7 restaurants that closed in Mississauga and Burlington since Jan. 2024

From classic burger joints with a legacy spanning 60 years to cherished comfort food places that warmed the soul, some establishments decided to serve up their last orders and close shop for good.  While you may stumble upon a similar spot, it’s unlikely to fully replace the unique charm of the original.

Here are the eateries that have closed so far in Mississauga and Burlington since January 2024.

Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles

Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles, located at 6415 Erin Mills Pkwy, in Mississauga, was known for its crispy waffles and chicken infused with signature sauces.

It took comfort food to a whole new level with their classic ‘The Big Dirty’ made with boneless dark meat on a waffle with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dirty aioli sauce. Another crowd-favourite, ‘The Great White North,’ featured white meat tenders on a waffle with a buttered maple and spicy scotch bonnet ranch sauce.

The menu also offered sandwiches like ‘The Jerk,’ which included boneless chicken thigh and jerk barbecue sauce with slaw on the side, and ‘The Sticky Icky,’ which combined boneless chicken thigh, maple garlic, pickled jalapeno, and dirty aioli. Each one was served on a waffle or bun.

A notice was posted outside its establishment as of September 2023. According to the statement, the Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles tenancy was terminated due to reported financial breaches. The statement initially cited over $7,000, which appeared to be scratched out and penned to a new amount of roughly $3,000.

In the notice, the landlord explicitly stated that they took control of the premises and cautioned that any attempts by the tenants to re-enter would be deemed unlawful.

Shanghai House Restaurant

A longstanding Chinese restaurant in Mississauga, the Shanghai House Restaurant located at 1014 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E., permanently closed in February 2024.

The restaurant was in a small plaza at Burnhamthorpe and Tomken Road. Over the years, it had garnered many loyal customers.

Notable menu items were braised chicken, fried rice and crab Rangoon.

A new restaurant has opened in its place.  The food focuses on Uyghur cuisine, which comes from an area in the northwest of China. The menu includes some traditional Uyghur food such as braised lamb, naan bread and parmuda, a type of samosa.

17 Steakhouse and Bar

17 Steakhouse and Bar, located at 5165 Dixie Rd. in Mississauga, was known for its sizzling steaks and upscale dining atmosphere; the restaurant was a popular choice for customers celebrating special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

In a statement posted online, the restaurant expressed mixed emotions about the decision, stating, “Dear cherished guests, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the permanent closure of 17 Steakhouse and Bar after an incredible 9-year journey.”

There was no reason given for the closure.

Meltwich Food Co.

Meltwich, located at 154 Queen St. S., in Mississauga, was known for its grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna melts, Philly steaks, burgers and poutines.

The shop also offered wraps, salads, milkshakes and mac-n-cheese bites.

There was no information on why the shop had closed.

C & Dubbs Hamburgers Inc.

C & Dubbs Hamburgers Inc., which opened in 1962 in Mississauga, was known for its hefty one-pound sumo burger. It has been located at 1706 Dundas St. E. for the last 15 years. Before that, it was in a house next door.

Other than its old-school burgers and fries, C & Dubbs’ claim to fame is being in the 1995 Adam Sandler flick Billy Madison.

The restaurant is the backdrop for the “pickle racing scene.”

Studebaker Pub and Diner

Studebaker Pub and Diner, located at 2535 Appleby Line, at Dundas St. in Burlington, was a local favourite and had been featured multiple times on Insauga’s list of top brunch spots.

The restaurant offered a variety of appetizers including nachos, cajun shrimp and chicken wings.

For main dishes, patrons could enjoy a selection of burgers such as crispy chicken, fish, or beef served with a side of fries. Other menu options included ribs, tacos and various kinds of pasta.

There was also a wide selection of desserts from red velvet and carrot cakes to apple crumble, pies, and ice cream.

The owners did not provide specifics regarding the reason for the closure or mentioned any plans to relocate or open a new restaurant (with a different name) in the future.

Pier 87 Fish Market and Grill

Pier 87 Fish Market and Grill in Mississauga closed in the Food District on March 12.

The establishment offered a variety of frozen seafood, alongside a menu that included fish and chips, lobster rolls, shucked oysters, and a wild salmon burger.

It’s unclear if Pier 87 is moving to another location, renovating or closing permanently.

The first Pier 87 location opened at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket in spring 2018 followed by a Square One opening on April 1, 2019.

The Newmarket outlet has since permanently shut down and is no longer mentioned on the Pier 87 website.

Swiss Chalet

A longstanding Swiss Chalet located at 2975 Eglinton Ave. W. at Winston Churchill Boulevard in Mississauga recently closed its doors.

The restaurant had served customers for over 20 years and was a source of nostalgia for some long-time residents.

Though it wasn’t a permanent closure, the restaurant is planning to move its location to 6975 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle, a space once occupied by CIBC Bank.

The location change comes after several Swiss Chalet outlets in Mississauga closed in recent years, including one at 6430 Erin Mills Pkwy. and another at 4555 Hurontario St. in 2020, likely due to pandemic lockdowns.

Swiss Chalet first opened in Toronto in 1954 and according to its website, it now has seven locations in Mississauga.

—With files from Karen Longwell