Toronto staple known for its steak frites is closing for good

A Toronto restaurant that has become a local hot spot just announced that it’ll be shutting down its original location later this month.

When it comes to steak in Toronto, and steak frites more specifically, there's a nearly infinite number of options in the city where folks can get their fix, from Ossington's Cote de Boeuf to Jules Bistro in Leslieville.

One restaurant, though, is devoted solely and entirely to the dish, and there's always something to be said for doing one thing really, really well.

Ever since 2022, West Queen West's J's Steak Frites has cemented a spot on the city's culinary scene by serving nothing other than a set menu of salad, steak and unlimited fries, and, since day one, the city has been hooked.

The concept proved so popular, in fact, that J's Steak Frites expanded to a second Little Italy location in July of 2024, which immediately drew just as large of a crowd as the original — if not even larger.

Despite its instrumental position in securing the restaurant's legendary status in the city, owners Jad Sfeir and Tara Tang surprised the restaurant's many fans when they sent out a newsletter on Wednesday, July 2, announcing that the original J's Steak Frites location on Queen West would soon be closing down.

"It is with a mix of heartfelt gratitude and sadness that we are announcing the permanent closure of our 1198 Queen Street location in two weeks," the restaurant writes in the email.

"Over the years, your patronage and support have meant a lot to us. We are truly humbled and grateful for the memories we’ve shared together."

Luckily, it’s not the end of J's Steak Frites Queen quite yet — you've got until July 12 to get your fill of the dish so great they named the entire restaurant after it, and, afterwards, the College location will remain in operation for the foreseeable future.

As they say, when one door closes, another one opens; so could this mean a new J's Steak Frites location in a different neighbourhood? We'll just have to wait and see, and ask for another basket of frites in the meantime.