Canal Bar & Grill

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, I've 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 can't 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 wasn't 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 isn't a fancy place, it's very relaxed and comfortable. Don't 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 you're up for it, stick around for the late night party!

The food was truly incredible! Best cornbread ever! Great portions, good price, and variety. Cozy and unique atmosphere.