36 h. ago Ontario once had very bizarre McDonald's locations but they're gone forever

Although most McDonald's locations in Ontario look nearly identical today — with their grey exteriors and red columns topped with the chain's famous golden arches — some outlets had their own distinct quirky character throughout the 1970s and 1990s. As franchise owners worked to set their locations apart from others, many experienced unusual features that have since disappeared, including attached train cabooses to host birthday parties, and even one with a gas station built beneath it. For those who grew up in Ontario during the late 20th century, the sight of a bright red caboose beside your local McDonald's was a staple of childhood. Franchise owners across the province, from Chatham to Stratford, Barrie to Owen Sound, and Orangeville to Mississauga, converted former railway cars into dining rooms and play areas, and birthday party rooms. A McDonald's caboose restaurant in Chatham, Ont., in 1985. Photo: Don McQueen/Old Ont...

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43 h. ago Toronto bar that closed after 20 years being replaced by retro

A Toronto bar in a historic building is getting a new lease on life as it transforms into a new concept this October.The Gladstone House's Melody Bar had been a pillar of West Queen West, taking on various appearances and lives over the years, for over two decades, when it suddenly and quietly closed its doors at the end of 2022.Since then, the space at the historic property has sat dormant, collecting dust while the neighbourhood's frequenters grew impatient waiting to learn whether Melody Bar would rise from the ashes, or whether it really was gone for good.Alas, we finally have our answer, and it's the latter, but it's not all bad news.A new chapter is on the horizon for the former Melody Bar, as it prepares to transform into Cassette, a refined take on the classic, retro diner, opening at the end of October.If you're expecting a typical greasy spoon, think again. Cassette is going to pack a serious punch in the style department, while stil...

Other

2 d. ago Toronto chef steps away from fine dining scene to open new casual restaurant

A Toronto chef who cut his teeth in fine dining restaurants across North America is venturing out to do something totally different.Chef Barbode Soudi says that, for the majority of his 20-year tenure working in kitchens across the continent, fine dining was always the plan."I guess my first job was Crush Wine Bar, he said. "But I think one of the most pivotal moments of my career was when I did six months, when I was young, at Eigensinn Farm under Michael Stadtlander."From there, stints at The French Laundry in Napa, Toronto's Lucien, Nota Bene, Black Hoof, and San Francisco's Quince all added feathers to his cap until, ultimately, he returned to the local fine dining scene at Actinolite and Alo."I was always trying to work for the best places and best chefs that I could," Soudi explained. Eventually, he rose in the ranks from sous chef to executive sous chef and, eventually, chef de cuisine at Alo. Then, the pandemic hit. A...

Other

3 d. ago Where to eat and drink in neighbourhood just ranked Toronto's coolest

A Toronto neighbourhood was just named one of the coolest in the entire world — here's everywhere you need to eat and drink when you visit."Coolness" is subjective. In our opinion, anyway. Coolness can't be counted, measured or described. It's as transient as the water in a river. Just ask anyone who enthusiastically wore stretchy tattoo chokers in the '90s. Or the twenty-tens, for that matter.Still, despite coolness's characteristically translucent quality, there will always be places and things that are, indeed, "cool." Typically, it's cool people who call the shots. If a cool person says it's cool, it's cool.How many more times do you think we can say cool in this article? Hint: it's more than you think.That's more or less the methodology behind Time Out Magazine's annual list of the coolest neighbourhoods around the world. The British magazine rounds up the coolest connections its editorial team...

Other

3 d. ago What to eat at first Toronto outpost of restaurant chain made famous by Guy Fieri

Vancouver's Peaceful Restaurant has finally opened its first location in Toronto, bringing Northern Chinese cuisine to the Annex.Peaceful Restaurant had already been a local favourite across Metro Vancouver for 15 years by the time Guy Fieri rolled into town in 2013, to feature the restaurant on an episode of his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.The episode further catapulted the restaurant into local legend status, beloved city (dare we even say, province?) over for its droolworthy Mandarin-style cuisine.It was only a matter of time before we got the chance to dust off our chopsticks and try the restaurant for ourselves, and now, nearly 30 years after Peaceful Restaurant's first location opened, we've finally scored our own location in Toronto.At the helm of the whole operation is Executive Chef and founder Charlie Huang.Huang opened the first location of Peaceful Restaurant in Vancouver back in 1998, and tells us visitors from Toronto have been begg...

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3 d. ago Toronto shopping and dining destination getting first restaurant

The Well in Toronto already has, more or less, anything you could want, but it’s about to welcome a groovy new nightclub concept.Big things are, seemingly, always going down at The Well ever since it officially opened in late 2023.Recent additions like Taline’s new casual concept Giragi and a Bear Steak Sandwiches location at the ever-popular Wellington Market Food Hall have only kept the lifestyle complex’s stock on the rise.Something new is on the way, though, that could quite possibly change everything.Opening later this fall on Wellington, Noyaa, from Dubai’s Tribes Hospitality Investment group, is finally bringing a much-needed dose of party atmosphere to The Well.The new nightlife destination is a first-of-its-kind for The Well, whose nighttime offerings have been limited to bowling at National or late-night drinks at Aera since its inception, but don’t worry, there will be plenty to eat, too.The nightclub doubles as a lux...

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3 d. ago Ritzy new Toronto restaurant from Michelin chef opens this week

A ritzy Toronto hotel is adding a new restaurant that pays homage to Indian and British cuisines to its lineup this week.Toronto's Le Germain Hotel is, in no way, wanting for great food and drink offerings.Its newly refreshed lobby bar, Library, is the stuff that lesser hotel lobby bars dream of, and it's in good company with celebrated restaurants (albeit ones attached to competing hotels) like Akira Back and Nobu just a stone's throw away.Still, the hotel is upping the ante as it prepares to launch its luxe new restaurant, Punch, this Thursday, Oct. 2.A deft blend of British and Indian cuisines, the menu at Punch is the masterwork of Executive Chef Mandar Kulkarni, who has made his name in the Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 kitchen, on top of other reputed restaurants like Buca and Le Select Bistro."I feel privileged to share a menu that reflects my own story and cultural roots," says Kulkarni. Indeed, the story being told on the plate is a deeply personal...

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4 d. ago Breakfast restaurant with many Vancouver locations arrives in Toronto this month

A breakfast restaurant that has locations across Vancouver is finally about to make its Toronto debut this fall.We're big fans of inheriting chains from elsewhere in the country over here in Toronto.Whether they're celebrated hits like The Lunch Lady or crowd-pleaser chains like Central, we're always happy to see some hometown heroes touch down in the 'Six. We also, as most people do, love breakfast and brunch.A combination of the two? That's a sure recipe for glory. Just look at our enthusiasm when Calgary's OEB finally opened a location in the city.Now, there's a new Western Canada breakfast staple that's about to be added to the metaphorical Toronto pancake stack: Vancouver favourite, Yolks.Founded as a charming, blue cart churning out creative takes on breakfast classics in 2012, Yolks has since blossomed into a must-try chain, boasting three locations in Metro Vancouver and one in Ottawa.According to the chain's website, l...

Other

5 d. ago These are the new Toronto happy hours you need to check out right now

There are few better ways to shake off a long work day than hitting a happy hour, and these new ones in Toronto are among the best.Oh, happy hour. We could write an ode about our appreciation for bars' and restaurants' commitment to making their food and drink cheapest when we absolutely need it most.Whether it falls in the last hours of the workday, the wee hours in the morning or at any point on a Monday, a happy hour always delivers on its promise to put a smile on your face.If you've tired of exhausting your same old go-to spots, here are a few new or updated happy hours that you need to check out for after-work drinks this week.Everyside    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by EVERYSIDE - Social Eatery & Taphouse (@drinkeveryside)Very little can compete with a daily happy hour, but a multi-hour happy hour that happens twice daily? Yeah, we'll drin...

Other

9 d. ago Popeyes location in Toronto under fire for allegedly not paying employees and more

A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant in Toronto is under scrutiny, with employees of the franchise protesting outside the Scarborough location this week, alleging unpaid wages, unsanitary conditions, and other concerns.Employees of the Popeyes at 2633 Lawrence Ave E, in Scarborough, are protesting against their employer, Irfan Memon, and demanding action from the corporate higher-ups at Popeyes.A representative of the protesting employees reached out to blogTO with allegations of bounced cheques, using unsanctioned meat supplies, mislabeling chicken as Halal-certified, and a general sense of disorder at the Midland and Lawrence location.A concerned employee told blogTO in an email statement that Memom has not paid wages in weeks, saying that "employees are behind five pay cheques. All his cheques got bounced, not once but twice and thrice." The employee shared images of the bounced cheques to back up this claim.In addition to their unpaid wages, workers allege that Memom...

Events

9 d. ago Toronto bar shuts down permanently after decades in business

A Toronto restaurant that's been a neighbourhood favourite for decades has officially closed permanently due to development.Death, taxes, and your favourite restaurant shutting down. These are truths we must all come to accept one day or another, and Toronto's had a particularly rough go in the "restaurants closing" department as of late.While over the past several months, the city has welcomed a number of exciting (and tasty) new concepts, we've also had to say goodbye to more than a few longstanding institutions.We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but we're about to add yet another closure to that list.As of Aug. 31, Davisville Village staple Kramer's Bar & Grill has officially entered the deadpool.Located at the intersection of Yonge and Davisville, the bar, on first glance, was nothing entirely special; just your typical neighbourhood sports bar, serving pints and wings on occasionally sticky tabletops.It was the community...

Economics

9 d. ago These 8 new restaurants in Toronto are actually worth the hype

A new restaurant seems to pop up in Toronto every day, but we've got the scoop on which ones you actually need to try.Summer 2025 has been a fruitful one for the Toronto food scene. Now that we think of it, every season is, but late summer has brought us some real gems we hope are able to stand the test of time.Whether you're in the mood for a one-of-a-kind luxury dining experience or a classic hot pot session with your friends, the Toronto food scene's got you covered and well-fed.Here's our round-up of some of the best new restaurants in Toronto you need to check out.Golden Horseshoe BBQ    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Golden Horseshoe Barbecue (@goldenhorseshoebbq)If you haven't been hearing the buzz about this new barbecue spot at the corner of Dupont and Christie, you need to wake up and smell the brisket.All jokes aside, since opening its...

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1 week ago The most heartbreaking Toronto restaurant closures of summer 2025

When one door closes, another one opens, but that doesn't keep us from being heartbroken over the restaurant closures in Toronto this summer.Restaurants are like seasons: they come and, before you know it, they're gone. Summer 2025, now that we're well and truly into the fall, felt a lot like that.While restaurants in the city, all too often, are over before they even started, others manage to stand the test of time, becoming as much a fixture in the neighbourhood as the old man who feeds pigeons on the corner or the local outdoor cats.It's those restaurants whose closures stick with us the most, and, unfortunately, we lost no small number of them this past summer.Here are some of the biggest restaurant closures that happened in Toronto during Summer 2025.By The Way CafeThere's something about the closure of a restaurant that's been around since the year started with a 19 that stings especially hard. This Annex brunch spot had been a local staple since the &#...

Culture

1 week ago Tim Hortons' 'TimShop' merch store replacing closed Toronto Eaton Centre business

For Tim Hortons fanatics who feel the tumblers and mugs at select stores just aren't enough merch, you're in luck, because the coffee chain is opening a dedicated brick-and-mortar merch store, the TimShop, in CF Toronto Eaton Centre this fall.Hoarding is now up around the future TimShop, advertising a grand opening in Nov. 2025.The new merch store is set to take over the retail space previously occupied by Bentley for over a decade until its closure last month. The Bentley store at the Eaton Centre closed in August after over a decade in business. JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com"The TimShop store at the Eaton Centre will be a holiday season pop-up expected to be open from early November to the end of December. It is the first retail store of its kind for us and is an extension of TimShop.ca," a Tim Hortons media representative told blogTO.     View this post on Instagram         ...

Economics

1 week ago Japanese noodle chain with Michelin nod opening Toronto location soon

An international Japanese food chain known for its handmade noodles is finally about to open its first Canadian location in Toronto.Toronto loves our noodles — that much cannot be argued. Whether served in a soup, stir-fried or, heck, even dripping in bolognese, there's something about a tubular, starch-based creation that speaks to the soul every time.Lucky for us, Toronto is about to get its very own location of a noodle shop that's already made waves across the globe: Kajiken.The noodle dish in the spotlight at Kajiken? It's none other than aburasoba, a dish similar to ramen but served without broth. Instead, the noodles, which are made by hand in the shop, are coated in the restaurant's legendary secret sauce for a sip-free experience.The chain may be landing in North York this fall, but Kajiken brings with it a 15-year history that spans the globe.Kajiken was first born in 2010 when founder Kenichi Kaji fell in love with aburasoba. He o...

Other

1 week ago Coffee brand and Toronto tattoo shop teaming up to give away free brews and ink

One of Canada's favourite coffee brands is teaming up with a Toronto tattoo shop to give away free coffee and tattoos next week.No matter how badly we wish we could create a self-filling mug that never empties, coffee isn't permanent. Tattoos, on the other hand, are.That's why, for coffee lovers, there's perhaps no greater gesture of love than getting oneself inked up with a tribute to your favourite roast.Next week, B.C.-based coffee brand Kicking Horse is joining forces with Toronto's own Chronic Ink (which includes some of the city's top tattoo artists) to help you do exactly that with one of the most unique coffee events the city has ever seen.Taking place at Chronic House on Saturday, Oct. 4, the most hardcore coffee lovers in the city will be able to take their love to the next level. Yes, we're talking tattoos.To celebrate Kicking Horse's 11 distinct blends, they've enlisted Chronic Ink artists to create tattoo designs t...

Other

1 week ago Entire food festival dedicated to just garlic wafts into Toronto this weekend

If you, like us, believe there's no such thing as too much garlic, you're in luck: an entire festival devoted to it is coming to Toronto.We may be on the cusp of spooky season, but vampires ought to give Toronto a wide berth this weekend as the cherished annual Toronto Garlic Festival makes its grand return.Back for its 14th year, the festival is coming in hot, ready to drench Spadina Road in allium-scented goodness this Sunday, Sept. 28.The annual festival is a celebration of the yearly fall garlic harvest, and while you will be able to pick up plenty of whole bulbs to use in your pasta, stir-fries, and salad dressings, there's a whole lot more than just straight-up garlic on offer at the festival.Expect a lineup of food vendors brimming with garlic-scented goodness, serving up everything from fries with garlic aioli and garlic-crusted popcorn to over-the-top offerings like a whole-roasted Suckling Pig stuffed with 50 garlic bulbs.You know, something for every...

Culture

1 week ago Toronto steakhouse debuts cocktail that costs an unbelievable $7,000 per drink

Step aside, $1,000 steak and lobster, an opulent steakhouse in Toronto just introduced a new cocktail that's seven times more expensive.Got a bit of extra cash burning a hole in your pocket? And by "a bit," we of course mean $7,000, before tax? If so, Animl Steakhouse has a new cocktail on the menu that might just quench your thirst.Known for its elaborate offerings, including a $1,000 Surf and Turf dinner that comes with a 2 lb. lobster tail and a 60-oz Wagyu tomahawk steak, the Studio 54-inspired King West steakhouse is now blowing that dish out of the water with a new offering that makes the Surf and Turf look like small potatoes.For a cool $7,000, you can now order the Diamond Drip cocktail.No need to pinch yourself, you read that right. It's a single cocktail that retails for $7,000. In case you were curious, you could pick up 81 bottles of Veuve Cliquot Brut for the same price or, if you prefer, 3,255 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.You'll w...

Economics

1 week ago 'Stranger Things' stars stopped in at a Toronto restaurant and posed with staff

A gaggle of stars from Netflix's perpetually popular show Stranger Things just stopped by an equally beloved Toronto restaurant for a bite.While no telekenesis or parallel universes were present at the celebrated Entertainment District Thai restaurant Pai this weekend, diners were still treated to a somewhat strange sight, indeed.Stranger Things stars Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin, who play the leading roles of Mike, Dustin and Lucas, respectively, stopped by the restaurant unannounced for a meal.Admittedly, stranger things have happened: Pai just so happens to be a celebrity hot spot in the city, attracting everyone from TIFF attendees to the entire cast of Guillermo del Toro's new Frankenstein movie.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Jeff Regular (@paitoronto)"[Finn Wolfhard] back at ...

Other

2 w. ago Here's what's replacing beloved Toronto donut shop that closed this year

A new bakery will soon be opening in the space that one of Toronto's favourite donut shops once called home.It's only been two weeks since beloved Toronto donut shop, Glory Hole Doughnuts, closed its Gerrard East location (subsequently, the business as a whole) down for good, but there's already a new business preparing to move in.Sure, the body's hardly even cold at this point, the community is still grieving the loss of its cherished innuendo-rich donut shop, but we have to admit, we're pretty excited for what's coming next.What exactly is coming next, you're almost certainly asking? Jupiter Bakehouse, the new brick-and-mortar home for a farmers market staple created by local chef and baker Jackson Forster.The backbone of Jupiter Bakehouse, Forster tells us, is showcasing Canadian grain and produce through fermented sourdough bread and traditional French pastry.Think crunchy-crusted, chewy-centred baguettes, viennoiserie, tarts filled wit...

Politics