The Best BBQ Restaurants in Queen West, Toronto, Ontario

There is nothing better than a good BBQ on a warm summer day. For those with a backyard, this can be as simple as putting some steaks on your portable propane-fueled grill. But the culinary practice of barbecue is not quite that simple. It takes skill and patience to create a masterful meal. Many of the best BBQ dishes take up to 18 hours to cook.

The word barbecue was used for the first time by the Spanish to describe the cooking method of the Caribbean-the slow-smoking of meat over an open flame. By the 19th century, barbecue became popular in South America. People began to create large brick and metal grills specifically designed to cook meat using charcoal or wood instead of using electrical heating.

Most chef's will differentiate between grilling and barbecuing. Grilling can be defined as cooking under a heat source, similar to the broil setting in an oven. Barbecuing specifically refers to cooking over a heat source like a fire. It is a slow process, but the result is a fusion of flavor from spiced rubs, meat fat, and the fumes of the flame.

Smoking is a commonly used technique that preserves the juices and flavouring of food while adding a distinct essence of the burning coal or wood. The food is exposed to the smoke in a carefully sealed container with an extremely low heat source, allowing the flavours to steep together over hours. Oak, maple, and Apple wood can be added to the grill. This will intensify the flavour. Cheese and vegetables are often cooked this way, as are fish and pork.

Many restaurants have barbecued options on their menu, but authentic barbecue is hard to find. Luckily, MenuPalace showcases some of the best BBQ restaurants in Toronto and the GTA.