Shuttered Toronto Popeye's location about to be replaced by something so much better

A long-shuttered Popeyes location in Toronto is finally about to get a new lease on life as a widely adored local chain prepares to take over.

It's been months since the generally tolerated, yet scarcely loved Popeyes location at 1955 Queen St. E. in the Beaches shut its doors after nearly a decade of keeping the neighbourhood and its many summertime visitors supplied with their fill of biscuits and fried chicken.

It's just one among a slew of locations in the city to shut down in recent years, including restaurants in Liberty Village and in the Christie Pits area.

And much like the chain's controversial location at Dupont and Christie — which is about to be replaced by Golden Horseshoe Barbecue, a new venture from pitmaster prodigy Andrew Golden and The Carbon Bar's Kris Hansen — 1955 Queen East is also getting taken over by an exciting hometown hero.

Next week, Gus Tacos, arbiters of some of the best tacos in Toronto and recipients of a larger-than-appropriate proportion of my own income, will be moving into the space. While the exact opening date has yet to be announced, you can expect it to land sometime between June 9 and 15.

Now operating seven locations in the city, the chain has been taking Toronto by storm since 2020, serving up simple and effective Mexican cuisine like burritos, tortas, chilacas and, of course, tacos.

The new Beaches location is in good company this summer, as the chain is also preparing to open an additional location at 3185 Yonge St. in the Yonge and Lawrence area at the end of June.

If last summer was Brat Summer, summer 2025 might just be shaping up to be Gus summer, and I, for one, am on board.