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| Mr. Steak circa 1970s |
But what of the chain restaurants?
In the 1970s, we had Mr. Steak which gave Winnipeggers a first taste of a chain restaurant steakhouse. The location on Pembina Highway beyond the University of Manitoba seemed like one of the last stops before the end of town. We have had Swiss Chalet come and go...twice! The first was on Pembina in 1983. The second McDonald's went on on Pembina as well in 1969.
During the heyday of the Winnipeg Jets, Chi-Chi's at Polo Park used to pack them in. A few locations graced the city but fell one by one over the years. Chi Chi's and Finger's stood where Silver City theatres now stand in the mall parking lot.
Above, McDonald's two story location Polo Park, 1988.
The Country Kitchen restaurant was all over the city of Winnipeg. Even when others disappeared across North America, the one on Queen Elizabeth Way kept ticking along. Eventually prolonged bridge construction work killed it off. Want to know where the last Country Kitchen in Canada is: Winkler.
Winnipeg had both Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses in Winnipeg. In the 1980s, Ponderosa retreated from the Canadian market and many locations in Canada were converted to Red Lobster. Bonanza closed their last restaurants in Winnipeg in the 1990s. Below 1979 Ponderosa locations. And 1973 opening of Bonanza.
Harvey's, a large Canadian chain, has tried to crack the Winnipeg market a few times. It had a location on Pembina Highway, some in Home Depots and the airport. One remains open on Portage Avenue near the University of Winnipeg.
Longhorn's Texas Steakhouse gave it a go on Leila but they didn't do enough to redecorate and even had the old Brannigan's frosted class in place with a B on it after they opened.
Pete and Marty's was a franchise that closed in Polo Park and is where Moxie's is now. Mr. Greenjean's was an old favourite in Eaton Place, now occupied by Boston Pizza.
A few Winnipeg franchise restaurants have failed after many years in business. As just mentioned above Branigans used to have locations all over the city and even had one in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grape's was around for decades but alas, they are all gone now. Schmecker's used to have a few locations. Below was Portage Avenue near Grace Hospital.
Papa George's closed their last location in Osborne Village. Grubee's was Winnipeg's attempt to create a burger chair to compete with the McDonald's of the world. Several locations closed back in the 1970s. Below was 1977. Grubee's had Star Wars merchandise!
Shakeys on Osborne Street in 1975 is no longer there.
Mayor's Katz's Hu's Restaurants are all closed now.
In recent years, we have seen the slow retreat of KFC from Winnipeg. Quizno's has started closing places. Kelsey's had two locations shut the same day.
I am sure I have forgotten some of the chains that have closed. Some will say we are better off but many places were family favourites.
Edit: Just been reminded that Harvey's has returned and opposite the University of Winnipeg. And also at the airport?
Also Mother's Pizza with two locations on Regent and Pembina Highway. A mainstay in the 1980s till they dashed back to Ontario.
Just remembered Chuck-E-Cheese on Pembina Highway and Fuddrucker's on St. James near Polo Park. If my recollection is correct, it was owned by some Winnipeg Jets.
The Country Kitchen restaurant was all over the city of Winnipeg. Even when others disappeared across North America, the one on Queen Elizabeth Way kept ticking along. Eventually prolonged bridge construction work killed it off. Want to know where the last Country Kitchen in Canada is: Winkler.
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| Country Kitchen in Heartland Inn, Winkler |
Below 1973 Ponderosa.
Longhorn's Texas Steakhouse gave it a go on Leila but they didn't do enough to redecorate and even had the old Brannigan's frosted class in place with a B on it after they opened.
Pete and Marty's was a franchise that closed in Polo Park and is where Moxie's is now. Mr. Greenjean's was an old favourite in Eaton Place, now occupied by Boston Pizza.
A few Winnipeg franchise restaurants have failed after many years in business. As just mentioned above Branigans used to have locations all over the city and even had one in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grape's was around for decades but alas, they are all gone now. Schmecker's used to have a few locations. Below was Portage Avenue near Grace Hospital.
Mayor's Katz's Hu's Restaurants are all closed now.
In recent years, we have seen the slow retreat of KFC from Winnipeg. Quizno's has started closing places. Kelsey's had two locations shut the same day.
I am sure I have forgotten some of the chains that have closed. Some will say we are better off but many places were family favourites.
Edit: Just been reminded that Harvey's has returned and opposite the University of Winnipeg. And also at the airport?
Also Mother's Pizza with two locations on Regent and Pembina Highway. A mainstay in the 1980s till they dashed back to Ontario.
Just remembered Chuck-E-Cheese on Pembina Highway and Fuddrucker's on St. James near Polo Park. If my recollection is correct, it was owned by some Winnipeg Jets.
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| Bombay Bicycle Club circa 1987 |
323 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 323 of 323My cousin's dad worked there for many many years. When he passed away. A number of his customers came to pay their last respects.
The " Jolly Canuck " in the Bays downtown store. I remember asking for ketchup for my macaroni and cheese and the waitress said the cook was very offended. This was 1966, I was only 6. Also in the basement, "The Malt Stop" for dogs and the best chocolate Malts. Of course the most magical place in the city during this era would have to be the "Paddle Wheel" on the 7th floor
I used to work at Jim’s fish and chips on portage ave next to the viscount gort, it was next to a warehouse one Jean store,I also worked at the a and w on Ellie and rose berry it is now a vacuum store,used to party at the black night at the airliner hotel now a holiday inn and rock city at the international inn
I sure do remember RJ'S House of Pizza! Fantastic and inexpensive... they had a few locations in Winnipeg. I went to the Corydon one next to the bicycle shop. They had those little gremlin cars for delivery. The best thin crust pizza and sauce I have ever had. Who owned RJ's House of Pizza??
I sure do remember RJ'S House of Pizza! Fantastic and inexpensive... they had a few locations in Winnipeg. I went to the Corydon one next to the bicycle shop. They had those little gremlin cars for delivery. The best thin crust pizza and sauce I have ever had. Who owned RJ's House of Pizza??
The Round Table
Moskavitch and Moskavitch..... spelling?...close to Minuk Denturist now... direct north 1 block
Whew! How many thousands of restaurants have we gone through?2,3, 4000? Remember Paul’s hamburgers on Pembina.... about where Long and Mcquade is now.... it was north of McDonalds and left shortly after McD’s came in about 1970?
Loved going to m and m back in the day
Yes i just found this. I looked it up because I used to go there as a kid with my dad it was in the middle of nowhere at the time
Yes i just found this. I looked it up because I used to go there as a kid with my dad it was in the middle of nowhere at the time
Re: Rooney's Hamburger Restaurant in Winnipeg - oh, thank God, I thought I was losing my mind as I couldn't find any reference to this MacDonald's competitor anywhere online and yet I vividly remember going there as a kid in late 60s/very early 70s. Almost everything on their menu was identical to McDonald's, but with different names, of course. I preferred Rooney's because they had a much larger milkshake flavour selection and I seem to recall their apple turnover pockets were better, but everything else was exactly the same.
The sals on Henderson moved into the vacated Perkins. Gondola still on Henderson. Think they are on McLeod still East of Gateway rd North side.
Be grateful for the proper spelling of cisociarras? Jefferson in the strip mall anchored by BMO and IGA at the time across from Maples Collegiate. There was a burger restaurant there too. I think.the same name as the one on Nairn at Lag South side. I know the owner of that restsurant on Jeffeson and his nephew ran Lizi's ranch house as well. They closed that place in 2010/11. The Jefferon store about 10 years earlier. I think they to are part of the Ginakis family who own several chains, family based in Toronto I was told. The best pizza in town. 80s and 90s that was where you got pizza. Worth the half hour wait for made from scratch fresh pie. The Ranch house used the same recipie.
Ciocara pizza was phenomenal. We used to drive from the south end of Winnipeg to eat there. The restaurant was a dump but the pizza was amazing.
Yessssss! Boondoggles (mcphillips in lot of the superstore) :D Best fries ever. RJ's pizza.... best pizza ever!
Did boss q's serve food inside/behind continental hotel
Ha- I wired the one on McPhillips
Grubees oscar gruberman
How about Paul's hamburgers on Pembina across from near Bishop Grandin crosses the river,the last eatery before you left the city,I worked there around 1965-66.
Chan's Moon Room on Main St.
Nan King on King St
Old Canton on Alexander Ave
Wagon Wheel on Selkirk Ave
Exchange Cafe on Main St
Does anyone remember pirates ward or fisherman's ward on Broadway and Balmoral.?
Does anyone remember pirates ward or fisherman's ward on Broadway and Balmoral.?
Wasn't there a cosmos? Served greek food
Grapes not owned by Don Cherry
Grapes not owned by Don Cherry
There was a location of "Don Cherry's Grapevine" where Junction 59 is now at 59 and Nairn.
Yes at 59 (Lagimodiere) & Regent had Don Cherry's Kildonan (part of Don Cherry's Sports Grill Inc.) ... good wings & my hockey team frequented the lounge.
This is such a great chat! Does anyone remember the chocolate shop on Portage Avenue downtown Winnipeg?
I had my wedding dinner there 60 people we had the prime rib
I remember the rainbow trout
Boondoggles at the old mcphillios superstore. They had ridiculously cheap pricing and a huge menu but it was drive they only. Been t eh inf to find the menu online for years.
Does anyone remember Clancys?
Does anyone remember the Mexican Village on Arlington?
I read most of the blogs, and could not find this restaurant.
Two brother? Sam and Bennie at the Oasis Delicatesin. Loved that place.
I'm drawin a blank here. How about a Nordic/Icelandic restaurant on either Edmonton or Carlton between Portage and Graham.
Old Swiss Inn was located on Edmonton I think. Great restaurant !
Yup, Old Swiss Inn. That was a neat place.
Does anyone remember a restaurant in a high rise in East Kildonan. On Rothesay?? Marteen's?
It sounds familiar. Was this not in the high rise on mclead ave?
I worked at Clancy’s Roadhouse on Pembina in the late 80’s. Amazing French onion soup! Nice restaurant and lounge. Not sure when they closed. I wasn’t there then.
Does anyone remember what was in the location of red lobster and Olive Garden across from polo park 70’s 80’s or 90’s
I remember that. I use to work at Jet car wash across the street. I would order fish and chips from there and the burgers
No, “grapes” was owned and operated by the “Gurber” group,
He closed the doors, one at a time, without warning to staff 😳
Memories of the Original Pizza Hut in Winnipeg .
Located on Portage up from the Grace Hospital .
Early 70s (72 to 74)
The original operator was sent to jail in Hedingly pre 1972 .
Corporate brought a fellow named Lee Fairbairn to manage from B.C. and myself also to be Asst .Manager.
They shipped him back to B.C. and I became Area Manager to start planning of multiple locations in town . I was there for a year and transferred back to B.C. with the expansion plans changed so as to expand B.C. first then Alberta ..
Back then there was a total of only 12 locations across Canada before expansion to follow .
B.C- Vancouver Burnaby Surrey Richmond North Vancouver
Alberta .- 2 in Edmonton
Manitoba - Winnipeg ( Portage )
Ontario - Scarborough , London
Quebec - 2 in Montreal
Lots of fond memories of Country Kitchen on Main late night and an Oyster Bar on Portage .
Shakees on Portage
Village Inn
Alfies and many others around town
Gondolas , Salisbury Houses
Grapes - not owned by Don Cherry
How about Swenson’s ice cream place on Osborne in the late-70s early-80s. They had a 10-scoop sundae-like desert called The Earthquake, I think.
I worked at RJ's House of Pizza in the summer of 79. It was the location on St. Mary's in St. Boniface. It's a bicycle shop now. St. Mary's at Metcalfe Ave. We covered all of St. Boniface and the downtown hotels for delivery. When Union Stockyards still existed on Marion, we delivered a pizza to people who worked there we unofficially called the "Stockyard Special." Beef, bacon and double cheese! Delivery cars were a yellow 77 Gremlin and a yellow 73 Mercury Comet with a column-shift 3-speed manual. I also remember the late night radio commercials for RJ's. "This is Pepe-roni with your late evening wrap-up of news and funny stories!"
I loved El Coyote in st. Vital centre . Also la Hasienda, Underground Pizza Works (with the talking toilets), and Pure Lard in old market square
There used to be a pizza place beside Holiday Chev Olds in St. James...just to the west of it. Anyone remember what it was called?
What was the restaurant where the mcphillips street station is now? It was amexican theme with mice wearing sombreros. It was next to a strip club called the Pink Panther.
Does anyone remember a restaurant called Rustler’s? I’m trying to remember where it was, I feel like saying it was on McPhillips or Main Street but I’m not sure.
Wasn't it big smokin Joe's
Merteen's Dining Room at 210 Oakland Ave
Merteen's Dining Room at 210 Oakland Ave
I lived on the street that the Happy Vineyard was on and I’m not sure if it was before or after but the other restaurant that was there was called the Ellice Inn. That’s all I can remember.
Mr Bones Pizza 444 4444
I worked at UW Mcphillips n Logan location during the spring of 90
Millionaire Drive Inn (1970? became an A&W) and Thunderbird Drive Inn on McPhillips
Been gone from The Peg for some time, remember quite a few mentioned. Have been to KoKo's as a youngster a few times, The Paddock also with a friend several times in the early 70s. Loved Pizza Place, not gourmet but tasted good to me! (Usually Grant Park location). Gondola Pizza also, great. A girl I knew liked an obscure place called D'8 Schtove on Pembina. Ichi Ban teppan yaki was fun. Used to get chubby chicken at he A&W on west Portage. Zorba the Greek, 70s on Sherbrooke? Hy's steakhouse.
Tokyo Joes by the baseball diamond downtown and papa georges and dj's
I think it was called the top hat.
Chichi’s ?
711 on Nairn closed mid covid and it was considered a busier location. Arby's as well closed it's last location in KP Mall as well during covid. I have not been to the malls a lot in the last 3 years so not sure what all has closed though Polo Park Mall has largely stayed the same. The old Perkins on Pembina around where Chuck E Cheese's was became a Sals Off the Bridge Restaurant but as of present day, it is an Asia City Restaurant. The last few Perkins left with covid and Denny's resurfaced mid 2000s and has 2 locations in Winnipeg, one in The Sandman Hotel and one in Headingley. Mother Tucker's off Ellice as well was quite popular. My Grandparents really enjoyed Bonanza and Ponderosa and once those closed Country Chicken. The last one in the city on Portage Avenue became a Chicken Chef. They do have Bonanza/Ponderosa in Orlando though.
I remember one of those at Pembina and Clarence Ave a few blocks south of Mcgillavry. They expanded the building after Rooney's closed and put 3 radio stations in there (13 CFRW was the main one)
Might have been Carnival restaurant at Polo Park.
Placed your order from within your booth by phone and your meal was delivered when ready.
Terrible food.
When I arrived in Winnipeg in 1968, there was a PAUL BUNYAN’S HAMBURGER place on Pembina Hiway, west side near where Value Village is now. It disappeared not long after 1968.
Does anyone else remember it? Especially the large sign featuring Paul Bunyan with his axe?
There used to be a kenny rodgers on narin where jollibees is
Mother tuckers was awesome
How about Mr. Bones pizza. 3 for 1
Great name
Whar about the Millionaire on McPhilips
Before Fingers it was called the Crock & Block
Does anyone remember The Happy Vineyard Restaurant on Ellice? Great German food and the best schnitzel ever!
Does anyone remember The Happy Vineeyard restaurant on Ellice? Great German food and the best schnitzel ever!
The Happy Vineyard
The Happy Vineyard
The Peter Pan restaurant in St. James served the best fries and gravy
I remember mother’s pizza on Mcphillips. Ordered on a regular basis. Loved the pizza
Yes I worked there..good times good food.
After Chi-Chis at Polo Park closed it was called Gringos
I use to work at Chi-Chis Regent until Con Can Foods went into Receivership.
Was a great place.
Haven’t seen it mentioned yet so I need to say don’t forget about Dubrovnik (we used to call it Dubrovnik’s back in the 90’s but I think it might have been Restaurant Dubrovnik). This is a great listing of old restaurants and brings back so many memories. I was glad to have been reminded of the Uncle Willy’s on Fermor back around late 80’s/early 90’s.
Anyone know the name of the Mexican restaurant that was in the same location as Underdogs is now at 2609 portage Ave, in St, James
How about the Barbecue restaurant downtown...best chili burgers. Other favourites were the River Mandarin, the Garden Creperie and Bombellini. Thanks for the memories everyone!
I remember these - whether I ate at them or simply saw them while passing by:
Perkins (some locations became R&R restaurant)
Bertram's (on Corydon near Stafford)
Knibbler's Nosh (in the former Safeway building at Corydon & Stafford)
Chi Chi's / Gringo's (I always wondered why they changed their name to Gringo's - anyone know?)
Baaco 2 for 1 pizza (the last location was in Thompson & it's now Baaco's bar & grill)
Sabino's pizza
T-Town pizza (they closed in October 2023 to supposedly "enhance your dining experience" but it looks permanently closed now)
Chicago Phil's (on Donald by the bridge)
Roma Bar & many other Little Italy Restaurants on Corydon Ave.
Gigi's pizza (on Academy in same tiny strip mall as 7-Eleven)
Cafe Royale (on Academy - I remember seeing teachers from River heights school eat there - became Hi-Ball restaurant mid-80s)
Pizza Place (Winnipeg Beach - was there last weekend & sign is gone - is it closed permanently?)
Cosmos (Terrible restaurant in strip mall on either Grant or Roblin - now Taverna Rodos & was another place before that)
Restaurant Dubrovnik on Assiniboine Ave. - often considered the highest end restaurant in Winnipeg
Mexican place near confusion corner - can't remember name & never made it there before it closed)
Le Garage cafe on Provencher
L'Esplanade Riel (was Sal's then Chez Sophie, Louie something, now a non-restaurant)
Transylvania Inn (Pembina @ Clarence)
Chicken Delight (Corydon @ Stafford - was there for a few decades, great food but had a tendency to mess up orders, I found)
KFC decline then rebound in recent years - there used to be locations at Osborne @ Gertrude, Grant near the railway tracks, Pembina near Windermere (currently 7-Eleven) - now KFC is rebounding with new locations in a strip mall in Bridgwater & Pembina @ Windermere (right beside the old KFC LOL which is currently 7-Eleven).
Came across this blog doing some research into my working days when I was young.
I moved from Waterloo, Ontario with my newly-wed wife to open the Mother's Pizza on McPhillips as a pizzamaker in July/August of 1979 and a few months later was transferred to the location on Pembina Hwy. In 1980, I was promoted to store manager at the ripe age of 21. I was the youngest store manager in the company and did not receive and training, guidance, or support. I failed miserably and in early 1982 I moved back to Ontario.
Years later, I worked for Mother Tuckers and had the opportunity to work in the Winnipeg location for 4 weeks while covering for the store manager.
What about Chi Chi’s (oooh that fried ice cream) or Bonanza!
Michael
does anyone remember CASA DEL SOL on pembina hwy. the best mexican food ever!
the owner was an old guy who was a bit of a drinker and his mexican wife was the chef.
he had a mad crush on my girlfriend and would always chat her up when we were there.
Before BBC it was Shakespeare's!
We had supper at the Pony Coral on Grant and someone asked what the restaurant was after Bombay Bicycle Club but before Pony Coral?
We are stumped!
I worked there as a busboy in the early 70’s I enjoyed the live bands
I worked there in the early 70’s as a busboy. I enjoyed listening to the live bands
The Venice House pizza was great.
After the fire, the brothers went into producing and selling frozen crusts for pizzas I believe
They also had a location on Henderson hwy
It was located in the old Masonic Temple which is still standing
Clancys on portage avenue - enjoyed all the beef ribs you could eat.
It became a chiropractor office then later torn down
The Wine Barrel
Shakers on Nairn
I still have a couple of mother pizza coke glasses
Boston Pizza location near ferry was sold to two employees who tried their best to make it a go. The previous owner apparently knew it needed a larger location to succeed.
Yes, what a place, you stepped back into time - almost like a set out of a Raiders of the Arc movie. The waiters all had numbers. The food item number 99 was great .
I enjoyed the all you could eat beef ribs at the Silver Heights
Yes, the it became a Mongolian BBQ then a Jamaican restaurant and lastly a Mosque
The owner had difficulties with the quality etc at the other two locations
After he closed, I started going to Duckies on Notre Dame where I made friends with Carol and her husband.
I liked the burger factory on portage and Erin
The line ups when it first opened. The who’s who from Winnipeg in the line ups.
Yorkton had a Venice House location when I lived there from 86 to 96.
He had a McPhilips location across from 7 Oaks hospital and a franchise in Edmonton that was poorly controlled, then another location near Grant and Pembina. Red Lobster coming to town late 80s started the downfall, plus fish prices started going through the roof.
there was old dutch maid on osborne to
and the keg on pembina very close to mcgillvary -- its now a dollar store (there was also a mr video rental store there)
Dog House Drive-in
Mr.Sub used to have like 5 or 6 locations all over Wpg. Now they're down to 2 (one in Garden City shopping mall, and 1 in Selkirk,MB).
Some fuzzy memories of these spots:
Badass Jack's
Blimpie's Subs
The Fyxx Espresso Bar - original Exchange District and St. Vital Mall locations
Salisbury House - spots near St Vital Mall (now a BMO) also near the Norwood Bridge @ Dominion Centre - 24 hour locations both gone soon after the 2001 indoor smoking ban
Robin's Donuts - used to be locations over the city until the indoor smoking ban. One across from the Dak at St Marys @ Dakota became a Subway and still is. The one on Pembina @ Bairdmore saw a lot of U of M students studying. There was a Robin's Donuts and Keg Steakhouse on Pembina @ McGillivary where there is a hair salon and optical shop
Vesuvio on Osborne - amazing Italian
Martini's on Sargent
Esso near the Mint had "the 24 hr truck stop" demolished around 2008 amazing cheap breakfasts
Humpty's
Thomas Buttons in the 70s. Gabby's in early 80s
JP's Family Restaurant. Northwest corner Portage and Moray late '70s. Pretty much a burger joint. Wasn't long after it became a Juniors.
SMOKIN' JOE'S BBQ
Navy
Smokin' Joe's
Navy
The late great Arthur Wong and Harold Wong were the bartenders there back in the day.
Navy
Monty was a really nice man.
Navy
The Rib Shack and Southwood Supper Club.
What was the name of restaurant on McPhillips. They had an incredible buffet.
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