two flavours are worthy mentions. You can try all three dipping sauces with any order of beef brisket.

Anyways, I'll cut to the point. Its a lot of food and no vegetables. The servers all have anti-vegetarian sentiments. Besides the offensive tshirts, the restaurant is very smoky inside (like I'm pretty the BBQ fumes fans out into the seating area). Also it is very dimlight

The menu features a few items served different ways. The appetizers are all standard BBQ - so sliders, poutine, fries, coleslaw. BBQ chicken, BBQ pulled pork, BBQ ribs, BBQ beef brisket are arranged in different manners but in the end you're getting the same thing. All meals come with cornbread and a side of beans. All items on the menu are priced decently for the amount you get. There are family sized packages for the brave.The alcohol list is well packed with your standard domestic beers, a few imports, and of course the "girly drinks"

1/2 ribs, 1/2 chicken with fries

Beef Brisket Burger w/ Mustard

You come out of this place smelling like BBQ. Its so good, you're so full and all the boys are happy. Just be prepared to feel really really greasy when you're done. But the satisfaction from food while showering is the best feeling. :D I give this 9/10.

Izakaya Tomo (3739 99 St)

So I know I haven't updated in a while. My phone broke, I got a new one and recovering all my pictures were a pain. 

Anyways, back in January, this little shop opened up. Izakaya Tomo is found in a weird awkward industrial part of town. Its hard to spot, but its by the south side Canada Post depot and tucked along side Don's Photo and a little pho place. 

When I went, it was quite busy. Reservations can be made in advance. I guess thats what happens when a new place opens up. You're first greeted by a friendly... er, friendly servers. The place itself is very small. A few bar stools. And very small tables. You won't fit more than 4 people.  The server seats you and gives you a menu. Then he introduces the place. (Apparently Izakaya is a bar or pub style in Japanese). He mentions the portions are very small and they're mainly appetizers or finger food, as he liked to put it.

The drink selection at Izakaya Tomo is very large, for Japanese imports, and for non alcoholic popular drinks. Outside the standard pop and juices, they offer Japanese teas, Japanese beers (not many domestic ones sorry!), and popular Japanese drinks (includes yakult and calpico!)

So you order the drinks and you open the menu. Its about 4 pages. Most of the food is decently priced, maybe on the pricey side once you see the sizes. The selection of sushi and standard Japanese meals are very limited. Everything in the menu has a western take or a very Japanese take. Like the server warns you, the portions are appetizer sized. Probably the larger dishes are udon and rice dishes but not so much.  Anyways, I've attached some images for you: 

 

Tuna Tataki - very fresh tuna in ponzu sauce with the right amount of onions and seaweed!

Takoyaki - very freshly fried and light and crispy inside. A large helping of dried octopus flakes on top. 

Fried Oyster Balls - the top part is a light yam hash 

Beef Tataki - thinly sliced meet in ponzu sauce over a bed of onions

I did order other things, but I got kinda hungry and I started eating those dishes before taking a picture. I enjoyed this place but I am kind of on the fence about coming back. Maybe its because I tend to avoid a bar setting when eating with my partner in crime. But, the atmosphere is enjoyable despite a bit cramp. 

If you get a chance, try it out! The food isn't really bad at all. :)