The history of The Pickle Barrel restaurants in Ontario

Long before The Pickle Barrel evolved into a household name in Ontario — and became a go-to spot for everything from towering deli sandwiches to cozy family dinners — the restaurant chain began as a humble, neighbourhood deli in Toronto, with just a handful of employees.

The original Pickle Barrel first opened its doors back in 1971 as an 85-seat Jewish deli on Leslie Street, with only six staff members. From the beginning, curious customers who were eager to try out classic deli sandwiches lined up down the block, and quickly, the restaurant earned a reputation for its staple items, like corned beef, pastrami, and hearty matzo ball soup.

The restaurant's popularity soon outpaced its modest space, and by 1978, the deli had expanded to accommodate 300 customers and included a patio and party rooms. Its kitschy decor, which involved colourful leather booths and blown-glass hanging lights, also became synonymous with the Toronto-born brand.

Photo: The Pickle Barrel.

The plaza itself (now called Leslie Dexter Plaza) eventually became so closely associated with the restaurant that many locals even referred to it as the "Pickle Barrel Plaza."

As the chain grew, so did its menu, and while signature sandwiches always remained a staple (still served to this day with coleslaw and a dill pickle spear on the side), the menu expanded to include classic pub favourites, pastas, salad bowls, and brunch.

To this day, those who frequented the restaurant speak highly of its nostalgic menu items, like latkes with apple sauce, French fries with gravy, and sweets like cherry cobbler or blueberry cobbler with vanilla soft serve.

The chain also managed to keep up with changing dining habits throughout the years, and embraced healthier, calorie-conscious options by collaborating with renowned Toronto nutritionist and cookbook author, Rose Reisman, on a series of lighter dishes.

Along with its booming restaurant business, The Pickle Barrel also developed an extensive catering operation, and to this day, offers the service for every type of event, from office lunches and backyard BBQs to weddings and corporate cocktail parties.

Photo: Pickle Barrel.

Another major milestone came in October 2017, when The Pickle Barrel was officially acquired by Cara Operations Limited (renamed Recipe Unlimited in 2018). Along with The Pickle Barrel, the company owns many other notable restaurant chains, like Swiss Chalet, Montana's, East Side Mario's, The Burger's Priest, and Kelsey's.

To mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, the chain paid tribute to its humble beginnings by introducing a special 1970s-inspired menu, which featured retro diner dishes like ribs, potato skins, and apple cobbler.

Despite its successes, Pickle Barrel faced many logistical and financial challenges in recent years. The chain's location at 312 Yonge St. in the Atrium complex, which was once its final restaurant in downtown Toronto, officially closed in 2020. According to then-president Peter Higley, financial pressures stemming from the pandemic led to the abrupt closure.

Fast forward to September 2022, and the chain's Sherway Gardens location closed for good. Then, in 2024, the original Pickle Barrel restaurant, which had anchored its plaza for more than five decades, officially served its final customers and closed up shop.

The Pickle Barrel continues to boast locations in Toronto and across the GTA. Photo: fotografiko eugen/Shutterstock.com.

Today, the chain continues to operate multiple restaurants across Ontario, with locations in Brampton, London, Pickering, Waterloo, and two restaurants in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Yonge and Eglinton.

From its 85-seat and six-staff-member origins, the chain has grown to employ more than 1,000 people and serves a menu that features roughly 300 items.