HOT POCKETS - Queen & McCaul

2 min read

The corner of Queen and McCaul hasn’t been an attention grabber for years if ever. The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar an ever stray presence infusing the city with some of the worlds best musicians is still an under-the-radar joint (That goes for The Cameron House, Grossman’s Tavern, Hugh’s Room, who have yet to nab the youth). But recently there’s been a bevy of activity, gobsmacking in both its veracity and across such a small distance, and in a shockingly short time to boot. Take a look:

The tight-knit corner has been a revolving door lately: Azkadenya Restaurant (235 Queen St. W.), ChickQueen (247 Queen St. W.), The Zen - Hakka Chinese & Thai Cuisine (263 Queen St. W.) that settled in at Queen and McCaul in 2023, and sudden closure of Planta (180 Queen St. W.) directly across the street, are all ghosts of Queen's past.

It's not just the exits that are notable. Various ventures have been setting down roots left and right lately with Cotti Coffee (200 Queen St. W.), Liberty Pizza, (247 Queen St. W.), Pappa Roti Café and Bakery (202 Queen St. W.), and newly opened Kajiken

where Korean Grill House stood until very recently all landing within weeks of another.

With stalwarts such as HotBlack Coffee and Queen Mother Cafe anchoring the strip, the nabe has received an injection of rapid development it hasn't seen in decades. And with footprints yet to be filled, including some pretty colossal ones - I'm looking at you, Planta - there's a slew more to see here. W A T C H T H I S S P A C E.

Psst. Want exclusive intel on where you should open next? What’s next on the culinary horizon? What’s missing and what to nix on your menu, dining room and overall guest experience? Get in touch.