I dined there once with my father and he asked the waiter if anyone ever ordered in a pizza after finishing a meal at La Scala. They had wonderful fried chicken and collard greens. It was dark and expansive, with stuffed seagulls and angels and god-knows-what else hanging from the ceiling and booths on multiple levels. This was my first introduction to Chinese Food. My aunt Tulle waitressed there and the front of the house was handled by a woman called Arne who was a single mother who lived upstairs from the restaurant with her daughter. Lobster and ice cold beer on a hot July day, overlooking the harbour, was as close to heaven as Ill likely ever get. Or the owners name? . 1. Toronto Restaurants; Use the app to find the best restaurants and hotels everywhere Be the first to get news and update about the MICHELIN Guide Subscribe Michelin will process your personal data to (i) manage your subscription (ii) and measure the performance of our campaigns and analyze your interactions with our communications. UTPro Instant Reports: Residential Density Spiking in Midtown. One of them was the Town and Country, which had opened in 1949 in the Westminster Hotel at Gould and Mutual Streets. Any good substitutes? Our children liked to say that we were married at KFC. When did smoking come to an end in Toronto's restaurants? When I was a boy in the 1940s, my family did not visit restaurants as my parents considered them too expensive. Maybe around Bloor St. and Avenue Rd. "the kitchen sink," made of 16 scoops of ice cream and covered with crushed up candy bars), this was the place to be when hanging around the Eaton Centre. Opening week, New City Hall Photographer: Toronto Fire Department,1965 Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue Photographer: Eric Trussler, 1962 O'Keefe Centre opening Photographer: Alexandra Studio, 1960 Waiting at traffic lights One of the walls had a huge hand drawn mural of Leonardo himself. I think it is still there. Toronto in the 1980s was defined by video rental stores, Degrassi's original seasons, and. They served their regular fare downstairs on the street floor. Bobby. Back in the 80s/90s a lot of corporate chain restaurants had unique distinctive decor. Alo is the ultimate Toronto French fine-dining experience. Closed in 1986, Larry's Hideaway was a revered dive bar on Carlton Street that brought many of the punk and new wave artists of the day to Toronto for the first time. Maybe a beer or two at Hemmingways, and dinner at Arlequins. #4 1213 Bayview Ave, Toronto, On M4G2Z8, Toronto, Toronto $ 95,000 Popular Thai Restaurant Serving Lunch & Dinner, In Toronto. In response to this post, Paul Coghill of Toronto emailed me his thoughts about restaurants of Torontos past. 514 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A5 Get directions. Ive enjoyed a meal or three in many of these restaurants. It was on the second floor, with a steep staircase leading to the dining room. Loved Le Savarin. It was one of the most well-known restaurants in Toronto for over a decade, famous for its Leek and Stilton soup. During my high school years in the 1950s, I often visited local restaurants for a coffee and a slice or pie. 15 Places. Known as the best Jamaican restaurant in Toronto, Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen serves traditional Caribbean cuisine with healthy culinary twists. Bassels on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Yonge Streets in April 1954. Airport area, one of the hotels that is no longer there had the most romantic room and served the best Dover sole.had romantic banquets. 24. I loved those red hots too at Eatons Annex and their soft ice cream cones .. Simpsons had the red hots too and a wonderful orange drinkyou would stand there eating your hot dog with everyone!.Simpsons also had He was a very smart businessman as well as a big-hearted individual. A Hamburger was 25-30 cents and a coke 10 cents! I remember that when entering the restaurant, I walked over a wooden foot bridge that spanned a stream of flowing water. There was also a supreme version available . The restaurant was very successful and a great meeting spot for Danish Xpats. View this Spot. [.] I also remember a time when Lonestar Texas Grill (Simcoe Place) was really, really good. It may have moved to the west side of Yonge at some point; my recollection is from the late 50s and early 60s! The Old Fish Market Restaurant at 12 Market Street. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. Dave, Hamers Fish and Chips Eglinton near Oakwood Eds Warehouse, big prime rib, fun decor. It was near a Toys R Us) for a friend's birthday several years in a row. It relates anecdotes and stories of the author and others who experienced these grand old movie houses. In the space recently vacated by Menalon, the 50ish-year-old Greek diner and dive bar, is Paradise Grapevine, Bloorcourt's favourite new wine bar . Chi Chi's Mexican restaurants - catchphrase "A celebration of food!" Toronto Archives, S0372, SS058, item 2482. Bell Beefer. A very entertaining article. Does anyone remember a very nice restaurant on the north side of Bloor between Yonge and Bay in the late 1970s early 1980s? Because it was considered a classy restaurant, we felt very grown-up whenever we went there. New Orleans Seafood & Steakhouse 334 reviews Closed today Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole $$ - $$$ Menu "The Cajun Calamari were made to perfection and very tender." I was never inside this restaurant, but I as I recall, it had a great reputation for charcoal-broiled steak. Another place I loved was Leslie's Bakery, which was on Steeles. Toronto has some great restaurants, delis and buffets. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. Anyone remember the name of the steakhouse? The only other eatery I remember from the 1950s is the Honey Dew restaurant located on the mezzanine level of the Odeon Carlton Theatre, which served fish and chips and Ritz Carlton hotdogs, along with the famous Honey Dew orange drink. It was reported that John Turner had his own table at Winstons. Another restaurant I remember fondly, always appropriate for special occasions, was Winstons at 120 King Street West. Dining in Toronto in the 1960s architecture toronto historic Toronto historic toronto buildings Toronto toronto architecture Toronto history Toronto's restaurant of the past Memories of Toronto's restaurants of the past October 5, 2015 johndougtaylor Dining in Toronto in past decades was far different to the culinary scene that the city now offers. Do you know if it was open in 1945? The tables had candles in bottles dripping with years of wax. In 1954 to 1957 My parents, my sister and I lived at 7 Elm street in Toronto. It was located in the southern half of a 19th century semi-detached house, which was on the west side of Church Street, a short distance south of Bloor Street East. Inside, near the entrance, there was a replica of Copenhagens famous statue of The Little Mermaid, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. Oh for the good old days. Also, in the West end tucked away in a very confusing triangle of Dundas, Bloor St and Kipling was Millers Country Fair. Post by United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. But I remember many of the restaurants youve mentioned here, some of them only now that youve written about them again, like the Mermaid. Running restaurants, especially, three, must have been tough with the long hours etc. To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. I am sure I saw and heard Moe Koffman on one of my visits. Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. Pj OBriens is currently in the building in the photo. The one on St Clair was open all night. Those looking to dance could hit a number of spots near Yonge and Wellesley, like The Manatee, The Quest, Katrina's, Club David's , The Maygay (later Charly's), and Cornelius, which sat above biker bar The . I understand it was operating back in the thirties. a combination of bankruptcy and a fatal hepatitis A outbreak traced back to green onions served at one of their Pittsburgh restaurants. Lime Ricky's on Eglinton was the first to come to mind. It opened in 1963, and for the next decade was one of the citys most popular dining establishments. A Comfort Inn. A very trendy, 2 floored happening place in the late 80s. La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. The food fashion cycle quickened as diners discovered a taste for arugula, radicchio, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, sushi, crab cakes, Pad Thai, mesquite grilling, and fresh ingredients. Specialties: Classic Cantonese Cuisine - all served in a truly iconic, retro room. The northern half of the semi-detached house was occupied by another well-known restaurantQuenelles. Great memories. Used to be when it came to family dining out on a budget, Toronto was spoiled for choice. Both the service and the food were beyond excellent. It was expensive, but the food was wonderful. Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The location way out near the airport was good for a while. Anyone remember The Barclay Hotel- dinner club in the late 50s and 60s. Its . I believe this is the only 5 star restaurant in Toronto and it lives up to that rating. If anyone else has any memories of any of the three prime restaurants, kindly post. Claimed. 181 Bathurst St., 416-364-9320, 416snackbar.com. Dinner on our first night. Patrons often lined the stairs while waiting for their tables at the Savarin, even though they had reservations. It had old world charm. I always requested a table in the glass-covered courtyard as it was akin to dining in a garden. My favourite was the Paragon Restaurant on St. Clair West, near Oakwood Avenue. I worked in that restaurant! This is a true eater's city. Eds restaurants and the Royal Alex were the impetus that started the gentrification of King Street West. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. During the years 1980-1986, I did a lot of street photography in Toronto. Inspired, and frequented, by world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Fat Pasha brings innovative Israeli and Middle Eastern cooking to Toronto. I also remember the Tivoli on Yonge south of Gerrard on the east side. The Gods of frugal yum smiled down on us, bestowing fabled chains which offered affordable eats for family friendly visits and left behind indelible impressions in our minds and taste buds even long after they had shuttered, gone into receivership or been chewed up by corporate garburators. Or at least parts . It started in the thirties & I think it had closed by about 1990. However, it was still demolished, though its facade was re-assembled inside the Northern Ontario Building. Georges Spaghetti House was a wonderful restaurant with a great menu. 0111. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. We ordered a very expensive bottle of white wineLoved the place. Leo was the maitre de who was a very wonderful man who always remembered your name and what you had ordered the last time you were there. Creightons restaurant on the ground floor of the Westbury Hotel was another place that garnered attention in the 1970s. My Dad, Basil, owned all three Prime restaurants, with the last one, in Dixie Plaza, being the busiest. Loved reading this and all the great memories. It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot . The 1980s were unkind to Mothers, and even though Blue Jays Ernie Whitt, Loyd Moseby and Cito Gaston invested in the company (there was even "Ernie Whitt Specials") and helped market it along with Duel dodger Dennis Weaver! Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". It was impressive when a person drove past it at night. We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. The restaurant's owner Anthony Rose has a couple other restaurants in the city. Also was Western Sizzlin Sizzler Red Lobster was starting to come into it's own There were 2 UK fish & chips houses that we. I especially enjoyed their Spinach layer salad. When my wife requested a special dessert because of a medical condition, no problem. Your list is amazing. For my family, we pigged-out on the lobster, with a few slices of roast beef to break the monotony. I remember having a birthday lunch at the Sussex Centre location in Mississauga and ordering the enormous "Kitchen Sink" sundae. The building where the restaurant was located was designated a Heritage site in 1980. Theres a couple more restaurants that have gone away that bring back nemories. My Favourite seafood restaurant in Toronto was The Mermaid, at 724 Bay Street, which opened in 1964. One of Toronto's most storied restaurants, renowned for its refined food and impeccable service, will be closing its iron gates for the last time next week after 31 years serving the city's. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. We also offer outdoor dining on our glass enclosed, heated Terrace/Veranda year-round. The Golden Nugget Restaurant was slightly further north. South on Bay, down some steps, dark, red banquettes. I discovered some errors on these web sites, but still, I am grateful that these sources were available. I remember a few Macedonian restaurants now long gone. This would be in the early 1950s. Great article. We visited LHardys frequently, and when I asked a waiter if I could have a menu as a souvenir, he gave me one that had not been used. Chinese Food Restaurants, Asian Restaurants. #777 of 6,034 Restaurants in Toronto 37 reviews 920 Queen St E Leslieville 0.1 km from Queen Street " The BEST gelato and ice cream. I drool as I peruse the entrees and fondly recall the price of the dishes. A lot of artists frequented it. It was in the indoor part of a strip mall and sold bread (delicious challah!! The sign looks like El Toro. Johns, which was moored on the east side of the Jadran. Either one might still be in place, albeit perhaps under different names; I havent been to the building since Simpsons went out of business, and havent been downtown in a long while, as well. The restaurants housed an authentic Cowboy styled atmosphere with saloon doors, stag horns, wood walls, yellow and brown uniforms for the staff and red and white checkered table clothes. Some of Winnipeg's most famous restaurants have faded away, but readers still remember all those delicious flavours. Thank you for this post. From the CNE to Scarborough Town Centre, here's what Toronto looked like in the 1980s. I was told that one of the oldest was the Geneva Restaurant on the north side of Queen Street East. Check out the list of all Restaurants in Eglinton Avenue East. Rumours circulated that members of the mafia had been turned away at the door, and had put out a hit on the place. Please post some place were more info can be found. One chain you didnt list was pickin chicken and their VW delivery vehicles. Created in partnership with hospitality icon Nick Di Donato of the Liberty Entertainment Group, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto is the only North American location of world-renowned Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino's Don . Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! See more ideas about memories, restaurant, howard johnson's. However, I have very pleasant memories of dining on the smaller ship of Capt. On Saturdays, in the TV Guide that was inserted into the Toronto Star, there was a special feature. Eastside Mario's had the faux new york city decor. The City's most internationally acclaimed restaurant, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has been awarded a Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide - Toronto 2022. Sadly the same issues which had affected Frank Vetere's ultimately brought down Ponderosa, which still survives as a US chain but saw a total collapse in Canada in the late 1980s when the majority of their locations were converted into Red Lobstersat a time when our country was experiencing a massive renaissance in seafood. La Chaumiere was also well known for its coq au vin and scallops Normandie. So many happy dining memories. Popular during the 70s and early 80s, the sandwich consisted of taco meat, shredded lettuce, mild "border sauce" and diced onions. Joso's. Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto's most famous Dalmatian restaurant. " 16/05/2020 Cuisines: Canadian Reliable Halibut & Chips #1,836 of 6,034 Restaurants in Toronto 40 reviews 954 Queen St E 0.2 km from Queen Street The closest I have come to getting the same flavor and texture is with a chain in Detroit. When I asked for something not on the menu, it was no problem. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. A popular pregame location. Remember most of the restaurants mentioned but we loved a little restaurant called Pot au Feu.it was on a street near University Ave and was in the basement. They were everywhere in the '80s, but the Toby's Good Eats at Yonge and Bloor was the quintessential downtown snack shop. The 1980s was dominated events such as Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, the patriation of the Canadian Constitution, Toronto's 150th birthday, Canada becomes 120 years old, and the end of the Pierre Trudeau years. Id completely forgotten about the Spaghetti Cellar at Frans but I used to go, must have been on weekends, with my friend Karen for an all you can eat special they had. My mom Images are not to be reprinted, reposted or used for any purposes whatsoever outside of the Urban Toronto forum without my express consent. The Boardwalk was our hangout in the 60s and early 70s. Also like Vetere's, the Pizza was phenomenal, and their 99 cent Root Beer floats with take home glass were the stuff of playground legend. I think it was located at 12 Adelaide. Thankfully not all of our beloved retro chains have sad endings: Mothers Pizza Parlour & Spaghetti House, another fondly remembered family joint - returned from the grave back in 2013. I just walked by the old Tom Jones Steakhouse building just east of Yonge on Colborne St. Scotts restaurant was on Yonge just north of Dundas, where you sat upstairs looking out onto Yonge St to have bacon burger and fries (that was before we worried or knew about cholesterol). They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. The waiter offered to provide the proper attire from among the jackets and ties that they kept for such situations. Opened in 1958, China House is the last of the remaining classic, fine dining Chinese Restaurants remaining in Toronto. Brought back some warm memories. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. But my favourite was Truffles, at the old Four Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations. It remains in business today (October 2015) and is now operated by the son of its original owner. I beleive to this day, it was Charles way to draw attention to the principals remark. I have memories of falling asleep (on weekends when I could work in the coat check room to make dimes and quarters, in the back of the Dixie location waiting for banquets etc to end. Does anyone remember Griffiths on Queen Street East in the Beach(es)? I remember being treated to lunch there by a friend, prior to my departure for a holiday. It cost around 2 bucks. Good times in the early 60s. La Maquette. The 25 Best Restaurants in Toronto, from Omakase to Diners | Cond Nast Traveler Video SALE: SUBSCRIBE AND GET 1 YEAR FOR $21.99 $5 North America Canada Ontario Toronto Destinations 25 Best. The cones were 5 or 10 cents and it made shopping with my mother bearable. We also enjoyed Smittys Pancake House on Dundas Street West, east of Islington Avenue, and their location in Yorkdale Plaza. Dads were happy to sink their $2 steins of house lager while the legendary free-with-dinner Frank Vetere's soda glasses can still be found at local thrift shops. Garlic bread and dill pickles were included. 641 reviews #39 of 5,196 Restaurants in Toronto $$ - $$$ Bar Contemporary Canadian 100 Front St. West Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E3 Canada +1 416-368-2511 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this property is taking. Would certainly add the Vikings for relaxed but very nice dining; Frank Hansen was the owner/manager. Great Memories. At the time it was what would be called a greasy spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools. By the time it lost its hilariously terrible nameit was re-branded "Toby's. Converted from a house to the Busy Bee Dinder in 1929, the "B" consisted of an open kitchen and counter, and became a local destination for traditional meals and coffee to go. When I commenced working full time, in the 1960s, I had a few more dollars to spend. My hangout restaurant was the Boardwalk, a typical Canadian style diner, run by a family from Macedonia. It felt safe, clean and seemed to provide endless exciting. The majority of their remaining locations were unceremoniously gobbled up by Outback Steakhouse, with nary a drop of salsa left behind. Quo Vadis is another restaurant that must be mentioned when writing about the 1960s, as it was the first dining establishment in Toronto to receive international recognition. Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. In the 60s we liked to meet at Queen and Yonge at Joe Birds, part of Diana Sweets. The Old Fish Market at 12 Market Street, near the St. Lawrence Market, was another of my favourite places for seafood, though it certainly was not in the class the Mermaid. Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a few doors east of Yonge Street. I still have the menu today. You just picked everything up in your fingers. 17. The Graf Bobby Restaurant on Wellington Street. Your still missing a few, when I had money Bigliardis on Church. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. My wife and I often had a special dinner at the Balkan on Elm Street, just west of Yonge. Husband & wife moved and still operate a fine restaurant in the Gattineau area. By 1989 Mothers had gone into receivership and was bought up by Little Caesers, who disposed of the classy Mothers style and helped usher in the era of cheap tasteless cardboard Pizza (aided and abetted by other chains who shall remain nameless). Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my mind was Michi, when it was on Church Street. Near the North York, York, & Old Toronto tripoint. I am researching Macedonian owned restaurants 1945/1946 in Toronto, around the High Park area, walking distance from symington ave., and most of them did not serve Macedonian food back thenanyone remember a name? Read more See all (124) Ratings and reviews 4.5 641 By the early sixties, it was gone. Front Street and either Bay or Yonge that had a club with live entertainment. I recall Bentleys as being on the east side of Yonge, a block or two south of Teddington Park. Although it didn't hold up against Chili's, TGI Fridays, and Applebee's, there was a time when it was fairly ubiquitous throughout the states. Harrys Steak House in 1971. The AYCE buffet now serves latkes with sour cream and apple sauce, blintzes, lox, challah French toast, bagels, gefilte fish and marinated salads for $35.95 a person. Sadly the owner left to take over the Aston Martin Car Company in ENGLAND and the restaurant rapidly went south becoming a poor shadow of its former self. Businessman Brian Alger acquired the expired trademark to Mother's Pizza - one of his favorite brands growing up (along with the Pop Shoppe, which he also acquired) - then teamed with Restaurateur Geeve Sandu to reboot the franchise using the same original formula. They had the seafood restaurant upstairs. House of Chan The best steaks in North Toronto I believe that the coupon had a value of $20, and it covered the entire cost of the meal. Id add a few restaurants: Scaramoucheespecially if you called a month ahead for a window table, with Roberto as your server; Canoea spectacular restaurant with wonderful food, service, and views: Auberge du Pommiera long-time favorite; Arlequins (sp? Review. I was only about 28 or 29 at the time. Toronto Archives, F1257, item 0504. Perhaps one of the most famous of Toronto dining places was Eds Warehouse, at 266 King Street West. On the north side just East of Parliament was Macedonian Village. Best 80s themed restaurants near me in Toronto, ON Sort:Recommended Price Good for Late Night Delivery Takeout 1. I thought I had died and entered heaven when I first tasted their Delmonico steak. After attending the theatre, we visited Bassels where we usually ordered coffee and pie with whipped cream, or if we went to Bassels in the evening, before the theatre, we had a western sandwich and fries. I remember the first time I went there with a friend. Chips in a cup My mother and grandfather worked at Bassels and thats where my parents met.

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toronto restaurants 1980s