One of Toronto ’ s most iconic burger joints turns 55
One of Toronto ’ s most well-known burger joints is officially half a century old , and still going strong . For 55 years , Johnny ’ s glowing orange exterior has burned bright at the corner of Sheppard and Victoria Park , serving banquet burgers and steaks on kaisers to a steady stream of locals and tourists alike . The squat little burger spot – easily confused with a full service repair shop at first glance – has long played an integral part in the fabric of northwest Scarborough . Former Scarberian Mike Myers loved it so much he ’ d talk about it on live television , and even drew inspiration from Johnny ’ s ( and Tim Hortons ) for his fictional burger joint Stan Mikita ’ s in the Wayne ’ s World movies . Head here on a Saturday night and you ’ ll still find staff dressed in their iconic orange polos , blue aprons and soda jerk hats , plus a lineup of the post-party crowd hankering for cheap patties and onion rings . Though it ’ s now dwarfed by a newer tw0-storeyed Shoppers Drug Mart next to it , the restaurant still manages to hold its own . Johnny ’ s takeout only policy often sees tiny parking lot transform into a makeshift dining area for drivers to eat in their cars . As with any old establishment , there are claims that the burgers and fries are no longer as good as they used .
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