House of Chan: The history of a Toronto institution in pictures
The history of a Toronto institution in pictures.
For decades, the House of Chan has been a standby, a place to see and be seen on Eglinton Avenue West. When the Eglinton LRT is installed, the restaurant will be demolished to make way for an LRT exit.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
The House of Chan opened in 1957 or 1958. Pictured, a menu from about 40 years ago next to a newer one.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
"If you were at a table, you were A-list, and if you were in the back room, you were either with a large group or you were the D-list." -- movie producer Barry Avrich on the "six degrees of Jewish geography" the average patron had to negotiate when eating at Chan.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Subgum chicken liver chop suey ($1.30) or beef with tomatoes ($1.15) -- there was something for everyone on the old Chan's menu.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
1971: The House of Chan as a teenager, seven years before Donald Lyons would buy it.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail
Prix fixe menu from an earlier incarnation of the House of ChanFernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
Traditionally a Chinese restaurant and steakhouse, House of Chan complements its turf with some surf, like this steamed lobster dinner on its current menu.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
Penny Lyons , the current owner of the House of Chan restaurant, took the business over from her husband, Donny, when he passed away in 2009.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
A portrait of Donald Lyons, former owner, hanging on the wall, at right, alongside a photo of one of the founding managing partners, Aaron Sokalsky, left.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
"Who was Chan? Nobody! Chan really isn't a person. It just sounded Chinese." -- Penny Lyons on the restaurant's namesakePeter Power/The Globe and Mail
The House of Chan has long been a place for local celebrities and high rollers. Pictured, Donald Lyons, former Toronto Maple Leaf Darryl Sittler and Joey Lyons, 2009.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail
Donald Lyons, Ron Fisico (Stratus' husband), professional wrestler Trish Stratus and Joey Lyons.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail
Toronto Maple Leaf Dion Phaneuf, Joey Lyons and actress Elisha Cuthbert, 2011.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail
A portrait of Donald Lyons, the man who ran The House of Chan for 31 years, until his death in January, 2009. It hangs on the wall of the restaurant now.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail