Upper Deck By Fran's opened earlier this summer right above 20 College Street, Toronto. The new all-season rooftop patio at Upper Deck offered a more casual approach to dining. Its menu focuses on Americana and International flavors, and includes a more modern take on classic comfort foods. They have several classic diner food like salads, sandwiches, bite into a made-from-scratch burger, and a pretty extensive $5 menu.

Photo Credit: https://foodinthecitytoronto.com/

Several dishes are shareable, so it would be a great place to hang with friends during lunch or dinner. Additionally, Upper Deck By Fran's spans two floors, and features two bars, plenty of communal seating, and an all-season rooftop patio with a retractable roof. The retractable roof allow the patio to be open all season long. So you don't need to fret that summer is almost over.

Upper Deck By Fran's also had an extensive selection of wine, draught and cider on their drinks menu. Did you know that they also grow their own herbs on the rooftop? I thought that was pretty impressive.

Strawberry, Orange, Banana Sangria White ($9 for 1.5 oz | Shareable $30 for 16 oz)

 

 Cucumber Thyme Caprioska ($9 for 1.5 oz | Shareable $30 for 16 oz)

 

We started off with an order of Chili Lime Shrimp Cup ($5) - cilantro, chili honey sauce, lime, dill sauce, which is part of Upper Deck By Fran's $5 snack menu. The juicy and succulent shrimp was marinated with chili honey sauce, which added a nice kick. The cooled wonton was slightly hard, but it was still a tasty shareable appetizer. 

 

Bacon Cheese Bomb ($5) - munster cheese, served with marinara sauce for dipping

The Spicy BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (One Pound $11.95 | Two Pounds $19 | Three Pounds $29) were fall of the bone, and the marinate was a flavorful blend. This was a must-order dish!



The Grilled Cilantro Shrimp Salad ($15.95) - grilled shrimp, mixed greens, peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, was a classic take on a salad with moist pieces of shrimp. The dressing gives it a tangy sweetness to the salad filled with colorful vegetables. 


There are a couple of brunch favorites on the menu including Chicken and Waffle ($15.95) - with spicy honey maple syrup. I love fried chicken, so this was a must-order for me. The chicken was savory and well-seasoned. However, a few bites of the chicken was a little dry, but it's understandable as white meat isn't as moist as dark meat.



The sky-high Boomtown Burger ($25) - two patties, lemon chicken, cheddar, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, aioli, pickles, was delicious. The burger was generously portioned, and could easily be shared between 2-3 people as well.



Ultimate Grilled Cheese - Munster, Jack, Cheddar Cheese, tomato, and fresh basil 



The Famous Red Velvet Cheesecake ($9) arrived beautifully presented on a white plate. The red velvet filling was topped with a creamy cheesecake layer and drizzled with chocolate resulting in a moist dessert. 



Overall, I thought that the service made the entire lunch experience a wonderful one. Our server was outgoing, attentive, and prompt to clear out plates.