Beloved Hungarian restaurant in Canada announces closure

Country Style, a beloved Hungarian restaurant in Toronto, is set to close its doors for good on 1 August. The announcement led to an outpouring of emotions from customers, many of whom have been regulars for years.

The closure marks the end of an era for Hungarian cuisine in Toronto, known for its homemade-style dishes like schnitzels, cabbage rolls and goulash, writes CBC.

Long history

The restaurant has been a fixture in the Annex neighbourhood for 62 years. It was one of the first Hungarian restaurants on Bloor Street and the last one remaining. After the Second World War, a significant number of Hungarian refugees arrived in Canada. Many of them settled in the Annex area, resulting in the emergence of numerous Hungarian restaurants.

Katalin Koltai acted as the owner of the restaurant for 23 years. She acknowledged the continued demand for their food but at the same time, revealed her desire to retire. She expressed gratitude for the loyal customers who have been coming to the restaurant with their families from various parts of Canada and even the United States.

Customers,who have been frequenting the restaurant for decades, were saddened by the news of its closure. One regular, Liz Addison recalled the restaurant’s popularity during her time as a student at the University of Toronto. She explicitly praised the affordability and deliciousness of the food, particularly the schnitzel. Many customers have built lasting memories at the establishment, with families growing over the years and multiple generations now enjoying the restaurant together.

End of an era

Koltai, who immigrated to Canada in 1971, initially worked at a bank before joining the restaurant as a waitress. Eventually, in 2000, she purchased the restaurant with the support of her family and has been managing it tirelessly ever since. However, after 23 years of running the restaurant, Koltai has decided it’s time to retire and prioritise her own desires. Her plan now is to travel back to Hungary to spend some time with her family.

Following the closure on 1 August, the restaurant space will be taken over by a Vietnamese restaurant. As the final remaining Hungarian restaurant on Bloor Street, the closure of Country Style Hungarian marks the end of an era for Hungarian cuisine enthusiasts in Toronto.

Source: CBC