Hot Rocks in Whitby would fit neatly into the environs of Downtown Whitby, but you’ll find this restaurant east of Brock Street. The restaurant is tucked into a plaza at Anderson and Manning, about 3 kilometres north of the 401. The shopping plaza, anchored by a small grocer, easily blends into the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
Hot Rocks features a long, fern-decked patio outside with two rows of tables and umbrellas for shade. A green parkette separates the patio from the parking lot.
The Pizza Oven is Prominent at Hot Rocks in Whitby
The wood-burning pizza oven has pride of place and is prominent when you enter Hot Rocks in Whitby. The hostess greets us. She checks if we have reservations, and tells us that even though we don’t they have a table for us.
Ontario Craft Beer on Tap
If you look to the left of the pizza oven you’ll notice the craft beer taps on the wall. A handful of tall chairs line the bar. At this time they have beer on tap from a selection of Canada’s craft breweries: Beau’s, Old Flame, Boshkung, Steam Whistle, Muskoka, Cowbell, Town and Brock St., plus Belgian Stella Artois. Additional selections are available in the beer fridge below. You’ll find them listed along with wines in a menu at your table.
The hostess escorts us to our table. The tables are arranged to the right along the windows and to the left along an inside wall.
I notice that they set the copper-topped leaf-imprinted tables with wine glasses and X’s of silverware rolled in black linen napkins.
Our table is half booth and half chair like the others which line the interior wall. Joe notes that the chair top has a curve which hugs his back, and it has nice padding.
The server comes by and we have already figured out we want Beau’s Lug Tread pints from having seen the taps at the front.
The Food
There are a few entrees which tempt me, including a Nashville Fried Chicken with cornbread (love cornbread). I also look at the Lamb Shank and an Espresso Rubbed Short Rib.
This time we decide to order the pizza, since, after all, there is a wood-burning pizza oven here. We’re going to share the pizza and a Caesar Salad. They offer a beet salad and watermelon salad for variety.
The Caesar includes boring large rectangular croutons, flavourful hard smoky bacon bits, shredded Grana Padano Parmesan cheese and roasted sweet cob corn. We love it. It’s the perfect size for sharing.
Our Meatlovers pizza is plate-sized (perhaps 10″), thin crust pizza cut into 6 slices. Gluten-free pizza crust is available, too.
Meatlovers toppings, including mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage (with a disconcerting subtle allspice taste) and house-made meatball chunks are plentiful. We dive in and finish it.
I look around as we’re eating and note that most of the tables are couples, from a young family with a quiet tiny baby to a grey-haired couple relaxing over wine. The restaurant is quiet enough that it would be a good place for a date.
Price Range
Appetizers range from $6.00-$18.00. The skillet cornbread with bacon salt and honey is $11.50.
Salads range from $11.00-$13.75. Add chicken or tiger shrimp for an additional $7.00 and salmon for $10.00.
Entrees range from $17.00-$35.00 and set pizzas (there are also build-your-own) are $12.70-$18.00.
Lunch served before 3pm includes sandwiches, fried chicken and fish and chips. Prices range from $15.00-$16.70.
Free parking is available in the lot.
Open Sunday-Tuesday from 11:30am to 9:00pm and Wednesday-Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm.
Here are some other spots to visit in Whitby.
Enjoyed August, 2019.
Hot Rocks Creative Diner
728 Anderson St., Whitby, ON L1N 3V6
+1 (905) 668-8600
