Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Fran's Restaurants


The first legendary Fran's restaurant opened in Toronto 1940 at St Clair Ave & Yonge St but this one on College St at Yonge didn't open until 1950. Just down the block from Maple Leaf Gardens it was a favourite spot to hit before and after a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey game until the team moved to a new arena. The mini group of restaurants is famous for its rice pudding, burgers, and being open 24 hrs/day and apparently even has a U.S. location in Kansas City MO (hello Regina!).
I always like a good neon sign and this old logo has held up well. Taking part in Signs, Signs. For more signs click here.
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18 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Perfect!

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  2. LowellApril 18, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    I've not heard of the legendary Fran's Restaurant and that sounds like my loss! Cool sign.

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  3. HalcyonApril 18, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    A very cute sign!

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  4. Sallie (FullTime-Life.comApril 18, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Yeah it's a great old retro neon sign. But I want to know what 'us for I' means (the blue sign under the marquee).

    I would go to the restaurant for the rice pudding yummmmm! Also I remember when we were younger how we used to love 24hr restaurants, for late late evenings or early early mornings, but those days are gone ;>)

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  5. AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I like the font used in Fran's.

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  6. DebApril 18, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    Great neon sign, I hope it flashes on and off and occasionally crackles and fizzes!

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  7. ArtandArchitecture-SF.comApril 18, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    If they put it up in the 50's when they opened, you are right, it is in great shape.

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  8. RedPatApril 18, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Sallie - the "us for l" is one of those rolling signs - I think it was saying "Join us for lunch".

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  9. Regina KApril 18, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    I know this place, I took a photo of their window display in December. I didn't end up posting the photo but remember the restaurant.

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  10. AndyApril 18, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    It's a Toronto landmark. I had forgotten all about Fran's until I saw your posting.

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  11. LúciaApril 18, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    This the kind of the place I'd love to visit, old restaurants always have great food in a cozy atmosphere. ;-)

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  12. PerthDailyPhotoApril 19, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    To be in business since 1940 the burgers MUST be good Pat. It's great old retro sign reminds me of 'Happy Days'.

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  13. AnonymousApril 19, 2012 at 2:39 AM

    It puts the 'Us for I' sign to shame, a classic!

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  14. VioletSkyApril 19, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    I am glad there is still one around (I thought they had all closed)

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  15. EG CameraGirlApril 19, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    I like this street scene! Cool shot!

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  16. Melbourne Australia PhotosApril 20, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Nice one, preserving the nostalgic feel of those neon signs of the 50s and 60s.

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  17. UnknownApril 22, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    I don't know if the sign is the original one, but it surely has a vintage design and I like it.

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  18. LesleyApril 22, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    ah, Fran's for apple pie. or rice pudding. all night long!

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