The history of the Golden Griddle restaurant chain in Ontario

Decades before Ontario's brunch scene was overrun with trendy lattes and Instagram-worthy plates, there was the Golden Griddle, a no-frills, all-Canadian family restaurant that was synonymous with family gatherings, after-club eats, and well-earned breakfasts after all-nighters and final exams. 

The chain, which eventually went on to open dozens of locations across the GTA, southwestern, central, and eastern Ontario, had its humble beginnings at a 60-seat restaurant at the corner of Redpath and Eglinton Avenues.

The brunch chain was founded by entrepreneur Harold McDonnell on May 2, 1964, and quickly grew to become one of Canada's most popular chains of family restaurants. 

Its home-style meals were served all day and became a go-to for everything from chocolate chip pancakes to omelettes, Belgian waffles to schnitzels, and burgers to dinner entrees. 

The chain began franchising in 1977, with many opting to stay open 24 hours a day. While the Golden Griddle built its reputation on family brunches and comfort food, its abundant 24-hour locations also naturally made the chain a late-night staple for those looking to refuel after the bars closed and keep the conversation going into the early morning hours. 

Part of what made the Golden Griddle so inviting, apart from its no-frills attitude, was its affordability. A 1990 commercial featuring McDonnell advertised a full fettuccine alfredo dinner, complete with sides, for just $4.99.

All-you-can-eat pancake Tuesday specials often drew crowds at Golden Griddle locations, where hungry diners got some serious bang for their buck.

Aside from being a reliable place to eat, the Golden Griddle also emphasized giving back to the community. Through the Golden Griddle Children's Charities, franchisees, suppliers, and customers raised money for initiatives supporting children in need. 

Unfortunately, just like many other affordable family restaurant chains, Golden Griddle's presence began to fade drastically in the 2000s. A few factors, including shifting dining habits and the popularity of quick-serve chains, made it more difficult to sustain all of its locations, and one by one, the restaurants began to close. 

As of 2025, only a single Golden Griddle remains, located at 1119 Fennel Ave. E. in Hamilton. 

The chain's founder, Harold McDonnell, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2017, at his home in Nestleton, Ont., at the age of 84. His legacy, however, lives on through his contributions to Ontario's restaurant scene and his dedication to providing affordable meals and promoting community involvement, one stack of pancakes at a time.

Perhaps Golden Griddle's own slogan captured its mission the best: "We're not fast food — we're great food fast," and for decades, that's exactly what you got.