Canada has a plethora of homegrown fast food and chain restaurants from which to choose. Our array of eateries rivals and exceeds the American imports like McDonalds, Red Lobster, Burger King, Wendy’s and others. We break down our restaurant offerings into three categories: fast food (burger & pizza joints, mostly), chain restaurants and sports bars and homegrown “mom n pop” local restaurants that often far exceed the quality of the bigger chains and franchises.
We will be adding local and smaller chain Canadian eateries as we learn about them.
I note here that, this spring, it was announced that Olive Garden will be purchased by a Canadian company, moving that popular chain into the Canadian corral.
Fast Food
A & W. This iconic burger chain broke away from its American parent almost fifty years ago and is thriving, compared to the USA version.
Beaver Tails. In most provinces. Specializes in, of course, the famous Beavertail pastry
Booster Juice. Booster Juice primarily operates franchised outlets, with many owned by sports personalities. Began in Alberta and spread quixkly.
Boston Pizza. Started by the same guy from Manitoba that owns Mr. Lube, Boston Pizza is both fast food and a sports bar. Very popular across the country.
Harvey’s Been around for 65 years. Burgers & Beef
Mary Brown’s Chicken. A Newfoundland/Labrador original. Better than KFC and Popeye’s, by far
Mr. Sub. Been around for many decades. An easy replacement for Quiznos or Subway.
Odd Burger Locations in Aberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario. Offers plant=based options Hey! What happened to Manitoba?
Pizza Pizza. A chain with quirky ads, but great pizza and better dips and sauces.
Robin’s. A few franchises left of this once mighty Thunder Bay-originated chain of doughnut (Canadian spelling!) shops
Smoke’s Poutinerie. Only in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which is peculiar given its speciality is the Quebec original, poutine.
St-Hubert. Wings, rotisserie, ribs and chicken dinners are the core of its menu. So far, only in New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.
Swiss Chalet. In most provinces, but offers many of its products in grocery stores, too
The Works. Only in Ontario. Specializing in unique burgers.
Tim Hortons. Iconic. A few locations in the US, started in Canada, was sold to USA interests then purchased back into Canada again.
Triple O’s. Found in only B.C., Alberta and Ontario, it is an offshoot of White Spot, specializing in burgers.
White Spot. Mostly a BC chain, offering an eclectic mix of waffles, sandwiches, burgers and salads. Think of it as an American IHOP with character.
Chain Restaurants
241 Pizza. Was found in Manitoba coupled with Robin’s Donuts. Now in Ontario, NL, Saskatchewan.
Ashton. A Quebec chain specializing in poutine. 25 restaurants, mostly in Quebec City area.
Barburrito. Locations across western Canada. A hybrid sports bar serving Mexican food.
Baton Rouge Steakhouse and Bar. Exactly as the name suggests. Began in Quebec
Bem & Florentine. Family breakfast & lunch restaurant operating only with franchises. One in Manitoba. More common in eastern Canada
Boston Pizza. 396 restaurants in North America. Began in Canada by an entrepreneur from Manitoba.
Cactus Club Café. Began in B.C.. Currently has 31 outlets
Chuck’s Roadhouse. Several Crabby Joe’s converted to this brand. Currently has 15 locations
Cora’s. Now found in every province except PEI. Has unusual operating hours, so check locally.
Cow’s Ice Cream. 10 locations (I in USA). One in Manitoba.
Crabby Joe’s Bar. 15 outlets in Ontario
Earl’s. An eclectic sports bar located across Canada but has lost a few of its outlets in recent years.
East Side Mario’s. Mostly in eastern Canada. 85 locations
Great Canadian Bagel. A bagel and coffee shop found in several provinces, including Manitoba
Joey’s Seafood (and Joey’s). Premium casual western Canada restaurant chain specializing in seafood.
Lone Star Texas Grill. Like Montana’s, a Canadian operation. 20 locations across eastern Canada.
Montana’s. Scattered locations across Canada. Offshoot of Baton Rouge holdings.
Moxie’s. A Canadian sports bar with 50 outlets in Canada and more in the USA.
Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse. Primarily in western Canada but recently has expanded eastward.
New York Fries. Yes, it’s Canadian, begun in Ontario. Mostly in shopping malls.
The Old Spaghetti Factory. A Winnipeg tradition, it now calls The Forks (downtown Winnipeg) its home.
Panago. A BC/Alberta chain serving pizza in its 174 franchised outlets.
Got more Canadian restaurants you want to add? Let us know at bizdynamics1@gmail.com