Ottawa Foodies

Was recently here with some friends for lunch. Same great menu options as in the evening, but they also have a "lunchtime deal" where one can get the Soup / Salad / Fruit Bar, a choice of Main, Coffee (or Tea) and Dessert for one low price.

The place was very busy for a weekday, with a lot of people dropping in from work, and even a couple of group tables.

Went for a late dinner. Scores is located in “Restaurant Row” at Kanata Centrum, between Boston Pizza and the AMC Theatre.

We were seated quickly with our menus by a friendly hostess. Scores has a feeling very similar to other family restaurants, the Dining Room décor (lighting, colours, booths) is very similar to Swiss Chalet (albeit Scores has the added bonus of tvs ??). “The Man” ordered a beer, and I had a glass of red wine. Nothing exciting (or interesting here in the beverage department).

Before arriving we had decided we were going to try the Rotisserie Chicken, as everyone has been saying how there is now a third competitor in the market currently held by Swiss Chalet & St. Hubert. We both had the Quarter Chicken Breast Dinners that come with a Side (Fries is the default), Dipping Sauce and Bread, additionally you also get the Soup – Salad – Fruit Bar with your meal. The SSF Bar is well laid out, with similar items on both sides. There were two soups featured the night we were there… Chicken Noodle and Tomato Vegetable. Both were chocked-full of ingredients, I noticed the Chicken Noodle had chunks of chicken, big noodles and lots of veggies. The Tomato Vegetable (which we both had) was more like Minestrone, it was a bowl full of tomatoes, veggies and pasta, not a lot of empty broth. Both “The Man” and I thought it was delicious. Then it was another trip back to the SSF Bar for Salad. As a foundation, there were two types of greens offered, basic Iceberg and a bowl of Mixed Greens. There were the usual veggies; shredded carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and an assortment of salad dressings. There was also a nice mix of pre-made salads; Potato, Pasta, 3 Bean, Chickpea, Couscous, etc. And lastly there was a wide variety of extras offered; olives, pickles, hot peppers, bacon bits, etc. All combined there was plenty to choose from and a well rounded bowl of salad developed. Shortly after our salads were finished, the mains arrived.

Scores chicken is your standard Rotisserie Chicken, however we both commented that we thought the portions a good size, moist and yummy. The fries were plentiful. The Dipping Sauce tasty, a sort of mix of flavours somewheres in the middle ground between Swiss Chalet and St. Hubert. The required bun, was the toasted hamburger round (like St. Hubert). Although everything was delicious, there was no way either of us could finish. We basically could have done without the sides (Fries and Bread) and just gone with the Chicken, Soup and Salad. When the server came back later to clear away our plates, she commented that many patrons have taken to filling up on the SSF Bar and having their Chicken Dinners packed up for take-out. LOL, two meals for the price of one! At under $ 11.00 per person (pre-tax) I can see where this might be considered a bargain (and might just cut into Swiss Chalet’s hold on the Senior’s market). Alternatively, one can purchase just the SSF Bar for about $ 8.00 a good value for those wanting lighter or healthier fare. Scores also offers Ribs, Chicken & Ribs and Family Dinners (whole Chickens), and according to the brochure I picked up on the way out the door they also do Take-Out and Delivery. All-in-all the food was tasty, service was ok, and the place was clean (including the bathrooms). We will add Scores to our list of Chicken Joints.

We came here for a work lunch today. While not everyone was thrilled with their food, I can safely say that this place compares favourably with places like Swiss Chalet or St Hubert.

The salad bar is the gimmick. Large, central, and redundantly stocked, it offers all the usual salad bar fare. Quality is a little higher than I remember from those heady salad bar heydays in the 80's and early 90's. The soup is pretty good too. Definitely something for everyone.

There's a little secret embedded in the menu. You can get just the soup/salad/fruit bar for $7.95. Or you can order any number of main dishes and get the salad bar for $2.95 more. However, there's a tiny section of chicken-only dishes that *include* the salad bar. The cheapest of these (quarter leg dinner) is just $8.95, a buck more than the salad bar on its own. Of course this is what I chose. :-)

Husband and I went here in March at his request. It was pretty decent! I loved the salad bar, the produce was actually pretty good quality and the fresh fruit was delicious! The chicken soup was good too.

The entree was basically the exact same thing as St-Hubert and Swiss Chalet, at around the same price too (BUT you get the salad bar included)

It was good value for money and tasty, albeit basic, food.

I didn't realize there is a Scores in Ottawa too bad. I only went to Scores once while visiting my Dad in Montreal and was his turn to pick the restaurant that time. I recall the big attraction was the AYCE salad bar but was disappointed to see mostly iceberg lettuce and white tomatoes but was impressed to see fruit (for those of us who aren't big dessert eaters...). The chicken was good although I prefer Swiss Chalet. Not sure I personally would go back since I prefer something a little fancier. It's a family style restaurant with alot of kid friendly dishes and buffets always seem to be popular with the kids...

This is owned by the same group that owns Baton Rouge, Pizza Delight, and Mikes.

Anyway, I'm just thrilled to find a place that still offers an AYCE salad bar. Most of my teenage dining memories involve a plate piled high with pasta salad, pickled beets, and croutons. :-)

Will try to drag the family out to this place sometime for a review.

Went for lunch this week with a group from work.

This place feels like it has an identity crisis. They have the standard St. Hubert's / Swiss Chalet style chicken and ribs and fries, but they also have an all-you-can-eat salad bar. And, there are big screen TV's scattered around the dining area.

It's a new building, so everything is fresh and clean. Good mix of booths and tables. Might be a bar over on the other side - didn't see.

Service was fast and friendly, but you could tell that it was newly opened. There were some things on the menu that our waitress hadn't tried yet.

The chicken and fries were nothing special. Not dramatically different from St. Hubert or Swiss Chalet.

The salad bar had regular green salad with all the veggie add ons you could think of, plus pasta, bean, chick pea salads, etc.

The salad bar also had fruit (cut melons, plums, etc) but the cut melons looked a bit rough around the edges.

I really couldn't figure out what market they're going for... Those nights where the Kanata wife is craving chicken with poutine on the side, but the dad just wants a big salad, with a kids menu for the runts, all without missing the Sens whip the Leafs in high def?

Price was fine - under $10 for most entrees, some of which include the salad bar, some had it as an option for another ~$3

I wouldn't go back.

PS - they didn't have their liquor license yet, but I expect that'll be resolved shortly, if it hasn't already.

A decent Salad Bar, and yes a throw-back to the 1980s (actually at Scores they call it a Soup, Salad & Fruit Bar), which on the night we were there was full of fresh ingredients, lots of selection and plenty of extras like toppings, pickles, etc. The Tomato Vegetable Soup we had was wonderful, and the Chicken Noodle looked equally good. There was a good grouping of Salad Dressing (I had the Ranch, and it was tasty). They also feature Fresh Fruit, but quite honestly, I had no more room either on my plate, or in my tummy.

Although it is all you can eat Soup, Salad and Fruit Bar, the quality of their dressing was below average. I tried their Caesar Salad dressing. It was no way near Caesar Salad. I can't understand why they don't invest in a good salad dressing.

I also tried their chicken noodle soup. It tasted like water (don't know if the staff just put hot water to dilute the soup). The cream of mushroom was okay.

Anway, for the price tag of $8.95, I have no complaint. But I would recommend the restaurant management to consider including a better quality caesar salad dressing.

Had the Quarter Chicken Breast Dinner which comes with Fries, Bread and Dipping Sauce, as well as the AYCE Soup - Salad - Fruit Bar (SSF Bar). The chicken was a large portion, perfect on the outside, moist on the inside. Fries were standard fare. Dipping Sauce is tasty, somewheres in the middle ground between Swiss Chalet & St. Hubert. Bun is toasted hamburger round. The BONUS at Scores is the SSF Bar, it sets them apart from their competition. At $ 10-something for a Breast Quarter Chicken Dinner with all these extras the food here is a real bargain.

I tried their Quarter Chicken (leg) ($8.95). The price includes all-you-can-eat soup, salad and fruit bar. Price is pretty good.

No difference than Swiss Chalet. But the skin was quite crispy. In fact, I prefer Scores' gravy sauce than Swiss Chalet (Swiss Chalet's gravy has way too much herbs in it and I am not a fan of it).

The chicken is very similar to what you get at Swiss Chalet, although the pieces seem a little larger. The fries are pretty much the same too. And the chicken is served on a half hamburger bun.

The saucy gravy stuff though is very good. I'm not crazy about the herby Swiss Chalet stuff so I prefer this cup of more meaty sauce.