Miscellany Toronto Photographs: Then and Now

[Mustapha]

July 15 addition.



Then. Simcoe street. N of Front, looking N towards Wellington. 1962ish - I think this is activity related to the University subway line.

Now. May 2011.

 

[bkeith]

This is not something I want to make at home.

It's not so bad. I've made it at home a few times lately and it goes together quite quickly. Pick up a couple fillets of whatever you like. Whisk together a cup or so of flour, a pinch of baking powder and a bottle of beer. A quick dip in the batter and gently lay the fillet in the hot oil, holding one end until it starts to float on its own.

Use frozen fries, there's no point in going through that hassle.

Definitely get one of those deep fryers with the built in filter and storage tank.

 

[NomoreaTorontonian]

Going back to the 50s and early 60s, you're right. There was nothing to do at Yonge & Eglinton. It could be a long cold walk in the winter down from the Capital and a further one from the cinema south of Davisville whose name escapes me. But we still often finished an evening at Fran's.
Two important parts to the proceedings: reading aloud the complete description of every dish on the menu, and every one "going Dutch" to pay for their meal.

 

[thecharioteer]

"a long cold walk in the winter down from the Capital and a further one from the cinema south of Davisville whose name escapes me."
QUOTE NomoreaTorontonian.


BELL TELEPHONE CO - 1944:

The Hollywood Theatre
1519 Yonge Street.
'Phone: HYland 0304.

I believe that there were two, but no listing for the other.

Regards,
J T

The Odeon Hyland?

 

[NomoreaTorontonian]

Shortly after Toronto adopted crosswalks I recall walking up Yonge from the Hollywood with some friends on a Saturday night after an supper-time movie. Suddenly a dog-- taking itself for a walk--appeared, waited about 5 seconds at the crosswalk, and four lanes of traffic stopped while he got to the other side. Didn't even "point his way to safety".

 

[Mustapha]

And there are the modern-day "designer" F&C outlets like Chippy's or Harbord F&C to consider, too--whatever their merits, they probably affirm there's still a "search for authenticity" taste for whatever's left on Queen *East*, plus Duckworth's, Penrose, and whatever. (And of course, the ol' CFRB-plugged McNie's in Etobicoke--or for more of that authentic Old Anglo Etobicoke tinge, Kingsway F&C)

A list, a history, and a review of sorts, of Toronto Fish and Chip culture in two sentences. Succinct and brava, adma.

 

[donoreo]

A list, a history, and a review of sorts, of Toronto Fish and Chip culture in two sentences. Succinct and brava, adma.

There is also a good one, owned by a Scottish family, on Underhill north of Lawrence (just east of DVP) called High Street Fish and Chips.

 

[Mustapha]

It's not so bad. I've made it at home a few times lately and it goes together quite quickly. Pick up a couple fillets of whatever you like. Whisk together a cup or so of flour, a pinch of baking powder and a bottle of beer. A quick dip in the batter and gently lay the fillet in the hot oil, holding one end until it starts to float on its own.

Use frozen fries, there's no point in going through that hassle.

Definitely get one of those deep fryers with the built in filter and storage tank.

Thanks bkeith,

I wonder how many will try this this weekend.

Your mention of the air filter on the fryer brings me to my unstated reluctance to making F & C at home which I will now state , if anyone tries to make F & C in a kitchen without a vent fan, the air will become unbreathable. When I rented and had such a kitchen one other solution was to lay a damp dishcloth atop a splatter screen over the pot of oil - it caught a lot of the oil smoke.

 

[Mustapha]

There is also a good one, owned by a Scottish family, on Underhill north of Lawrence (just east of DVP) called High Street Fish and Chips.

I'll get right on this.

 

[Mustapha]

The Odeon Hyland?

The Hollywood, the Hyland.. even my 20-something kids remember both fondly. Free parking was always close by in front of Mt. Pleasant cemetery. There was a candy store that sold by weight next to the present Second Cup. There was a coffee shop/bakery - Begelmans?? I think? - where the Swiss Chalet is now. This area died a bit when those two neighbourhood theatres closed.

Hey.. I sound like I have regrets, but the new theatres - better seats, sightlines, leg room, no more lineups for the ladies loo.

 

[Mustapha]

Then and Now. Then - broom and pan. Now - leaf blowers. <Cough,cough>. Will you all call your city councilor and voice that blowers should be banned please? Thank you.

 

[FAC33]

Fish and Chips is good food. It's fallen out of fashion, that's all. York Fish and Chips on Laird Drive is full of gray hairs and their grandchildren. Hopefully the grandchildren will remember and keep the last few establishments going. For my sake. This is not something I want to make at home.

Fish and Chips seem to have moved out of specialist stores only and into British-type pubs, such as the Duke chain or the Firkins. Still seem to be quite popular there.

Also, if you go out to the 'burbs, you'll see quite a few fish 'n' chip places. For whatever reason, several of those in Ajax are run by Greeks.

 

[Gebbois]

Yonge and Eglinton, on the east side of Yonge, N of Eg, there is a bagel place there now.

Yonge and St. Clair, on the S side of St. Clair, W of Yonge, there is a burger place/coffee shop there now.

Yonge and College, on College, still there. Did I win a frozen shrimp ring?

Do I also recall a Fran's on Yonge St across from Sams. It was down in the basement and had all you can eat spaghetti on New Years Eve. At least back in 1972

 

[thecharioteer]

July 14 addition.



Then. Just for fun. Let's make this thread today a Train Wreck. "1.1.1970. Train wreck. Vicinity of Facelle plant Weston."

Again, nice work Mustapha!

Speaking of train wrecks, here are two shots of one from the Ontario Archives dated June 13, 1948. Any suggestions on where this might be, team?

 

[Long Island Mike]

CN Derailment-January 1,1970 Picture...

July 14 addition


Then. Just for fun. Let's make this thread today a Train Wreck. "1.1.1970. Train wreck. Vicinity of Facelle plant Weston."

Now. April 2011. Sorry about the upper left hand corner; an advertising sign intrudes into the pic and I don't have Photoshop to get rid of it. Would like to get it and learn how to use it... one of my goals in the near future.

Anyways, not many changes over 40 years between the 2 pics. The tissue plant is still there, it's owned by Irving Paper now.

The rail siding is gone, that's nothing new; truck transportation is miles (ha ) more flexible and faster than rail ever was.

Mustapha: I recognize the CN Tempo coach derailed in the 1/1/70 picture being lifted by the wreck crane in the center of the picture...

I believe that they were built in 1968 by Hawker-Siddeley and CN used them in Corridor regional train service out of Toronto and later became VIA property...

I believe that they are now in ski train service in the Denver,Colorado area today...

LI MIKE