MARKHAM, Ont. — Following months of temporary closure, Markham-Ont.’s iconic Italian-buffet restaurant Frankie Tomatto’s has closed after 25 years.
The 15,000-sq.-ft. location at Woodbine and Steeles was kept from re-opening because buffet-style foodservices have not been allowed to open under Stage Three of Ontario’s re-opening plan. The restaurant’s owner, Hal Roback, told blogTO that the concept was not well positioned to pivot to another format, since large gatherings and family meals made up about 50 per cent of its business. Roback said the restaurant has lost about $500,000 since the start of the pandemic.
To mark the restaurant’s closing and thank the community that supported it, Frankie Tomatto’s gave away free pizzas and souvenirs in a drive-thru-style event on August 29. The restaurant also announced it would donate $1 to Easter Seals for every vehicle served during the event.
