DBIA Featured Post: Dr. J's BBQ & Brews

When the historical Montreal House closed its doors for a final time in late 2013, Ted and Addison Brown heard opportunity knocking. The father and son partners knew a good thing when they saw it and purchased the property with a specific intent in mind. They loved the history of the building, the ample parking, and its proximity to downtown. After some extensive renovations, on January 15th, Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews (282 Aylmer St) opened its doors for the first time and hit the ground running!

Named after Dr. Alexander and John Harvey who originally built the historical building in 1858, Dr. J’s has kept some of the past, but has brought a new feel to the property. Operating as a restaurant/pub and with owners who have an extensive background in the industry, Dr. J’s brings a distinctly different flavor to the downtown core. Specializing in southern cuisine, and featuring an authentic smoker brought in directly from Alabama, you know exactly what you’re getting as soon as you walk in the door.

Before opening, head chef Eric Hoflick went so far as to travel the southern United States in search of ideas and recipes to bring back to the great white north. His mission to learn was a major success and the menu is where Dr. J’s customers reap the rewards. From chicken and ribs, to brisket and pork shoulder, almost everything is smoked and absolutely nothing is skimped on. The menu features monster main courses, smaller sandwich options, and even vegetable options for those who aren’t meat eaters! A few of the house favorites include the ribs with a signature pineapple chipotle seasoning you won’t find anywhere else, the brisket on rye, and the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw.

Everything is made fresh from scratch in house daily, and local suppliers are supported as much as possible. Being a pub as well, the beer menu can’t be missed with 30 different types available by the bottle and 14 different varieties on tap!

With food available during the day and into the night, Dr. J’s is an environment for everyone. The renovations they’ve done include new flooring, tables, washrooms, booths, and a separate party room for larger groups of up to 24 when needed.

The restaurant also transitions during the night into more of a pub type atmosphere. Keeping with the old tradition of being a great live music setting, Dr. J’s has kept a stage area and have live music every Friday and Saturday night. With televisions set up all around, there is always some type of game on and specials to go along with them, including beer deals during Leafs and Raptors games.

If you’re in the mood for a new food and drink experience, Addison and Ted invite you to come down to a building that everyone already knows. They know you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the changes and you won’t leave disappointed!

For more on Dr. J's BBQ & Brews (282 Aylmer St), go to:
Facebook: Dr. J's
Twitter: @DRJSBBQnBREWS
Phone: 705.874.5717

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

A Mucho Burrito Franchise Is Available In Peterborough

The last spot in the new plaza on Lansdowne Street West is a Mucho Burrito, and the franchise is available still (see poster in window of the plaza, at right, we spotted).

The restaurant will feature a small patio, and offer a selection of Burritos, Quesadillas, Tacos and Taqueria Salads.

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Update: July 9th, 2014 - Work has started up again on construction of the business. A sign now adorns the face of the building.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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DBIA Featured Post: Kettle Drums

Every small business owner has to start somewhere. Sometimes their journey starts and ends with the same idea, while others are always looking to evolve and expand. For Reg Maranda and Cam Green, the challenge to continue evolving is what pushes them. Previously the successful owners of highly respected and recognized Reggie's HotGrill, Cam and Reg made the transition from amazing fast food to upscale casual dining with the opening of Kettle Drums located at 224 Hunter St W.

With a desire to be located in a district that is recognized for incredible food and beverage establishments, they quickly jumped at the opportunity when it knocked to take over the northeast corner of Hunter and Aylmer St. in 2012 after extensive renovations to what was previously a long standing radiator shop. They knew it would be a challenge to convert it over to the restaurant they had envisioned, but they loved every aspect of it.

Walking through the doors at Kettle Drums, you immediately sense the relaxed atmosphere they have created. With elegant dining inside and an incredible creekside patio outside, the restaurant has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re simply out on the town for a drink or looking for an upscale yet casual dining experience, you’re going to find them both here under one roof.

The menu at Kettle Drums is quite expansive, with options ranging from soups, salads, and sandwiches, to pizza, pastas, and fine steaks. If you’re a burger lover, they have quite a few options, covering beef, lamb, and bison which are all made fresh in house. Putting an emphasis on great food, their signature mac and cheese, panko crusted meatloaf, and pork medallions with maple bourbon sauce are just a few of their can’t miss dishes!  

Open 7 days a week, Kettle Drums with its experienced management team along with head chef John Thompson have become a fan favourite for many who are looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Peterborough’s downtown core. Sunday features a “Farm Fresh” brunch which makes use of many local distributors such as Electric City Bakery and Harley Farms Free Range eggs, while Tuesday is Pasta night followed by Wednesday’s Prime Rib night to name just a few specials.

Having been part of the business community for years now with their previous ventures, while also currently being part owners of McThirsty’s, Cam and Reg have made it a mission of theirs to be as involved as possible. To top it all off, they now have expanded to offsite catering in and around the area for any type of event.

Cam, Reg, and the staff at Kettle Drums invite you to come down to Kettle Drums regardless of the occasion and experience what so many already have. They know you’ll be back for more!

For more on Kettle Drums (224 Hunter St. W.), go to:
Website: Kettledrumsrestaurant.com
Facebook: Kettle Drums
Twitter: @Kettle_Drums
Phone: 705-874-1500

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

Dr. Hunger To Become Hot Grill On Wheels

Dr. Hunger Hot Grill at 382 Water Street has closed its physical location, and will now become Dr. Hunger Hot Grill On Wheels. It can be found at special events and outside the Red Dog on Hunter Street starting in April on Friday and Saturday nights.

Stay connected with Dr. Hunger on Wheels through their Facebook page.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

DBIA Featured Post: Charlotte Anne's Restaurant

Small business owners are a different breed of person. They are drawn to their work life like no other, and always keep coming back for more. The owner/operators of Charlotte Anne’s, located at 390 Queen St. in the underrated downtown area just west of the Hunter St. bridge, are exactly that.

Michelle Christie recently became the restaurant's new owner, and works alongside her associate Tracey Ormond to form a team that was together many years ago under the same roof. Both ladies have come back in a different capacity to a place they pretty much call home. The name Charlotte Anne’s comes from the original owner from 30 years ago.

The restaurant aims to offer a little bit of something for everyone and still has a few original recipes available. They have a red seal chef there, Arthur Minor, who brings over 30 years experience. While offering a few high end dishes including steak, they offer a lot of comfort foods that have become favourites for people they know as regulars. Their half and half special offering—half salad and half fries—has become a must have for people on the go, either as a sit-in option or a fast and convenient takeout dish!

Offering daily specials, everything is made in house and from scratch. The ladies are proud to use many local ingredients and give you a product and service that is as down to earth as you can get. Must haves on the menu include the quiche, homemade soups, hot pastas, chili and more. One of their most successful meals of the week is their Sunday brunch with an all you can eat buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that has all the fixings!

Sunday brunch!

Both ladies have their specialties inside the restaurant. Michelle is hands on from start to finish. As the owner, you’ll see her on the floor taking orders and seeing the whole process through the kitchen until the food is delivered. She knows that as the owner she is a face of the brand so customer service is number one! Tracey is also all over the restaurant, but has a focus in Charlotte Anne’s budding catering business.

The restaurant’s “That’s a Wrap” special is a free delivery of wraps and salads made available for groups of 6 or more. They are always busy making deliveries for business lunches and even school study groups, and are now focused on reaching customers who aren’t aware that they provide this awesome service!

Charlotte Anne’s has been a proud member of our downtown community for over three decades now and is happy to be located in a great little neighborhood between Dan Joyce’s and Fontaine’s. They’re proud to carry on the tradition of giving back to the community, and plan on being a big part of it for years to come. They recently hosted the NHL alumni hockey party to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Now fully licensed and recently renovated, the ladies at Charlotte Anne’s invite you to come and give their style of comfort food a try. They know you’ll be happy you did!

For more on Charlotte Anne's (390 Queen St.), go to:
Phone: 705.742.2944
Website: CharlotteAnnes.ca
Facebook: Charlotte Anne's Restaurant

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

DBIA Featured Post: Shish-Kabob Hut

Don Vassiliadis is a community minded man through and through. As the 2nd generation owner of the Shish-Kabob Hut, located at 220 King St. in downtown Peterborough, he realizes that in order for his business to continuously be successful he has to know the needs of the community and customers he is surrounded by daily.

The restaurant, which originally opened in 1976, has been in its current location since 1994. Its 19 year anniversary is being celebrated this month (August) and he is very proud of being in business this long. Unless you’re a city historian, you probably wouldn’t guess that the current location he's in was originally a car garage when first built.

Serving Greek food at its finest, the menu touches on many traditional favourites from various Souvlaki dishes to Shish-Kabob and Pita Bread platters covering a massive array of meat options. To cover a vegetarian customer base as well, they offer great soups and salads and many out-of-this-world cheese influenced choices. Dishes that are a can’t-miss are the Tigania (a spicy stir-fry masterpiece) and the Hot Peppers and Feta, which is requested more than most of the restaurants options.

Don and his excellent staff know that great food is only one part of the entire experience and they try to create an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. The atmosphere inside is very vibrant and will keep you on the edge of your seat as soon as you get seated!

The Shish-Kabob Hut has been involved in many community events such as the Taste of Downtown and more recently Rib Fest. Don and his crew brought a local flavour to the event, which was well received by lovers of local business. The restaurant was even featured on You Gotta Eat Here in an episode that is still in heavy rotation on Food Network Canada.

Out of the original restaurant business has spawned two other ventures: a catering company and a party rental business as well. In 2010, for example, the business was responsible for catering the Dragon Boat Festival Gala and it also catered the Chiefs of Police Dinner when it was hosted in Peterborough earlier this year.

Always wanting to learn more about his community has kept Don very busy outside of its operating hours. He has been involved with the DBIA Marketing Committee, was the Chair of the United Way, and has also worked with Showplace and Crime Stoppers in various capacities.

One of Don’s favourite activities outside of the restaurant are the cooking classes he has offered to those who might never get the experience of one, as well as working with the YWCA’s Nourish Peterborough.

Don is truly entrenched in downtown Peterborough and wants to see success in every facet. His personality is unmatched and his dedication shines through in his restaurant. If you haven’t been inside its walls, we suggest you experience it as soon as possible!

For more on Shisk-Kabob Hut (220 King St.), go to:
Website: Skhpeterborough.com
Twitter: @skhptbo
FB: Shish-Kabob Facebook page

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

Middle Eastern Restaurant Ariyana Opens In Peterborough

Peterborough now offers a taste of Afghanistan, as Ariyana has opened at 396 George St. (George & Hunter). Go check it out.

[pics via @maryammonsef]

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St. Louis Wings And Ribs Coming To Peterborough

A St. Louis Wings and Ribs franchise will be moving in beside the new Tim Hortons and Shoppers Drug Mart in the West end of Peterborough. Located at the Rockhaven Centre at 1875-1913 Lansdowne Street West, take a look at the Oshawa menu to see what this restaurant will offer. No word on when it's opening.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Spanky's Hosting Backyard Tent Party For Saint Patrick's Day

Spanky's have a special license for a party in their back parking lot on Saint Patrick's Day, where they will have a heated tent. There will be live music, Jonny Trash will be DJ-ing, people will be dancing, and Koski will be wearing his No. 34 toque.

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Watch This Interview With The Owner & Chef Of La Hacienda On Hunter St.

[Shari Darling on YouTube]

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