Thirsty’s Bar & Grill

I find it hard to believe this restaurant hasn’t been reviewed yet. My buddy Mike is proudly the Mayor on Foursquare. I grew up in a small town in Southern Ontario, and this place makes me nostalgic.
Located in a strip mall, probably no bigger than 1000-​sq-​ft, this place is a local’s local bar; like the type of place where, unless you’re 2 generations Waterloo, you don’t belong and the music stops (tragically hip) and everyone pauses and turns momentarily to decide if you’re permitted to come in.
Last time I was there, I arrived before all my friends, and the people at the bar were talking about how many times they’d been arrested this year (it was January).
That said, though it has a rough exterior, the people are super-​friendly and it’s super safe. Trash talking the cook is acceptable (I told her that I’d cook the food, she came back to the table with the waitress’s pad, and handed it to me to complete the order).
Here’s the thing too — the food is greasy-​good. Probably the only place in Waterloo that boasts a Nova-​Scotian Donair. The wings are above average too. The beer selection sucks (all big brew stuff), but what else would you expect?