An iconic family-run restaurant that has been operating in the GTA for more than four decades is officially opening a new location in downtown Toronto.
Esquire Restaurant, currently located at 2581 Victoria Park Ave. in Scarborough, will be expanding its offerings at an upcoming spot situated at 566 Queen St. W. in Toronto.
Esquire Restaurant: ‘Time for us to grow’
While talks of opening a new eatery have been in the works for some time, they were brought to the forefront after diners from all over would frequent the restaurant asking for more locations, Leo Mgrdichian, who owns Esquire alongside his three siblings, tells Toronto.com.
“It’s time for us to grow with the city,” Mgrdichian said. “And so, we found a property that works for us.”
Known for staying open late to serve the night crowds, the Toronto restaurant will bring a new after-hours staple to the city’s downtown core as it serves up the “best Greek food in town.” In Scarborough, the restaurant stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Now run by a second generation of the Mgrdichian family, Esquire uses the same, passed down recipes for its menu. Dishes include chicken and pork souvlaki, gyros, falafel, Greek fries, baklava, and more.
Esquire Restaurant: ‘Same taste, same recipes’
At the new outpost, visitors can expect the flavours to be “100 per cent the same” as they have been since 1981.
“The first location and the second location, they’re going to have the exact same taste, same recipes, and same menus,” said Mgrdichian.
“The key is the same quality food.”
Aside from the food, the team is also working on the design and merch for the new space to match in unison with its Scarborough restaurant, according to Mgrdichian.
And while an opening date for the downtown Toronto establishment has yet to be revealed, Esquire is hoping to launch at Queen Street West before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in the city in June.
The future of Esquire Restaurant
With 45 years under its belt, Esquire is now looking to continue expanding its footprint in the future in spots like Mississauga and Vaughan.
“We’ll start with downtown and we’ll work our way up,” said Mgrdichian.
“We’re here trying to serve the community. We’re trying to make it more convenient for them to have amazing Greek foods served close by to them.”
And now, as we wait for the downtown location to begin welcoming in customers, stay tuned online for all the latest details.
