Ben Wicks Restaurant
424 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 3A2
416-961-9425
An entertaining haunt once frequented and owned by the famed eponymous cartoonist.
Category:
Restaurants
What:
| Cuisine Type | | English, Asian |
| Ambiance | | Casual |
| Meals Served | | Brunch, Dessert, Dinner |
| Amenities | | Internet, Live Entertainment |
| Pricing | | $21 - $30 |
| Payment | | Interac, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Cash |
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | High Park |
| Getting There | | College/Gerrard streetcar |
| Cross Street | | Gerrard |
When:
| Daily 3PM - 1AM |
Profile Last Updated: January 13, 2009
Wicks’ Wit
Named after the famous Canadian political cartoonist, the Ben Wicks is something of a shrine to its late namesake, who did actually own the place for a couple of years in the 1980s. Panels from Wicks’ cartoons grace the walls of what looks essentially like a spacious pub. Wicks painted some cartoons right onto the walls, colourful sketches that have been dutifully preserved by the Ben Wicks’ current owners. With Wicks’ wit and wisdom serving as inspiration, the Ben Wicks is a fertile location for engaging conversation. And while Wicks’ satire may be of another era, it no doubt appeals to the more mature crowd that tends to gather here.
It’s All Fun and Games
Should fond reminiscences of the bygone days of Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark not sustain the fun, the Ben Wicks features a large, spread out games room. Board games, including multiple editions of Trivial Pursuit, are scattered around haphazardly. A quaint, partially enclosed darts also room sits next to a computer hooked up to the internet, available for customer use. The Ben Wicks is also outfitted with WiFi for those who like to surf the web on their laptops while enjoying an afternoon pint. The Ben Wicks features live music of the jazz and standards variety during the fall and winter months, and in spring and summer, people gravitate towards the spacious patio outside.
Better Menu
The Ben Wicks once had a run-of-the-mill pub menu, which has since been revamped. The room on the left flank of the building has been redone as a dining room with retro ‘70s flair, and has actually been renamed the “Left Room”. The menu still has pub fare – burgers, sandwiches, pizza and nachos- but also features Asian influences including Yellow Thai Curry Lamb, as well as some intriguing specialties like Fried Chicken and Waffles. The Ben Wicks also has a special brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Named after the famous Canadian political cartoonist, the Ben Wicks is something of a shrine to its late namesake, who did actually own the place for a couple of years in the 1980s. Panels from Wicks’ cartoons grace the walls of what looks essentially like a spacious pub. Wicks painted some cartoons right onto the walls, colourful sketches that have been dutifully preserved by the Ben Wicks’ current owners. With Wicks’ wit and wisdom serving as inspiration, the Ben Wicks is a fertile location for engaging conversation. And while Wicks’ satire may be of another era, it no doubt appeals to the more mature crowd that tends to gather here.
It’s All Fun and Games
Should fond reminiscences of the bygone days of Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark not sustain the fun, the Ben Wicks features a large, spread out games room. Board games, including multiple editions of Trivial Pursuit, are scattered around haphazardly. A quaint, partially enclosed darts also room sits next to a computer hooked up to the internet, available for customer use. The Ben Wicks is also outfitted with WiFi for those who like to surf the web on their laptops while enjoying an afternoon pint. The Ben Wicks features live music of the jazz and standards variety during the fall and winter months, and in spring and summer, people gravitate towards the spacious patio outside.
Better Menu
The Ben Wicks once had a run-of-the-mill pub menu, which has since been revamped. The room on the left flank of the building has been redone as a dining room with retro ‘70s flair, and has actually been renamed the “Left Room”. The menu still has pub fare – burgers, sandwiches, pizza and nachos- but also features Asian influences including Yellow Thai Curry Lamb, as well as some intriguing specialties like Fried Chicken and Waffles. The Ben Wicks also has a special brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
