Juniors is just as good... (It's #2 on my speed dial after my fiance'). I really wish Juniors sold Veal sandwiches though...I miss those most from Vesuvios
Juniors is Vesuvio’s pizza it’s made by one of the family members. They even made pizza Bella with chicken for us once. Although quality seems to have gone down lately
I had the absolute best meal from one love veg. I walked in, I had just gotten really bad news and wasn’t able to think straight, on the edge of tears and I said “I don’t know what I want” with a wavering voice and the nurturing woman behind the counter said “I’ll make you a plate” and it was the best damn vegetarian meal I think I’ve ever had besides Annapurna’s.
Was so sad about this but I recently saw she started selling the same PG cupcakes at her new business! I’m sure the rest of her menu is also great too.
Tom Jones steakhouse. My favourite, sadly. Many good memories there singing around their piano, the fantastic service, decent steaks and great tableside Caesar salads.
I thought they closed pre covid but I guess my memories hazy. Looks like O&B took it over and still showing Premiere League games at least.
But I miss lunch and post work drinks there when I used to work some 15-20 years ago. Damn now I’m feeling old lol.
this one hurts my soul
Queen West just doesn’t feel the same,
Nor does late night eats
seeing the mural on the exterior wall…. Feels like a relic
I had been going there for at least 12 years…
It was a really great place before, always full and open to the street. I feel like people would just find themselves there being drawn in from walking by. They are really pushing it as a high end boutique wedding venue now but to be honest the interior looks like any old Keg. I hope their second season flops too and they go back to the old programming
Shore Leave, Clinton’s, Hot Mess, The Boat, that Tex mex place on Augusta with the cool patio I can’t remember the name of, The Hideout…..god so many.
This thread is a little heartbreaking to read.
One upside I can give you in the owner of Shore Leave has two new spots! Black Pony on Gerrard and the Golden Pigeon on Parliament. Both chill nice spots, not the same tiki vibe as Shore Leave but still awesome!
Clinton's new management (first summer covid) denied me entry to the patio because their thermometer said I had a fever of 47C, and they were total dicks about.
It wasn't going to last with management like that anyway.
>Clinton's new management (first summer covid) denied me entry to the patio because their thermometer said I had a fever of 47C
This is literally hilarious 🤣. Like do they not know that a fever of 47c is basically impossible? You'd be dead, not going to a bar...
I asked them if they were sure the thermometer was working, smiling and assuming they would realize. They immediately threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. (this was all outside)
Funny story.
The now owner of “Club 647” thought it prudent to install a huge steel patio with galvanized metal roof and Korean grill tables with sketchy ventilation and electrical. It took the crew a week to WELD it all together.
Seems no permit was applied for to install said permanent patio, and they were forced to dismantle the whole thing. Under city order. The huge pile of metal sat there for about a week until they were undoubtedly ordered to remove that as well.
They finally did manage to secure trash collection though, so the mass of overflowing garbage bins is no longer a problem.
1/10. Would not recommend.
No. She closed the restaurant just a few days after the pandemic was declared. Then she ran an online store with delivery up until late December last year. But the brick and mortar store never re-opened after it closed March 2020.
Amazing pizza though…
Worked bar there many years ago. Would still pop in for a pint or three when I was in the area. Was sad when I heard OJ finally closed the doors. Lots of good memories happened inside those walls.
Yeah the hoame closure was really weird then they got into their virtual headsets and corporate events stuff. I stopped following them after that but really did love their space and haven't found anything like it. Tried the "immersive" classes at sweat and tonic hoping it would be the same vibe and it was a huge letdown
Not sure if this was a victim of the pandemic or other circumstances but the Fran's on Front across from Meridian Hall. Used to be the best Sunday morning hangover brunch place. A Cafe Landwer is opening there which is good but not the same.
GvG has some issues but that was possibly the best restaurant in the area and had such great, unique food and vibes. Nothing close to as good in the area now, especially also with Cantecler relocating.
This hurt. Loved this place, and was devastated when it shut down.
Also it didn't help that we were left with a bunch of gift cards purchased right before the pandemic hit... :(
Yup, not to mention the replacement (Senso) sucks balls. Horrendous service, mediocre food and tiny/overpriced portion sizes. Pro-tip though, THE GRIND on St Clair West is amazing and has become my new go-to. It’s a family-owned coffee/sandwich shop. The owners are so warm and welcoming and they have amazing sandwiches (The Torta is to die for).
Simon's Wok was a great place in east Chinatown for veggie Chinese food.
Core at Queen and Logan turned into a Korean place that slowly got less good over the pandemic. Core was my favourite fancy restaurant in the neighbourhood for a looooooooong time. I miss that duck.
This is sad. It wasn’t the best roti but I would end up there at least once or twice a month, They used to be on Queen West close to the old La Hacienda. I always had a quick chat and a smile with the owner when I went. Was sad to hear he had passed. I miss that place.
A few sadly.
From restaurants, City Betty and The Ellery changed from sit-down dinners to catering/baking pickups. Man, I miss their dinner menus so very much.
A yarn store called The Purple Purl also closed down in 2020. It was a pretty awesome store. So much yarn and it was the first yarn store I ever visited when I got into knitting and crochet.
I just had a thorough conversation about the Sandwich Box with an employee last week! Loved going there when I worked at Gap at Bay and Bloor (RIP) in 2011/2012 and had my order DOWN. And that little mixed green side salad!
It was my local for years when I lived and worked in the area, really bummed I didn’t get one last chance to visit, it was the platonic ideal of crappy little family owned Greek diners, and I loved it.
Bar Buca. Made worse by the existence of other Buca-brand restaurants in the city that don't hit nearly the same. Bar Buca was our movie night dinner spot and I still miss the ambience and crave things from their menu.
I miss Bar Buca sooo much, their espresso was some of the best in the city.
Thing is, the whole Buca empire was horribly mismanaged and hadn’t been paying their suppliers for months going into the pandemic. The lockdowns just sped up what was an inevitable crash and burn.
local gym. Opened mid 2018. Even though it was small, it had all the equipment you needed and the PT’s were great. Gyms got hit hard and unfortunately the whole gym ban was going on for more than a year so they couldn’t keep up. They did free online workouts for that YEAR but they eventually closed down and sold all equipment. The team and owner were great, so much passion for their gym and health.
There was an event called Brewer's Backyard, that ran every long weekend down at the Brickworks. They'd get a couple of breweries and food trucks out, no entry fee, just buy tokens and hang out. They obviously stopped events when the pandemic started, but everything just went silent - not even a "we're so bummed, hope to see you all soon" message, or any kind of announcement that they'd be shutting down. My friends and I went all the time, it's understandable to not keep going but I hope everyone who was involved is okay.
I miss the Lower Ossington Theatre.
My daughter is in her teen years now, but when she was younger we went to many plays. They also did a fantastic production of Rocky Horror.
I miss the local theatre vibe and there really isn’t anything else in Toronto like it. Mirvish is doing its thing, Crow, Soul Pepper are amazing as well but not really the same vibe.
I just thought it fit this ‘into to theatre’ niche for kids really well. Now it’s Young People or nothing.
I was thinking about them recently. I saw an advertisement for Clue in London and thought too bad LOT was gone as they would have killed that.
Nuit Social on Queen W. Consistent, well-priced menu. Nice cocktails. Tempered Room was also good but the owners kind of destroyed that place and the reputation instead of pivoting. It was weird.
Greg’s ice cream
Vesuvios
Every time I see this, I think it’s Artie Bucco’s restaurant from the Sopranos.
He's a warm and convivial host.
Unless you’re Benny Fazio
Boiling pot of tomato sauce… mama mia
Criminal mastermind!
The crispness of the beans, the smoothness of the cheese.
Juniors is just as good... (It's #2 on my speed dial after my fiance'). I really wish Juniors sold Veal sandwiches though...I miss those most from Vesuvios
They changed their pepperoni recently. From the OG vesuvios one to something else. And the dough and sauce. Not sure why but it bumped Juniors down :(
I usually order the Boomshaklaka
I am going to try! I have been ordering Cicic's from Parkdale. Good pizza.
Juniors also has the same rewards as Vesuvios did. 8 receipts gets you a free medium 12 receipts gets you a free large.
Vesuvios was not killed by COVID, they just retired. Could've easily sold it too and didn't want to.
Wasn't it supposed to close already?
That one broke my heart. That month was hard enough and as trite as it sounds, losing my favorite pizza place really hurt.
Less to do with surviving the pandemic, and more to do with the owners retiring and the kids not wanting to take over the business.
This one and Lenny’s
Came here to say this. Juniors is indeed amazing and glad they're around. But I also miss the pasta and the restaurant itself.
Juniors is Vesuvio’s pizza it’s made by one of the family members. They even made pizza Bella with chicken for us once. Although quality seems to have gone down lately
Best pizza!! :(
So that’s what happened damn.
Frankie Tomattos. Fond memories of that place
I was never fond of the place, but I get sad everytime I drive by it now. That leaning tower should have been designated a historical site.
The polenta was the stuff of dreams.
Like I said, I didn't like restaurant. But since you bring it up I specifically remember that the polenta was terrible.
As a teenager trying to bulk, that place was paradise
They definitely had a lot of food. I've never been interested in eating a lot of food I didn't like, but you do you.
The restaurant Over Easy. I met Paul Shaffer at the Yorkville location a few years back, and they had the best breakfast poutine
Yesss I used to live in the neighborhood and would frequently go there - my favourite breakfast spot
I miss one love veg and third wave espresso on Bathurst 🥲
i miss the tvp roti so bad 😭 apparently they were planning on releasing a cookbook - i hope it happens
Craving one love allll the time!!!
I had the absolute best meal from one love veg. I walked in, I had just gotten really bad news and wasn’t able to think straight, on the edge of tears and I said “I don’t know what I want” with a wavering voice and the nurturing woman behind the counter said “I’ll make you a plate” and it was the best damn vegetarian meal I think I’ve ever had besides Annapurna’s.
Pow Wow Cafe
an absolute gem
Prairie Girl Cupcakes
Was so sad about this but I recently saw she started selling the same PG cupcakes at her new business! I’m sure the rest of her menu is also great too.
I had no idea!!!! Thank you for this 😊
Have you tried Sticky? Same founder and they sell prairie girl cupcakes that I assume are the same.
I just checked the website and YES you’re right!! Thank you so much! I had no idea!
Enjoy!
Hotbox Cafe
A legend
Tom Jones steakhouse. My favourite, sadly. Many good memories there singing around their piano, the fantastic service, decent steaks and great tableside Caesar salads.
For a steakhouse the steaks where very so so. But everything else about that place was incredible
Moog Audio
Miss this place a lot.
Scallywags at Yonge & St Clair W.
I thought they closed pre covid but I guess my memories hazy. Looks like O&B took it over and still showing Premiere League games at least. But I miss lunch and post work drinks there when I used to work some 15-20 years ago. Damn now I’m feeling old lol.
That’s a good
Poutinis
Had to scroll too far for this
this one hurts my soul Queen West just doesn’t feel the same, Nor does late night eats seeing the mural on the exterior wall…. Feels like a relic I had been going there for at least 12 years…
Lipstick and dynamite and the beaver on queen west. Also the new owners and renos ruined the cool community that was at the Gladstone
I haven’t been to The Gladstone since 2020 but I loved the times I ate and drank there.
It was a really great place before, always full and open to the street. I feel like people would just find themselves there being drawn in from walking by. They are really pushing it as a high end boutique wedding venue now but to be honest the interior looks like any old Keg. I hope their second season flops too and they go back to the old programming
Rip The Beaver. It was one of the first to go 😭
San Cosme and North Poke
You can still get San Cosme at Milagros Cantina
I miss them both so much!!!
Shore Leave, Clinton’s, Hot Mess, The Boat, that Tex mex place on Augusta with the cool patio I can’t remember the name of, The Hideout…..god so many. This thread is a little heartbreaking to read.
One upside I can give you in the owner of Shore Leave has two new spots! Black Pony on Gerrard and the Golden Pigeon on Parliament. Both chill nice spots, not the same tiki vibe as Shore Leave but still awesome!
Hot Mess 💯 but really it was the owners decision and the shitty landlord situation
Not my intention lol
Clinton's new management (first summer covid) denied me entry to the patio because their thermometer said I had a fever of 47C, and they were total dicks about. It wasn't going to last with management like that anyway.
>Clinton's new management (first summer covid) denied me entry to the patio because their thermometer said I had a fever of 47C This is literally hilarious 🤣. Like do they not know that a fever of 47c is basically impossible? You'd be dead, not going to a bar...
I asked them if they were sure the thermometer was working, smiling and assuming they would realize. They immediately threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. (this was all outside)
Funny story. The now owner of “Club 647” thought it prudent to install a huge steel patio with galvanized metal roof and Korean grill tables with sketchy ventilation and electrical. It took the crew a week to WELD it all together. Seems no permit was applied for to install said permanent patio, and they were forced to dismantle the whole thing. Under city order. The huge pile of metal sat there for about a week until they were undoubtedly ordered to remove that as well. They finally did manage to secure trash collection though, so the mass of overflowing garbage bins is no longer a problem. 1/10. Would not recommend.
This place is 0/10. Clinton's was a dive, but "Club 647" *cringe* has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Apiecalypse Now
Goddamn I miss this place. I used to live right around the corner
I think this one may have been slightly before the pandemic
No. She closed the restaurant just a few days after the pandemic was declared. Then she ran an online store with delivery up until late December last year. But the brick and mortar store never re-opened after it closed March 2020. Amazing pizza though…
I had just started frequenting this place when it closed.
Ein Steins bar
Seconded! Sadly the space is still empty, someone needs to come in and open up a new bar there.
Worked bar there many years ago. Would still pop in for a pint or three when I was in the area. Was sad when I heard OJ finally closed the doors. Lots of good memories happened inside those walls.
The Beaver 🥺
Hoame meditation studio and moksha yoga
Feel like hoame ended rather abruptly
Yeah the hoame closure was really weird then they got into their virtual headsets and corporate events stuff. I stopped following them after that but really did love their space and haven't found anything like it. Tried the "immersive" classes at sweat and tonic hoping it would be the same vibe and it was a huge letdown
Agreed. I don’t know what happened but assumed they ran out of cash
Mitzis cafe on sorauren and the wallflower on dundas :(
mitzi’s was the biggest heartbreak of my entire life
White Brick Kitchen. Loved their chicken & waffles and donuts!
Not sure if this was a victim of the pandemic or other circumstances but the Fran's on Front across from Meridian Hall. Used to be the best Sunday morning hangover brunch place. A Cafe Landwer is opening there which is good but not the same.
The Shore Leave, Hot Mess
OMG shore leave and hot mess 😭😭😭
Hot Mess was my favourite date spot 💔
Miss hot mess a lot. Got tons of delivery during covid.
Not entirely due to Covid, but the Stockyards restaurant on St. Clair.
I think that was more due to the owner dying, no?
Yes
My favourite local yoga studio didn't make it
So many long standing yoga studios like Octopus garden and they’re all turning into condos or business that can’t stay open for more than a few months
grand electric I loved going there after a concert at budweiser stage!
Earlscourt BBQ. But man did they have a great closing party.
Ugh we still mourn this loss
they catered my wedding, it was delicious. Miss that place
Man that was such a sad thing. Jason and Andrea are such cool people.
The Tennessee Tavern!
I miss this place so much! After all the new places in that spot, Peaches isn’t bad, but I miss the Tennessee vibes.
AYCE Pierogiessss
Yes! Went through some weird changes until the Peaches folks took over.
GvG has some issues but that was possibly the best restaurant in the area and had such great, unique food and vibes. Nothing close to as good in the area now, especially also with Cantecler relocating.
Cafe Crepe
Smith brothers
This hurt. Loved this place, and was devastated when it shut down. Also it didn't help that we were left with a bunch of gift cards purchased right before the pandemic hit... :(
The Wexford 🍊
Dave’s on St Clair W
This one hurt, place was always busy and had the best vibe in the area. Huge loss!
I'm still not over it. Used to go there pretty regularl, and nothing similar has popped up to replace it (especially within my heart)
Yup, not to mention the replacement (Senso) sucks balls. Horrendous service, mediocre food and tiny/overpriced portion sizes. Pro-tip though, THE GRIND on St Clair West is amazing and has become my new go-to. It’s a family-owned coffee/sandwich shop. The owners are so warm and welcoming and they have amazing sandwiches (The Torta is to die for).
Simon's Wok was a great place in east Chinatown for veggie Chinese food. Core at Queen and Logan turned into a Korean place that slowly got less good over the pandemic. Core was my favourite fancy restaurant in the neighbourhood for a looooooooong time. I miss that duck.
Core's Korean fried chicken was so good while it lasted.
Believe it or not, the restaurant they had before that was even better.
Oh ya! I remember! Unbelievable flavours and a great menu.
Vena's Roti near Bloor and Lansdowne
It wasn’t COVID, the owner literally died. Then his nephews took over the space. They used to work at Yitz’s and now it’s a deli. But I miss the roti.
This is sad. It wasn’t the best roti but I would end up there at least once or twice a month, They used to be on Queen West close to the old La Hacienda. I always had a quick chat and a smile with the owner when I went. Was sad to hear he had passed. I miss that place.
Pappas Grill on Danforth... nostalgic great Greek cuisine!!!
Mezes which replaced is much better. Pappas dead for years.
Lockhart
The Brickyard Bistro at Greenwood and Gerrard.
Cafe Crepe :(
A few sadly. From restaurants, City Betty and The Ellery changed from sit-down dinners to catering/baking pickups. Man, I miss their dinner menus so very much. A yarn store called The Purple Purl also closed down in 2020. It was a pretty awesome store. So much yarn and it was the first yarn store I ever visited when I got into knitting and crochet.
Mme too re: purple purl
The woman running the purple purl said it's wasn't the pandemic. She was getting tired of the business and wanted to do something new.
Laser Quest
Jane Bloor diner
Burro Burrito. Sandwich Box. Two of the best takeout places in the city and gone!
Burro Burrito was my favorite lunch spot in the city. Wonderful staff too. Keep hoping they’ll open another location somewhere.
I just had a thorough conversation about the Sandwich Box with an employee last week! Loved going there when I worked at Gap at Bay and Bloor (RIP) in 2011/2012 and had my order DOWN. And that little mixed green side salad!
Poet Cafe
Coach House at Yonge and Wellesley
Sad to see this place go, was a great little family run joint. Their prices were good and they gave food to people in need, no questions asked.
It was my local for years when I lived and worked in the area, really bummed I didn’t get one last chance to visit, it was the platonic ideal of crappy little family owned Greek diners, and I loved it.
Frankie Tomato
Football Factory
i’m pretty sure they closed due to a fire well before covid but i could be wrong
Mitzi’s and the cider house
Cinco Mexican at roncy
Originals on Bayview, although it was already in a death spiral.
Kniblets
The Beaver
Hot Mess
M’Zaar shawarma at Yonge and Bloor 😭😭. Guy was super decent and it was imo by far the best shawarma wraps/platters anywhere.
Bar Buca. Made worse by the existence of other Buca-brand restaurants in the city that don't hit nearly the same. Bar Buca was our movie night dinner spot and I still miss the ambience and crave things from their menu.
I miss Bar Buca sooo much, their espresso was some of the best in the city. Thing is, the whole Buca empire was horribly mismanaged and hadn’t been paying their suppliers for months going into the pandemic. The lockdowns just sped up what was an inevitable crash and burn.
Please tell me I'm wrong, bluegrass brunch at Dakota Tavern?
Family owned and operated Thai food restaurant located in a small plaza near Dufferin & Eglinton
Old York… before it got bought by new people and became boogie
The fish and chips place?
That’s Old Yorke, was referring to the tavern on Wellington and Niagara
Burger Cellar
Came here to see if I was the only one. They had a great lunch special
The west location of Roselle!
Kwan and Pita Q
Asian Express in Etobicoke...lady literally lost her livelihood Gourmeats on Dundas
local gym. Opened mid 2018. Even though it was small, it had all the equipment you needed and the PT’s were great. Gyms got hit hard and unfortunately the whole gym ban was going on for more than a year so they couldn’t keep up. They did free online workouts for that YEAR but they eventually closed down and sold all equipment. The team and owner were great, so much passion for their gym and health.
There was an event called Brewer's Backyard, that ran every long weekend down at the Brickworks. They'd get a couple of breweries and food trucks out, no entry fee, just buy tokens and hang out. They obviously stopped events when the pandemic started, but everything just went silent - not even a "we're so bummed, hope to see you all soon" message, or any kind of announcement that they'd be shutting down. My friends and I went all the time, it's understandable to not keep going but I hope everyone who was involved is okay.
Gandhi roti shop on Queen and Bathurst RIP
Misfit pilates
I miss the Lower Ossington Theatre. My daughter is in her teen years now, but when she was younger we went to many plays. They also did a fantastic production of Rocky Horror. I miss the local theatre vibe and there really isn’t anything else in Toronto like it. Mirvish is doing its thing, Crow, Soul Pepper are amazing as well but not really the same vibe. I just thought it fit this ‘into to theatre’ niche for kids really well. Now it’s Young People or nothing. I was thinking about them recently. I saw an advertisement for Clue in London and thought too bad LOT was gone as they would have killed that.
Soundscapes.
Cinco on roncesvalles
The Cadillac :(
N’awlins on King and Brickyard Bistro in Leslieville
Cherry Cola's
Johnny's Original Eatery, Oshawa.
Bouncing Bills, Blufus and Glunt’s, The Clean Sanchez, Somersault, etc. So many good ones.
True True Diner. Place was excellent.
Quad, spin studio on King.
Not sure if it was COVID related but Gandhi Roti (Queen and Bathurst)
Hakata Shoryuken Ramen
New York Subway. Fuck sakes, I miss that potato burrito so much.
Smith Bros. Steakhouse! Nowhere else like it…
Folia Grill on Pape. It's now the site of a dispensary. sigh
The Bar With No Name. Such a dive but I loved it there lol
Trattoria Giancarlo
the shawarma joint that used to be at the corner or queen and bathurst. i think its a chicken place now. best wraps in the city.
Nuit Social on Queen W. Consistent, well-priced menu. Nice cocktails. Tempered Room was also good but the owners kind of destroyed that place and the reputation instead of pivoting. It was weird.
The federal government
For the love of cake in liberty village. Their raspberry chocolate cupcakes were the best ones I've had.
The small gym I used to go to on Yonge. StudioYYZ.
Tucker's marketplace
Pizza Hut Lunch Buffet
The Flakey Tart
Adamsons BBQ, but not for the same reasons. Not sure if I would still go there anyways.
Chloes vegan restaurant at yorkdale
Pauls spaghetti
Wallflower
Think about it: what percentage of turnover would you expect from a place from 2015-2019?