that was a Toronto streetcar converted to an eating place? also, Town Tavern, I think was on Queen just east of Yonge. very posh at the time!! I first visited Eds Warehouse when I received a complimentary coupon for Eds Warehouse with my theatre subscription. My mother and grandfather worked at Bassels and thats where my parents met. To view previous blogs about movie houses of Torontohistoric and modern, and Torontos Heritage Buildings: http://tayloronhistory.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/links-to-toronto-old-movie-housestayloronhistory-com/. I believe this is the only 5 star restaurant in Toronto and it lives up to that rating. In 1958 we were told that the site had been sold so we had to move thereby making way for Barberians Restaurant. Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. We also offer outdoor dining on our glass enclosed, heated Terrace/Veranda year-round. 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. Known as the best Jamaican restaurant in Toronto, Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen serves traditional Caribbean cuisine with healthy culinary twists. Our children liked to say that we were married at KFC. Review. So many great memories in the article and all these wonderful comments. It opened in 1976 in an old house, and remained until 1984. This is where I attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the basement. Remember JJ Muggs at the Eaton Centre? Images courtesy Patti Habib, The Big Bop / Reverb, Myke Dyer, Citysonic, Wrongbar, David Waldman . Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. The old world charm was quite memorable. Theatorium (Red Mill) TheatreToronto's First Movie Experience and First Permanent Movie Theatre, Auditorium (Avenue, . and the ceviche to start, followed ." 2. Toronto Then and Now, published by Pavilion Press (London England) explores 75 of the citys historic buildings. Patrons often lined the stairs while waiting for their tables at the Savarin, even though they had reservations. A reader wrote in an asked for the recipe of a shrimp dish named Les Scampis Amoureux (Shrimp in Love). By the time it lost its hilariously terrible nameit was re-branded "Toby's. The city was big but still had a small town vibe. 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. In the 1950s, high schools did not provide texts. Opened in 1958, China House is the last of the remaining classic, fine dining Chinese Restaurants remaining in Toronto. In the photo, the black building in the distance, on the far left, is a Coles Book Store. Le Select just came to mind. I still have the menu today. Read the 10Best Toronto reviews and view user's restaurant ratings. Casa Madera 307 reviews Open Now Mexican, Mediterranean Menu "Ate a delicious burger on his recommend." ". Captain Johns Seafood Restaurant was in a ship named the Jadran, which in an earlier life had cruised the Mediterranean Sea. Harrys Steak House in 1971. My sister and I used to streetcar it to Jesse Ketchum Public school. 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. Chi Chi's Mexican restaurants - catchphrase "A celebration of food!" I remember the all-you-can-eat lobster buffet that was served on the top deck during the summer months. For this article, I will be focussing on the first, Boa Caf; the story of its second incarnation, Boa Redux, will be told in the next edition of Then & Now. Settle in for the blind, multi-course tasting menu in either the dining room or at the kitchen counter helmed by chef de cuisine Nick Bentley. 80 Blue Jays Way. My mother ignored his comments. Another memory is The Raclette which was on Queen st W, probably east of Spadina on the south side. Oh for the good old days. Its . 181 Bathurst St., 416-364-9320, 416snackbar.com. There was a Chinese Restaurant, closeby, called Spring Garden. 800 Sq Ft Of Property With A To-Go Option As Well. Your list is amazing. I have yet to find another place that makes battered shrimp as amazingly as they did*sigh*. Toronto has some great restaurants, delis and buffets. Kickass Burgers. Check their menu, reviews & rating, photos, price, location, cuisine, offers, and more. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. However, the food portions at La Scala were small. I remember such a restaurant located on the East side of Yonge Street, just north of Summerhill Station. It's not hard to see why Alger was so enamoured with Mothers - Like Frank Vetere's, the ambiance was crucial to the experience. The complimentary salad had a tangy garlic dressing. Sure would like to know who you are. 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. I worked at the Whitney Block at Queens Park 66/67 and we would stop by occasionally for a drink before heading home. was a regular singer there and thats how they met! 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. My aunt Tulle waitressed there and the front of the house was handled by a woman called Arne who was a single mother who lived upstairs from the restaurant with her daughter. When it changed hands it cheapened the quality of the food but increased the prices. Toronto based chain Frank Vetere's Pizzeria was one such magical eatery. Just steps away from the Gardens. I only have a childhood memory of it but it may have been between King Street and the Esplanade. It cost around 2 bucks. Old school style and service, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats. It was dark and expansive, with stuffed seagulls and angels and god-knows-what else hanging from the ceiling and booths on multiple levels. I am sure I saw and heard Moe Koffman on one of my visits. Yumm Burgers.the ice cream place in Cloverdale Mall that had the salted almond sundaes. Bobby. 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. NW corner of Yonge and Bloor, and IIRC there was another on Bloor near Spadina. I loved those red hots too at Eatons Annex and their soft ice cream cones .. Simpsons had the red hots too and a wonderful orange drinkyou would stand there eating your hot dog with everyone!.Simpsons also had The Boardwalk was our hangout in the 60s and early 70s. If anyone else has any memories of any of the three prime restaurants, kindly post. However, the original location on Bloor Street closed in 2006; a condo is now on the site. 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. It was our favourite downtown restaurant. Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. Great Memories. When I prepared the recipe, I substituted large shrimp. 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. 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? The cones were 5 or 10 cents and it made shopping with my mother bearable. But there was another one, Lous, on Dufferin St. run by one of my mothers cousins. The menu is ever-evolving, but memorable mouthfuls include pleasure-pocket taleggio cheese, grape, and onion agnolotti; and delicate hamachi topped with xo sauce, tomato consomme, and creme . It was eventually re-floated and towed to Cleveland, where it became a seafood restaurant for that city. We need more of these memories postedthe guitarist who played at the 33rd? The Gods of frugal yum smiled down on us, bestowing fabled chains which offered affordable eats for family friendly visits and left behind indelible impressions in our minds and taste buds even long after they had shuttered, gone into receivership or been chewed up by corporate garburators. The names of the dishes so were unfamiliar to most Torontonians that menus at the Acropole were useless. I understand it was operating back in the thirties. Joes and Moes Eglinton west of Bathurst It relates anecdotes and stories of the author and others who experienced these grand old movie houses. For my family, we pigged-out on the lobster, with a few slices of roast beef to break the monotony. 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. The Florentine Court was on Church near Dundas. As in big fat Lardys? 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. Georges Spaghetti House was a wonderful restaurant with a great menu. Does anybody remember the Club 12 in Toronto, I believe it closed in the late 50s. The main courses we enjoyed the most were Lobster Newburg, Lobster Cardinale, Lobster Thermidor, and Seafood Newburg. So many happy dining memories. Of course, there a Chinese restaurant at the mall before Pearl took over (Yenching). We thought it was great. Eds restaurants and the Royal Alex were the impetus that started the gentrification of King Street West. Share. That is not Tom Jones Steak House. Anyone remember The Barclay Hotel- dinner club in the late 50s and 60s. They had wonderful fried chicken and collard greens. Another favourite of many Torontonians was the Georgian Room on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street. Pleasant??? Those who were there lovingly explore its lasting legacy. It opened in 1963, and for the next decade was one of the citys most popular dining establishments. 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. 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). Book also available in Chapter/Indigo, the Bell Lightbox Book Shop, and by phoning University of Toronto Press, Distribution: 416-667-7791 (ISBN 978.1.62619.450.2), Another book, published by Dundurn Press, containing 80 of Torontos old movie theatres will be released in the spring of 2016, entitled, Torontos Movie Theatres of YesteryearBrought Back to Thrill You Again.. However, I have very pleasant memories of dining on the smaller ship of Capt. Lobster and ice cold beer on a hot July day, overlooking the harbour, was as close to heaven as Ill likely ever get. It was on the second floor, with a steep staircase leading to the dining room. Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. Photo taken in 2014. I believe that the coupon had a value of $20, and it covered the entire cost of the meal. 5 out of 5 stars (101) $ 50.00. Use to ride our bikes to swiss chalet at yonge and sinclair for french fries. Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. There was a restaurant on northside of Bloor just west of Sherbourne, the buildings are gone. The majority of their remaining locations were unceremoniously gobbled up by Outback Steakhouse, with nary a drop of salsa left behind. What was your maiden name or your fathers name who worked there? Toronto Restaurants Dig into Toronto's decadent food scene and find a restaurant for every taste. The other favourite buffet in that decade was the Savarin Tavern, located at 336 Bay Street. The Sign of the Steer Restaurant at 161 Dupont Street in 1955, the neon sign of a steer visible on the south wall. Maybe around Bloor St. and Avenue Rd. During the years 1980-1986, I did a lot of street photography in Toronto. I thought I had died and entered heaven when I first tasted their Delmonico steak. And yes, they were licensed which was odd for the type of restaurant at the time. 0111. Johns, which was moored on the east side of the Jadran. 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? How I miss it! Ive enjoyed a meal or three in many of these restaurants. La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. #4 1213 Bayview Ave, Toronto, On M4G2Z8, Toronto, Toronto $ 95,000 Popular Thai Restaurant Serving Lunch & Dinner, In Toronto. By: David Sanderson Posted: 3:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Last Modified: 12 . In my eyes, the buffet was lobster-lobster-lobster. By now I am certain that you have guessed that I LOVE lobster. Mr. Tonys Place at 100 Cumberland Avenue in Yorkville was also highly popular, even though it offered no printed menus. We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. 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. I want to say the name may have been Kon-Tiki? Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". I always requested a table in the glass-covered courtyard as it was akin to dining in a garden. I spent many lunchtime celebrations there. 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. Luckily, Toronto History has managed to combine many vintage snaps of the city we love, and here are some highlights. 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. It may have moved to the west side of Yonge at some point; my recollection is from the late 50s and early 60s! Wasnt it Lardys? 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.. They were Macedonian, but the food was contemporary of the time. It did not last long under the new management. And what was it most recently? Chinese Food Restaurants, Asian Restaurants. Name of restaurant circa 1960s, NE corner of Church and Wood Streets. Jimmy Lopresty( Owner) & Charles (Waiter) were the two persons I remember at this wonderful restaurant. And then there was Seniors Steakhouse and Restaurant on the south east corner of Yonge and Pleasant Blvd. . Founder & Webitor-in-Chief of DelectablyChic! The dessert was spumoni ice cream. I cannot recall the prices but I think it was reasonably priced when compared to similar restaurants downtown. To view the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/. From the CNE to Scarborough Town Centre, here's what Toronto looked like in the 1980s. Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? I grew up in Leaside and have dined at most of the restaurants you mention. When I commenced working full time, in the 1960s, I had a few more dollars to spend. Photo, Toronto Archives, F0124, Fl 0002, Id. China House Eglinton west of Bathurst Dining in Queen Street and West Queen West (Toronto), Ontario: See 302,621 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of 8,980 Toronto restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Dinner on our first night. However, Ed Mirvish had purchased the Royal Alexandria Theatre and wanted to attract people to the area. Way more stuff hanging from the ceilings, wacky gags hidden everywhere. Bassels on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Yonge Streets in April 1954. thatd have been LeBaron Steakhouse. Sassafraz and Hemingways are still operating on Cumberland St. Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen. Also was Western Sizzlin Sizzler Red Lobster was starting to come into it's own There were 2 UK fish & chips houses that we. 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. 16 Places . Another favourite downtown restaurant was Bassels, on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets. And I recall a place called the Muddy York. We also enjoyed Smittys Pancake House on Dundas Street West, east of Islington Avenue, and their location in Yorkdale Plaza. Aug 6, 1983 - Restaurant on corner of Pearl and unidentified street. The building where the restaurant was located was designated a Heritage site in 1980. Eds restaurants on King Street in 1981. The location way out near the airport was good for a while. I was wondering if anyone else would remember Malloneys. However, it was still demolished, though its facade was re-assembled inside the Northern Ontario Building. Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. My wife and I often had a special dinner at the Balkan on Elm Street, just west of Yonge. 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 . Also, in the West end tucked away in a very confusing triangle of Dundas, Bloor St and Kipling was Millers Country Fair. This was in September 1957. For an exceptional dining experience, opt for the wine pairings, matched by wine director Christopher Sealy. Many of these places I remember my parents going to and talking about. The only place in the city where we could find the swiss fondue style menu (there was a restaurant out near Port Credit that also specialized in raclette fondue. Images are not to be reprinted, reposted or used for any purposes whatsoever outside of the Urban Toronto forum without my express consent. 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! Husband & wife moved and still operate a fine restaurant in the Gattineau area. South on Bay, down some steps, dark, red banquettes. On its the south facade, there was a green neon sign that created the outline of a steer. 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. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. But my favourite was Truffles, at the old Four Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations. The president of the National Restaurant Association reported that the country's half million restaurants enjoyed rising sales throughout the mid-1970s, with 1975's take 16% higher than the year before. The restaurant was so successful that Ed Mirvish expanded and opened Eds Seafood, Eds Chinese, Eds Italian and Eds Folly (a lounge). It was closed to make room for an apartment building and was relocated in the new building, but it lost its charm. 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. Also, the deserts on display were always a sight to behold. 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. It closed up years ago. One that was left out was The Restaurant, part of the Three Small Rooms. Only went there a couple of times while I was on delivery. They were fully licenced & served a specialty calledbobos. I believe the location was by the LCBO store by Yonge & Shaftsbury. Your still missing a few, when I had money Bigliardis on Church. It was reported that John Turner had his own table at Winstons. I have lived across Canada but was able to travel throughout the year so always was able to get my corned beef. Photo of the front (insert) and the interior of Quo Vadis Restaurant, from Chuckmans Postcard Collection (chuckmantorontonostalgia.wordpress.com). 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. In 1948, owner George Nicolau renovated and expanded the Busy Bee and renamed it the Senator. The one on St Clair was open all night. 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. One man served. It was expensive, but the food was wonderful. Perhaps one of the most famous of Toronto dining places was Eds Warehouse, at 266 King Street West. Trailblazing 1980s nightclub Twilight Zone brought diverse crowds and sounds to Toronto's Entertainment District long before such a designation even existed. It was another enterprise of Harry Barbarian, who owned the famous steak house on Elm Street. 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. The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! 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? Near the North York, York, & Old Toronto tripoint. These restaurants were favourites when we visited Loews Uptown or the Town Cinema Theatre on Bloor Street East. It felt safe, clean and seemed to provide endless exciting. We bought our own, sometimes saving money by purchasing second-hand books. 1. . 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. What a awonderful interesting writing on Toronto restaurant memorabilia. 17. Bayer Senior Member. The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. 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. Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my mind was Michi, when it was on Church Street. I fondly remember the Florentine Court on Church street. I remember the tunnel and the soft chocolate malted ice cream cones wed buy at one end of the tunnel. Readers were encouraged to write the Star and request their favourite recipes from restaurants. Back in the 80s/90s a lot of corporate chain restaurants had unique distinctive decor. 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. Does anyone remember this restaurant? Notable acts include: Teenage Head, Black Flag, and Bauhaus. 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? The Restaurant Boasts Of Its Food And Location. Ask Vancouver's memory keeper, John Atkin, anything about Vancouver history, then hit "send.". This restaurant still exists today. He stated that in talking about the ice cream waffles, there was also the Honey Dew stand in Simpsons basement. A very trendy, 2 floored happening place in the late 80s. The owner of Bassels Restaurant was Peter Bassel, my grandfather. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. Does anyone else remember the Balkan? My Dad, Basil, owned all three Prime restaurants, with the last one, in Dixie Plaza, being the busiest. Brings back a lot of pleasant memories. 10 Places. View this Spot. Frank Vetere Pizzeria. 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. Another bargain restaurant chain we frequented in the 1960s was the Steak and Burger. Late Night Restaurants. We were offended, as the clothes they offered were grubby looking, and we were certainly not hobos. It was named the Normac. Dining in Toronto in the 1960s architecture toronto historic Toronto historic toronto buildings Toronto toronto architecture Toronto history Toronto's restaurant of the past Memories of Toronto's restaurants of the past October 5, 2015 johndougtaylor Dining in Toronto in past decades was far different to the culinary scene that the city now offers. 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. I wonder if someone out there can help me with a memory I have. Introducing brunch was so . Following a disastrous fire, it was not rebuilt. I remember having lunch there with my mother. It was in the indoor part of a strip mall and sold bread (delicious challah!! 111 King St E, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G6 Canada +1 416-361-9666 Website. Good times in the early 60s. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Canary Restaurant, Cherry St. by Patrick Cummins. Greek cuisine was not well known in the 1960s. Does anyone remember a very nice restaurant on the north side of Bloor between Yonge and Bay in the late 1970s early 1980s? 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. You are using an out of date browser. Reading the message involving Prime Restaurant was pleasantly surprising. Too much new construction going on and they tear all the old buildings down. I had ordered this delicious dish many times, so I kept the recipe. Some of Winnipeg's most famous restaurants have faded away, but readers still remember all those delicious flavours. However, I never indulged in an evening meal until I was of an age to travel downtown. Inside, near the entrance, there was a replica of Copenhagens famous statue of The Little Mermaid, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. In response to this post, Paul Coghill of Toronto emailed me his thoughts about restaurants of Torontos past. The Panama Bloor and Ossington sure would love to see and inside and outside picture of that place!! When did smoking come to an end in Toronto's restaurants? Popular during the 70s and early 80s, the sandwich consisted of taco meat, shredded lettuce, mild "border sauce" and diced onions. A couple has been running this Toronto Portuguese restaurant together for almost 15 years. He was a very smart businessman as well as a big-hearted individual. Greektown, also known as The Danforth, is a commercial-residential neighbourhood and ethnic enclave in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.It is located on Danforth Avenue, between Chester Avenue and Dewhurst Boulevard, in east Toronto.Named after Asa Danforth, Jr., an American contractor who designed Queen Street and Kingston Road, the area is known for its architecture dating back to as early as 1910 . One chain you didnt list was pickin chicken and their VW delivery vehicles. Lichee Garden. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Tom Jones would be to the left of the photographer. Funky, pre-gentrified Jack Astors. We had fish n chips too, although I dont remember the name of the shop. Thank you very much for contacting me. Or the owners name? One woman prepared in the kitchen. Lime Ricky's on Eglinton was the first to come to mind. 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. I remember going to Lime Rickey's (I think it was on Steeles?? Bassels Restaurant, which occupied the equivalent space of three stores on Yonge Street. I recall Bentleys as being on the east side of Yonge, a block or two south of Teddington Park. Also like Vetere's, the Pizza was phenomenal, and their 99 cent Root Beer floats with take home glass were the stuff of playground legend. Though shunned by the food elite, corporate chain . La Chaumiere on Charles Street, near Church Street in the 1960s. 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