Vintage Toronto restaurant could soon be evicted after 40 years serving community

After three owners, a pandemic, and landlord issues, The Beacher Cafe is celebrating 40 years of cooking and building a chosen family in Toronto — but it could be in jeopardy.

Well known for its delectable savoury breakfast foods and belly-warming lunch menu, The Beacher Cafe is a quaint spot serving three meals a day, with a side of rich history at the corner of Maclean Ave and Queen St East.

Since 1986, The Beacher Cafe has had its fair share of obstacles and triumphs, and after all they've endured, owner Peter Martineau has one thing to say about what keeps people coming back: "I think it's everything: a clean and safe environment, good quality food, and great customer service. You can't get by in the restaurant industry without even the smallest percentage of that."

The interior features hints of wood; tiles line the walls, dressed in paintings by students from the local elementary school, a specials board written in chalk, and photos hung along the walls. Nothing coordinates, and nothing suggests the decor was intentionally curated — but that's the restaurant's charm. It's become a sort of museum for the community it serves. 

The sign outside, proclaiming the restaurant's name in bold black letters, hasn't changed, topped off by green-and-white candy-striped awnings that feel all too homey and familiar.

Sometimes you keep going back to a place not for the vibes, location, or food (luckily, here it's an added tasty bonus), but for the people. That is exactly the type of establishment Martineau has built.

The day before I arrived, a community member named Bill celebrated his 100th birthday with family by ordering a grilled cheese and fries. He celebrates his birthday at The Beacher Cafe every year. 

Terry sits at table 54, Joe at table 33, and Jackie sits by the window, chatting up anyone who will listen. Many customers at The Beacher Cafe come in at least twice a week, some stopping by daily.

Martineau was once one of those guests.

Martineau was in Toronto to visit his sister after a five-year stint working in restaurants in Saudi Arabia. His sister invited him to lunch, describing the place as having lines down the street. He arrived at the restaurant and, after only a few moments, was confident he could run it. 

Martineau worked at the restaurant for a month, learning the ins and outs — what worked and what didn't, and how he could elevate the business for staff and clients — then offered the owner a chance to buy the space. 

He didn't change what made the restaurant special. The name, the interior, the people, and the food stayed. He simply decided to carry on its legacy and do what he knew best: curate a home for those who needed one.

As exciting as 40 years is, it may end sooner than anyone would wish. The Beacher Cafe has become a victim of the 'Toronto Landlord Special' and has been told that, after 40 years, it has only 2 years left to operate in The Beaches. 

After 29 years, seven days a week, dedicated to this establishment, Martineau feels it's time to retire soon. His goal is to help ensure the cafe isn't lost after he leaves and to do his best to save The Beacher Cafe before he goes. 

His latest efforts include a short series titled The Great Legacy Giveaway, which offers contestants a chance to run the restaurant for a week, no strings attached. The successful contestant will receive no cash prize, no new car, and no bundle of gifts, but, Martineau says, the greatest gift of all: the legacy of running and owning The Beacher Cafe.

Even though the end may be nigh, the restaurant means a lot to Martineau, his team, and the community members who show up every day for a warm meal.

Many memories keep this establishment going; Martineau met his wife here, and his two children used to eat breakfast at Dad's restaurant before school. Bill celebrates his birthday here every year. And Jackie finds joy in the community the restaurant offers. 

In my short time at The Beacher Cafe, I couldn't ignore that I had stepped into a space that has given many before me a sense of security and community. 

To fully immerse myself in the experience, I sat and enjoyed their most popular dishes, those that, if taken off the menu, would cause an uproar among regular patrons. After two bites, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and there stood Martineau — a man with many flairs and many stories — and I knew exactly what had brought him back. 

Had I missed something? Did I not ask the right questions? Maybe he was just seeing if I was enjoying my food? 

"To be a legend, you have to create a legacy," Martineau says with a smile and a puffed-up chest of honour as he walks away, leaving me giggling to myself. 

Here are the plates that are a part of his legacy.

The Eggs Benjamyn sits at $22. Two poached eggs on a beautifully toasted English muffin, with a generous slab of smoked salmon and spinach sandwiched between them. Their buttery hollandaise creates a beautiful blanket, topped with fresh onions, for the perfect savoury, tangy combo. 

As someone who usually orders a variation of eggs benedict at brunch, my stomach was jumping for joy. The perfectly poached eggs, lightly seasoned home fries, and fruit to finish it off make a dream breakfast combo.  For anyone with a sweet tooth, I'd steer you towards the house favourite: Frenchman's breakfast. 

Half a serving of egg benedict, two sausages, home fries, fruit and a slice of French toast. It's everything a girl could dream of. 

At $22, the savoury Eggs Benedict, paired with the sweetness of the French toast, makes for a well-balanced breakfast topped with maple syrup—you get a hearty meal with a treat on the side. 

If you aren't a breakfast person, no need to fret. The lunch and dinner menu offers a wide variety of options that can satisfy any craving. 

Your eyes do not deceive you; that is brie on the burger. The $23 double-patty or $28 triple Brie Smash hits the spot when your stomach starts grumbling. 

The combination of creamy brie and sautéed mushroom creates a rich, savoury, and earthy burger profile. With the sweetness of a pickle and the tang of onion to balance it, I felt spoiled. 

I have one rule for brunch: if there is a milkshake or equivalent on the menu, you get it. Thankfully, The Beacher Cafe Smoothies is the perfect way to satisfy that craving. 

Chocolate swirl, strawberry cream, Oreo, mango, or simple strawberry—a lineup of choices that makes it almost impossible to pick one. So bring a few friends, order a few ​​​​​​different flavours, and sip them all!The Beacher Cafe is located at 2162 Queen St W.