Crosstown Craft BBQ opens first permanent location on Comstock Road next month

Crosstown Craft BBQ, the Toronto pop-up that draws lineups that sell out in hours, is moving into a permanent home. Owner and Pitmaster Rueben Silva announced that the first brick-and-mortar will open November 7 at 51 Comstock Rd.

The barbecue concept started as a small smoker in Silva's backyard, then launched as a pop-up in East York in April 2025. It grew quickly into a cult following on Instagram, with each drop disappearing before the afternoon was over. "We've spent so much time setting up pop-ups, loading equipment, smoking meat, and serving people in temporary spaces," Silva said. "Now we get to put down roots and build something for the long term."

With a permanent space, Silva plans to get creative with the menu. The restaurant will feature new dishes every day it's open, giving regulars something to anticipate each week. Weekends are where things get serious: Fridays bring smoked beef cakes, Saturdays feature massive beef dino ribs, and Sundays will showcase a new smoked and seared picanha.

Silva credits the community for getting Crosstown to this point. "I want people to understand that this didn't happen overnight. It started with pop-ups, a lot of hard work, and a community that kept showing up and supporting us. Every customer who came out to a pop-up, shared a post, or told a friend about us helped get us to this point." The opening week will include giveaways as Crosstown gives back to the people who sustained it through the pop-up years.