Believe it or not, Toronto is home to a thriving BBQ scene, with plenty of family-friendly spots that cater to both adults and kids. Whether you’re looking for a casual weekend meal or planning a special family outing, these BBQ joints offer something for everyone. From slow-cooked brisket to kid-approved sides, here are 10 of the best BBQ spots in Toronto that will satisfy your cravings while keeping the little ones happy.
Negotiating phone time with teenagers can feel like a constant battle. It’s as if their devices are permanently attached to them, making it challenging to encourage breaks from screens. Even when they do put their phones down, the temptation to check social media or messages remains strong. This behaviour often leads to prolonged screen time, despite initial intentions for a quick check.
As a dad who loves BBQ and spends plenty of time with the family, I know how important it is to create meals that everyone—especially the kids—will enjoy. Whether you’re firing up your Big Green Egg for a weekend cookout or planning a backyard gathering, having kid-friendly options on the menu is key to keeping everyone happy. Here are some fun and easy BBQ ideas that will make your next family cookout a hit.
The following story is as true as it is hard to believe.
It’s always easy to look back once history has been made and say, I called that, but sometimes, it’s just how it goes. As we head to the 2018 Final Four in San Antonio, something I thought would never be mentioned again, came up today while I walked the kids to school.
The something that came up? Well it’s a tale that Harry may hold over me for the history of time. He made a choice and then changed it thanks to something I said.
What the hell am I talking about? Well as they say on the National, first a little back story.
Have you ever wanted to book an appointment with a registered dietitian and figured it would be too costly? Well what would you say if I told you there is a place that offers the service where you already go for your groceries? Yes, it’s true.
The dietitian program I am speaking of is offered at many of the Loblaws stores across Canada. In fact, the Loblaws we shop at weekly has the service and I had no idea it existed or that many of the services were free to the public until recently. Now that it has been pointed out, it’s like, I see that sign all the time.
I was given the opportunity to have a consultation with an in-store dietitian at Loblaws and I wanted to share my experience with you. I did learn a few things I was not expecting.
As a bonus, I also got some great tips on how to make Thanksgiving leftovers a little healthier. Don’t worry, I know Thanksgiving for us Canadians is long gone, but I will include some easy ways to take some classic comfort food dishes and make them healthier.
Hey parents, do any of you have kids that just eat their dinner without a fuss? You do? Liers!
Meal times have been a struggle lately, mostly with Charlie. He seems to think dessert is one of the meals of the day and not a nice treat after eating the meal you are supposed to eat first.
You know what I am talking about.
All classics in our house. I also want to mention we never cook anything we don’t think the boys will like. It certainly limits what we get to enjoy, but we do it anyways.
Dad did the Jays win last night?
Did Joshie hit a home run?
Did Pillar make a crazy catch??
Can we go to another game?
These are all daily questions in our house. From April until October, the Toronto Blue Jays take over the chatter in our family and it was a perfect storm of events that got us to that point.
First, our boys are of the age where baseball becomes fun and interesting. Harry (6) went to his first game two years ago and has been hooked ever since.
Charlie (3) just wants to do and like what his big brother likes, so it was easy for him to become a Junior Jay.
They play in the backyard. Harry has entered the world of organized teeball and baseball. Their Nana has been doing her best to promote her Jays fandom for years. It was bound to stick at some point.
Second, we moved back to Toronto in 2014. That meant hearing about the Jays in the news more. That meant actually being able to go to the games. That meant getting caught up in the hype very easily.
Third, that hype. The Jays are good. They are really good. That makes everyone excited to the point where we watch almost every game on TV now. I certainly did not do that a few years ago. Forget House of Cards, my wife and I end up watching Buck and Pat.
So you combine seeing the game through the eyes of your kids, being close to the action and the team challenging for a World Series and that is how it all went down.
Not Fair!
I never got one.
Why did he get one and I didn’t?
Hey I never got to go first yet?
Your breakfast smells.
That’s’ my book.
Do these phrases sound familiar parents?
In our house these and more are yelled out daily and in varying degrees of anger, sadness and bitterness.
It’s just part of the war of words in the great battle of siblings and in our case, brothers.
Every year I secretly look forward to a list that Sarah over at Solo Mom Takes Flight does. Basically she plans out my summer for me when it comes to entertaining the kids. Well it dropped finally and I love it. But after reading it, I had a lot of my own suggestions that did not make her list, so, I figured, let’s go for 100.
Don’t get me wrong, so many of Sarah’s ideas are great and if you follow her on Instagram, you know she loves visiting every part of Toronto. I can only strive to do the same.
Every thing she suggested made me think of a few more. I started remembering when I had the kids all summer a few years ago and all the places we went. It’s exciting.
Toronto is such a great city, especially in the summer. You never have to leave. You can find something fun to do every day and in all price ranges.
So, thanks for the inspiration Sarah. Please visit her blog and read about where in the world she is with her kids.
March! I love it. The weather changes, the days get longer and there is this little basketball tournament that takes over my life. We all know it as March Madness, and I hope it never stops.
I tested my brain the other day and tried to remember as far back as I could on what year I started watching. This is going to really age me, but I got back as far as 1986. Louisville won it all and I was hooked for the next 30 years and counting. Yes, when the tourney fires up this week, it will be my 30th watching on TV.
So many highs and lows. I have seen my team, Michigan, win once and lose a handful of times in dramatic fashion. The players come and go, but the name on the front of the jersey stays true.
There is no other sporting event like it. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can get wrapped up into buzzer beaters and upsets. You don’t have to know anything about the sport or the players, all you need is a heart.
