Craig Baird
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Canada has many unique restaurant chains, and I am looking at their history!

Today, it is The Keg!

The story of The Keg begins with The Keg and Cleaver, which opened in North Vancouver in 1971.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 2/7
It was opened by George Tidball, and was located in a small downstairs location in an industrial building.

It was his goal to create an atmosphere of great food, mixed with great times in upscale locations. Drinks were very cheap, and staff often sang to guests for special occasions.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 3/7
Throughout the 1970s, The Keg grew in locations, as signature dishes such as The Keg Caesar and Billy Miner Pie were added.

In the 1980s, the first Keg patio opened on Leslie Street in Toronto. Keg Bread was also introduced that decade.

In the early-2000s, The Keg opened its 100th location.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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One unique fact about The Keg is that it often buys historical properties, refurbishes them and turns them into restaurants.
This happened with The Keg Mansion in Toronto (which is reportedly haunted), Keg Manor in Ottawa and The Keg in Winnipeg.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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The Winnipeg Keg used to be a Hudson's Bay Company Garage.
The Keg in Kamloops used to be a CN Station, and The Keg in New Westminster was the CPR Station.
In Edmonton's Old Strathcona a former location of The Keg was located in a building built in 1912. That location opened in 1974.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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Keg founder George Tidball died in 2014. His original location had shutdown by this point.

Today, there are 160 locations across Canada and the United States. The company is now owned by the Canadian company Recipe Unlimited Corporation. That company also owns Harvey's and Swiss Chalet.

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 7/7
If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.c...

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03:02 PM - Jan 05, 2024
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