General Food, Dining and Nightlife News

[jamincan]

I'll probably be checking out Chen's at some point as my boyfriend lives just a few blocks away from there.

[nms]

Or maybe one of the downtown churches could provide a space? Another option could be the City Hall rotunda.

City Hall rotunda is an interesting idea, but I think hosting commercial activities for other than fund-raising purposes might be a problem for the churches.

Given that Bailey's in Waterloo is hosted by First United Church, who I'm sure get rent for use of the hall, I don't see this being an issue.

[Elmira Guy]

I live very near to the Chen's Buffet as well, so will also give it a try. Will wait for it to be open a bit though.

I'm glad to see a restaurant move in there, but was really hoping for a sports bar or pub-like place. Something within easy walking distance with a relatively decent selection of beers, and maybe... good suicide wings.

[ookpik]

Looks like the Chen's Buffet is now open at Weber & Bridgeport in Waterloo.
Can't find anything online about it. 

CHEN’S THAI JAPANESE BUFFET

Seems we've come full circle at the Weber & Bridgeport intersection. Remember the Tien Hoa restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection where the Shopper's Drug Mart is today?

[Elmira Guy]

I remember it very well! It was very good! Although my palate may have been less refined back then.

[eizenstriet]

I do remember when "fancy" dining was a limited market: there was the Tien Hoa and the Charcoal Steak House. It had to be some sort of really notable occasion for an average family to go out for such a dinner.

There was "fast food", but it was not an extensive trade. In town, there were places like Sonny's and the A&W or the Palladium Restaurant. These were mainly for teens on the prowl.

In both cases, for a family to patronize, there was a subtle judgment by others that there must be something deficient with the cooking in your home.

In those days, everybody could afford a home, but nobody ate out. Now, nobody can afford a home, but everybody eats out. Probably not cause and effect - just changing economies and lifestyles.

[KevinL]

Big Daddy Cheese, the grilled cheese joint at Market Square, vacated their space over the weekend with no announcement (I was flat out shocked to find it gone this afternoon).

They maintain a web and Twitter presence; apparently a food truck is in the works.

[Spokes]

Who's still in the Market Square food court? McDonalds? And?

[panamaniac]

Big Daddy Cheese, the grilled cheese joint at Market Square, vacated their space over the weekend with no announcement (I was flat out shocked to find it gone this afternoon).

They maintain a web and Twitter presence; apparently a food truck is in the works.

A deal is in the works that will see more food truck access in Downtown (locations off King St).  The Duke Food block will begin staying open later on Wednesdays, with food trucks there as well.

[tmccnnll]

Who's still in the Market Square food court?  McDonalds?  And?

The remaining food tenants are McDonalds, Subway, Grill Inn, and Mr Wu's, I believe.

[The85]

Looks like the Chen's Buffet is now open at Weber & Bridgeport in Waterloo.
Can't find anything online about it. 

CHEN’S THAI JAPANESE BUFFET

Seems we've come full circle at the Weber & Bridgeport intersection. Remember the Tien Hoa restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection where the Shopper's Drug Mart is today?

I remember the Tien Hoa very well. It was a Waterloo restaurant institution for many years!

I don't know if it has been mentioned on here, but a State and Main restaurant opening on Fairway Road where Kelseys used to be. 

State and Main opened their first Ontario location in Guelph a year and a half ago and it is quite good for a chain pub style restaurant. They have really thought outside the box on a number of things on their menu and always have a great selection of beers. They are a chain from western Canada.

[Spokes]

Ive heard good things about the Cambridge location, but haven't been there yet

[panamaniac]

I noticed today that McCabes is putting up fences for what looked like a really large patio space on King St. Was that in place in previous years, I can't recall?

[Spokes]

It was not. The closest thing they had was the roll up garage doors

[panamaniac]

Between the sidewalk patio and the Beer Store rooftop patio, McCabes is going to be a huge summertime venue. Does anyone know when the rooftop is supposed to open?