Home » Food » Going Down Memory Lane ….Favourite Childhood Restaurants
Apr
08

I feel like going down memory lane. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I had my birthday last week. Who knows? I want to share with you some of my favorite childhood restaurants in Ottawa AND in Toronto (as I spend many weekends visiting friends when I was a teenager).

Here’s my list of fav childhood restaurants in Ottawa!

1. The Red Barn: This was a fast-food chain with over 300 locations throughout the States and Southern Ontario in the 1970’s. Lucky me – there was one in my neighbourhood!

red barn

2. The Green Valley Resort: I spent many happy occasions here and fondly remember their Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Dessert.

green valley3. Bagel Bagel – this restaurant was opened 24 hours and my friends spent many Saturday nights here after a night of dancing in Hull. (Remember Tobasco’s?)

4. Golden Palace (2195 Carling Ave) – another hangout when I was a teenager. This restaurant is still around and I regularly drop by for their epic egg rolls! The decor is right out of the 1970’s….worth a visit.

golden palace

5. The Revolving Restaurant:  I also remembering going to the revolving restaurant to celebrate my birthday. It closed after 38 years and is now an event space, operated by the Marriott.

revolving

6. Tramp’s and Yesterday’s – both restaurants were pretty popular spots when I was a teenager. Have no idea what we ATE but I can certainly remember groups of us going to these restaurants on a pretty regular basis.

Here’s My List of Childhood Favorite Restaurants  in Toronto

1. Pickle Barrel (in the Peanut Plaza). Again – no idea what we ate here but I remember groups of us (ie 20 or more) visiting this restaurant on weekends.

2. Inn on the Park – there was a cafe in the hotel that we use to hang out at.

3. Toby’s Good Eats – I fondly remember a brownie dish.

4. Mr. Greenjeans  (220 Yonge St) – I don’t think I’ve been back here since I was 16 but I should! Maybe one day.

What are your favourite childhood restaurants?

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4 Responses to “Going Down Memory Lane ….Favourite Childhood Restaurants”

  1. April 9th, 2014 at 06:03 | #1

    Ports of Call
    Trader Vics
    Peasants Larder
    Hayloft
    Monks
    Shrimp Kitchen
    Graf Bobbys
    Town and Country
    Noshery
    Lichee Gardens
    Arcadian Court
    Frans (the old version)
    Hot dogs and Orange Julius in the basement of Simpsons
    King Henrys Feast

  2. April 9th, 2014 at 17:47 | #2

    I had forgotten about the Red Barn- wow trip down memory lane. Loved the Green Valley and mickey mouse desserts and yes the GP and revolving restaurant- nice memories

  3. Brian Moran
    April 9th, 2014 at 23:16 | #3

    Also enjoyed the Red Barn on Dufferin St., McDonalds at Dufferin & Wilson, and the Dairy Queen at Keele & Sheppard. Also liked Toby’s – they had awesome burgers and super thick fries!

    Also various Chinese food and pizza shops – too numerous to remember! I do remember Maestro’s Pizza on Wilson Ave. (square pizzas!) and Frank’s Pizzeria (can’t remember the location).

    Also visited the Harvest Room at the Inn on the Park and the Pickle Barrel (Leslie near McNicol). Also enjoyed Mr. Greenjeans in the Eaton Centre.

  4. April 10th, 2014 at 06:31 | #4

    Mr.Greenjeans BEFORE the Eaton Centre when it was a stand alone restaurant that sold plants and flowers and one of the first restaurants to serve mega portions and always an hour wait.. hey Brian ..how are you?

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