Deadpool
A fond farewell to Captain John's Seafood Restaurant
Captain John's, the iconic but dilapidated floating restaurant at the foot of Yonge Street, has sunk into the deadpool, after the city rescinded the establishment's lease and turned off its water supply. That the old relic met this fate isn't all that surprising — especially given the whopping $500,000 in back taxes and unpaid bills the business has racked up — but it's difficult for those prone to fits of nostalgia not to get a little misty-eyed at the thought of a waterfront without its kitschy mainstay.
While it was obvious that Captain John's, appropriately named after its owner and operator John Letnik, had fallen on hard times when the boat was put up for sale back in late 2009, news that the restaurant has been shuttered still seems rather sudden — especially given the fact that its captain had successfully navigated his way through a number of crises over the years. The original boat (the Normac), for instance, actually sunk back in 1981 when it was hit by a ferry.
Barring a miracle, however, this is the end of the line for Captain John's. The city has given Letnik until July 27 to remove the MS Jadran (the name of the current boat) from its longstanding home. Some will say good riddance and point out that the boat had become an eyesore, but as a polished new Queens Quay begins to take shape, this throwback to the area's grittier days served as a connection to our waterfront history. Wouldn't it be great if the boat could be repurposed rather than exiled or scrapped?
By way of saying goodbye, the folks at Squire Entertainment were kind enough to share with us a compelling short documentary on Captain John Letnik that screened last March at the International Documentary Challenge (IDC) and Hot Docs. Directed by Rich Williamson, as per the generic stipulations of the IDC categories, it isn't a comprehensive look at the restaurant — hence the lack of focus on its financial troubles — but it does offer an intriguing portrait of the man on the bridge.
Get your dose of Captain John's while you still can.
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Was down at Sugar Beach on the weekend. Will be great when Harbourfront is eventually all connected together and not 3 or 4 distinct areas.
The decor looked like it hadn't been changed since the 1970s. During the meal we were joking that it felt like a time warp. We had a good laugh when I went to pay with a credit card and they brought out one of those old carbon copy manual imprinters.
This this is a monstrosity!
got food poisoning here along with 2 family members.. never returned, never recommended
Can we expect you to start bitching about the noise from the nasty planes on that new airport they built on the island just after you signed your lease also?
Ok bud, take it easy, you obviously have no idea of how to run a business, and how to take accountability for your neglect... Regardless of his charity dinners and whatever else he did for free to gain some exposure, how do you expect to run a profitable business with below par food, horrendous service, all housed in a rust box, 80's nightmare??? Ok i'll admit the 80's nightmare is cool, but c'mon the owner should have had the foresight to continually update the exterior, and paid attention to the quality of the food and service if you wanted repeat business and referrals from your client base. Without a doubt the place could have still been very profitable.
In any event Bob, I hope karma bites you in the ass for being so dumb and letting your nostalgia of this place get to you, not realizing the neglect the owner left this place in, and only now coming to the media and everyone else who will listen, with cap in hand/sob story…. Get educated you a$$-hat.
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