My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕒 11 min read

In this week’s 31 discoveries, you’ll find mostly mall openings, pop-ups, and expansions - something you're going to see a lot more of in the coming weeks and months. And heaps of caffeine and comfort food - which you’re going to need lots of, thanks to Daylight Savings Time.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Another Wing - a collab by American Grammy-winning artist and producer DJ Khaled and REEF, the “largest operator of parking real estate and delivery restaurants in North America” with 5,000 locations. Last week, the virtual resto launched over 150 locations across three continents simultaneously, including UAE, U.K., France, United States, and Canada (Toronto boasts 12 locations to order from), making it the “biggest restaurant launch in history” according to REEF. Despite an ongoing chicken shortage in the States, the chain offers chicken wings alongside boneless varieties, sides and sauces. #BlessUp #AnotherOne #WheresTheChicken

Primose Bagel Co. (317A Oakwood Ave.) expands with The Bagel Hole (1265 Dundas St. W. - entrance on Dovercourt next to Extra Burger) with an array of sammies, soups, snacks and drinks.

Authentic Texas BBQ joint Beach Hill Smokehouse found a desirable spot in the High Park nabe (2190C Bloor Street W.) Doors open Saturday at noon for the first westside (third in Toronto) outpost. Pro tip: Get there early – the first 100 customers get one free brisket sando.

Thick, crunchy, cheesy, Motor City style pan pizzas are the name of the game at Big 3 Detroit Style Pizza (555 Church St.).

Burgers are the focus at Scarborough’s halal Burger X (1760 Lawrence Ave . E.) , but you’ll also find chicken, a cheesesteak, and hotdog.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice is celebrating the new Markham location (5221 Hwy 7, Unit 100) . Enjoy 15 per cent off all drinks until November 30. (Available only at this location.)

Got plans tomorrow at 10am? You do now. Head to Yorkdale for the grand opening of Craig's Cookies - the fifth of Craig Pike’s eponymous shop to launch in two years, almost all of them during the pandemic. Next stop: Newfoundland!

Dineen Coffee Co. moved into York Mills Shopping Centre at Bayview and York Mills (311 York Mills Rd.). This marks the fourth venue for the ‘grammable boutique coffee house from the 6ix.

The sixth Fuwa Fuwa Pancakes officially opens Saturday in Mississauga  (The Golden Square Centre - 1177 Central Pkwy. W., Unit 7). The Japanese soufflé pancake chain’s last expansion took place in August. Grand opening special: Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-5pm, purchase a Signature Soufflé Pancake and receive an additional dessert for free.

Hale Coffee has been super busy the last few months. Psst. The excitement continues with a new shop in Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.).

Halibut & Tea House (3238 Yonge St.) serves up a real hodgepodge – fish and chips, fried chicken, egg waffles, Thai ice cream rolls, bubble tea - in Gamberoni’s old digs. Fun fact: The Italian resto moved across the street last year.

Hi Yogurt debuted their farm-style cold-brew yogurt drinks in Mississauga a few weeks ago. Now it’s Yonge and Finch’s turn (5440 Yonge St. Unit 2).

Speaking of dairy drinks, Holy Shakes touched down in Vaughan (5100 Rutherford Rd., Unit 13) with“nostalgic and sexy” milkshakes. Discover 100 gourmet fusion milkshakes in retro glass milk bottles and FreakShakes, cake jars, cake slices, dessert boxes, and more. That’s not all. “Indian mash-up” T.O.'s Kathi Roll Eatery is also on-site with Punjabi Tacos, Butter Chicken Baos, “roadside” burgers, fried burrito , Chili Momos on cheesy Tandoori noodles, and other fusion fare.

I Deal on the Park (250 Sorauren Ave.) is just steps from one of I Deal Coffee’s other locations  (221 Sorauren Ave.) and Sorauren Park. Win-win-win.

The third Latin World just opened (1262 Bloor St. W.), conveniently across the street from their Bloordale outpost near Landsdowne.

In addition to 18 signature pizzas, you’ll find a smattering of salads, entrees and desserts at Pizza Nest (152 Lakeshore Rd. E.) in Oakville.

From the folks behind Yonge & Eglinton’s Sip Wine Bar (2 Broadway Ave.) comes Saporito Caffe, an Italian-style bar and cafe located just around the corner (2389 Yonge St.).

Keep the Diwali festivities going with traditional Indian treats from Toronto Sweets & Snacks (7885 Tranmere Dr.) at Dixie and Derry Road in Mississauga.

Calling all Japanese cheesecake lovers (and holiday shoppers): Uncle Tetsu’s set up shop at Dufferin Mall (900 Dufferin St.) near Toys “R” Us.

CLOSED

Basil Express (353 Danforth Ave.) shut down operations on June 30, but  a bit further east, sibling spot Green Basil in The Beaches (2120 Queen St. E.), remains open.

The windows of Chamsine (537 St Clair Ave. W.) at St. Clair and Bathurst are papered up.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere that serves  “The Ultimate All You Can Eat Breakfast” now that Mississauga’s Muddy Duck (2200 Dundas St. E.) gone. The eatery permanently closed Sunday after 43 years.

Noble Coffee Co. has temporarily closed. See below for details.

Oja Noodles House (689 Yonge St.) has been a fixture at Yonge and Bloor for what seems like forever. Guess who’s moving in? bb.q Chicken, continuing a rapid expansion downtown this fall.

Shish Kabab Express (112 Dundas St. W.) held steady at Dundas and Bay for years before being replaced by big surprise, a cannabis shop.

EVENTS

Chefs Shauna Godfrey and Sitanan “Kai” Wonghirandecha return to Contra Café (1028 Shaw St.) with a Godfrey’s Supper Club Isaan Bubby Pop-Up tomorrow and Saturday featuring Thai pastrami-spiced chicken, salami laab, and other good stuff. Hot tip: Pre-order to avoid disappointment.

The Bajan Kitchen Pop-Up is happening Saturday 2-4pm at JC's Grillhouse (1500 Matheson Blvd.) in Mississauga. Dishes include: Fish Cakes, Macaroni Pie, Breadfruit Coucou, and Pudding & Souse.

Head to Parkdale on Saturday for El Mercado at Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen St. W.) highlighting Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour entrepreneurs.

Mark your calendars: The Abibiman Project Pop-Up at Leaf + Bone (235 Broadview Ave.) takes place Sunday and next weekend.

Get tickets now for The Distillery Winter Village on November 18-December 31. 

NEWS

Owner and operator of Noble Coffee Co. Elizabeth Rohrich passed away. People gathered at the café on Sunday to celebrate her life. Mourners out front, along the side and across the street were careful to leave room for passersby. #dontblocktheintersection

Yesterday, Toronto City Council approved a plan to make the CaféTO program permanent. It also marked the last day the sidewalk and curb lane cafes were allowed to operate until next summer.  

The provincial government isn’t allowing more people at the club or on the dance floor just yet.

Pretty Canadian, eh? Stratford, Ontario’s Justin Bieber and Tim Hortons are collabing on a bunch of items including merch. First up, though: Timbiebs Timbits.

A Canadian financial institution has created “historically accurate” field rations kits available for delivery, in support of those who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

ICYMI 

TR Newsletter subscribers heard it first: Celebrity chefs Matty Matheson and Rang Nguyen are opening bánh mì restaurant Cà Phê Rang (147 Spadina Ave., Unit 109), where Birria Balam (predecessor to Fonda Balam) perched until mid-August. Their friendship goes waaay back: Red Seal Chef Rang trained the prolific restaurateur and Just a Dash host at Le Sélect Bistro (now shuttered) 19 years ago. Don’t miss out. Get in on The Tip Off found exclusively in the TR Newsletter. Subscribe now. Note: Your personal details will never be sold or shared.

Just for fun: OPEN/CLOSED Six Degrees of Separation Celebrity Edition! Matty Matheson has a show with producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, Matty and Benny Eat Out America. Benny and Justin Bieber did a song together, “Lonely” and Justin’s on a bunch of DJ Khaled hits, including “No Brainer,” “I’m The One,” and “Let It Go.”

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast - I wrote about +100 new arrivals in October alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED. 

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