Although there are many upsides to living in the great white north, one of the indisputable downsides is that we just don’t have the same number of delicious restaurant chains as our American neighbours. While we finally have The Cheesecake Factory and can check Eataly off the list next year, there’s still a lot of places Canadians are hungry for (literally). Keep reading to find out the top 6 US restaurant chains we’d like to see come to Canada asap.
CHICK-FIL-A
https://www.instagram.com/p/7qKZEHBQ8U/
With its all-chicken menu and perfectly crisp waffle fries, Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular American fast-food joints for good reason. As it turns out, there’s actually already one location in Canada – at the Calgary airport! Now if they could just expand throughout the rest of the country, that would be fantastic.
IN-N-OUT BURGER
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgxsJUuBOI7/
Not even east coast Americans have access to In-N-Out, however that doesn’t mean we still don’t pray for some locations to open up in Canada. Pro tip if you ever visit: order your burger and/or fries “Animal Style,” which is code for a topping of melted cheese, grilled onions and thousand island dressing. Yum.
SHAKE SHACK
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhsHI-vgOgb/
Toronto got a taste of Shake Shack last year with a one-day pop-up, which you probably missed unless you were patient enough to wait hours in line. The cult-favorite burger chain has already opened up international locations outside of the US in places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moscow, Dubai, and London. Here’s to hoping Canada is next…
PORTILLO’S
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdS6gDQH9sH/
Sure burgers are all the rage right now, but there’s nothing like a Chicago-style hotdog with all the fixings from Portillo’s. A joint like this would definitely not go to waste in Canada, especially if they incorporate poutine into the menu.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAX4wbIzYZ5/
After taking what felt like forever for us to get The Cheesecake Factory and PF Chang’s, we can only imagine how much longer we’ll have to wait for CPK to make its way north of the border. Here’s to hoping there’s some secret opening plans underway because just looking at this pizza has us drooling.
THE CAPITAL GRILLE
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdx5YoOBptQ/
For those who are unfamiliar, The Capital Grille is a restaurant chain of upscale steakhouses throughout the US. Why do we need it here? We’ll just let the juicy steak in this photo do the talking for us.
Which US restaurant chain would you be most excited to see open in Canada? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Image: Instagram/@ShakeShack
Posts you might be interested in:
Meatless Meat, Cookie Dough And Other Food Trends You Need To Try This Season
7 Fun Food and Drink Festivals to Hit Toronto this Summer
5 Food Delivery Apps You Need to Know in 2018
Toronto Hosting Massive Food Truck Festival All Summer Long
Multi-Vendor Food Concept Set to Open on Queen Street West
Make room in your stomachs – Toronto is being blessed with some tasty new and soon-to-come restaurants! From international chains to favourite local champions, we’re sure more than a few of these will make you drool. Take a look at the most anticipated restaurant openings in Toronto below and start adding to your foodie bucket list.
Jollibee
Earlier this year it was announced that Jollibee would be opening their first Ontario outpost in Mississauga. Shortly after, news about a second location slated to open in Scarborough followed. The fast-food joint has been dubbed the McDonalds of the Philippines, so there’s no doubt hungry foodies looking to have a cheat day will be flocking to the chain restaurant. While the Mississauga location was originally scheduled to open this spring, it looks like Jollibee fans will have to wait until the fall to get their hands on the Filipino favourite.
The Cheesecake Factory
Canada is getting an American import this fall, too. The Cheesecake Factory, known for massive servings and, of course, a wide variety of cheesecake, is set to open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre this fall. Expect everything from pastas and pizzas to burgers and sandwiches.
Sud Forno
The Queen West go-to bakery for coffee, pastries, and Italian eats, Sud Forno, is set to open their second location in Financial District by Yonge and Temperance. While not an entirely new restaurant, folks in the neighbourhood have much to be thrilled about; no more transiting to get your hands on their drool-worthy Bombolone.
Sud Forno (Image: Instagram/@sudforno)
Blue Blood Steakhouse
Ready your steak knives! Casa Loma is about to become a food destination for both tourists and Torontonians alike. Liberty Entertainment group, the people behind the Magical Winter Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast, are planning to open Blue Blood Steakhouse inside the castle walls later this year – keep your eyes peeled.
Ku-Kum
The owners of Snakes and Lattes will be opening Ku-Kum, an indigenous restaurant on Mount Pleasant Rd., in the near future. Diners can expect two different tasting menus along with a la carte options. It will definitely be a fresh way to experience Canadian indigenous cuisine.
Kiin
If you’re among the many Torontonians who experience Sukho Thai cravings on the regular, you’ll be thrilled to know that Chef Nuit Regular has opened a new venture, Kiin on Adelaide St. W. The restaurant promises to offer up some new Thai flavours that will no doubt leave us wanting more. See their soft launch hours here.
Kiin (Image: Instagram/@foodismto)
Copetin
Fans of MasterChef Canada are about to go wild. Judge Claudio Aprile will open his latest Toronto venture, Copetin, in mid-June. Expect a patio, bar, and dining area, filled with a lot of different tastebud-teasing flavours and cultures.
Drake Commissary
The Drake Hotel’s latest project, Drake Commissary, is definitely something to be excited about. Set to open in the Junction Triangle, the new property will be the home base for Drake catering, as well as a community hub during the day with a bakery, cafe, and larder. Evenings will top off with licensed table and bar service, and weekends will include brunch.
Hollywood Cone
At SD we are firm believers that Toronto can never have enough ice cream! Hollywood Cone definitely fits the bill with their over-the-top, outrageous creations. While the dessert cafe is already open on Queen West, you can expect that the hype won’t die down anytime soon – it will definitely be an Instagram-worthy stop all summer long.
Hollywood Cone (Image: Instagram/@ayeshamanulla)
Nobu
Earlier this year, it was announced that celebrity-favourite Nobu would be opening up a Toronto location, the first Canadian outpost for the Japanese-fusion chain. While no exact dates have been announced yet, it’s likely we won’t see the restaurant open for a couple of more years, as the brand is building a hotel and residence to accompany the high-end eatery.
Which restaurant openings in Toronto are you most excited about? Did we miss any?
Featured Image: Flickr/Jason Lam
Posts you may be Interested in:
10 of the Most Instagrammable Restaurants in Toronto
Jollibee Will Be Opening in Scarborough
21 Food & Drink Festivals Happening in Toronto this Summer
Taco Fest is Back in Toronto this Summer
The Most Instagrammable Coffee Shops in Toronto