| Overall
Average User Rating |
| Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Great
|
Good
|
Great
|
Great
|
|
|
|
|
Individual User Reviews |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Awesome!
|
Good
|
Good
|
Great
|
|
Well, whether this place conforms to a true British pub or not, it does have a lot of little seating areas that can be individual (1 to 2 people) or put together to form a long table of 10-15 people. I came here for the beer selection and it definitely fits the bill for that. There are a number of local/craft beers plus imported beers on tap, not to mention the large number of beer available in the bottle. Be careful when ordering a Caesar salad, it didn't resemble that at all with the spinach leaves and onions. The place was packed for a Monday night, but that was probably due to the Quiz/Trivia Night. Definitely a must do if in Rochester.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Matthew J. Reid,
Vancouver, WA
(09/11/2006) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Hi Beav -- I don't want to use this site as a personal communication vehicle but how about letting me know when you're coming to Rochester again. I'd enjoy having a couple pints with you and comparing notes on pubs and beers. You can reach me at stevetut@hotmail.com. Maybe Bill Laubert could join us too.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Steve Tuttle,
Geneseo, NY
(03/22/2006) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Points well taken, Steve--I'll defer to your knowledge of the true British pub vibe. I probably made my comments by way of comparison to the "pubs in a kit" that seem to spring up just about everywhere. I do believe it is a whole lot better than those others, and obviously much better (if only for the real ales) than 90% of the rest. I'll be in Rochester again soon and will take a better look (feel?) around as I enjoy the brews! Cheers!
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Beav,
York, PA
(03/21/2006) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Some further thoughts on the "authenticity" of the Old Toad - don't get me wrong, I like the pub and it has some great beers - particularly the real ales. Having English staff is a cool feature but the place definitely lacks the essential character of the real thing. Beav and Bill are obviously very knowledgable beer fans, but have you guys ever spent any significant time in a cross section of rural and urban British pubs? If not, what are you basing your your statements on? If so, you should understand my point. Others I've talked with who have traveled in Britain agree with my "issues" with the Toad's claim of being an authentic pub. It's kind of like an "American Diner" I ran into in Vienna a few years ago. It had all the cliche props and trappings, etc. but totally missed the real character of a diner and had a weird, unnatural feel to it. I let it off the hook though because it didn't proclaim itself to be authentic. The Toad does, and hence my gripe. Great real ale though!
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Steve Tuttle,
Geneseo, NY
(03/21/2006) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
|
First time visit was for lunch on 12/26. Hard to describe as I've never been to a place quite like this. Was not very busy when I visited, Just a few tables of seniors who all seemed to be complaining about their meals. I found my meal of Shepherd's Pie to be satisfactory but thought that it could use a better side than frozen peas and undercooked fries. Ruth the server was efficient but seemed to lack personality or friendliness. Decent beer selection with Sierra Nevada IPA being my choice of draft. Doubt that I would ever become a regular here but would be receptive to future visits. Probably would opt for bar seating rather than the dining area the next time. Worth a stop to check out. ADD a bonus point for having a good supply of Great Lakes Brewing News for their customers.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Jim S.,
Wayland, NY
(01/14/2006) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Awesome!
|
N/A
|
Great
|
Awesome!
|
|
If you enjoy a good hand pulled beer, be sure to stop by the Old Toad, and hope it's your lucky day. I say that because sometimes they're down to one (or on one of my stops there--none!). But if the gods are smiling upon you, all the engines are running and you're in for some treats. No English casks my last stop, but they did have Phin & Matt's from S. Tier, Flying Bison Oatmeal Stout, and Middle Ages Pale. Yum! Did my part for the cause and turned some folks onto casks who were looking for a stout, they seemed to enjoy it! One convert at a time...
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Beav,
York, PA
(09/15/2005) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Great
|
Good
|
Awesome!
|
Awesome!
|
|
I used to go to The Old Toad when I was in college, but I didn't know it was brand new at the time. I've been gone from Western New York for eight years and recently returned to the Old Toad for a visit. I loved it as much as ever. I thoroughly enjoyed my Old Speckled Hen, John Courage, and Strongbow. I had a sampler of the cask conditioned ales as well, which was educational. Aside from the novelty of being British, the servers are also great in a professional capacity (Go Laura!). I remembered the food being okay, and it still is. . . okay.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Rindge, NH
(06/29/2005) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Great
|
N/A
|
Great
|
Great
|
|
It is an authentic English pub, right down to the staff. Native Brits travel here to do internships as part of their studies at home. Talked to some of the students who had been here less than a week and they already commented how great their experience was going to be. There are 14 taps and 3-4 casks usually operating. I agree with Bill about the DeRanke XX Bitter. Here's a good bar bet--get an English Ale lover one, and ask him where this beer comes from. Unless he's wise to it, Belgium would not be his answer. But also be sure to try the cask beers--Middle Ages Beast Bitter on the hand pump, yummmmm! A great place, even with the hassles to park when it's busy.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Beav,
York, PA
(08/22/2004) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Great
|
So So
|
Great
|
Great
|
|
The Old Toad is as close to an 'authentic British pub' as your going to get in the US--and still get Americans to go to it. I was there yesterday (8/6/04) for the first time. Parking is a "royal" pain but once I found a spot and got in the pub I forgot all about the parking. The service is very friendly. On tap: XX Bitter, Dogfish Head 60 min, Custom Brewhouse Raspberry, Old Thumper, Wolavers Witt, Strongbow, Custom Brewhouse Ale, CB Nut Brown, Old Specled Hen, Guiness, Heiniken (how ever that is spelled). Hand pumped--Flying Bison aviator red and pale ale as well as CB Cream Porter. There were a few others on the other side of the bar that I couldn't see. There seemed to be a variety of bottled beer available but I didn't see a list or a beer menu. When you go, you must try the XX Bitter. It is from Belgium and very hoppy by Eurpean standards. It has a really nice combo of the traditional Belgian style but loaded with hops. It's a bit pricey for western NY ($6 glass) but well worth it. The only thing that disapointed was the food. I ordered a sandwich--roast beef--they're named after subway stops in London and I don't remember what mine was called. Anyway, It came with chips. There was a layer of chips on the plate with a sandwich that had one thin piece of roast beef. I wasn't too impressed. I will certainly go back for the beer, service and atmosphere, but I'll dine elsewhere.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Bill Laubert,
North Hornell, NY
(08/07/2004) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Not long after my last review, I stopped by the Old Toad with a friend who wanted to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised to find the beer selection much improved since my last visit.There are more micro's on tap and a good selection of bottles.To be fair, I felt I needed to revise that aspect of my previous review.However,I stand by my comments re: the authenticity of the place.There's much more to a real pub atmosphere than imported plates, dart boards, and mass produced posters on the walls.It doesn't have the feel of a real British pub.Go there for some good beer, but don't think it's a transplanted piece of England.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Steve Tuttle,
Geneseo, NY
(05/19/2003) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Awesome!
|
Great
|
Great
|
Awesome!
|
|
The best local in town by far. Ever changing beers that are always fresh and cater to a lot of tastes. Great English pub atmosphere with British servers thrown in. Almost all of the fixtures and fittings have been directly imported from the UK. The real ale are great. Alot of fresh local casks are usually on offer with some imports thrown in. Do yourself a favour and check this place out.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
John Matthews,
Rochester, NY
(05/14/2003) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Good
|
Great
|
Good
|
Great
|
Good
|
|
First let me say that I stop at the Toad periodically and have enjoyed their mini-British real ale fests over the years.However, those on this site who rave about this place being an "authentic" British pub have obviously never been to England to experience the real thing.I have many times and there are few things in life I enjoy more than a pint in a real pub.The Toad is kind of a cartoon version of a British pub,employing every possible cliche and prop.In short, it tries too hard to be what it isn't.Except for the real ales, the beer choices are unexciting,unless you're one of those who think Boddingtons and Guinness are world class beers.They do always have a few I enjoy, but the selection could be much better(and cheaper).The British staff are usually great and the manager,Joe,tends the real ales very well.One thing I've never gotten used to is the ever present background smell of disinfectant.It's worth a visit but the beer is better down the street at Monty's Korner.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Steve Tuttle,
Geneseo, NY
(05/01/2003) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Awesome!
|
Awesome!
|
Great
|
Awesome!
|
|
Great selection of quality beers and cask conditioned ales. Food is great with generous portions at very reasonable prices. Staff are very friendly. If you haven't been to The Old Toad, you are missing a great place.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Jim Rawson,
Rochester, NY
(12/13/2002) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
Great
|
Great
|
Great
|
Awesome!
|
|
The Toad has been a mainstay beer bar in Rochester for 10+ years and for good reason. Good selection of quality draughts and several engines for real ales. A recent visit finds an oak firkin atop the bar dispensing (by gravity) a fine, fresh real ale. Authentic English pub atmosphere. Highly recommended.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
John,
Rochester, NY
(05/03/2001) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Awesome!
|
N/A
|
Great
|
Great
|
Great
|
|
Very informed staff, this coming from a newcomer to the English ales.
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Adam Lynch,
Rochester, NY
(05/07/2000) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Great
|
Good
|
Good
|
Great
|
|
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Tim Cripps,
Rochester, NY
(03/13/1998) |
|
|
Beer Quality |
Beer Selection |
Food |
Service |
Overall |
|
Great
|
Great
|
Great
|
Great
|
Great
|
|
English pub, 3 beers on hand pump, all English staff
|
|
Write Your Review
| Reply
to this Review |
Report Review |
Buffalo, NY
(12/25/1997) |
|
| 
