What restaurants used to look like in Toronto

The restaurant scene in Toronto might have taken a while to come into its own, but it's now become one of this city's chief calling cards. There's perpetually a new one opening up, boasting the newest culinary trend and having the got-to-have-it-right-this-second meal, even if its time in the spotlight only lasts a month or so. Our social life revolves around them, for dates, work parties, nights out and those days when throwing some pasta into boiling water is far, far too much effort.

Until fairly recently (in the grand scheme of things), eating-out wasn't as commonplace as it is today. Going way back, it was a luxury reserved for the upper class, but even 30 or 40 years ago, there just wasn't the embarrassment of choice we enjoy today. The number of restaurants in our city was just a tiny fraction of the amount that now line the streets. And, being Toronto the Good, staying in was the order of the day for most families in the 1950s and '60s.

That said, Toronto did have a dining culture — even if it was less uninspired and diverse than it is today. In fact, it's those very qualities that oddly make the photos below so fascinating. Here's a look at what restaurants used to look like in Toronto, with examples dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Like the grocery stores and movie theatres of yesteryear, the fonts on the signs, the neon lights and the prices are all enough to make me nostalgic for a place I've never been before. A milkshake for 15 cents? Don't mind if I do.

For more Toronto history, check out The history of Toronto in photos.

PHOTOS:

King Edward Hotel, 1907

Agnes Street Chicken Warehouse, 1910

Sandwitches, 1910

High Park Restaurant, 1913

Bowles Lunch, 1918

McConkey's Restaurant on King Street West, 1920

Union Station Lunch Counter, 1923

Sidewalk Cafe, 1926

Table Rock House, 1927

A Good Hotel, 1945

Hamburgs and Hot Dogs on Bathurst Street, 1951

The Flame, 1953

Sign of the Steer, 1955

Bassel's Restaurant, 1955

Hong Kong Gardens, 1958

Shopsy's! 1960s

Janewood Restaurant, 1960s

And again

The Sword on Yonge Street, 1967

Apex Records Luncheon and a young Gordon Lightfoot, 1970

Steak and Burger, 1970s

Malloney's, year unknown

Coq d'or Tavern, year unknown

Stoodleigh's, year unknown

Unity Grill on Queen West, year unknown

Photos from the Toronto Archives