The Heartbreak Chef

"Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$Launching a pop-up in 2018, building a legion of followers on social media, relocating from his Dundas West digs to a plush 26-seater in Kensington Market — through it all, chef Jerome Robinson has stayed faithful to fried chicken. Case-in-point: the lethargy-inducing Big Ass Mac and Cheese, a carb-lover’s dream consisting of five cheeses blended with macaroni and topped with two deep-fried thighs tossed in Carolina butter sauce. Pair it with the creamy cabbage coleslaw, a valiant attempt at your daily vegetables. The ’90s hip-hop vibes and local graffiti from the old space permeate the new one, but now there’s an intimate four-seater rail bar where you can watch all the action unfold in the kitchen. Vibe check: Thumping ’90s hip-hop and local graffiti give a high-energy feel, but there’s also an intimate four-seater rail bar where you can watch all the action unfold in the kitchen." - Tiffany Leigh

"Can a fried chicken sandwich be distinguished and delightful? Chef Jerome Robinson and his legion of #friedchickenlovers definitely think so. Ever the consummate hype man, Robinson welcomes diners to his cozy space with ’90s hip-hop, free-to-play NBA Jam arcade machines, and local graffiti plastered on the walls. Then he presents you with epic sandwiches wide enough to rest your head on. The Big Ass Chicken Sandwich requires you to unhinge your jaw to enjoy two deep-fried thighs tossed in Carolina butter sauce and finished with spicy ranch, crunchy slaw, and sweet-and-sour pickles. If you’re hankering to carb load, try the Mac & Charlie, a franken-grilled cheese stuffed with mac and cheese. And if you must consume a vegetable of some kind, check out the deep-fried Brussels sprouts massaged with a balsamic-honey reduction." - Tiffany Leigh