17th Ave, Restaurant

Home & Away

Opened in 2016 at the corner of 17th and 13th you may remember it as where Moxies used to be, is Home & Away.  They completely gutted the building to concrete and studs, there is no trace of Moxies’ layout and aesthetic.  They have gone all out with a sports aesthetic, but that doesn’t mean they have 20 or 30 screens, they have several and a large projection screen they lower for events. Rather it’s the atmosphere that shouts SPORTS, their flooring is made from reclaimed gym floors, their ceiling is styled like a small arena, they have a skateboard wall, as well as many other decorative touches.  Lastly they have games to play, Basketball hoops, Skee Ball, a hockey table and I’m told connect four boards you can bring to your table.  Not to be forgotten is their giant spacious patio, and roll-up windows with outfacing bar seating, it’s like front row seating to the Avenue without the full heat of the patio sun.  The patio itself has been enlarged and now runs the full length of the building, and has some tree’s added it that will be great for some shade in a few years when they get a little bigger.

First let me say Home & Away has improved hugely from my first visit when they’d been open for only 2 months.  I wish I could say for certain but I think they have knocked their prices down a buck or two across the board as well.  They are very active on social media with daily menu creations.  I’ve enjoyed a few of their Wednesday burger creations.  Most recently it was a half priced Thursday taco creation.  Their Facebook and Google albums are filled with unique menu creations, but they also have regular menu items you can depend on it that’s more your speed.

I like Home & Away’s Daily features, unlike some places where it’s just a soup that changes, this really feels like a timely feature you have been lucky enough to catch.  Additionally they have great happy hour specials that run in an extended happy hour from 11am to 6pm.  There are six items for $6 before 6:00.  They also have more game day specials than I can keep up with.  If you’re hoping you can bring kids, well no worries Home & Away has a kids menu and the games are free on Sundays, so it’s ideal to come by then.

Visit Thursday July 27th

It was Taco day, an excellent day to try a daily special.  This week I really feel that Home & Away’s team has outdone themselves these were delicious.  As taken from their Facebook Post “Tonight’s taco feature from Sous Chef Jeremy are “Pretzel Fried Chicken Taco” with Pretzel Breaded Chicken, Swiss Cheese, Honey Mustard, Shaved Lettuce and Pickled Red Onion”.  These were so good I could have eaten two orders but we also had the Chili Glazed Calamari which I forgot to get a picture of, but expect one at a later date.

These tacos were a wonderful melody of flavours starting with the Pretzel Breaded Chicken, tasty with a wonderful texture, crisp on the outside and tender inside.  The honey mustard and pickled onion was a delicious complement and more fitting than I would have imagined.

My wife enjoyed the “Tijuana Chicken Salad – Queso Fresco, Pico de Gallo, Corn, Black Beans, Cilantro, Radish, Crispy Tortilla Strips, Jalapeno Lime Dressing.  She said it was excellent and enjoyed the freshness really fitting for summer.

My daughter had the “Little League Mac & Cheese – White Cheddar Fondue, Bread Crumbs”.  She gave it a thumbs up, but the really testament was that she ate every last bit, where as our visit nearly a year early she only picked at it.  Truthfully I think she wasn’t that hungry on the previous visit.

My only suggestion, offer a heat rating when you order the Chilli Glazed Calamari, they were excellent and just as advertised, but done with some sauteed hot peppers and “3rd Inning heat” would push it into something unique.

 

Home & Away is an excellent addition to the Avenue, they have real character in their venue and menu, I fully recommend it.