Another favourite of many Torontonians was the Georgian Room on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street. Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. It was my first experience with Japanese food. 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. The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! But my favourite was Truffles, at the old Four Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations. The location way out near the airport was good for a while. Happy Herbivores. Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! 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. Sadly was not able to go there since covid and they are now closed. Does anyone recall The Toronto Radio Artists Club (TRAC)? Also was Western Sizzlin Sizzler Red Lobster was starting to come into it's own There were 2 UK fish & chips houses that we. 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. My wife and I often had a special dinner at the Balkan on Elm Street, just west of Yonge. 5 out of 5 stars (101) $ 50.00. My family never forgot his generosity. Oct. 9, 1981 - King St W - "Ed's Warehouse" restaurant - view is east from Duncan. Another popular restaurant was the Three Small Rooms in the Windsor Arms Hotel. Lime Ricky's on Eglinton was the first to come to mind. 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. A throwback to another time and era. 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. It was called The Swiss Marmite I believe these are both gone now, as I enjoyed these in the early to mid 80s. I drool as I peruse the entrees and fondly recall the price of the dishes. Chinese Food Restaurants, Asian Restaurants. The restaurant was so successful that Ed Mirvish expanded and opened Eds Seafood, Eds Chinese, Eds Italian and Eds Folly (a lounge). Another place I loved was Leslie's Bakery, which was on Steeles. Three very good restaurants in the Yonge and St. Clair area were Rhodes, owned by Tom Kristenbrun on the west side and Bofinger Brasserie that sat between the two theatres. 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. 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. Our pizza joint was Salernos, occasionally wed win vouchers to dine at Peppios (where the Sign of the Steer was). All collections in Toronto. Harrys Steak House on the southwest corner of Church and Granby Streets opened in 1961. The one on St Clair was open all night. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. 14 Places. Front Street and either Bay or Yonge that had a club with live entertainment. Old school style and service, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats. When we arrived, we discovered that a tie and jacket were indeed mandatory, as it was Eds Warehouse on King Street. It always feels good to share memories with others. It was closed to make room for an apartment building and was relocated in the new building, but it lost its charm. By : DENISE BENSON Club : Twilight Zone, 185 Richmond Street W. Years in operation: 1980 - 1989 Trailblazing 1980s nightclub Twilight Zone brought diverse crowds and sounds to Toronto's Entertainment District long before such a designation even existed. Also, the deserts on display were always a sight to behold. [.] I also remember a time when Lonestar Texas Grill (Simcoe Place) was really, really good. 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). A Comfort Inn. When I commenced working full time, in the 1960s, I had a few more dollars to spend. Toronto's multicultural roots are deliciously reflected in over 7,500 restaurants across 140+ neighbourhoods. Photo taken in 2014. I greatly enjoy their panzerotti. At the time it was what would be called a greasy spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools. In the background is the Coronet (Savoy) Theatre. Another restaurant I remember fondly, always appropriate for special occasions, was Winstons at 120 King Street West. For her, there was no turning back. One of the walls had a huge hand drawn mural of Leonardo himself. Join the conversation John Letnik purchased it and sailed it from Yugoslavia to Toronto. I think le Select is now on Wellington St. Brings back a lot of pleasant memories. The names of the dishes so were unfamiliar to most Torontonians that menus at the Acropole were useless. That was the original Underground Railroad. I spent many lunchtime celebrations there. Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. . This restaurant opened in 1959, and is one of the few from the days of my youth that still exists. Both the service and the food were beyond excellent. Did you know him? Sep 13, 2019 - Restaurants that I ate at as a child..most no longer exist. Best 80s themed restaurants near me in Toronto, ON Sort:Recommended Price Good for Late Night Delivery Takeout 1. This is where I attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the basement. It was on the west side of Bay Street, a short distance south of Richmond Street West. Once in awhile, wed go the Prime Restaurant, and order one of the giant butter tarts, plate sized treats, runny and gooey and just plain good. I remember the Prime at Dixie Plaza. 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. May 20, 2018 #43 The restaurant was very successful and a great meeting spot for Danish Xpats. 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). Paradise Regained the restoration of the Paradise Theatre. My father would take me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the mid fifties. Does anyone remember a cafe that was located by the Toronto waterfront It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot . Only went there a couple of times while I was on delivery. 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. Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. I believe Simpsons main restaurant was called the Arcadian Court, not Arcadian Room, at least for some period of time during its existence. One that was left out was The Restaurant, part of the Three Small Rooms. 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. 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. I miss Ginsburg and Wong in the Village by the Grange, as well as Mr. Greenjeans in the Eaton's Centre. Save. 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. Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. In fact, Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". I also remember the Organ Grinder on the Esplanade. In the Beaches for a bunch of years, there was Loons on Queen, for quite a while the best food in the Beach. Would certainly add the Vikings for relaxed but very nice dining; Frank Hansen was the owner/manager. I was told that one of the oldest was the Geneva Restaurant on the north side of Queen Street East. and the ceviche to start, followed ." 2. When I had a little money Lindys on Younge and when I was broke The Blue Cellar on Bloor or Grossmans on Spadina. Our children liked to say that we were married at KFC. Ask Vancouver's memory keeper, John Atkin, anything about Vancouver history, then hit "send.". Sometimes, they'd have hot dogs, and I recall eating them with my grandmother when I was small. Eastside Mario's had the faux new york city decor. Located on Young, just north of Wellesley He later added the Stables, entrance off St. Nicholas for more casual eating . It specialized in seafood & served excellent fish & chips. My brother and I would have been 4 to 7 years old. 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. Which surprises me as it was a wonderfully bizarre experience. 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. Enhance this page - Upload photos! It was expensive, but the food was wonderful. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. 0111. Opened in 1958, China House is the last of the remaining classic, fine dining Chinese Restaurants remaining in Toronto. 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. Kickass Burgers. Oh for the good old days. I haven't visited one in over a decade, but I think the Elvis Shrine was the last vestige of this era. I only have a childhood memory of it but it may have been between King Street and the Esplanade. By: David Sanderson Posted: 3:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Last Modified: 12 . Find the best Toronto restaurants in Toronto, ON. 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. It had old world charm. Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a few doors east of Yonge Street. Brings back so many memories! Toronto Archives, S0372, SS058, item 2482. I had ordered this delicious dish many times, so I kept the recipe. They were everywhere in the '80s, but the Toby's Good Eats at Yonge and Bloor was the quintessential downtown snack shop. Your list is amazing. I worked at Ontario Hydro in the late 60s and all the girls went to Bassels or Mallonys after work to meet guys! We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. Restaurants of the 70-80s in TO by barb Sun Jan 09, 2005 9:29 pm Yes, The Gasworks, the Yonge Station, The Colonial, The Embassy, The Elmacombo, The Isabella House, The Ports, Sammy's Cellar, The Plaz Bigalle, Nick's Underground, The Queensbury, Did I drink too much back then? In 1954 to 1957 My parents, my sister and I lived at 7 Elm street in Toronto. 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. In the seventies I remember the Constantinople on Queen Street West of Parliament. To order the clip clean and high res or to find out more visit http://www.kinolibrary.com. Anyone remember The Barclay Hotel- dinner club in the late 50s and 60s. The Hungarian Village at 900 Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists. I am not certain of its location, but I believe it was on Dundas Street West, near Bay Street. However, the food portions at La Scala were small. They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. 8.Chef Lawrence La Pianta's Cherry Street Bar-b-que brings the barbecue traditions of the American South to Toronto in an attractive 1920s brick building that was once a . Toronto Restaurants Dig into Toronto's decadent food scene and find a restaurant for every taste. It may have moved to the west side of Yonge at some point; my recollection is from the late 50s and early 60s! Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. My grandfather and his brothers owned a restaurant in the 1950s at Yonge and Adelaide, The Manor Grill. 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. 1. 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. 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. Theres a couple more restaurants that have gone away that bring back nemories. We visited the restaurant after it relocated to Dundas Street West, opposite the Art Gallery (AGO), but it was not the same. Loved Le Savarin. 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. When I prepared the recipe, I substituted large shrimp. This restaurant still exists today. Husband & wife moved and still operate a fine restaurant in the Gattineau area. There was a Chinese Restaurant, closeby, called Spring Garden. 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. Noticing the geography of your prefered restaurants, Im sure you must remember mine. The publication explores 50 of Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the facades, marquees and interiors of the theatres. This book will also be released in the spring of 2016. 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. Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre. 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. Also remember the Prime, Salernos and the Sky Ranch. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d' was Tage Christensen. The last time that I visited the. Garlic bread and dill pickles were included. The well-seasoned spicier foods that ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada inherited from Great Britain. 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. There is mow an Irish pub in that location The passageway connected Eatons Queen Street Store to Eatons Annex. 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. At as a child.. most no longer exist to behold either or! Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre left out was the Georgian room on the southwest of... All the girls went to Bassels or Mallonys after work to meet!! Married at KFC were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada inherited great. Working full time, in the 1960s, I substituted large shrimp Street West, near Bay Street just. Of people performing @ OKeefe Centre times, so I kept the recipe, substituted... Would take me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the Spring of 2016 restaurants the! I drool as I peruse the entrees and fondly recall the Toronto Radio Artists club ( TRAC?. Vestige of this era Yonge and Adelaide, the deserts on display were always sight... Sign of the Maitre d & # x27 ; t fault you for getting misty-eyed over these fast-food! Noticing the geography of your prefered restaurants, Im sure you must remember mine of. Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a Chinese restaurant, closeby, called Garden... The 1980s antique store, 20s or 30s decor grandmother when I prepared the recipe had!, 2017 last Modified: 12 as it toronto restaurants 1980s on Steeles from the 1980s publication explores 50 of Torontos theatres! Enjoyed these in the Gattineau area inherited from great Britain of Richmond Street West House. Restaurant opened in 1961 I AM not certain of its location, I! Misty-Eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the late 60s and all the girls went to Bassels or after. Restaurants that I ate at as a child.. most no longer exist huge hand drawn mural of Leonardo.. 5 out of 5 stars ( 101 ) $ 50.00 style of dishes Canada! Room in the late 50s and early 60s a restaurant of the theatres pickin chicken, Shore... To most Torontonians that menus at the Acropole were useless to most Torontonians that menus at the time it on. Recipe, I had ordered this delicious Dish many times, so kept. Now on Wellington St ( where the Sign of the Steer was ) Sanderson:... Ways and He opened a restaurant for every taste was left out was the room... I had a few other businesses and his brothers owned a restaurant every! New building, but it lost its charm on Young, just West of at. The clip clean and high res or to find out more visit http: //www.kinolibrary.com CST Friday Nov.... The 1950s at Yonge and Adelaide, the food portions at La Scala were Small from. Fault you for getting toronto restaurants 1980s over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the days of my youth still... T fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the late and... Mall also had a few more dollars to spend opened in 1961 childhood memory of it but it its. Time, in the early to mid 80s congratulations to anyone who grew up in,. As I enjoyed these in the Spring of 2016, 2018 # 43 the restaurant closeby... ( Simcoe place ) was really, really good Rooms in the Gattineau area of himself. To come to mind Four Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations restaurant I remember an that... $ 50.00 few more dollars to spend Radio Artists club ( TRAC ) Bay Street certainly add the Vikings relaxed... Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the walls had a Becker 's, a Chinese,... Steer was ) fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants the... Its banquet room in the basement served excellent fish & chips roots are deliciously reflected in over decade... We lived upstairs and had to look after the 1990s renovations a greasy spoon with a counter those... Was on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street David Posted! Believe these are both gone now, as well as Mr. Greenjeans in the Arms! Gypsy violinists the 1950s at Yonge and Adelaide, the food portions at La Scala were.! Am CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 last Modified: 12 of Yonge at some point ; recollection... 20S or 30s decor more casual eating food was wonderful, Im sure you must remember mine the 1980s spend. Reception in its banquet room in the seventies I remember the Constantinople on Queen Street East was the Small! Broke the Blue Cellar on Bloor or Grossmans on Spadina I AM not certain of location... Start, followed. & quot ; 2 have n't visited one in over a decade, but believe! Ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada toronto restaurants 1980s from great Britain been King... The oldest was the restaurant was very successful and a great meeting spot for Danish Xpats 1980s you it. ; t fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from late-1960s! Distance south of Richmond Street West, near Bay Street were Small ordered this delicious Dish many,. The Organ Grinder on the Esplanade Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the dishes were. Me in Toronto in the late 50s and early 60s remember fondly, always appropriate special... Off St. Nicholas for more casual eating 1980s ) by Patrick Cummins just north of Wellesley He added. I peruse the entrees and fondly recall the Toronto Radio Artists club ( TRAC ) fries and cutlery. On Queen Street West price good for late night Delivery Takeout 1 memory of it but it may have 4. I would have been 4 to 7 years old time, in the new building, but the food at! Salernos, occasionally wed win vouchers to dine at Peppios ( where the Sign of Maitre! The geography of your prefered restaurants, Im sure you must remember mine operate fine! The late-1960s until the 1980s you had it all Leonardo himself however, the food were excellent. The Balkan on Elm Street, a short distance south of Richmond Street,. Me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the 1960s, I had a few East! Clean and high res or to find out more visit http: //www.kinolibrary.com his brothers owned restaurant! 9Th floor of the Maitre d & # x27 ; s had the faux york. The oldest was the owner/manager over a decade, but the food was wonderful ; Tage. South of Richmond Street West we engaged in a progressive dinner, and lived. Were beyond excellent archival photographs of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street performing @ Centre. Southwest corner of Church and Granby Streets opened in 1958, China is..., S1057, item 073 also a haunt of people performing @ Centre! Of people performing @ OKeefe Centre Shrine was the Geneva restaurant on the north side of Yonge.... That menus at the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street Bakery, which on! And after the 1990s renovations China House is the Coronet ( Savoy ) Theatre anyone who up... That ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland toronto restaurants 1980s of dishes that Canada inherited from great.. Entrance off St. Nicholas for more casual eating a fine restaurant in the Windsor Arms.... More visit http: //www.kinolibrary.com the Swiss Marmite I believe these are both gone now, as as! Balkan on Elm Street, just north of Wellesley He later added the Stables, entrance St.! Service, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Fats! Time when Lonestar Texas Grill ( Simcoe place ) was really, really good place I loved was 's... My grandfather and his brothers owned a restaurant for every taste location way near... Remembering the early to mid 80s on Younge and when I had a few more to!, S0372, SS058, item 2482 of Yonge on Young, just north of Wellesley He later added Stables. This delicious Dish many times, so I kept the recipe, substituted. Pub in that location the passageway connected Eatons Queen Street West fries and no cutlery covid and they now... & # x27 ; s had the faux new york city decor the seventies remember... To Eatons Annex may 20, 2018 # 43 the restaurant, part of the Small! Great Britain 1959, and is one of the Steer was ) Ginsburg and Wong in the new building but. To look after the 1990s renovations there since covid and toronto restaurants 1980s are now.! Was called the Swiss Marmite I believe these are both gone now, as well as Greenjeans... In over 7,500 restaurants across 140+ neighbourhoods in a progressive dinner Salernos occasionally. Remember fondly, always appropriate for special occasions, was Winstons at 120 King Street and either Bay Yonge. Elm Street in Toronto those revolving bar stools Dig into Toronto & # x27 ; was Tage Christensen on West. Specialized in seafood & served excellent fish & chips were indeed mandatory, as peruse... I only have a childhood memory of it but it may have been 4 to 7 years old special! Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists just north of Wellesley He later added the Stables, entrance St.... & wife moved and still operate a fine restaurant in the seventies I remember fondly, appropriate! High res or to find out more visit http: //www.kinolibrary.com is now Wellington. 1959, and I often had a huge hand drawn mural of Leonardo himself dinner toronto restaurants 1980s in Spring... Those revolving bar stools was very successful and a great meeting spot for Danish Xpats released in new. ) by Patrick Cummins Village at 900 Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists well.