Known as being one of the best burgers in Toronto (though we say it is the best burger), Holy Chuck Burgers opened its first location three years ago and has since not sat quietly. Greek funnyman owner Johnny Prassoulis has been scouting the city to open a second downtown location (the first is at Yonge and St. Clair with a second in Vaughan) and has finally signed the dotted line to share the space currently housing Northbound Leather on Yonge Street at Wellesley.
If you’re not familiar with Northbound Leather, they are innovators of ethically made leather designs that helped bring kink into the mainstream—yes, we are talking leather and latex and toys of the highest quality. Opened in 1987 by founder George Giaouris on Saint Nicholas Street, Northbound soon became well known for custom leather designs, lingerie and fetish wear. After seeing great success, Giaouris expanded and opened the front of the store directly onto Yonge Street.
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Now, Northbound Leather is updating their store by going back to offering erotic kink in a more intimate way. Come October, you can expect Holy Chuck to take over the Yonge Street storefront entrance of the 4,000 square-foot store while Northbound Leather goes back to their roots by re-opening the Saint Nicholas Street entrance.
Beef on one side and high quality leather fetish wear on the other may seem unusual but for Prassoulis it’s completely normal. “The iconic space goes back to the 1800s when it was a storage space for horse-and-buggy carriages. The old exposed brick and black and white industrial components fit our branding perfectly so when I saw the space, it just felt right.”
The menu will be almost identical the one you find at the Yonge and St. Clair location but you can expect to see additional creations (including hot dogs) that we confidently predict will blow your mind – just like the burgers do. Prassoulis, a character that rarely goes unnoticed, prides himself on creating concoctions that are most unusual but always taste incredible. Think of a burger patty topped with Nutella on a gluten-free bun (called Venus My Nutty Cow after his daughter) or a burger patty with cheese, pancetta, maple syrup, fries, and a fried egg, all nestled inside a freshly baked croissant (called Le Croissant du Paysan). Drooling yet? We hear the hot dogs will be just as crazy.
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Set to open October 1st, Prassoulis is excited to be expanding. “I’ve been wanting to open a second downtown location for years and next year we have plans to open in Etobicoke. I just want to keep growing.”
After that? We hear a food truck has always been on his mind but who knows what the universe has in store for Toronto’s king of burgers. With a personality and imagination like his we predict the Food Network may be in the cards. Not familiar with Johnny?
Watch our founder Nicki Laborie chat with him about life, crazy burger concoctions and his social life…
What’s your favourite Holy Chuck burger? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us at @ViewtheVibe.
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