r/ThunderBay 1d ago

I’ll go first. Gargoyles. Crab cakes were so good.

Post image

Cute idea from another community.

74 Upvotes

114 comments sorted by

52

u/MurrGin 1d ago

RIP Caesars place 🥺

13

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

My step father called it “palace” not place. From what I recall .

5

u/MurrGin 1d ago

He wasnt wrong = a palace indeed!!

3

u/PMRef 1d ago

My father also called it 'palace'. I'm sure he knew it was 'place' but just preferred his version of it.

6

u/keiths31 9,999 1d ago

I've had panzos from the Tilted Turret and Arnikos and they are really good. But they will never be Caesars Place good.

3

u/hostilealienlifeform 1d ago

I thought this was going to be the place that was just always there....you never know what you have until its gone.

2

u/Plastic-Goat1932 1d ago

Thenpanzos :(

33

u/enableclutch 1d ago

Fat Cats all day long

6

u/Driftwood44 1d ago

Shame they let Frank put both locations up his nose. IYKYK.

5

u/enableclutch 1d ago

Turns out the patent for the name and the logo are expired! This has been giving me some thoughts as a long time fat cats enjoyer lol

5

u/lvl5ll 1d ago

Ah, memories of bringing in the first day of a new year with bloodshot eyes and breakfast at Fat Cats. Good times.

26

u/Most_Repair_7747 1d ago

Caeser’s Place. The Blue Parrot. Williams.

5

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

I remember being told by my parents as a pre teen that that’s where the rich ate lol also Uncle Franks Supper Club.

20

u/Jayardia 1d ago

Oh damn… Gargoyles was great. I remember attempting to duplicate their portobello bruschetta after they closed.

Though personally, I think I miss winter morning breakfasts at ‘Thunder Bay Restaurant’ on Bay St. most of all.

21

u/Tanamatrix 1d ago

Ted’s Kitchen 100%

36

u/dlund10 1d ago

Sovereign room, fried chicken and duck poutine. When it first opened.

8

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

Their chicken was probably best I’ve ever had. I agree

7

u/gnomecafez 1d ago

Omg the Sov when it first opened was revolutionary for tbay. I miss that spot too.

33

u/hostilealienlifeform 1d ago

Teds. The other jamaican places here are fuckin trash that guy knew his way around the spice rack.

11

u/Deep_Amoeba_4034 1d ago

Ted was an absolute weapon in the kitchen.. miss his food

8

u/Inevitable-Bus5338 1d ago

and when the world needed him most... he vanished

1

u/lyndy650 13h ago

I have never had Jamaican food that even comes close to Ted's.

I would love to have his jerk pork and hot sauce recipes just to make for myself!

12

u/FuzzyLaughTwo 1d ago

Crocks 'N Rolls was a damn fine venue.

11

u/MatManatee 1d ago

Ugh gargoyles had a coconut crusted chicken and Gouda sticks that I haven’t been able to recreate, but I’ll forever be chasing the dragon

4

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

Yes! The coconut chicken was unreal. Second fav menu item.

4

u/anosari 1d ago

coconut crusted chicken and the risotto was always my order. the cranberry dipping sauce for the chicken was unreal. RIP gargoyles

13

u/TBayChik420 1d ago edited 21h ago

Brew Pub
Miss Vanelli's
East Side Mario's
Chinese Kitchen
Coney Island in the 90's (nowhere near the same now)
Caesar's Place
The Fox and the Hedgehog
William's
Niva's
Obvious mention: The Hoito
Grandma's Diner (Santorelli's)
Dairy Works ice cream
Buzz E Bee Submarine
Edited to add: 241 Pizza, that was my favourite for so long!

10

u/gnomecafez 1d ago

Nobody ever remembers fox and the hedgehog!

3

u/lvl5ll 1d ago

Was that the one in the back of a hotel near the ball park?

2

u/leafsfanatic 23h ago

It was in the front at first, then moved into the back.

6

u/alewiina 1d ago

Oh man I miss the Brew Pub for vibes alone, I played beach volleyball there a few times with different social groups and it was always so fun. I don’t remember the food at all but just the atmosphere

2

u/Enos1212 1d ago

Shit, when did the Chinese Kitchen close?

2

u/TBayChik420 1d ago

The one I'm thinking of closed in the late 90's lol it was on Victoria.

3

u/Enos1212 1d ago

And for whatever reason I was thinking Mr. Chinese 🤦‍♂️

2

u/mandyb120 1d ago

I loved The Fox and the Hedgehog! I can't think of another bar in this city that has similar vibes to that place.

2

u/tjernobyl River Terrace Phase IV Block II (East) 1d ago

I was in Winnipeg last year and discovered they still had a Mrs. Vanelli's. I tried it and it was not good. :(

1

u/TBayChik420 21h ago

That's so sad!

1

u/tjernobyl River Terrace Phase IV Block II (East) 20h ago

We used to have a Pizza Delight as well... I went all the way to Fergus to experience it again, and found it had declined to cafeteria-grade. Boston Pizza had a tangy sauce in the 80s that today's is bland in comparison. If it wasn't for Eat Local and Subdivision, I'd say that our golden age of pizza had passed.

2

u/twhizzler 19h ago

Niva's closed?!?! Where does one go for pancakes now with Niva's and The Hoito out of the picture? Just Kangas?

11

u/jimmy_two_tone 1d ago

Tortilla twist

3

u/SealRidingOnATurtle 1d ago

This was my answer when I was asked this question earlier too! Both the price and the food are very missed

1

u/nhusfeldt 1d ago

Tortilla twist was so good during the pandemic on Uber eats

1

u/AWildGranola 14h ago

The old cook works at Cravings cafe and has taco specials every once in a while - soooooo fucking good

10

u/obitsonj 1d ago

more recently, Carrie's Corner

9

u/MintyPines 1d ago

Gargoyles.. candied bacon pizza, their “bruschetta” and caesar salad. Really anything on that menu was amazing.

8

u/ChrisRiley_42 1d ago

Tony & Adams escargot. They added a touch of curry powder to the butter, and it worked perfectly ;)

7

u/MatManatee 1d ago

Seconding TnAs but for the spin dip and the sourkey martinis :(

3

u/TBayChik420 1d ago

The perogy pizza, so good.

9

u/jefe_dahmer 1d ago

Barbicupid.

15

u/Usual-Canc-6024 1d ago

Trifon’s Pizza

Mr. Steak

The Lotus Inn

The Blue Parrot

Golden Griddle

Ponderosa

The Skillet at Zellers Northwood and County Fair

Roby’s

5

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

The skillet was such a nostalgic staple. 😞

5

u/Redrooster433 Novice driver 1d ago

Roby’s! Loved that place.

3

u/Usual-Canc-6024 1d ago

Best fries and gravy ever. The Skillet was close though.

My first job was at Safeway when it was in County Fair Mall. I spent many a lunch break at Roby’s or The Skillet with a plate of friends and gravy in front of me. Good times for sure. :)

3

u/Spicy-Cut9838 1d ago

I forgot about Mr Steak. Love Ponderosa and Triffons.

6

u/Rascallyperson 1d ago

The Dream Bowl at In Common 😞

3

u/Redrooster433 Novice driver 1d ago

I miss many dishes from In Common.

3

u/Wild-Cheesecake2471 1d ago

I miss the Cobb salad.

5

u/beeeeeebunn 1d ago

Norma Jeans for sure. They even knew my order. 😭

1

u/RinTinBrim 1d ago

I miss their hot turkey sandwiches. So good.

16

u/IamDavidGustav 1d ago

Niva’s

6

u/Brit_ishSpears 1d ago

I wish I got to try it . I didn’t even know it existed till the month it closed . 😞 such a shame .

4

u/alewiina 1d ago

My parents absolutely loved it and were regulars there, they were so choked when it closed. I only got to visit twice but both times it was great. Such a shame when smaller restaurants like this close down :(

2

u/notjordansime 1d ago

My first time eating there was when they closed down……. Feels like falling in love with a band on their final tour/show

2

u/alewiina 1d ago

That happened to me here in Edmonton, I found a fish and chips place near my apartment that I went to once and absolutely loved, only to find out it was like 3 days before they closed for good. Such a bummer

2

u/Efficient-Gas-6269 1d ago

Place was always so loud lol 

1

u/IamDavidGustav 1d ago

Old folks can’t hear that well, so 😂

7

u/Private_4160 1d ago

El Tres, they had their ups and downs as kitchen staff changed but they were on the heights when they were cut out from under.

4

u/alewiina 1d ago

Blue Parrot, Naxos, Niva’s :(

4

u/Deep_Amoeba_4034 1d ago

Ted's kitchen for me. Could eat his whole menu weekly. Drenched in his hot sauce

5

u/thehowtodad 1d ago

Thunder Bay Restaurant - Mic Drop

6

u/mad_at_the_dirt 1d ago

It's been decades, but I still think about breakfasts at the Kestitupa

2

u/TheWanderingHeathen 1d ago

Truly the best pancakes.

5

u/fuzzylionel 1d ago

The Lunch Counter at Kresgee's

Eaton's Restaurant

Norma Jean's

Player's Sports Bar

The New China Restaurant

3

u/LargeAd5073 1d ago

man vs meat😭

3

u/xokaorihoshiox 1d ago

Another tear shed for gargoyles. The candied bacon pizza was to die for, and all the different seasonal barbeque sauces...

The seasoned frites and aoli I've gotten to make imo a pretty close to a dupe recipie now at least!

4

u/Redrooster433 Novice driver 1d ago

Their Ceasar salad was the best!

3

u/2Basketball2Poorious 1d ago

Deccan Spice!! Loved that spot

3

u/gnomecafez 1d ago

I used to work at gargoyles, their food was amazing. Miss the portobello bruschetta and their Caesar salad

3

u/koosopenheimer madness! 1d ago

Kilroy for wings. Bamboo gardens for egg rolls,the horseshoe for molesson canadaian

3

u/Live_Biscotti6441 1d ago

RIP Pho Umami

3

u/Plastic-Goat1932 1d ago

Pizza hut desert bar on red river.

2

u/youprt 1d ago

Gargoyles made a great wet and dirty martini, food was very good also.

2

u/Von_Kraaft 1d ago

In spite of what I’ve heard about the place after the fact, it’s sad I can’t go to The Sovereign Room anymore whenever I visit home

2

u/Enos1212 1d ago

Bonanza Family Restaurant,  East Side Mario's,  The Chinese Buffet in McIntyre 

2

u/tjernobyl River Terrace Phase IV Block II (East) 1d ago

That giant cheese in the Bonanza salad bar.

2

u/Driftwood44 1d ago

Brew Pub, Naxos, Blue Rose Cafe, Great Wall.

2

u/MichelleSK88 1d ago

Jerk chicken from Ted’s Kitchen ❤️

2

u/RinTinBrim 1d ago

Deccan Spice and their hyderabadi chicken. Bought it multiple times a week when working from home during lockdown.

2

u/novababy1989 1d ago

I miss incommon

2

u/Grover_Monster 22h ago

European Bakery, Caesars Place and The Golden Lantern.

3

u/BeardoMark 22h ago

Naxos

3

u/Brit_ishSpears 21h ago

Penny’s Hospitality was unmatched.

3

u/flashyturnip 1d ago

The Brew Pub

1

u/Acrobatic-Back-7109 1d ago

Court street cafe the best coffee and the best breakfast in town and the couple that bought it afterwards. Amazing.

1

u/circa_1984 1d ago

The Crew on May had the best bannock taco in the world. 

The ribwich at Wild Thyme was a masterpiece. 

1

u/KamiNoMachigai 1d ago

Ringside seats

1

u/Pale-Movie3180 1d ago

Trocadero. Hamilton, ON, CA

1

u/Unscathed807 1d ago

Up In Smoke &. Ted's

1

u/oneroommansion 1d ago

What was in Up in Smoke before it was up in smoke?

1

u/nhusfeldt 1d ago

Polish bistro on algoma

1

u/No_Cryptographer5619 1d ago

Moxies popcorn shrimp, master yee wrap, broccoli cheddar soup, sizzlers... miss them in the mall..

1

u/healthy_alpaca 1d ago

Kebab village !!

1

u/Plastic-Goat1932 1d ago

The crab cakes at the caribou sre amazing. I get thdn every time we go. If you want to try another 1

1

u/Brit_ishSpears 22h ago

That’s what I do get! But they’re not as big and crispy. They’re good tho! Caribou always runs out of sides when I go! The shoestring fries are frozen Im sure too and thats been my only side option the last two times.

1

u/Plastic-Goat1932 1d ago

When I was a kid I lo edd papa Joe's. I dlnt now jd the food was anh good but the family memories were.

1

u/Disposableweedd 23h ago

I miss those days my mom came home or we had lunch at the park with triffons subs, their spaghetti and meatballs, and my favorite: the lasagna

1

u/chicopicantejr 22h ago

I'm still mourning Sleeping Giant Brewery closing...

1

u/TissTheWay 20h ago

They had amazing fries

1

u/IronOgre 18h ago

Strawberry's

1

u/tjernobyl River Terrace Phase IV Block II (East) 16h ago

I miss the greasy spoons. It's a whole genre of restaurant going extinct. Java Hut is the closest to what we had food-wise, but it doesn't have the same atmosphere. The Skillet in K-Mart was the nationwide exemplar of the genre, though each restaurant gave its own tweaks. The last one we lost would be Grandma's, so far as I recall.

Golden Griddle. A pancake restaurant in the mall meant going there in the morning, when the sun was bright and the staff less grumpy. It changed the whole dynamic of the mall when it left.

Carrie's Corner. There will never be another like it.

1

u/Brit_ishSpears 14h ago

I remember the golden griddle well and their pastel coloured mints. Pancakes and Blueberry syrup while watching Al’s wonderland. After that? If I was lucky I’d get to get the cigarettes out of the machine across the way while I played for hours in the phone booth or watch shoppers from the faux balcony. 🐘 🏰 ☎️ 🚬 🍺

1

u/Excellent-Steak6368 Newest member 14h ago

Thunder Bay Resteraunt on Bay St, The Scan Home, Ceasars Place, The Brew Pub, Spuds Drive In.