The Real McCoy
The Real McCoy is often seen as synonymous with Scarborough. Originally founded in 1969, this beloved burger joint has been serving up massive Mojo Burgers, cheesy pizzas, and crispy onion rings for more than fifty years.
When the restaurant's original location closed its doors in December 2022, fast food fanatics were crushed. Many regulars recall stopping by for a bite on their way home from school, passing the tradition down to their children once they were old enough to appreciate it.
With the Real McCoy gone, it seemed as if these memories would be all that remained.
Fortunately for foodies throughout the city, owner George Mihail was determined to keep the restaurant alive.
Mihail, who went into business with his father in 1986, compared leaving the original store to leaving his childhood home: a difficult but necessary transition.
In the months following the closure, Mihail searched tirelessly for somewhere to set up shop. His only requirement? "It's gotta be in Scarborough."
The new location, which opened in August 2023, sits at the corner of Bellamy and Lawrence and retains most of the original decor.
Framed newspaper clippings adorn the walls, while a mounted fish hangs above a collection of old photographs.
"Everyone's crazy about that fish," Mihail says. "We had to bring it with us."
A new addition to the space is a scale model of the original storefront, which can be found to the left of the service counter. The replica was built and painted by Tracy Ealdama, a Vancouver-based miniature artist.
Another notable change is the restaurant's size. While the original location could only accommodate a few people at a time, the new restaurant is wider and more open.
Not only does this larger space prevent crowding during the lunch rush, it also gives guests a place to enjoy their meals in peace.
In particular, the neighbourhood's older residents have started taking their afternoon tea in the restaurant's small dining room.
Though many things have changed over the past year, the menu isn't one of them. Mihail says that this was a deliberate choice on his part, as he didn't want to alienate any of his returning customers.
The Real McCoy's signature Mojo Burger ($11.99) is named for the now-defunct Mojo Radio (640 AM), which awarded them Toronto's best burger in the early 2000's.
This 8-ounce beef patty comes with bacon, cheese, and your choice of toppings. Mine was topped with lettuce, onions, hot peppers, and chipotle sauce, which gave it a spicier flavour profile. 
The Chicken Souvlaki on Greek salad ($14.95) is a mix of tender meat and crisp vegetables, with grilled chicken sitting on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes, all sprinkled with feta cheese and black olives.
It's a great dinner option, especially if you're looking for something a little less greasy.
Onion rings ($5.75/small, $6.99/large) are thick-cut and crunchy, with a savoury-sweet taste reminiscent of classic carnival snacks.
Ketchup is the traditional condiment, but Mihail recommends dipping them in chipotle sauce for an extra kick.
Though the poutine ($6.95/small, $8.95/large) uses shredded cheese in lieu of squeaky cheese curds, a generous pour of gravy should appease even the staunchest poutine purists. 
Milkshakes ($4.99) come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry and aren't overly thick, making them perfect for slurping through retro striped straws. 
Since reopening, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. Long-time customers thank Mihail for his continued service, with some even asking to shake his hand.
Despite this, he tells us that the best compliment he's received thus far came from a new customer: "You brought life back to this neighbourhood."
The Real McCoy is located at 3300 Lawrence Ave E.
Fareen Karim
