Chiu Chow Boy Restaurant

Today i am writing about my experience at Chiu Chow Boy Restaurant.  Located in North Scarborough, this "chui chow" restaurant has been a staple in the area for quite some time now.  If your idea of an easy going night with a nice Heineken and good food, this is one of the places to be.  We arrived at the restaurant approximately 6:00 p.m.  There were about 10 patrons in the restaurant.  We ordered quickly as we know that the longer we waited, the more likely we were going to run into the 6:30 crowd which would probably mean a longer wait period for our food.  Sure enough, shortly after we ordered, the restaurant began to fill up and by 6:30 p.m. the restaurant at the front was near capacity.  The great thing about this restaurant however is that there is also a back part where it seats about another 10 tables or so. So if you are late, no worries, there's always the back!!

Tonight we had the opportunity to order 5 dishes.  We ordered Minced Pork and Oyster Congee, Duck in Marinated Sauce, Fried Intestines, Sliced Chicken with Kale in Satay Sauce and Braised Garoupa with Tientsen Cabbage in Hot Pot.  To top it off we had a Chinese Green Bean Sweet Soup dessert. 

The duck and chicken came within 5 minutes.  I know that these 2 are some of the more popular dishes at this restaurant so quite often it is made ahead of time.  The chicken is served cold while the duck is lukewarm.  The chicken when you dip it into the satay sauce gives you this gingerly-coarse texture in your mouth.  The contrast as always hits all the right spots.  The chicken for some may find it fattening however for those who dare, they leave the entire sliced chicken there so for those who are more into the fatty pieces, they can eat the skin and those who are more health conscious can certainly just eat the meat part.  The duck came with some tofu in the centre.  The marinated sauce is not too salty while the duck meat was juicy and tender. 

Duck in Marinated Sauce

Sliced Chicken with Kale in Satay Sauce

Next came the fried intestines and I know many of you will have the first reaction as Ugh!  But one bite into this and you will say Wow!  The fried intestines are fried crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  It is almost like tasting a Chinese spring roll.  Slightly marinated, the taste is left with the original intestines itself.  It actually tasted very good. 

Fried Intestines

The garoupa came next and the fish did not disappoint.  Large chunk sizes of meat dominated the pot.  By placing it in the pot, it absorbs many of the cabbage flavor and makes the fish taste even better.  Finally we ordered a congee.  Tonight many of us were not in the mood of eating white rice so we spiced it up a little bit with a pork and oyster congee.  The oyster flavor gives it that extra seafood taste, and with a little bit of salt and white pepper it provides a wonderful congee.  It is certainly a great alternative to a bowl of white rice.

Braised Garoupa with Tientsen Cabbage in Hot Pot

Minced Pork and Oyster Congee

Lastly we had the dessert and it was good!  Despite it being "yellow" it is actually cooked from green beans.  Other than sugar there are no other additives.  It certainly is a wonderful dish to cap off a wonderful evening of food. 

For a group of five (not including the little one) it was a perfect meal for the night.  Everyone was full and there was none to take home.  It is an excellent place to take the family out for dinner.  We also had a side green vegetables as a 6th dish.  The total cost for 6 plates, 2 beers and a dessert came out to be a shade under 85 dollars taxes and tips included.  Of importance, this place does not take credit cards so please bring CASH.  There was no trouble from the waiters and waitresses and the food was great.  Overall I give this a place a 4.5 out of 5.

Chiu Chow Boy
3261 Kennedy Rd
Toronto, ON