Fran's Restaurant owner looks to more than 80-year history in the wake of a fourth pandemic wave
In 1940, a modest 10-stool diner serving eggs, bacon and coffee 24-hours a day opened at Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue. Now, the local chain that’s taken on the name Fran’s Restaurant has weathered more than 80 years in Toronto, from the Second World War to the fourth pandemic wave.
“It was tough during the war,” G. Francis Deck, son of the diner’s original owner, told CTV News Toronto. “My dad was worried about the war and being drafted.”
Fran's Restaurant in Toronto, which originally opened in 1940 at Yonge and St. Clair (Supplied). As a five year old, he watched his father drive to Buffalo to purchase a coffee urn when many products were rationed during the war in an effort to draw customers in for a cup of caffeine for a nickel.
In just a couple years, Fran’s expanded from 10 stools at Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue to 20 stools at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue.
After decades of developing the status of a Toronto staple, in the late 90s, the diner’s ownership was handed over to the Kim family who now face public health restrictions that ban indoor dining as the province grapples with a fourth pandemic wave.
Yet, the diner’s deep-rooted history keeps them grounded.
“I think that’s what keeps driving us. There’s so much history at Fran’s and so much of our own personal history involved in this business,” said Robert Kim, co-owner of Fran’s.
After his parents purchased the diner, he grew up perched at the back tables before and after school, eventually graduating to the ranks of the dish pit where he spent weekend rushes washing and stacking plates. When he told teachers at school his family owned Fran’s, they jolted to life, launching into a story about how the diner was their hangover joint or family brunch spot.
“Everyone has a story that has to do with Fran’s,” Kim said.
While Kim said he feels in his bones that the tail end of the pandemic is nearing, Fran’s has not been left untouched. After 10 years of flipping burgers and pressing waffles, their Yonge and Front streets location was forced to close in December 2020.
Brunch served at Fran's Restaurant in Toronto, which originally opened in 1940 at Yonge and St. Clair. “We were devastated,” he said.
But, it’s customers like this one that keep him hopeful – for years, a man sat at Fran’s Yonge and Front bar every day and ordered the orange chicken. When the location closed, instead of abandoning his daily ritual, he started venturing north to their location at Yonge and College streets.
“I think that’s why we’re so optimistic that Fran’s will continue,” Kim said. “It’s not just about food. It’s about people’s memories that they hold of that place.”
Background
Table Talk is a weekly CTV News Toronto series that explores the people who shape Toronto’s food scene, published every Friday at CTVNewsToronto.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.