It’s the end of an era for a local Mandarin Restaurant that is shutting down due to plans to redevelop the area.
The Mandarin Restaurant at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. will permanently close on Jan. 18, 2026, after first opening its doors in 1991.
“Like all our locations, Mandarin Yonge has been a part of numerous customer celebrations and special moments; it will live on in the memories of many,” location managers Myles Wan, Paddy Adams, and James Xi said in a statement on their website.
“Thank you for your patronage over the years.”
The Chinese food restaurant chain was founded in December 1979 by restaurateurs James Chiu, George Chiu, K.C. Chang, and Diana Chiu. The group purchased a restaurant on Brampton’s Queen Street that sold an à la carte menu, takeout and delivery service.
The location converted to a buffet-style eatery in 1986 in order to accommodate long lines of customers as the restaurant became more popular. Then the chain expanded throughout the 90s, opening locations across Ontario, including the Yonge and Eglinton spot.
COMMUNITY REACTS
Following news of the popular restaurant closing its doors for good later this month, many community members shared their memories of the location online.
“On behalf of all Filipinos, thank you for hosting all of our first communions, birthdays and confirmation lunches/dinners. We’ll miss you!!!” one Instagram user wrote.
“Years of family memories here. What a great loss to the city,” another posted.
“Your location has been a part of my entire family’s celebrations, first communions, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, lunches and dinners since you opened in ’91! We’re going to miss you greatly! So many wonderful staff over the years.”
