East Court & Mike's BBQ

What is East Court & Mike's BBQ? Tucked inside the strip plaza at Sheppard Avenue East and Brimley Road in Scarborough, East Court & Mike's BBQ is an iconic, no-frills Cantonese barbecue (siu mei) institution. Master roaster Jack Tsoi, who perfected his craft in Hong Kong before running counters in Toronto for decades, operates this utilitarian takeout shop. There are no tables, bar stools, or patio seats here—just the rhythmic clatter of heavy cleavers on cutting blocks and glowing display glass lined with amber-glazed ducks and whole roasted pigs.

East Court & Mike's BBQ Menu & What to Order The undisputed standout is the crispy roasted pork (siu yuk), featuring blistered, shatteringly crisp skin over succulent, well-seasoned pork belly. The barbecue pork (char siu) is carved into thick, steak-like cuts with a balanced caramel glaze—ask for half-fat, half-lean for optimal melt-in-your-mouth richness. Value-packed lunch combos arrive piled high over white rice with braised garlic tofu, greens, and pungent ginger-scallion sauce, while the kitchen also roasts whole Filipino-style lechon and Chinese ceremonial pigs for catering orders.

Know Before You Go This is strictly a walk-in, grab-and-go storefront with zero table seating and no reservation system. Weekend lunch hours and traditional holiday periods draw brisk queues, though the line moves efficiently. Plentiful free surface parking is available in the strip mall, and the 85 Sheppard East bus drops steps from the front door.