A new restaurant has breathed some fresh, buffalo wing-scented life into Wellington Plaza.
One Eyed Jack — a pub and grill with locations in Kingston, Lindsay, Oshawa, Peterborough, Toronto and Uxbridge — officially opened the doors of its newest restaurant in Barrie (in the former Uncle Bob's Country Buffet location) on Jan. 31, district manager Nish Mahendrarajah told BarrieToday.
Renovations at the 10,000-square-foot site took approximately a full year to complete, he said, adding the restaurant currently employs about 40 people and can seat 340 guests. It also includes three separate party rooms.
“Many guests from our other locations expressed interest in us coming to Barrie, and we saw it as a fantastic opportunity to grow alongside the city,” Mahendrarajah said.
“We pride ourselves on offering an elevated sports bar experience, featuring a stylish atmosphere, a diverse menu for all guests, generous portions, affordable prices and daily deals," he added.
That menu includes a little bit of everything for everyone, ranging from traditional pub food such as shepherd's pie and fish and chips to burgers, wings and ribs. It also includes a variety of soups and salads, and even several gluten-free and vegan options.
The feedback since opening last month has been “fantastic,” said Mahendrarajah.
“Many guests are impressed by our extensive menu and our ability to deliver prompt service,” said Mahendrarajah.
Like any new restaurant, he says they faced a few challenges in the first week, but is confident they have been able to work the kinks out.
“We’re continuously growing and striving to provide exceptional service and quality offerings for our guests," Mahendrarajah added.
The parking lot in front of the restaurant is almost always bustling since the restaurant fired up its grills for the first time, he said.
“We've had a fantastic turnout of guests, including wonderful regulars who bring great energy to our team. At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure every guest enjoys their time with us and feels their hard-earned money is well spent,” he said.
As for what those guests seem to be enjoying the most so far, Mahendrarajah says top sellers to date at the new Barrie location have included wings, a variety of burgers, ribs, halibut and chips, souvlaki and an assortment of pastas.
Looking to the future, Mahendrarajah told BarrieToday the restaurant management and staff are excited to collaborate with the community by bringing in entertainment, supporting local sports teams and creating a “fun and energetic atmosphere.”
“We also look forward to hosting special events, from birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and big team wins,” he added.
The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until midnight.