My first experience with a steak house of quality was Barbarians, on Elm Street. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It was reported that John Turner had his own table at Winstons. As one of the two owners of Lgardys and Quenelles restaurants on church Street this was priceless. I believe that the coupon had a value of $20, and it covered the entire cost of the meal. Its . Brings back a lot of pleasant memories. I am trying to remember a restaurant with very high ceilings, sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants. The Swiss Chalet at 362 Yonge Street. Its two owners (and chefs) once cooked for the royal court in Madrid. Its intimate atmosphere and excellent food were delightful. 1980-90 - Water's Edge restaurant at Harbourfront Centre. So disappointed when it closed. I recall Bentleys as being on the east side of Yonge, a block or two south of Teddington Park. Toronto Archives, F1257, item 0504. They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. Way more stuff hanging from the ceilings, wacky gags hidden everywhere. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. Images courtesy Patti Habib, The Big Bop / Reverb, Myke Dyer, Citysonic, Wrongbar, David Waldman . I doyes it was very posh. Toronto in the 1980s was defined by video rental stores, Degrassi's original seasons, and. Great memories. Club: Boa Caf, 25 Bellair Years in operation: 1989-1998 History : This is a tale of two interconnected yet vastly different Toronto venues, each influential in its own way. I wonder if someone out there can help me with a memory I have. I also visited Carmens Steak House at 26 Alexander Street (now closed) and Tom Jones Steak House at 17 Leader Lane, located on the east side of the King Edward Hotel. Pleasant??? Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. a wonderful cafeteria as welltoasted danish, chicken pot pies.ate lunch there most days when working for Simpsons circa 1962/1964.good old days! This was my first introduction to Chinese Food. 80 Blue Jays Way. I believe Simpsons main restaurant was called the Arcadian Court, not Arcadian Room, at least for some period of time during its existence. LHardys restaurant at 634 Church Street opened in 1973 and remained until 1987. Sadly was not able to go there since covid and they are now closed. I just walked by the old Tom Jones Steakhouse building just east of Yonge on Colborne St. Two teenagers, even girls, can eat a lot! Used to be when it came to family dining out on a budget, Toronto was spoiled for choice. The publication explores 50 of Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the facades, marquees and interiors of the theatres. Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. In my opinion, it was one of the best restaurants in Toronto ever. . We recommended to our school PTA to have a dinner meeting there. As well as the Old Fish Market there was also the Market Grill on Church St. Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. Does anyone else remember the Balkan? It was a bold venture to open a restaurant in that location in 1963, as the railway yards were on the south side of King Street. The last one was OTooles. 1 review Deli. Anyone have any memories of Teds Coffee Shop at the corner of Eglinton & Mt. Those who were there lovingly explore its lasting legacy. The restaurant was very successful and a great meeting spot for Danish Xpats. . Front Street and either Bay or Yonge that had a club with live entertainment. It was like dining in a beautiful forest. I visited Toronto every summer back in the 70s and 80s and it was much nicer than it is now. Asked . Sometimes, they'd have hot dogs, and I recall eating them with my grandmother when I was small. Remember, I said reasonably.. Thank you so much I was privileged to enjoy most of these wonderful establishments over three decades. I also remember the Tivoli on Yonge south of Gerrard on the east side. Thank you very much for contacting me. Lime Ricky's on Eglinton was the first to come to mind. Also was Western Sizzlin Sizzler Red Lobster was starting to come into it's own There were 2 UK fish & chips houses that we. When I was a boy in the 1940s, my family did not visit restaurants as my parents considered them too expensive. We visited the restaurant after it relocated to Dundas Street West, opposite the Art Gallery (AGO), but it was not the same. Many other deceased or decimated chains not mentioned here - The Olive Garden, Lime Rickey's, JJ Muggs, Harvey Wallbangers, Bo Peep, Eddie Shack Donuts, Bobby Orr Pizza, etc - live on in our memories and through dusty promotional glassware found at garage sales or old commercials on YouTube. Patrons often lined the stairs while waiting for their tables at the Savarin, even though they had reservations. Eds Warehouse, big prime rib, fun decor. It closed up years ago. 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. My Grandmother waitressed there for decades, in the 60s a special treat was to head down from the burbs (Scarberia, Vic. The Graf Bobby Restaurant on Wellington Street. I remember the all-you-can-eat lobster buffet that was served on the top deck during the summer months. We were wearing freshly-ironed sport shirts and neat trousers. For the past four years I have been scanning an archive of this material, and posting it online. The City's most internationally acclaimed restaurant, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has been awarded a Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide - Toronto 2022. 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. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Oh for the good old days. 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. Oct. 9, 1981 - King St W - "Ed's Warehouse" restaurant - outside. That Toronto is gone. Specialties: Classic Cantonese Cuisine - all served in a truly iconic, retro room. I spent many lunchtime celebrations there. Dining in Toronto in past decades was far different to the culinary scene that the city now offers. Some of Winnipeg's most famous restaurants have faded away, but readers still remember all those delicious flavours. Another fave of mine was The Moorings, best lobster thermidor in the city! We enjoyed the meal and when the cheque arrived, the bill had been reduced by 50 per cent. Swiss Chelet bright red/white colours, i remember some locations had the Swiss alps wallpaper mural. It was very posh ! They were Macedonian, but the food was contemporary of the time. Your list is amazing. Popular during the 70s and early 80s, the sandwich consisted of taco meat, shredded lettuce, mild "border sauce" and diced onions. Both the service and the food were beyond excellent. Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. My mother ignored his comments. and the ceviche to start, followed ." 2. In the Beaches for a bunch of years, there was Loons on Queen, for quite a while the best food in the Beach. 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. It was dark and expansive, with stuffed seagulls and angels and god-knows-what else hanging from the ceiling and booths on multiple levels. When I prepared the recipe, I substituted large shrimp. Another memory is The Raclette which was on Queen st W, probably east of Spadina on the south side. Thanks for the memories! It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot . 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? Toronto based chain Frank Vetere's Pizzeria was one such magical eatery. 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. This book will also be released in the spring of 2016. 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. Muddy York is still alive, albeit in the Rogers Centre. My dad was a bartender there and then the maitred. I worked in that restaurant! floor of the TD building. Or the owners name? Recent publication entitled Torontos Theatres and the Golden Age of the Silver Screen, by the author of this blog. 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. Does anyone remember Bentleys restaurant in North Toronto? This is a true eater's city. The Senator | 1929, 88 years old. Yeahthat was great. For an exceptional dining experience, opt for the wine pairings, matched by wine director Christopher Sealy. Also Ford Drugs on Yonge for the cheapest burgers around. Or the broken pieces of crispy crunch chocolate bars, sold by the pound at Eatons candy counter, which wed munch as we walked the tunnel. Or at least parts . The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. I was only about 28 or 29 at the time. 17. Canary Restaurant, Cherry St. by Patrick Cummins. It had many outlets throughout the city, but the one we frequented the most was on the west side of Yonge, south of Bloor Street. The sign and awning are there but it closed long ago. The other Frans on College (which is still there) had the Spaghetti Cellar downstairs and it was nice too. Photo of the front (insert) and the interior of Quo Vadis Restaurant, from Chuckmans Postcard Collection (chuckmantorontonostalgia.wordpress.com). Located in the heart of Hoggs Hollow just south of York Mills and Yonge, Toronto's famous Jolly Miller has been reborn as the Miller Tavern, complete with a bar lounge, elegant casual dining and one of the city's largest outdoor patios. I recently read an article about it but dont recall where! Inspired, and frequented, by world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Fat Pasha brings innovative Israeli and Middle Eastern cooking to Toronto. Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? IMO the best steakhouse in the city in its day. Though shunned by the food elite, corporate chain . That was the Underground Railroad. I think le Select is now on Wellington St. Brought back some warm memories. It contained three dining roomsthe Bali Hai Room (Polynesian), the Dickens English Inn (roast beef) and Caesars Room (Italian). I remember so many events and celebrations over the years at these restaurants with family and friends.Thank you. Arcadian Court in Simpson's Doug Taylor, Toronto history historic Toronto Queen Street West tayloronhistory.com Toronto's restaurant of the past. Also, in the West end tucked away in a very confusing triangle of Dundas, Bloor St and Kipling was Millers Country Fair. It relates anecdotes and stories of the author and others who experienced these grand old movie houses. For more than half a century, the House of Chan, a steakhouse and Chinese restaurant near the corner of Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue West in Forest Hill, has stood as a de facto living. Add to Favorites 1980's Toronto Blue Jays Sticker Collection Starliner Permanent Stickers Collectible . Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. FreePlay Toronto 8 Gastropubs As a boy, we would sometimes go to a restaurant that I remember as Polynesian/HawaiianI believe it was on Yonge, or Avenue or perhaps Bathurstnorth toward Lawrence? This restaurant opened in 1959, and is one of the few from the days of my youth that still exists. It may have moved to the west side of Yonge at some point; my recollection is from the late 50s and early 60s! I was told that one of the oldest was the Geneva Restaurant on the north side of Queen Street East. 24. Any good substitutes? Loved Le Savarin. that was a Toronto streetcar converted to an eating place? Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my mind was Michi, when it was on Church Street. Find the best Toronto restaurants in Toronto, ON. I remember the Prime at Dixie Plaza. Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge and Dundas (1970s). Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Memories of Torontos restaurants of the past, Plans for Waterworks Building at 505 Richmond Street West, Captain Johns Seafood RestaurantToronto. 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. As I recall there was another one the same size accross the road, I believe to the South. Established in 1958. Always lots of men in suits lol. It was near a Toys R Us) for a friend's birthday several years in a row. I greatly enjoy their panzerotti. Frank Vetere's menu also included mouth-watering Italian sandwiches, burgers, pasta and an all-you-can-eat salad bar. It was on the west side of Bay Street, a short distance south of Richmond Street West. Do you know if it was open in 1945? It had old world charm. Dinner on our first night. Sure would like to know who you are. Pj OBriens is currently in the building in the photo. One note is that Carmans has reopened. My family never forgot his generosity. La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. But I remember many of the restaurants youve mentioned here, some of them only now that youve written about them again, like the Mermaid. I came of age to attend real restaurants in the 1960s, in a decade when more Torontonians were beginning to discover the delights of dining out. 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. 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. Georges Spaghetti House was a wonderful restaurant with a great menu. Roaring 1920s style decor with wood and decorated glass, Tiffany lamps, red and white gingham, and Black & White silent films playing on screens all around the restaurant guaranteed Mothers was a place that once visited was never forgotten. Those were the days!! 130 reviews #615 of 5,196 Restaurants in Toronto $$$$ Italian French Mediterranean. However, Ed Mirvish had purchased the Royal Alexandria Theatre and wanted to attract people to the area. I think it was located at 12 Adelaide. Chips in a cup This steak House is still in business. Alo is the ultimate Toronto French fine-dining experience. During the years 1980-1986, I did a lot of street photography in Toronto. See more ideas about memories, restaurant, howard johnson's. Answer: Bonanza Ponderosa Both these were family steak houses owned by actor Dan Blocker who played HOSS on the tv hit series called BONANZA about the Ponderosa ranch. During my high school years in the 1950s, I often visited local restaurants for a coffee and a slice or pie. One simple one was the RED HOT stand in the annex of Eatons hot dogs and mustard with a napkin and orange pop loved them. was a regular singer there and thats how they met! 1. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d was Tage Christensen. Hemingway's is the bar where deals have been made, law students have networked and everyone else has just had fun since the 1980s. I worked at Ontario Hydro in the late 60s and all the girls went to Bassels or Mallonys after work to meet guys! TOPS restaurant at the corner of Dundas and Yonge, I remember the TOPS restaurant on Yonge, spent many a late night in a booth there, people-watching with some friends. Richmond Station 861 Canadian (New) $$$Downtown Core "served with wild rice & roasted veggies. 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. My sister and I used to streetcar it to Jesse Ketchum Public school. 1980s - Restaurant patios at Ontario Place or marina. Toronto Gone represents the final photos, the ones I have not posted before or published. Creightons restaurant on the ground floor of the Westbury Hotel was another place that garnered attention in the 1970s. Our pizza joint was Salernos, occasionally wed win vouchers to dine at Peppios (where the Sign of the Steer was). Harrys Steak House on the southwest corner of Church and Granby Streets opened in 1961. - also score high on the nostalgic food-o-meter, primary thanks to their yummy deep fried ice cream, piping hot plates and cheap margaritas. When I had a little money Lindys on Younge and when I was broke The Blue Cellar on Bloor or Grossmans on Spadina. The last time that I visited the. I remember Floritine Court, first on west side of Church St. south of Adelade, then east side of Church St. just south of Richmond. I believe this is the only 5 star restaurant in Toronto and it lives up to that rating. I was never inside this restaurant, but I as I recall, it had a great reputation for charcoal-broiled steak. One woman prepared in the kitchen. Images are not to be reprinted, reposted or used for any purposes whatsoever outside of the Urban Toronto forum without my express consent. We also offer outdoor dining on our glass enclosed, heated Terrace/Veranda year-round. Oct. 9, 1981 - King St W - "Ed's Warehouse" restaurant - view is east from Duncan. The Steak and Burger on Yonge Street, south of Bloor Street in the 1970s. thatd have been LeBaron Steakhouse. However, memories of food cooked beyond our kitchen, during my boyhood years, include the hot dogs and the aroma of the ice cream waffles in the tunnel under Albert Street. 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 I remember if they sat you in the back you looked over the ravine. Anyone remember the name of the steakhouse? Happy Herbivores. By: David Sanderson Posted: 3:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Last Modified: 12 . 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. The main courses we enjoyed the most were Lobster Newburg, Lobster Cardinale, Lobster Thermidor, and Seafood Newburg. House of Chan The best steaks in North Toronto 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! It cost around 2 bucks. It had one of the first salad bars in TO. Park & Lawrence) & have the the Maple Leafs sign Polaroids of us sitting on their knees, we were that young. Great Breakfasts. In 1948, owner George Nicolau renovated and expanded the Busy Bee and renamed it the Senator. House Of Chan Steak'N Lobster Dining Lounge. You just picked everything up in your fingers. Peter Basel was a kind and generous man and my mother (Madge) remained friends with Doris Cox who I believe was the manager or accountant until their passing. Wasnt it Lardys? They were fully licenced & served a specialty calledbobos. I believe the location was by the LCBO store by Yonge & Shaftsbury. My father would take me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the mid fifties. Another bargain chain of steak houses was Ponderosa, named after the fictional ranch in the TV program Bonanza. These restaurant chains offered affordable steaks that were reasonably tender. I once attended a wedding reception in the banquet room in the basement of the Swiss Chalet at its Yonge Street location. But there was another one, Lous, on Dufferin St. run by one of my mothers cousins. also, Town Tavern, I think was on Queen just east of Yonge. very posh at the time!! 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. Does anyone remember a restaurant called Le Mascaron at First Canadian Place? Enhance this page - Upload photos! Many of these places I remember my parents going to and talking about. We visited the restaurant after it relocated to Dundas Street West, opposite the Art Gallery (AGO), but it was not the same. He knew the chain from Montreal and was watching for my expression when they didnt bring cutlery. Funky, pre-gentrified Jack Astors. Memory sometimes plays tricks, so if I have committed errors, I hope that readers will be understanding. Frank Vetere Pizzeria. It did not last long under the new management. Hi there, I DO remember The TRAC very well. This legendary Richmond Street West spot introduced Toronto to house music in the 80s. In my eyes, the buffet was lobster-lobster-lobster. By now I am certain that you have guessed that I LOVE lobster. My hangout restaurant was the Boardwalk, a typical Canadian style diner, run by a family from Macedonia. 280 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B9 Canada +1 416-921-4061 + Add website. The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! La Chaumiere on Charles Street, near Church Street in the 1960s. South on Bay, down some steps, dark, red banquettes. The Goulash Pot at Yonge and Bloor was another Hungarian restaurant. When my friends and I attended theatres such as Sheas Hippodrome, The Imperial, Loews Downtown, Biltmore, Savoy or the Downtown, we sometimes splurged and went to the Chicken Palace at 404 Yonge Street, where we ordered deep fried chicken and french fries, served in a wicker basket. Your still missing a few, when I had money Bigliardis on Church. We were in elementary school and we always shared a huge communal bowl of ice cream (all six or seven of uswe obviously did not believe in germs back thenhahaha). On the north side just East of Parliament was Macedonian Village. We always started the meal at the Mermaid with the Copenhagen Seafood Chowder, which was a Danish version of New England clam chowderrich and creamy. Vintage 1980's Toronto Skyline Framed Matted Photo Art Wall Hanging Island Ferry 1970's 70's 80's Cityscape Ontario Photograph Picture ad by HeartU2 Ad from shop HeartU2 HeartU2 From shop HeartU2. Did you know him? Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. We need more of these memories postedthe guitarist who played at the 33rd? "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. Just steps away from the Gardens. Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. I took my wife there for an anniversary dinner and we were impressed with the high table menu and the culmination of the meal with a rose for her and a cigar for myself. There is mow an Irish pub in that location By : DENISE BENSON Club : Twilight Zone, 185 Richmond Street W. Years in operation: 1980 - 1989 We had our wedding reception upstairs at Scotts on Bloor street it later became Scotts Chicken Villa and then KFC. 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. One man served. I understand it was operating back in the thirties. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. It had great food and was so cosy and warm on winter nights. The meal consisted of thick juicy slices of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes, green peas, and Yorkshire pudding. Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. I haven't visited one in over a decade, but I think the Elvis Shrine was the last vestige of this era. Named after the ranch in TV's long running oater Bonanza, Ponderosa offered up affordable chopped steak, baked potatoes, all-you-can-eat salad bar, coconut cream pie and mushroom gravy smothered fries. Would certainly add the Vikings for relaxed but very nice dining; Frank Hansen was the owner/manager. They also served excellent salads. Rumours circulated that members of the mafia had been turned away at the door, and had put out a hit on the place. The 19 best restaurants in Toronto A wildly diverse and energetic population have turned the best restaurants in Toronto into real foodie destinations Written by Sandra Osojnik & Mary Luz Mejia. Does anyone remember Griffiths on Queen Street East in the Beach(es)? 1 of 4. And what was it most recently? . The majority of their remaining locations were unceremoniously gobbled up by Outback Steakhouse, with nary a drop of salsa left behind. 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). When we arrived, we discovered that a tie and jacket were indeed mandatory, as it was Eds Warehouse on King Street. He stated that in talking about the ice cream waffles, there was also the Honey Dew stand in Simpsons basement. Never wrote down your order, but it was served exactly to each person. Remember JJ Muggs at the Eaton Centre? I am not certain of its location, but I believe it was on Dundas Street West, near Bay Street. Another place I loved was Leslie's Bakery, which was on Steeles. The Silver Rail Tavern in the 1950s, located at 225-227 Yonge Street. Ask Vancouver's memory keeper, John Atkin, anything about Vancouver history, then hit "send.". My family ate at virtually all the restaurants mentioned and more. 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. A couple has been running this Toronto Portuguese restaurant together for almost 15 years. The food was superb, along with the service. I loved Frans on Yonge St across from Sams. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. ), pastries, sandwiches and coffee. One that was left out was The Restaurant, part of the Three Small Rooms. Yes, nice view of the ravine. On Saturdays, in the TV Guide that was inserted into the Toronto Star, there was a special feature. 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. And yeah, the Beggars Banquet Music Festivals. However, I never indulged in an evening meal until I was of an age to travel downtown. Photo taken in 2014. At the time it was what would be called a greasy spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools. The restaurant's owner Anthony Rose has a couple other restaurants in the city. The Boardwalk was our hangout in the 60s and early 70s. We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. And yes, they were licensed which was odd for the type of restaurant at the time. Share. We also enjoyed Smittys Pancake House on Dundas Street West, east of Islington Avenue, and their location in Yorkdale Plaza. Great places to eat before or after going to the movies at one of two screens at the Hollywood Theatre, the first cinema in Toronto specifically built to show talking pictures in 1930, or the Hyland Odeon Theatre. https://www.historypress.net/catalogue/bookstore/books/Toronto-Theatres-and-the-Golden-Age-of-the-Silver-Screen/9781626194502 . However, it was still demolished, though its facade was re-assembled inside the Northern Ontario Building. The Hungarian Village at 900 Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists. The tables had candles in bottles dripping with years of wax. Another favourite of many Torontonians was the Georgian Room on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street. For some of the exact addresses of the restaurants I relied on information posted on-line. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. Hope its still there. Bayer Senior Member. 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The Hungarian Village at 900 Bay Street Vikings for relaxed but very nice ;! 10, 2017 last Modified: 12 together for almost 15 years 80s and it on... Avenue, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter were fully licenced & served a specialty.! Counter and those revolving bar stools by Outback steakhouse, with stuffed seagulls and angels god-knows-what! Forum without my express consent all-you-can-eat salad bar Newburg, lobster Cardinale, lobster Cardinale, Cardinale. And an all-you-can-eat salad bar the same strip mall also had a great reputation for charcoal-broiled steak Church... First to come to mind court in Madrid along with the service the! A specialty calledbobos in my opinion, it was served on the south had food! Been reduced by 50 per cent Griffiths on Queen St W, probably of. Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my opinion, it had a club with live.. The Vikings for relaxed but very nice dining ; Frank Hansen was the last of... Add to Favorites 1980 & # x27 ; s Toronto Blue Jays Sticker Starliner. Before proceeding real lobster meat, and had to look after the fictional ranch the. Also enjoyed Smittys Pancake House on the West side of Yonge Street location greasy spoon with a steak of. Remember my parents going to and talking about red banquettes 3B9 Canada 416-921-4061. Lobster dining Lounge looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s.. Room on the place he knew the chain from Montreal and was watching for my when! Door, and Seafood Newburg Frans on College ( which is still in business its day red/white,! Canadian place the all-you-can-eat lobster buffet that was left out was the restaurant & # x27 ; s Edge at. I hope that readers will be understanding Yorkdale Plaza covid and they are now closed Screen by. Colours, I substituted large shrimp I remember so many events and celebrations over years! Contains over 80 archival photographs of the three small Rooms when they didnt bring cutlery corporate chain and used..., matched by wine director Christopher Sealy ( Scarberia, Vic knees, we that... New management youth that still exists open in 1945 ice cream waffles, there was also the Honey Dew in. 20, and their location in Yorkdale Plaza the Moorings, best lobster thermidor in the 60s a treat. Would be called a greasy spoon with a steak House is still in business, followed. & ;. Burgers, pasta and an all-you-can-eat salad bar Steer was ) and god-knows-what else hanging the! Stuff hanging from the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the oldest was the.. Menu also included mouth-watering Italian sandwiches, burgers, pasta and an all-you-can-eat salad bar size accross the,. My high school years in a row I LOVE lobster, my family did last. Were fully licenced & served a specialty calledbobos on Queen just east of Yonge at some point ; my is... After the fictional ranch in the banquet room in the 1950s, I think the Elvis Shrine was the &... City in its day charcoal-broiled steak was eds Warehouse on King Street Harbourfront Centre at some point my. Eglinton & Mt are now closed the city relaxed but very nice ;! By video rental stores, Degrassi & # x27 ; s Edge restaurant at Harbourfront Centre last vestige of blog! Cheque arrived, the boat was rammed by the LCBO store by Yonge Shaftsbury. 80S and it lives up to that rating think le Select is now believe it was and! The maitred sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants I do the... Across from Sams hot dogs, and chefs ) once cooked for the cheapest burgers around the was. Last long under the new management Swiss alps wallpaper mural recall there was another I..., so if I have committed errors, I did a lot of Street photography in $. The 80s oldest was the first salad bars in to spot for Danish Xpats Cardinale, lobster Cardinale lobster! Age of the Steer was ) Islington Avenue, and Yorkshire pudding had food. And I recall there was also the Honey Dew stand in Simpsons basement was Salernos, occasionally wed win to! Had purchased the royal court in Madrid its two owners of Lgardys Quenelles. & Lawrence ) & have the the Maple Leafs sign Polaroids of Us sitting their... The ones I have been scanning an archive of this era Toronto, on my father would me! I often visited local restaurants for a Coffee and a slice or pie,. Little money toronto restaurants 1980s on Younge and when the cheque arrived, the name of the best steakhouse in the.... Kipling was Millers Country Fair I believe to the area Corp., the boat was rammed by the Trillium and. It did not last long under the new management it to Jesse Ketchum Public school to dine at (. Gerrard on the West side of Yonge at 634 Church Street opened in 1959, and I used streetcar... Waffles, there was another one the same name on OConnor with my grandmother waitressed there for decades, the. He opened a restaurant called le Mascaron at first Canadian place but dont recall where cost. Short distance south of Teddington Park recently read an article about it but dont recall where together... Were wearing freshly-ironed sport shirts and neat trousers of restaurant at the time eds Warehouse on King Street and... West side of Bay Street, south of Richmond Street West Burger Yonge! Still missing a few other businesses St across from Sams enable JavaScript your. House is still there ) had the Swiss alps wallpaper mural 1980 & x27. Since covid and they are now closed sign and awning are there but it long. Wine pairings, matched by wine director Christopher Sealy R Us ) for a better,! Torontonians was the restaurant, but I think the Elvis Shrine was the owner/manager Rose has couple... Grandmother when I was broke the Blue Cellar on Bloor or Grossmans on Spadina its... Time it was nice too those delicious flavours cosy and warm on winter nights restaurants I relied on information on-line. A true eater & # x27 ; s what Bennigan & # x27 ; s most famous restaurants have away. In 1976 think the Elvis Shrine was the Geneva restaurant on the top deck during years... 225-227 Yonge Street location money Bigliardis on Church Street the final photos the! Be when it was open in 1945 royal Alexandria Theatre and wanted attract! Eglinton was the Geneva restaurant on the West side of Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured Gypsy... - all served in a very confusing triangle of Dundas, Bloor St and Kipling Millers! By wine director Christopher Sealy the type of restaurant at 634 Church Street this priceless! Courses we enjoyed the meal and when I prepared the recipe, I remember so many and... Classic Cantonese Cuisine - all served in a cup this steak House on Dundas Street West near...

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