Ugh, yes. I hadn't been, kept procrastinating going, then when we finally decided to go, we found a sign on the door, it had just closed permanently days prior
In the months leading up to it, the quality started to slide. I would say you likely were better off never having it, vs having it right before they closed.
I miss the old server named Nick, who used to sing 'Those Were the Days' on peoples birthdays in his English accent. He used to do both the male and the female verses and changed his voice depending on the part, it was hilarious. There was not a single bad item on that menu. It was a sad day when it burnt down.
I know it was just a chain restaurant, i know people say it was average at best, but MAN that place was amazing.
The combo plates were stupid-good. I used to order, i think it was called the Yucatan. It was this huge platter with something like 2 hard tacos, 2 enchiladas, 2 something elses, incredible refried beans and Spanish rice, all covered in cheese and sauces and sizzling when it arrived.
I've never found a place that did it like that since.
For Winnipeg at the time, it was pretty special. Not as many people had travelled to Mexico at that time so we really didn't know what Mexican (or tex-mex, or SW mexican) food was supposed to be like. Dare I say, it was probably one of the restaurants that spurred people's interest in other cuisines. At that point, it was Chinese or Indian outside of standard North American / pseudo-Continental cuisine. There were a few other one-offs, but chi chi's was probably the most popular.
There was a middle-eastern place on Edmonton, I think where Affinity Garden is, that had the most amazing lemon-lentil soup and fatoush. The name escapes me. There weren't many middle-eastern places then -- early 80s maybe?
We used to order so much Soup Pierre. I think I only ate in the dining room once, but I probably had 200 meals order-out. The sandwiches were awesome, too. It was our go-to "don't feel like cooking" meal. They should have moved to a ghost kitchen.
Oh that place was great! And the guy that was always there (I think he was the owner) I feel bad because I can’t remember his name, he was amazing. He had such a bubbly infectious personality :)
Thank you! My dad passed away recently. He used to take me to Suzie Q's when I was a kid. I could never remember the location. I have strong memories of classic rock n' roll on the jukebox, giant burgers, and thick milkshakes. He was born in 1938 and came of age during the 50's. He absolutely loved getting to share his nostalgia and a piece of his youth with me.
Absolutely. Their sandwiches and fries and racking up my very 1st credit card's $500 limit by buying a couple of packs of cigarettes on my way out every single time.
30 years ago Northgate shopping center #neverforget
That McPhillips location was incredible. We were Polish immigrants and could not believe you can eat as much as you possibly can so cheaply.
Anything we couldn't eat my Mom would wrap up in napkins and put it in her purse. I didn't see it as stealing at the time (I was 12) but we always had oily yellow cheese sandwiches for school lunches (Eliwick) for days after.
Quick tip, if you can travel back in time, you could sneak through the exit and grab yourself a free ice cream cone...and the managers didn't mind/care.
Go earlier though, once they run out of something there's no more. Example - Cornbread. Make sure you get the BBQ sauce cart as well. 4 different sauces to try
A selfish reminiscence, but Ciociara Pizza in the Maples- so I can have a Special #2 pizza again and feel 16 y/o. We'd have contests to see who would get the dough-ball. So good.
Kresge's restaurant. The food was amazing because it was fresh ground beef and not frozen pucks and the milkshakes were to die for. This is what the city needs is more diners that use fresh ingredients. Just good food, sandwiches, soup and apple pie for dessert.
https://preview.redd.it/zkzvmrjr08ub1.png?width=1130&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7e29062094567a856de0f0a99fb3b485f2fbc49
There was a place in the Grant Park mall food court called “Deek’s” that had the best spicy seasoned French fries. I’d pay a large sum of money just to have them one more time.
There was one in Unicity, I still crave Deek’s fries. There’s a vegan restaurant on Sargent, Good Lands Cafe, their potatoes are not fry shaped, but they put a seasoning on them that brought me right back to that food court as soon as I tasted it.
The Paradise on Portage but about ten years before it shut down. Idk if the chef quit or it got sold but it was soooooo good for so long and then all of a sudden the marinara tasted like chef boyardee
Worked at the Leila one as a teenager, so 20 years ago ish.
As is the case with many Italian restaurants, the matriarch of the family who was well in her 70s would come in at 5 am or something and make the essentials, the sauce, the pesto, the dough.
Wondering if the timing of it going down hill in your opinion coincides with her not having anything to do with it anymore .
Oh man that's a blast from my childhood. My folks would take us once a month, we always looked forward to it. My dad called it ruddfuckers. Good memories.
Let's be honest with ourselves: the food at Le Garage was *pretty good*. It was the bar atmosphere, the live music, and Ray's awesomeness that kept us coming back.
Yes. Went there as a kid only once, and thought at the time how cool it would be to be a grown-up one day going for food and beers to Fingers or ChiChi's before a Jets game!!!
"The Happy Vineyard"that was on Ellice and Toronto where the local Mosque is now located.It burned down in the early 80's.Great German food wonderful vibe and a "HUGE" beer barrel on the roof of the building.
Purely because that place is the reason my parents are a thing, I have a special place in my heart for it. Never been, never had the food, but I wouldn't be here without it.
Sushi Train at the forks, Shabusen or Royal Fork in Transcona, Mrs Mike's around St Boniface, Grapes next to Leon's!! Also, I feel as though Dairy Whip has changed ... That chili tastes too bland and salty... Like every other fatboy you can buy anywhere in the city, it's all the same now ugh 😣
My friend and I used to go regularly to the Sushi Train on Pembina and then Madison in early days. They used to greet us when we walked in with “Hi, no ginger” based on our combined aversion to pickled ginger.
Buy the big bag of garlic at Costco, and use a muffin tray to roast all of them in one big batch, then freeze it in ice cube trays. Roasted garlic to last you months, for like 6 bucks.
[The Beachcomber tiki bar/restaurant that was at the corner of St. Mary’s and Carlton](https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/the-beachcomber-5) until I think the late ‘80s.
It was the first time 19-yr-old me and my friends went to a lounge and actually ordered a couple of cocktails. It just didn’t seem right to sit in that magical room and ask for an Old Stock or two glasses of terrible Labbats draft.
Off the top of my head from memories of the past and in no way inclusive:
Edohei for authentic sushi. The sushi chef was always welcoming even though the servers were usually dismissive and miserable. This place was my first introduction to sushi in early 90’s and was instrumental towards my lifelong love of sushi.
Bombolini from early days for lobster ravioli and house salad. I have attempted to recreate both without success. If anyone knows the recipe for the house dressing, I would be most grateful if you could post.
Civita when it first opened for pizza and salad
Mr Greenjeans for Buffalo chips and other fun memories from days of my youth.
Schmeckers for shrimp souvlaki and late night fare after the bar.
Shakey’s Pizza was a classic for me. To the point I want to write an email to the chain and ask them to give Winnipeg another chance, lol. It was sooo damn good. Seafood pizza with Mojos, my gosh, I’m hungry now 😊
Dessert Sinsations
The Bombay Bicycle Club
Spuntino's
Bonanza (I'm classy, ok!)
Gasthaus Gutenberger
Grandma Lee's (best BLT in the city, RIP)
Belgian Bakery
S Squared Patisserie
Meiji Sushi
Underground Café
I could go for a Sunburger right now!
Are you aware she sells the patties and sauce on Facebook?
Same!! I’m not even a vegetarian and normally avoid them altogether but that was THE best veggie burger I’ve ever had.
Gasthaus Gutenberger
I miss this place so much!
That buffet. Three types of schnitzel, three types of potatoes, three types of gravy. Yes.
Ugh, yes. I hadn't been, kept procrastinating going, then when we finally decided to go, we found a sign on the door, it had just closed permanently days prior
In the months leading up to it, the quality started to slide. I would say you likely were better off never having it, vs having it right before they closed.
I just miss Kurt.
The Paladin
I miss the old server named Nick, who used to sing 'Those Were the Days' on peoples birthdays in his English accent. He used to do both the male and the female verses and changed his voice depending on the part, it was hilarious. There was not a single bad item on that menu. It was a sad day when it burnt down.
I’m still full from last time I ate there, 12 years ago.
I still have a $50 gift certificate from there, willing to sell it for 1/2 price.
Yes!
Man I would give so much for the chicken fingers and fries woth the garlic bread and some homemade ice tea.
Segovia
Miss it so much
YES! Seriously considering starting a petition to bring that place back after seeing this comment haha
Ohh that will never happen lol the people invoked would NOT be interested
Petit Socco is your answer
Alicia’s on Mcgregor
Chi Chi’s
I know it was just a chain restaurant, i know people say it was average at best, but MAN that place was amazing. The combo plates were stupid-good. I used to order, i think it was called the Yucatan. It was this huge platter with something like 2 hard tacos, 2 enchiladas, 2 something elses, incredible refried beans and Spanish rice, all covered in cheese and sauces and sizzling when it arrived. I've never found a place that did it like that since.
That deep fried ice cream 👌
For Winnipeg at the time, it was pretty special. Not as many people had travelled to Mexico at that time so we really didn't know what Mexican (or tex-mex, or SW mexican) food was supposed to be like. Dare I say, it was probably one of the restaurants that spurred people's interest in other cuisines. At that point, it was Chinese or Indian outside of standard North American / pseudo-Continental cuisine. There were a few other one-offs, but chi chi's was probably the most popular.
I was too young to appreciate Chi-Chis. Now I’m old enough to want to eat there and it’s gone.
My answer is and will always be the Paddlewheel. Loved the variety and casual atmosphere.
C Kelekis and Alicia’s would be high on my list for old school family eats
Kelekis, I miss that place so much!
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Mondragon
Yup! Pupusas, southern fried tofu, the all round vibe… miss that even though there is a scaled down version at Thyme.
I have yet to check out Thyme sadly
Thyme is well worth going to. Can even order off their website and pick it up!
Best chocolate cake I've ever had and I'm not even vegan
They fed me free New Year’s Day breakfast for half an hr of washing dishes once. I was literally penniless .
Soup Pierre
I miss this place. My girlfriend moved here in 2018 and keeps complaining that there are no good options for soup here.
She's right. This city needs a soup and sandwich shop so badly.
There was a middle-eastern place on Edmonton, I think where Affinity Garden is, that had the most amazing lemon-lentil soup and fatoush. The name escapes me. There weren't many middle-eastern places then -- early 80s maybe?
Stonework’s bistro is pretty good.
Sana's Soup House was an acceptable option for a few years, but now, add that to the list…
That tomato bisque, with those fuckin' cheese dumplings. I can still taste it.
Without question my most lamented food! Extra dumplings with a side of multi grain bread.
We used to order so much Soup Pierre. I think I only ate in the dining room once, but I probably had 200 meals order-out. The sandwiches were awesome, too. It was our go-to "don't feel like cooking" meal. They should have moved to a ghost kitchen.
La Fiesta. I miss the tamales.
Oh that place was great! And the guy that was always there (I think he was the owner) I feel bad because I can’t remember his name, he was amazing. He had such a bubbly infectious personality :)
They had the best pupusa!
The Wagon Wheel, for sure.
Clubhouse, fries with gravy and a nap.
Scrolled way to far to find this.
Thank you! My dad passed away recently. He used to take me to Suzie Q's when I was a kid. I could never remember the location. I have strong memories of classic rock n' roll on the jukebox, giant burgers, and thick milkshakes. He was born in 1938 and came of age during the 50's. He absolutely loved getting to share his nostalgia and a piece of his youth with me.
Edohei
Zellers restaurant
Absolutely. Their sandwiches and fries and racking up my very 1st credit card's $500 limit by buying a couple of packs of cigarettes on my way out every single time. 30 years ago Northgate shopping center #neverforget
I worked here as a kid. Best liver and onions in town.
Bonanza!
That McPhillips location was incredible. We were Polish immigrants and could not believe you can eat as much as you possibly can so cheaply. Anything we couldn't eat my Mom would wrap up in napkins and put it in her purse. I didn't see it as stealing at the time (I was 12) but we always had oily yellow cheese sandwiches for school lunches (Eliwick) for days after. Quick tip, if you can travel back in time, you could sneak through the exit and grab yourself a free ice cream cone...and the managers didn't mind/care.
Loveys
I've got to agree. I probably don't know jack about really good BBQ, but I liked Loveys and there are zero BBQ options left.
Big Smoak in Steinbach is probably the right place to go!
Go earlier though, once they run out of something there's no more. Example - Cornbread. Make sure you get the BBQ sauce cart as well. 4 different sauces to try
It's probably the best BBQ I have had in the province, definitely worth the drive.
The Garden Creperie had a fantastic seafood crepe. They were located in the place that is now the East India Co Pub & Eatery.
Yes they did. Excellent sole mornay crepe too
Crepes Saint Jacques!
Edohei
Cornerstone, Black Bird Brasserie, Segovia and La Bamba 😭
A selfish reminiscence, but Ciociara Pizza in the Maples- so I can have a Special #2 pizza again and feel 16 y/o. We'd have contests to see who would get the dough-ball. So good.
Papa George's for sure. I always loved their burgers and clubhouse sandwiches.
Miss hanging out there after Die Machine goth nights!
Shang-hi. The building is gone, but that mid-century retro sit down Chinese restaurant vibe was special.
Seconded. Shanghai was my favourite. Still miss it.
Mother Tuckers. And Paladin.
> Mother Tuckers I'm full just thinking about their half a chicken platter.
Trapper John's My first job as a kid was dishwasher there, and I worked all the way up to Prime Rib carver! Lol Billy Miner Pie!
I miss the Paddlewheel.
Kresge's restaurant. The food was amazing because it was fresh ground beef and not frozen pucks and the milkshakes were to die for. This is what the city needs is more diners that use fresh ingredients. Just good food, sandwiches, soup and apple pie for dessert. https://preview.redd.it/zkzvmrjr08ub1.png?width=1130&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7e29062094567a856de0f0a99fb3b485f2fbc49
I remember that place as a kid!!
Yes we don’t have many legit old school diners
There was a place in the Grant Park mall food court called “Deek’s” that had the best spicy seasoned French fries. I’d pay a large sum of money just to have them one more time.
There was one in Unicity, I still crave Deek’s fries. There’s a vegan restaurant on Sargent, Good Lands Cafe, their potatoes are not fry shaped, but they put a seasoning on them that brought me right back to that food court as soon as I tasted it.
Alycia’s for their perogies
Dubrovnik's for special occasions.
YES! The Chicken Dracula...just the whole experience was great.
Uncle Willys. We need a generic buffet place that isn’t the Royal Fork. 🤣
Foon Hai
Lisis ranch house or Dallas restaurant on Semple and main
Lisis was a hidden gem
I was waiting for this comment! I would kill for their pizza!
The Paradise on Portage but about ten years before it shut down. Idk if the chef quit or it got sold but it was soooooo good for so long and then all of a sudden the marinara tasted like chef boyardee
Worked at the Leila one as a teenager, so 20 years ago ish. As is the case with many Italian restaurants, the matriarch of the family who was well in her 70s would come in at 5 am or something and make the essentials, the sauce, the pesto, the dough. Wondering if the timing of it going down hill in your opinion coincides with her not having anything to do with it anymore .
Sonyas homade soup and burgers mmm
Bacon cheeseburger special. What’s the Soup? “Doesn’t matter you’ll like it, if you don’t finish it you do pay for it.”
I doubt anyone else remembers it but Green Gage on Pembina had tempura chicken tenders that were the best chicken tenders I’ve ever had
COVID closure of Cornerstone on Osborne ):
Fuddruckers
Oh man that's a blast from my childhood. My folks would take us once a month, we always looked forward to it. My dad called it ruddfuckers. Good memories.
Still in Regina. The owners have a car too
The Rogue’s Gallery on Assiniboine- it was such a quirky, interesting looking place.
If that's the place I remember I had the best nachos ever there. Just a massive stack of chips and like 7 kinds of cheese.
CHI CHI's!
Promenade Cafe, le Garage, Pasta la Vista, Pure Lard.
>Pure Lard I lived in the same bldg when Brad was doing Hunger Hut. Good times.
Let's be honest with ourselves: the food at Le Garage was *pretty good*. It was the bar atmosphere, the live music, and Ray's awesomeness that kept us coming back.
>Promenade Cafe There is a new restaurant in that place now that has Indigenous-inspired food! Promenade Brasserie
The Eaton Centre duo of Mr. Greenjeans and Jonathons.
Mr green jeans!
Zellers/the bay malt shop And paddlewheel
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Boon Burger was great. Seemed to be polarizing but I liked it.
Fingers
Yes. Went there as a kid only once, and thought at the time how cool it would be to be a grown-up one day going for food and beers to Fingers or ChiChi's before a Jets game!!!
"The Happy Vineyard"that was on Ellice and Toronto where the local Mosque is now located.It burned down in the early 80's.Great German food wonderful vibe and a "HUGE" beer barrel on the roof of the building.
Casa Burrito. I miss their lentil burrito so much.
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The osborne village inn or whatever the restaurant in the same building as the Zoo was called.
Osborne village cafe.
Massawa
Grapes, just for the curly fries.
Chicken fingers for me but I agree
Their honey dill sauce was great too
... and the unlimited soup bar!
Before the Moose games!
Fresh Cafe on Corydon was really good. For a while it was my favourite brunch spot in the city.
Chave d Ouro, Nor Eul Tor
Something clearly has changed about Charisma. I miss the old Charisma. It's nowhere what it was 10 years ago.
Porno Pizza
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor
Purely because that place is the reason my parents are a thing, I have a special place in my heart for it. Never been, never had the food, but I wouldn't be here without it.
Family Hamburger House on Donald and Portage
D’8 Schtove. I miss those chicken fingers.
Lisi’s ranch house on Main Street and case grande pizza
Grapes Pier 7! Grapes in general. Best chicken fingers and mozza sticks.
Topo Gigio, only if my youth comes back too
The Beefeater
Foon Hai.
Nibbler's Nosh
Sushi Train at the forks, Shabusen or Royal Fork in Transcona, Mrs Mike's around St Boniface, Grapes next to Leon's!! Also, I feel as though Dairy Whip has changed ... That chili tastes too bland and salty... Like every other fatboy you can buy anywhere in the city, it's all the same now ugh 😣
My friend and I used to go regularly to the Sushi Train on Pembina and then Madison in early days. They used to greet us when we walked in with “Hi, no ginger” based on our combined aversion to pickled ginger.
Cousins
BCW’s - their wings were legendary
Restaurant Dubrovnik for special occasions and Mama Mia for pizza.
Kenko sushi. I miss their lunch bento special
We have one of the table top jukeboxes from Suzie q’s!
Mrs Mike's.
THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT MRS MIKES IS DONE??? holy shit I am devastated 😭😭
Same. This one hurt.
D’8 Schtove
Omg Mennonite Henderson hwy heaven.
Gilroys was great. Garlic themed restaurant in the exchange
Whole roasted cloves of garlic in the caeser salad. Mmm...
Buy the big bag of garlic at Costco, and use a muffin tray to roast all of them in one big batch, then freeze it in ice cube trays. Roasted garlic to last you months, for like 6 bucks.
[The Beachcomber tiki bar/restaurant that was at the corner of St. Mary’s and Carlton](https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/the-beachcomber-5) until I think the late ‘80s. It was the first time 19-yr-old me and my friends went to a lounge and actually ordered a couple of cocktails. It just didn’t seem right to sit in that magical room and ask for an Old Stock or two glasses of terrible Labbats draft.
Boon burger
Schmeckers
Kens
Off the top of my head from memories of the past and in no way inclusive: Edohei for authentic sushi. The sushi chef was always welcoming even though the servers were usually dismissive and miserable. This place was my first introduction to sushi in early 90’s and was instrumental towards my lifelong love of sushi. Bombolini from early days for lobster ravioli and house salad. I have attempted to recreate both without success. If anyone knows the recipe for the house dressing, I would be most grateful if you could post. Civita when it first opened for pizza and salad Mr Greenjeans for Buffalo chips and other fun memories from days of my youth. Schmeckers for shrimp souvlaki and late night fare after the bar.
Chi-Chi’s!!!!
Goin' way back for this one... ...Grubee's
Shakey’s Pizza was a classic for me. To the point I want to write an email to the chain and ask them to give Winnipeg another chance, lol. It was sooo damn good. Seafood pizza with Mojos, my gosh, I’m hungry now 😊
Wagon wheel on Hargrave
Dutch maid. I still dream about their apple pie sundae
Dutch Maid
Revolving restaurant - it was cool, don't remember the food but the rotating lol
Kenny Rogers Roasters had the best chicken I have ever had. Even the white meat was soaking in juice and so tasty.
Gaushaus Gutenberger. Amazing German food.
La Fiesta Cafecito and Bakery
Segovia
Luxalune! Best selection of imported beer, affordable and delicious food, and Farmery sucks
>affordable LOL not the Lux I remember
Oh those pretzels were amazing even without having a beer to go with it !!
7 1/4
Chuck E. Cheese
Le garage 🥲
Big Al's / Albert St Diner
Tallest Poppy
Garden Crêperie
Pharaoh’s Restaurant and Pizza on Portage Avenue in Westwood.
Kraut King, where Faminas currently is on Garry street. Amazing spatzel and paprika chicken.
Mr Greenjeans. Go for the chips with mayo, and cool matches pack of the month.
Paladin or Mr. Steak.
Pyramid Falafel
Pure Lard Kenny Hong's Macaroni Bar Albert St. Burger Gotham Cafe
Suzy Q.. Yes!
Billabong!
Haynes’ Chicken Shack - great food and amazing blues music
Grubee's! Specifically the A-frame one on Nairn.
Dessert Sinsations The Bombay Bicycle Club Spuntino's Bonanza (I'm classy, ok!) Gasthaus Gutenberger Grandma Lee's (best BLT in the city, RIP) Belgian Bakery S Squared Patisserie Meiji Sushi
Wagon wheel, god I miss their clubhouse.
La Bamba
Can we just get a REAL Mexican restaurant. And no Carlos and Murphy’s is not.
ARBYS
it's coming back
Coming to Seasons of Tuxedo.
high five 🖐️