Brampton is full of culinary surprises. One of the most creative burgers you’ll ever eat in Brampton is at Onyxx Sports Bar and Grill.
Onyxx opened nearly two years ago and is run by a well-known Canadian-Jamaican soccer family. David Wayne “Junior” Hoilett plays for Cardiff City in Wales and his picture is proudly displayed on the walls.
We fly into high gear with cocktails. The Onyxx Tropical Twist ($7.25) is made with pineapple, orange, grenadine, blue curaçao and Jamaican rum, topped with pineapple and a cocktail umbrella. It tastes just as fruity as it sounds. Even better is the piña colada ($7.25): coconut cream, pineapple juice and Jamaican rum. Creamy, sweet, refreshing, pureed to perfection – it’s worth going back to Onyxx just for cocktails.
The Louisiana Style Okra ($8.95) is crispy, crunchy and flavourful. The okra marinates in a seasoned buttermilk before dredging and frying. In Brampton okra is normally found in South Asian dishes, maybe a Ghanaian dish and with Jamaican fish, but fried okra is a Southern United States-style treat and this is the only place to get fried okra in Brampton.
Onyxx is widely known for two main items – wings and jerk chicken poutine. The wings ($10.50) are not debatable. The dry Buffalo and mango rub is absolutely recommended. Succulent and juicy, southern savoury bliss intermingles with a touch of sweet and creates a fantastic, crispy bite. The chipotle BBQ sauce wings are bold, sticky and smokey, everything you wish for to begin an endless night of sports.
After a solid half hour of rest, we attack the jerk chicken poutine ($6.95). It’s made with fries, beef gravy and cheese curds, topped with caramelized onion and jerk chicken. The chicken is well-marinated and distinctive. However, the gravy dominates and the caramelized onions are sweet, meaning you have three powerful flavours at once and it can become overwhelming. If you try this, we suggest sharing.
When asking about entrees, the soccer stars’ sister says the Onyxx Vegan Burger ($13.55) is one of her favourites. This decision sounds out of the ordinary, but on the menu it looks intriguing and we also know that this dish has outspoken fans.
This burger – more like a fat sandwich on a burger bun – can arguably be named as one of the most innovative dishes in Brampton. Instead of a beef patty, the filling is made with thick pieces of jackfruit smothered in BBQ sauce, topped with onions, coleslaw, arugula, avocado and salsa. We forget to ask for fried plantain as a topping, as we’re told it elevates the burger further. This heavenly creation is tangy, creamy, meaty and tropical. Regardless of whether or not you’re a meat-eater, the vegan burger is delicious. And if you need meat, get the Jamaican Mama ($14.50) – add the beef patty, minus the jackfruit.
Onyxx is worthy of another visit. The family is passionate, the fan base is steady and the food is creative. It will be interesting to watch how the restaurant evolves its menu in the future.
Onyxx Sports Bar and Grill is located at 70 Maritime Ontario Blvd. and is open every day.
