Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. We used to hop in a cab from Mississauga/Etobicoke and spend our pay cheque at the Ports of Call and always to the Bali Hi room and then afterwords, would go out to Yorkville to a bar. Two teenagers, even girls, can eat a lot! Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. We ordered a very expensive bottle of white wineLoved the place. Front Street and either Bay or Yonge that had a club with live entertainment. I greatly enjoy their panzerotti. Anyone remember Zumburger? 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. It was our favourite downtown restaurant. Sadly was not able to go there since covid and they are now closed. I grew up a bit north of you, near Oakwood and Eglinton. House of Chan The best steaks in North Toronto It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. 10 Places. I spent many lunchtime celebrations there. The prices were more modest and the steaks were almost as good. I discovered some errors on these web sites, but still, I am grateful that these sources were available. When did smoking come to an end in Toronto's restaurants? Having said that, they did offer some higher end items on their menu that I understand were very acceptable, which may have warranted the sale of beer and wine. homefinder.ca 4 days ago Report Ad 3 Pictures 1004 Kingston Rd, Toronto, On M4E1T2, Toronto, Toronto $ 69,999 Fat Pasha. My Dad, Basil, owned all three Prime restaurants, with the last one, in Dixie Plaza, being the busiest. The old world charm was quite memorable. Lobster and ice cold beer on a hot July day, overlooking the harbour, was as close to heaven as Ill likely ever get. My favourite was the Paragon Restaurant on St. Clair West, near Oakwood Avenue. One year on my birthday, my family told me that they were taking me out to dinner, but they kept their choice of restaurant a surprise. comments, Toronto's buffet scene is shrinking but a few restaurants are still holding out, Jagmeet Singh calls out 'greedy CEOs' at Loblaws and Sobeys for high prices, Huge fast food brand likely behind viral 'TTC French toast guy' stunt in Toronto, Toronto shopper outraged as maple syrup prices more than double in a few months, Grocery store nailed with 13 infractions from Toronto health inspectors, Toronto restaurants reintroduce lunch in hopes that industry luck has improved. Toronto Archives, F1257, item 0504. Before closing this post, there are a few more restaurants that I would like to mention. Best of memories for her. By the 2000s, Chi Chi's fell apart thanks to a combination of bankruptcy and a fatal hepatitis A outbreak traced back to green onions served at one of their Pittsburgh restaurants. Rumours circulated that members of the mafia had been turned away at the door, and had put out a hit on the place. Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. Back in the 80s/90s a lot of corporate chain restaurants had unique distinctive decor. Larry's Hideaway. Or at least parts . In response to this post, Paul Coghill of Toronto emailed me his thoughts about restaurants of Torontos past. 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. Johns, which was moored on the east side of the Jadran. During the mid-to-late-1970s, Yonge Street was the main artery of Toronto gay social life (it would shift to Church in the mid-1980s). Great Breakfasts. A reader wrote in an asked for the recipe of a shrimp dish named Les Scampis Amoureux (Shrimp in Love). Toronto Restaurants Dig into Toronto's decadent food scene and find a restaurant for every taste. 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). I remember my father saying that it had a bad reputation as a gang hangout. Theres a couple more restaurants that have gone away that bring back nemories. your dinner. Only went there a couple of times while I was on delivery. I first visited Eds Warehouse when I received a complimentary coupon for Eds Warehouse with my theatre subscription. The Black Bull Tavern also crowns itself as Toronto's oldest bar, dating back to 1833. Check out the list of all Restaurants in Eglinton Avenue East. This legendary Richmond Street West spot introduced Toronto to house music in the 80s. So disappointed when it closed. I thought I had died and entered heaven when I first tasted their Delmonico steak. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. The Florentine Court was on Church near Dundas. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. The names of the dishes so were unfamiliar to most Torontonians that menus at the Acropole were useless. La Chaumiere was also well known for its coq au vin and scallops Normandie. It opened at 375 Church Street in 1964. I also loved Michi on Church as mentioned in your article (chicken yakitori) and Graf Bobby and Acropole but we went to one just east of Yonge at St. Clair. Cherry Street Bar-b-que. Post by United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. Actually my fondest memory as a child was the chocolate (malted) soft ice cream cone in the basement of Eatons near the tunnel to the Annex, the discount or clearance Eaton store. The waiter smiled; he had likely heard similar comments on previous occasions. Anyone have any memories of Teds Coffee Shop at the corner of Eglinton & Mt. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300. I remember cabbage rolls, meatballs with rice, beef stew & baklava for dessert. I drool as I peruse the entrees and fondly recall the price of the dishes. Muddy York is still alive, albeit in the Rogers Centre. Name of restaurant circa 1960s, NE corner of Church and Wood Streets. To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. It helped that before Taco Bell got a stranglehold on the GTA in the mid-1990s, Chi Chi's was the only ubiquitous Mexican game in town. Another favourite downtown restaurant was Bassels, on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets. Remember, I said reasonably.. Thank you very much for contacting me. Its intimate atmosphere and excellent food were delightful. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d was Tage Christensen. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] W. K. Lis. The Ports of Call also had two bars the Singapore Bar (Asian) and the Batton Rouge Bar (French), the latter featuring dancing. Fond memories of Georges Spaghetti House on Dundas St. famous for its pizzathis from visits from the late 50s to early 60sas well as the Jazz combo that played near the entrance. Also Ford Drugs on Yonge for the cheapest burgers around. However, the food portions at La Scala were small. A Hamburger was 25-30 cents and a coke 10 cents! The well-seasoned spicier foods that ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada inherited from Great Britain. There was a Chinese Restaurant, closeby, called Spring Garden. I still have the silver tea service they gave my mom when she left. Your email address will not be published. Mary Johns, I think was on Elizabeth St. around Gerrard. 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. One note is that Carmans has reopened. For her, there was no turning back. TOPS restaurant at the corner of Dundas and Yonge, I remember the TOPS restaurant on Yonge, spent many a late night in a booth there, people-watching with some friends. My mother ignored his comments. Too much new construction going on and they tear all the old buildings down. One chain you didnt list was pickin chicken and their VW delivery vehicles. ), on Yonge; Bistro 990our go-to place for lunch upon arrival in Toronto; Starfiishgorged on oysters; JKROManother wonderful go-to place for lunch; Jamie Kennedys Wine Bar, and then, there was Susursan incredibly delicious and enjoyable dining experience. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. It was eventually re-floated and towed to Cleveland, where it became a seafood restaurant for that city. Member Bio Joined Mar 14, 2008 Messages 1,656 Reaction score 1,524. Photo taken in 2014. Inside, near the entrance, there was a replica of Copenhagens famous statue of The Little Mermaid, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. It may have moved to the west side of Yonge at some point; my recollection is from the late 50s and early 60s! Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my mind was Michi, when it was on Church Street. This book will also be released in the spring of 2016. Joso's. Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto's most famous Dalmatian restaurant. As one of the two owners of Lgardys and Quenelles restaurants on church Street this was priceless. I remember going to Lime Rickey's (I think it was on Steeles?? Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. Please read the cookie policy for more information or to delete/block them. 0111. A couple has been running this Toronto Portuguese restaurant together for almost 15 years. I always requested a table in the glass-covered courtyard as it was akin to dining in a garden. 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. The Swiss Chalet at 362 Yonge Street. Moe Pancers DelicatessenThe original Bathurst & York Downs3. Its two owners (and chefs) once cooked for the royal court in Madrid. It eventually suffered from chain restaurant disease and become bland (cilantro/garlic-free salsa). The 10-storey building originally opened in 1955 as the Anndore Hotel and Apartments - a glamorous rooming house Marlene Dietrich was rumoured to have visited. I inquired if I should wear a tie and jacket and was told that they were unnecessary. I believe they were licensed so you could order a fine wine or beer with As well, there was a cafeteria in the Simpson Tower called the Panorama Room: that might be the establishment one of the commenters has referred-to as being a cafeteria in the store; varied ordinary English-American fare and preparation, for the most part, but decently priced and satisfying for a quick lunch or supper beyond the fast-food scale of fare, as well as having lots of window-glass. On its the south facade, there was a green neon sign that created the outline of a steer. It was where we purchased our high school texts each September. Specialties: Classic Cantonese Cuisine - all served in a truly iconic, retro room. However, the original location on Bloor Street closed in 2006; a condo is now on the site. What a awonderful interesting writing on Toronto restaurant memorabilia. It was my first experience with Japanese food. My family never forgot his generosity. Images courtesy Patti Habib, The Big Bop / Reverb, Myke Dyer, Citysonic, Wrongbar, David Waldman . He knew the chain from Montreal and was watching for my expression when they didnt bring cutlery. The Old Fish Market Restaurant at 12 Market Street. One of the first restaurants my friends and I visited was the Swiss Chalet. Founder & Webitor-in-Chief of DelectablyChic! Used to be when it came to family dining out on a budget, Toronto was spoiled for choice. Bobby. When my wife requested a special dessert because of a medical condition, no problem. Brings back a lot of pleasant memories. This steak House is still in business. I was only about 28 or 29 at the time. I recently read an article about it but dont recall where! La Chaumiere on Charles Street, near Church Street in the 1960s. We enjoyed the meal and when the cheque arrived, the bill had been reduced by 50 per cent. Always lots of men in suits lol. Toronto in the 1980s was defined by video rental stores, Degrassi's original seasons, and. You just picked everything up in your fingers. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. In my memory, there was a small deli at the front with a curtained door in the rear that you parted to enter a parallel universe. Toronto's multicultural roots are deliciously reflected in over 7,500 restaurants across 140+ neighbourhoods. A very interesting trip down memory laneso many of the spots that I had long forgotten about. Meanwhile old favorites such as steak and baked potato, tossed salad, and cheesecake seemed dull. 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. 280 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B9 Canada +1 416-921-4061 + Add website. My grandad was the bartender and my mother the cashier. Frank Vetere Pizzeria. (formerly Prospere Magazine), an online-only lifestyle publication targeting young, hip professional women. You are using an out of date browser. I worked in that restaurant! One of the walls had a huge hand drawn mural of Leonardo himself. Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen. In the Beaches for a bunch of years, there was Loons on Queen, for quite a while the best food in the Beach. 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? I understand it was operating back in the thirties. 15 Places. Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. The first time I dined on the ship I enjoyed the experience, though looking back, I think it was the idea of eating on a cruise ship that was the highlight, rather than the food. Perhaps one of the most famous of Toronto dining places was Eds Warehouse, at 266 King Street West. We had our wedding reception upstairs at Scotts on Bloor street it later became Scotts Chicken Villa and then KFC. The food was superb, along with the service. This sandwich was first introduced in the mid 1970s and lasted until the mid 1990s, representing the Bell's attempt at their own fast food hamburger. Thanks for the memories! John Letnik purchased it and sailed it from Yugoslavia to Toronto. I was wondering if anyone else would remember Malloneys. 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. They also served excellent salads. 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. Never wrote down your order, but it was served exactly to each person. Maybe around Bloor St. and Avenue Rd. It specialized in seafood & served excellent fish & chips. https://www.historypress.net/catalogue/bookstore/books/Toronto-Theatres-and-the-Golden-Age-of-the-Silver-Screen/9781626194502 . Brings back so many memories! I just walked by the old Tom Jones Steakhouse building just east of Yonge on Colborne St. It had one of the first salad bars in TO. I worked at the Whitney Block at Queens Park 66/67 and we would stop by occasionally for a drink before heading home. I miss it to this day! Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! Other places: an Italian restaurant at Bayview Village (where Il Fornello is now), Max's (now O&B) and before it was Max's, I think it was a pub called Charlie's (shut when I was six or so). It arrived in November 1975 and was docked at the foot of Yonge Street, at 1 Queens Quay. I want to say the name may have been Kon-Tiki? How I miss it! I remember such a restaurant located on the East side of Yonge Street, just north of Summerhill Station. It is difficult to realize today how popular the Swiss Chalet was in the early-1960s. Its well-advertised all-you-can-eat French buffet was highly popular, though it was not particularly French. Bayer Senior Member. Book also available in Chapter/Indigo, the Bell Lightbox Book Shop, and by phoning University of Toronto Press, Distribution: 416-667-7791 (ISBN 978.1.62619.450.2), Another book, published by Dundurn Press, containing 80 of Torontos old movie theatres will be released in the spring of 2016, entitled, Torontos Movie Theatres of YesteryearBrought Back to Thrill You Again.. It was another enterprise of Harry Barbarian, who owned the famous steak house on Elm Street. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d' was Tage Christensen. Your still missing a few, when I had money Bigliardis on Church. It always feels good to share memories with others. The waiter offered to provide the proper attire from among the jackets and ties that they kept for such situations. Eds restaurants and the Royal Alex were the impetus that started the gentrification of King Street West. The Sign of the Steer was a large restaurant located at 191 Dupont Street, where it intersects with Davenport Road. I spoke to a cook called Jimmy at the Dairy Freezer at St. Clair & Caledonia who told me he used to work at the Dixie Prime. The Senator | 1929, 88 years old. Review. Please post some place were more info can be found. During my high school years in the 1950s, I often visited local restaurants for a coffee and a slice or pie. Asked . Our children liked to say that we were married at KFC. Loved reading this and all the great memories. One woman prepared in the kitchen. Arcade games (usually Asteroids, Pac-Man, Dig-Dug or Zaxxon) lined the walls and could be operated with plastic tokens that also worked in the gumball machines, and of course every kid got a free token with their meal. If anyone else has any memories of any of the three prime restaurants, kindly post. 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