Restaurant: Upper Deck by Fran’s
Location: 20 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1K2
Price Range: $$
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Can you believe it’s almost October? Yet the temperature is still warm and I’m telling you, I ain’t complaining as I despite the cold weather. Also, warm weather means patio weather! If you are in search of a perfect patio, then I recommend checking out the new Upper Deck by Fran’s that was launched earlier this summer.
Upper Deck by Fran’s took over the two upper levels of Fran’s flagship College street location and instead of a classic diner vibe, it is more of a casual eatery. This location features an all season rooftop patio (retractable roof) with huge TV’s screens hovering the bar and plenty of communal seating. I also noticed the random cool mists spraying down here and there, which is perfect for humid summer days.
Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the restaurant’s menu focuses on Americana and international flavours. Customers can expect generous diner-style breakfasts and home-style comforts with contemporary twists.
The restaurant also offers an extensive seasonal cocktail menu, including classic and shareable cocktails, and a nice list of scotch & whiskey! I tried both the Sangria and Mojito, and let me tell you, they don’t skimp out on the alcohol here :).
Aside from Fran’s classic dishes, Upper Deck by Fran’s features an extensive $5 menu that was made for sharing. I was trying to be a bit healthier that day, so I regret my choices on the $5 menu… as the two dishes that I ordered weren’t necessarily the greatest. For example, the ribs here were a tad too dry for my taste. Thinking back, I should have ordered the deep fried ravioli (filled with cheese!) or the chili lime shrimp cup as my fellow foodie friends raved about them.
The bacon cheeseburger meatball wasn’t too bad but a bit strange to eat? I supposed for some reason I misread these as sliders as the word “burger” automatically reminded me of burger buns, thus I was a bit surprised to see that there was no bread lol.
The perfect combination of sweet and salty with a spicy kick, this Chicken & Waffle was ah-mazing. The chicken was nicely seasoned, perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat. Love how the waffle had slight crust and it wasn’t soggy either. The subtle heat in the honey maple syrup really tied the chicken and waffle together perfectly!
The steak was perfectly medium rare and I loved that the chef kept the seasoning simple which allowed the natural flavor of the steak to shine. The smooth & creamy mashed potato along with the sautéed mushrooms were the perfect condiments to the steak!
Not only this location of Fran’s is near my place, another thing I really loved about this location (compare to others) was the customer service. Every server that attended to us was absolutely charming and extremely attentive. Also, just like the diner below, the menu at the Upper Deck by Fran’s was not overpriced at all, especially considering how much food they give you; the plates were massive! Overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Upper Deck by Fran’s and I would come back at any time just to enjoy the patio with a nice glass of their signature cocktails.