It cost around 2 bucks. The Old Fish Market Restaurant at 12 Market Street. Fat Pasha. Lime Ricky's was a 50s-inspired diner that thrived in the 80s. 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. Its well-advertised all-you-can-eat French buffet was highly popular, though it was not particularly French. Do you know if it was open in 1945? I especially enjoyed their Spinach layer salad. Truffles 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. In the early-1950s, my family moved to the west end of the city, near Jane Street and Lambton Avenue, and our local fish and chips shop became Golden Crip Fish and Chips, at 1364 Weston Road. Lime Ricky's on Eglinton was the first to come to mind. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300. Then, there was the Arcadian Room (Simpsons), Casa Mendoza (great meat platters, Argentinian style) on the Lakeshore, The Round Room in Eatons College, Beverley Hills Hotel on Wilson Avenue (good lunch buffet), the Colonial Tavern and the Silver Rail on Yonge Street, and Diana Sweets on Yonge and also on Bloor, and Frans on St. Clair Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, and on College Street. It arrived in November 1975 and was docked at the foot of Yonge Street, at 1 Queens Quay. Thank you for this post. Both the service and the food were beyond excellent. Puppy Palace teen hangout on north Bathurst St. 1 of 4. Sep 13, 2019 - Restaurants that I ate at as a child..most no longer exist. When I had a little money Lindys on Younge and when I was broke The Blue Cellar on Bloor or Grossmans on Spadina. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. Another restaurant I remember fondly, always appropriate for special occasions, was Winstons at 120 King Street West. It contained three dining roomsthe Bali Hai Room (Polynesian), the Dickens English Inn (roast beef) and Caesars Room (Italian). In response to this post, Paul Coghill of Toronto emailed me his thoughts about restaurants of Torontos past. Toronto based chain Frank Vetere's Pizzeria was one such magical eatery. My favourite was the Paragon Restaurant on St. Clair West, near Oakwood Avenue. Also remember the Prime, Salernos and the Sky Ranch. 1. . 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. My grandad was the bartender and my mother the cashier. I grew up in Leaside and have dined at most of the restaurants you mention. When I asked for something not on the menu, it was no problem. 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. My first experience with a steak house of quality was Barbarians, on Elm Street. 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. Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a few doors east of Yonge Street. I was all grown up when I arrived in Toronto in 1987, but I remember my visits to Bemelmans; the original Bloor Street Diner where I met my first boyfriend; the early 90s version of City Grill at the Eaton Centre; and the Daily Planet at Yonge and Eglinton. It was called The Swiss Marmite I believe these are both gone now, as I enjoyed these in the early to mid 80s. I remember an evening that we engaged in a progressive dinner. We visited the Old Fish Market for our appetizer (seafood chowder), and then Graf Bobby at 36 Wellington East for our main course (wiener schnitzel), and then, drove up to the Cafe de la Paix at 131 Bloor West in the Colonnade for coffee and dessert. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. Established in 1958. 800 Sq Ft Of Property With A To-Go Option As Well. Noticing the geography of your prefered restaurants, Im sure you must remember mine. Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! It had great food and was so cosy and warm on winter nights. 514 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A5 Get directions. For her, there was no turning back. In my eyes, the buffet was lobster-lobster-lobster. By now I am certain that you have guessed that I LOVE lobster. La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. Canary Restaurant, Cherry St. by Patrick Cummins. #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 always requested a table in the glass-covered courtyard as it was akin to dining in a garden. Also Ford Drugs on Yonge for the cheapest burgers around. I cannot recall the prices but I think it was reasonably priced when compared to similar restaurants downtown. Aug 6, 1983 - Restaurant on corner of Pearl and unidentified street. LHardys restaurant at 634 Church Street opened in 1973 and remained until 1987. Rhodes had a front area on the north side of the entrance fronting the fine dining room that featured local jazz musicians Thursday to Saturday evenings. Photo taken in 2014. Paradise Regained the restoration of the Paradise Theatre. South on Bay, down some steps, dark, red banquettes. The only food that was prepared outside our home was a take-out order of fish and chips from Oakwood Fish and Chips, located on Oakwood Avenue, north of Rogers Road. That was the Underground Railroad. And yes, they were licensed which was odd for the type of restaurant at the time. However, the food portions at La Scala were small. Chinese Food Restaurants, Asian Restaurants. My brother and I would have been 4 to 7 years old. Brought back some warm memories. [.] I also remember a time when Lonestar Texas Grill (Simcoe Place) was really, really good. It was called Between Friends. Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. Also, the deserts on display were always a sight to behold. 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. The complimentary salad had a tangy garlic dressing. The feature that I remember the most was the hors-doeuvres cart, which contained at least twenty appetizers, including escargot (heavy with garlic), trays of stuffed olives, stuffed mushrooms, wine-marinated anchovies, pureed cottage cheese with cognac and scallions, and quenelles of shrimp. The waiter offered to provide the proper attire from among the jackets and ties that they kept for such situations. My dad was a bartender there and then the maitred. Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. Toronto Archives, F1257, item 0504. The sign looks like El Toro. 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 the first time I went there with a friend. Review. So many great memories in the article and all these wonderful comments. Your list is amazing. Because it was considered a classy restaurant, we felt very grown-up whenever we went there. Yes the music was fabulous as was the atmosphere. I met my first husband there. Toronto Restaurants of the 80s and 90s prosperegal May 10, 2018 Prev 1 2 3 4 5 wild goose chase Active Member Member Bio Joined Sep 11, 2015 Messages 750 Reaction score 84 Jun 18, 2018 #61 Converted big chain restaurants are common in the city of Toronto it seems in many places. https://www.historypress.net/catalogue/bookstore/books/Toronto-Theatres-and-the-Golden-Age-of-the-Silver-Screen/9781626194502 . 5 out of 5 stars (101) $ 50.00. Another bargain restaurant chain we frequented in the 1960s was the Steak and Burger. I was only about 28 or 29 at the time. 280 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B9 Canada +1 416-921-4061 + Add website. This is where I attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the basement. I remember being treated to lunch there by a friend, prior to my departure for a holiday. I wonder if someone out there can help me with a memory I have. 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.. Jimmy Lopresty( Owner) & Charles (Waiter) were the two persons I remember at this wonderful restaurant. The Goulash Pot at Yonge and Bloor was another Hungarian restaurant. It was on the second floor, with a steep staircase leading to the dining room. I was wondering if anyone else would remember Malloneys. The Restaurant Boasts Of Its Food And Location. From chef Akira Back, who garnered a Michelin Star for his restaurant in Seoul, his namesake Toronto restaurant offers an incredible experience, from the expertly crafted food and beverage program and the exceptional service right down to the show-stopping design. The prices were more modest and the steaks were almost as good. They had the seafood restaurant upstairs. Johns, which was moored on the east side of the Jadran. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. My mother and grandfather worked at Bassels and thats where my parents met. 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 . Meanwhile old favorites such as steak and baked potato, tossed salad, and cheesecake seemed dull. They sure did a land-office business of fishn chips both eat-in and take-out on Friday evenings! Here are just a proposal for a correction, and a recollection of my own. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. The Hungarian Village at 900 Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists. View this Spot. I had ordered this delicious dish many times, so I kept the recipe. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. The old world charm was quite memorable. Eds Warehouse, big prime rib, fun decor. Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? One of the first restaurants my friends and I visited was the Swiss Chalet. Yonge St east side next to the cut rate jewelry store Lindys Steak House somewhere you could get a steak with 1200 pees and yesterdays roll and the waiters always wore a tie. 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. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d was Tage Christensen. Was a hangout for Northern S.S. students and a couple of Maple Leafs living in the area.. Da Vinci Pizzeria on the Danforth between Dawes & Victoria Park, a bunch of real deal Italian guys, made the best pizza way before Toronto knew what pizza was. I have fond memories of time spent at the restaurant with my family when I was a child. I still have the silver tea service they gave my mom when she left. The dining room was Victoriana gone wild; the decor was part of the attraction. Toronto's multicultural roots are deliciously reflected in over 7,500 restaurants across 140+ neighbourhoods. 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. Almost every night after homework was done we could be found there. He stated that in talking about the ice cream waffles, there was also the Honey Dew stand in Simpsons basement. Trailblazing 1980s nightclub Twilight Zone brought diverse crowds and sounds to Toronto's Entertainment District long before such a designation even existed. We were offended, as the clothes they offered were grubby looking, and we were certainly not hobos. I am trying to remember a restaurant with very high ceilings, sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants. And what was it most recently? Toronto Gone represents the final photos, the ones I have not posted before or published. Anyone remember any Macedonian owned restaurants in 1945? Running restaurants, especially, three, must have been tough with the long hours etc. Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen. Find the best Toronto restaurants in Toronto, ON. My Favourite seafood restaurant in Toronto was The Mermaid, at 724 Bay Street, which opened in 1964. Check out the list of all Restaurants in Eglinton Avenue East. Check their menu, reviews & rating, photos, price, location, cuisine, offers, and more. But I remember many of the restaurants youve mentioned here, some of them only now that youve written about them again, like the Mermaid. This chain first appeared at 234 Bloor Street West, in 1954, and in the years ahead opened over 200 eateries throughout Canada and the U.S. Its facade has changed greatly since the 1950s. . It was named the Normac. 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. This restaurant still exists today. I also remember the Tivoli on Yonge south of Gerrard on the east side. The northern half of the semi-detached house was occupied by another well-known restaurantQuenelles. In the 1990s, it was a jazz bar frequented by celebs including Tony Bennett and Eartha Kitt, owned by matre d' to the stars, Louis Janetta. I believe that the coupon had a value of $20, and it covered the entire cost of the meal. Lichee Garden. We also offer outdoor dining on our glass enclosed, heated Terrace/Veranda year-round. 0111. 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. We had our wedding reception upstairs at Scotts on Bloor street it later became Scotts Chicken Villa and then KFC. My mother ignored his comments. Name of restaurant circa 1960s, NE corner of Church and Wood Streets. Chi Chi's Mexican restaurants - catchphrase "A celebration of food!" We ordered a very expensive bottle of white wineLoved the place. 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. Great memories. 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 owner (whose name I cant remember) lived in a posh house in Mississauga with an indoor pool, which was a big deal in the 50s. I worked at Ontario Hydro in the late 60s and all the girls went to Bassels or Mallonys after work to meet guys! I believe they were licensed so you could order a fine wine or beer with Toronto Then and Now, published by Pavilion Press (London England) explores 75 of the citys historic buildings. 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. The other favourite buffet in that decade was the Savarin Tavern, located at 336 Bay Street. There are many more Toronto restaurants of the 1960s and 1970s, as I have only listed the ones that either I visited or remember well. When I was a boy in the 1940s, my family did not visit restaurants as my parents considered them too expensive. 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). Share. Thanks. I have yet to find another place that makes battered shrimp as amazingly as they did*sigh*. Inspired, and frequented, by world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Fat Pasha brings innovative Israeli and Middle Eastern cooking to Toronto. 111 King St E, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G6 Canada +1 416-361-9666 Website. 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. Toronto has some great restaurants, delis and buffets. Does anyone remember a very nice restaurant on the north side of Bloor between Yonge and Bay in the late 1970s early 1980s? During the '50s when dining out meant Chinese food or steak and more. 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. My family ate at virtually all the restaurants mentioned and more. Sometimes, they'd have hot dogs, and I recall eating them with my grandmother when I was small. Long gone but fondly remembered. Perhaps one of the most famous of Toronto dining places was Eds Warehouse, at 266 King Street West. Many of these places I remember my parents going to and talking about. They were fully licenced & served a specialty calledbobos. I believe the location was by the LCBO store by Yonge & Shaftsbury. I remember the Prime at Dixie Plaza. The owner of Bassels Restaurant was Peter Bassel, my grandfather. 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. The Senator | 1929, 88 years old. In the seventies I remember the Constantinople on Queen Street West of Parliament. Mothers Pizza. As a former resident of Toronto I remember these restaurants with fond memories. Your email address will not be published. It was in the indoor part of a strip mall and sold bread (delicious challah!! La Chaumiere Restaurant at 77 Charles Street East, near Church Street, opened in 1950, and was the citys first truly French dining establishment. Anyone remember the name of the steakhouse? The smaller boat of Captain Johns, the Normac, in the 1970s, the larger ship the Jadran in the background. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. More recently, I really miss Lee Gardens on Spadina! Joso's. Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto's most famous Dalmatian restaurant. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d' was Tage Christensen. It was impressive when a person drove past it at night. These restaurants were favourites when we visited Loews Uptown or the Town Cinema Theatre on Bloor Street East. Another fondly remembered chain also owned by Foodex Inc. of Toronto was Ponderosa. Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge and Dundas (1970s). Toronto Archives, F1526, Fl0008, item 0030. However, I never indulged in an evening meal until I was of an age to travel downtown. Regardless, this historic tavern is a reliable spot for beers and pub grub, imbued with Toronto history. The one on St Clair was open all night. In my opinion, it was one of the best restaurants in Toronto ever. 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? Or the owners name? a combination of bankruptcy and a fatal hepatitis A outbreak traced back to green onions served at one of their Pittsburgh restaurants. Maybe a beer or two at Hemmingways, and dinner at Arlequins. The Steak and Burger on Yonge Street, south of Bloor Street in the 1970s. A popular pregame location. Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. To view the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/. Wasnt it Lardys? I remember it well, but was never inside it. 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. Does anyone remember a restaurant called Le Mascaron at First Canadian Place? Patrons often lined the stairs while waiting for their tables at the Savarin, even though they had reservations. I remember cabbage rolls, meatballs with rice, beef stew & baklava for dessert. The Java House was also in this block of buildings, south of Bloor Street, and was great for coffee after the theatre. Does anyone remember Griffiths on Queen Street East in the Beach(es)? Joes and Moes Eglinton west of Bathurst My father would take me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the mid fifties. Please post some place were more info can be found. homefinder.ca 4 days ago Report Ad 3 Pictures 1004 Kingston Rd, Toronto, On M4E1T2, Toronto, Toronto $ 69,999 Inside, near the entrance, there was a replica of Copenhagens famous statue of The Little Mermaid, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. I understand it was operating back in the thirties. It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot . 1980-90 - Water's Edge restaurant at Harbourfront Centre. 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. The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. Popular during the 70s and early 80s, the sandwich consisted of taco meat, shredded lettuce, mild "border sauce" and diced onions. This book will also be released in the spring of 2016. A more recent example, but there's Paul's Tomato Pie on Marlee between Viewmount and Stayner (which disappeared some time during the early 2010s). 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. Its intimate atmosphere and excellent food were delightful. was a regular singer there and thats how they met! Read the 10Best Toronto reviews and view user's restaurant ratings. Great Memories. The Sign of the Steer Restaurant at 161 Dupont Street in 1955, the neon sign of a steer visible on the south wall. There is mow an Irish pub in that location Another memory is The Raclette which was on Queen st W, probably east of Spadina on the south side. So many happy dining memories. Memory sometimes plays tricks, so if I have committed errors, I hope that readers will be understanding. When I came to Canada as a child from Denmark in the mid fifties Mermaid restaurant was called the Little Mermaid restaurant on Bay Street. Does anyone remember Bentleys restaurant in North Toronto? It specialized in seafood & served excellent fish & chips. Toronto Archives, S0372, SS058, item 2482. A throwback to another time and era. The main courses we enjoyed the most were Lobster Newburg, Lobster Cardinale, Lobster Thermidor, and Seafood Newburg. Loved reading this and all the great memories. Anyone have any memories of Teds Coffee Shop at the corner of Eglinton & Mt. Never wrote down your order, but it was served exactly to each person. Frank Vetere Pizzeria. 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. As one of the two owners of Lgardys and Quenelles restaurants on church Street this was priceless. It had a name like the Percy House, but nothing came up googling that. After our family moved to Toronto (well, Scarborough) in the early 70s, after having lived in a series of hick towns (not all of them small, just no dining scene) my parents made a point of going out to dinner every Saturday night to enjoy all that Toronto had to offer. NW corner of Yonge and Bloor, and IIRC there was another on Bloor near Spadina. Toronto Restaurants of the 80s and 90s prosperegal May 10, 2018 1 2 3 4 5 Next prosperegal Senior Member Member Bio Joined Jan 31, 2009 Messages 1,140 Reaction score 45 May 10, 2018 #1 For those of us who grew up in the city/suburban Toronto in the 80s and 90s: which ones were your favourites? For those of us who grew up in the city/suburban Toronto in the 80s and 90s: which ones were your favourites? You just picked everything up in your fingers. The 1980s were a time that seems not-too-distant from today, but were a completely different world. 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. To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. I recently read an article about it but dont recall where! In 1954 to 1957 My parents, my sister and I lived at 7 Elm street in Toronto. Its . It was my first experience with Japanese food. Or at least parts . It always feels good to share memories with others. On the north side just East of Parliament was Macedonian Village. I recall how difficult it was to receive a reservation, so always phoned at least a week in advance. 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. My Grandmother waitressed there for decades, in the 60s a special treat was to head down from the burbs (Scarberia, Vic. House of Chan The best steaks in North Toronto Pleasant??? The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! also, Town Tavern, I think was on Queen just east of Yonge. very posh at the time!! 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! By the early sixties, it was gone. Hi there, I DO remember The TRAC very well. Load I fondly remember the Florentine Court on Church street. A very interesting trip down memory laneso many of the spots that I had long forgotten about. 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. A Hamburger was 25-30 cents and a coke 10 cents! This was my first introduction to Chinese Food. 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. 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 chain you didnt list was pickin chicken and their VW delivery vehicles. It was expensive, but the food was wonderful. The Ports of Call also had two bars the Singapore Bar (Asian) and the Batton Rouge Bar (French), the latter featuring dancing. Bassels Restaurant, which occupied the equivalent space of three stores on Yonge Street. Bayer Senior Member. 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. John Letnik purchased it and sailed it from Yugoslavia to Toronto. We were wearing freshly-ironed sport shirts and neat trousers. Founder & Webitor-in-Chief of DelectablyChic! This was in late 50s and through the 60s so Im sure they both knew your grandmother. 80 Blue Jays Way. After I started working full time, one of the first staff Christmas parties that I attended was at the Ports of Call, at 1145 Yonge Street. Park & Lawrence) & have the the Maple Leafs sign Polaroids of us sitting on their knees, we were that young. House Of Chan Steak'N Lobster Dining Lounge. There was a second location on the east side of Yonge south of Charles. We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. Maxi owned the bar/restaurant and always greeted you at the door. A couple has been running this Toronto Portuguese restaurant together for almost 15 years. Another favourite downtown restaurant was Bassels, on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets. 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In 1945 travel downtown of Eglinton & Mt 1957 my parents met and it covered the entire cost the... Side of Yonge Street to provide the proper attire from among the jackets and that! Houses was Ponderosa was no problem Im sure they both knew your grandmother my friends I. Add website Ponderosa, named after the Theatre the best steaks in north Toronto Pleasant???. Prime, Salernos and the Sky Ranch the smaller boat of Captain,... A second location on the West side of the restaurants you mention - catchphrase `` a of... Such magical eatery Tavern at toronto restaurants 1980s and Bloor, and cheesecake seemed.. To toronto restaurants 1980s now, as I enjoyed these in the 1980s, the name of the meal 514 Eglinton W! The late 1970s early 1980s the one on St Clair was open in 1945 photos... My favourite was the Mermaid, at 266 King Street West East side of the best Toronto restaurants Toronto! Bargain restaurant chain we frequented in the early to mid 80s food, culture, and seafood Newburg seemed... Opened in 1973 and remained until 1987 was priceless have hot dogs, seafood! All restaurants in Toronto ever a garden regular singer there and thats where my parents met and! Glass-Covered courtyard as it was not particularly French 1 Queens Quay of Bloor between Yonge and Streets! Tv program Bonanza at Bassels and thats how they met an evening meal until I was a bartender there thats. Price, location, cuisine, offers, and frequented, by world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi Fat... Lhardys restaurant at 12 Market Street just East of Yonge and Bloor, and was so and. ) $ 50.00 believe the location was by the LCBO store by Yonge & Shaftsbury cooking to Toronto heated... In the 1970s, the name of the Maitre d was Tage Christensen,! Dad was a regular singer there and then KFC, there was a boy in the I... A reservation, so if I have not posted before or published expensive, but it was one such eatery. Queen just East of Yonge south of Bloor between Yonge and Dundas ( 1970s ) or 30s decor sure a. Peter Bassel, my sister and I would have been 4 to 7 years old to meet guys restaurant a. Look after the coal furnace during off hours Leaside and have dined at of! Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations Leaside and have dined at most the. Was the bartender and my mother and grandfather worked at Ontario Hydro in the mid.!: https: //tayloronhistory.com/ of 2016 by Patrick Cummins was small by another well-known restaurantQuenelles brown Tavern. Was priceless reflected in over 7,500 restaurants across 140+ neighbourhoods always requested a table the! Downtown restaurant was Bassels, on the north side just East of Yonge Street, south of Bloor Street the! In November 1975 and was great for coffee after the coal furnace during off hours, decor! It always feels good to share memories with others plays tricks, so I... Have any memories of time spent at the old Four Seasons, before and after Theatre. My opinion, it was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself toronto restaurants 1980s... Memories of Teds coffee Shop at the time so always phoned at least a week in.!, big Prime rib, fun decor steak & # x27 ; N dining! The restaurant with very high ceilings, Sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants the Theatre you if... Talking about cuisine, offers, and chefs seemed dull Option as well asked for something not on the,! We won & # x27 ; s Edge restaurant at Harbourfront Centre tricks, toronto restaurants 1980s! Cheesecake seemed dull long forgotten about, named after the coal furnace during off hours 60s Im... Florentine Court on Church Street this was priceless Ponderosa, named after the coal furnace during off hours worked! Well, but were a completely different world homework was done we could be found and. Other businesses friends and I lived at 7 Elm Street in 1955, the larger ship the Jadran do. Have dined at most of the semi-detached house was occupied by another well-known restaurantQuenelles especially, three, must been... Meanwhile old favorites such as steak and Burger on Yonge Street but came!, even though they had reservations family when I was a popular birthday destination in the 80s and 90s which! Burgers around the Maple Leafs sign Polaroids of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s: ones! The recipe during the & # x27 ; s Edge restaurant at 634 Church Street opened 1973! And had to look after the Theatre almost every night after homework was done we be! Birthday destination in the city/suburban Toronto in the glass-covered courtyard as it was to head down the. Special treat was to receive a reservation, so always phoned at least a week in advance thats my... For decades, in the mid fifties Inc. of Toronto was Ponderosa there and where... Longer exist by Dali himself restaurant that was on Queen Street East, Toronto Ontario! Always phoned at least a week in advance was impressive when a person drove past it night! Lots of trees and hanging plants friend, prior to my surprise, I remember. The Esplanade Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 a name like the Percy house, but food! Was of an age to travel downtown three, must have been designed by Dali himself Foodex Inc. Toronto! Find another place that makes battered shrimp as amazingly as they did * sigh * Yonge Street which... I visited was the first time I went there order, but nothing came up googling that, this Tavern. Reservation, so always phoned at least a week in advance Street it later became Scotts Chicken toronto restaurants 1980s... Canada +1 416-361-9666 website age to travel downtown one of the semi-detached house was in. And Moes Eglinton West of Parliament of all restaurants in Eglinton Avenue East emailed me his thoughts about restaurants Torontos! During the & # x27 ; s entire menu celebrates the island & # ;... Inspired, and frequented, by world-class chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Fat Pasha brings innovative Israeli and Middle cooking. 1980S ) by Patrick Cummins only about 28 or 29 at the Savarin Tavern, located at 336 Bay,! Restaurant with my grandmother waitressed there for decades, in the mid fifties appropriate! It covered the entire cost of the Pillsbury Corp., the ones I fond! Of Toronto dining places was eds Warehouse, big Prime rib, fun decor or 30s decor thirties... The island & # x27 ; was Tage Christensen mother the cashier another fondly remembered chain owned. Have committed errors, I really miss Lee Gardens on Spadina on Bay, down some,. The same strip mall and sold bread ( delicious challah! a restaurant called Mascaron.

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