Canal Restaurant & Bar
| Address: | 65 Water St, Worcester, MA 01604, USA |
| Phone: | +1 508-926-8353 |
| Rating: | 2.6 |
| Working: | Closed 4–11PM 4–11PM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM Closed |
Location
Photos 16
Reviews 16
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Stephen Goodwin
So me and two buddies decided to take the 1 hour drive from the seacoast of New Hampshire, to The Canal in Worcester in search of the only source of Cajun food in the area. We read all the reviews and decided to give it a shot and see for ourselves what the huge division was all about. We arrived at approximately 6:45 and ordered our first round of drinks, and some starters. The starters took about 15 minutes to arrive and we ordered our main dishes just before they made it to the table. We went with the corn bread and a cup of gumbo. First of all, Ive never put a more delicious piece of corn bread in my mouth, ever! Moist, creamy, and sweet. It was like desert before dinner, and with the pepper butter, it was just awesome. Next, you cant go to a Cajun restaurant and not try the gumbo. The gumbo was delicious. Just the right amount of spicy, tons of flavor, tons of meat, and cooked perfectly. Definitely try this! Finally our meals came after being there about an hour. I know that sounds like a long time but when the food arrived, I would swear they made it from scratch just for me. I went with the jumbalaya myself and it too, was absolutely delicious. Not very spicy, but loaded with flavor. Chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage, and veggies with nice tender rice. I was really surprised that someone would leave such harsh reviews of the food, my friends and I were pleasantly surprised at the quality and flavor of the classic cajun dishes. In the interest of being totally impartial, I will note that we were the only three people in the building at dinner time on a Saturday night. We thought that strange at first but after remembering the reviews regarding staff, parking, and food quality, it wasnt much of a surprise after all. The live music was a welcomed addition to the atmosphere, and our comfort comfort was his main concern. We spent a long time chatting with the owner and she was kind and welcoming. We were informed about the night life there and how it does turn into a club type feel after dinner is over. All said and done, we were happy with all aspects of The Canal. The atmosphere, the staff, the food, and the prices, were all worthy of another visit. I am not being asked to give this review, nor do I gain anything from writing this. I think that this place deserves a minimum of 4 stars and if you give it a chance, I think you will love it. It isnt a fancy place, its very relaxed and comfortable. Dont show up in a shirt and tie, throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and grab some delicious food, grab a beer, and hang out in the outdoor seating with your beer until the food is ready. This is a great place to spend a while eating good food and relaxing. And if youre up for it, stick around for the late night party!
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Craig Albertson
This place sucks. The downstairs is always smoky, and management favors letting underage college girls with fake IDs into the bar on Friday/Saturday nights above anyone else. The bar is always smoky, and all employees (bouncers, bartenders and management) are extremely impulsive and truly people of lesser intelligence. I know someone who used to work here, who told me they have a policy of tossing men from the bar at random, regardless of whether or not they deserve it. If youre male, and literally doing anything other than standing around enjoying a beer, theyll look to throw you out. Thats their policy. This place needs to be shut down.
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Paul Gallagher
I was drawn in by the website cover shot of the Jambalaya, so I went there and ordered it. Wow, what a let down. It came out and looked like a dish of over-seasoned rice leftovers reheated in the microwave. I was like, where is the shrimp, chicken, and andouille? It was all cooked down to the point of being inconspicuously camouflaged in the rice. The andouille could have passed for hotdogs. I got really scared like I was Gordon Ramsey about to eat some crazy Kitchen Nightmare food pre-makeover.
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Ryan S
The étouffée was a flavorless goo, the sazerac was anything but -- served in a martini glass with a sugar coated rim and so much simple syrup I thought I was drinking iced tea. The music was so deafly loud given there were 6 people there, the size of the room did not need that level of volume.
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Joe da Silva
Waited almost an hour for a burger and jambalaya... there was one other couple there on a Thursday night, and was told the kitchen was slammed. Cant even tell you how the food was because left before it came.
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Shawzam Ruiz
The bouncers here swear they are secret service like chill dude your just a bouncer at canal in Worcester the owner is sweet but she needs to tell those steroid fags to chill
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Elizabeth Smart
So I drive there and pay their dumb 10$ parking on a Friday night only to stand outside and never get into the actual bar
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Relative Souls
The food was truly incredible! Best cornbread ever! Great portions, good price, and variety. Cozy and unique atmosphere.
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Stephanie Booker
The decor is awesome and the food matched it. We were pleasantly surprised and parking was free...we will be back.
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Tassie Plankey
Flavors were great but the service was terrible. We will never eat here again. Very disappointing.
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Hunter Foote
Excellent food. Authentic, spicy, delicious. Definitely the place to go for Louisiana in Worcester.
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DM I
Every Wednesday night is relaxing & with splendid staff. You can eat & drink outside.
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Chris Asquith
Great service, people and atmosphere!! I definately reccomend!!
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Brian Antifonario
Great staff, great atmosphere, great Cajun cuisine!
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John C. Lavin, Jr,
Yuck yuck yuck would not go here
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Doug Brandt
Its a biker bar
