After closing six years ago, this old-school diner is making a comeback

Before brunch got bougie in Toronto, places like Pete’s Corner Grill in Parkdale served up no-nonsense breakfasts to a hungry and loyal crowd.

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After 12 years, Pete’s regulars were devastated when the diner closed in 2020, following the landlord’s sale of the Queen West building to fast-food franchise Dave’s Hot Chicken. A tidal wave of support from loyal customers and neighbouring businesses wasn’t enough to save the beloved multi-generational family-run restaurant, leaving Pete’s to go the way of many other old-school diners, quietly fading into memory.

In 2022, owner John Poulakos opened a greasy-spoon successor, Canadiana Grill by the Lake, with a menu similar to Pete’s—but it was in Mimico, not Parkdale.

Now, Poulakos and his Canadiana Grill crew, Andy and Angelo Ntoumani, are making a long-awaited comeback around the corner from where Pete’s once stood. Toasted is their new all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch spot, opening soon on Roncesvalles in the two-level space that was once home to Lambretta Pizzeria.

The location has cycled through a few identities since Lambretta closed—Simply Social, Meetpoint—but nothing has stuck. Poulakos is hoping that Toasted will tap into what locals are looking for in a neighbourhood eatery: big portions of homestyle cooking, affordably priced.

“The project is inspired by what people loved about Pete’s, with a twist,” says Poulakos. “Parkdale and Roncesvalles have always meant a lot to us, so we’re really excited to be coming back to the neighbourhood.”

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Guests can expect a wide-ranging menu of diner-style breakfast dishes (bacon and eggs, pancakes, waffles), brunch-y handhelds like BLTs, more modern staples (various eggs Bennies, avocado toast), and crêpes.

Lunch will feature a range of house-made burgers—including the Double Standard (a little poke at Roncy favourite Gold Standard), made with two beef patties and all the accoutrements on a toasted potato bun—sandwiches, soups and salads. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available too. Coffee (including a Greek-inspired freddo espresso), tea, and classic mid-morning cocktails like mimosas and caesars will round out the menu.

If all goes according to plan, Poulakos hopes to open in the next few weeks.