St. Boniface burger staple back after closing down last year
A beloved burger stand in St. Boniface is back in business.
Mrs. Mikes shut down last year after a half-century of serving the community. Now its doors have reopened and Winnipeggers were lined up to get their fill, even as snow fell on them.
"It's an institution. So glad to see it back," said patron Doug Little.
"They're just like part of the family," said Paulette Desrochers while waiting for her food.
The Mikos family has been running the restaurant since 1969, but last year after 54 years flipping burgers, then-owner Steve Mikos decided to hang up the apron and retire – much to the dismay of Mrs. Mikes regulars.
"(I would) come here with my mom. Even got an ice cream cone back in the 60s, late 60s," said Ken Burns. "Just those magic moments."
Brian Tascona said the burger joint has been a staple for him while living in the neighbourhood.
"Fact is that I've been coming here for over 50 years," said Tascona.
Despite closing the doors, the family was not done with the restaurant just yet.
"Cathy (Mikos) wasn't ready to go yet," said Christina Nakoulas, the niece of owner Cathy Mikos.
"She missed all her customers, we couldn't stay away. So we said, 'We need to come back and keep those burgers going for the community and for all of Winnipeg.'"
Even with Cathy Mikos taking over the restaurant, the time-tested menu is staying the same.
"Same formula. Same menu. Same tastes. Same everything," said Nakoulas.
With lineups of people braving the snow to get their hands on a king burger and chili fries, it's safe to say folks are happy to have them back.
"It's well worth the wait. It's well worth it," said Little.
"It's fantastic. Glad to have them back. They're part of the neighbourhood for decades," said Burns.
"It has a lot of history. And I think it's very, very important to have individual restaurants, apart from regular chains, making burgers. So it's wonderful that this is happening," said Tascona.
The feeling behind the grill is mutual.
"We're just happy to be back in the community and give (Winnipeggers) burgers that they've been eating for 50 years," said Nakoulas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
'Check your tickets as soon as possible': Ottawa resident $70 million richer than they think
Attention Ottawa residents, a $70 million Lotto Max winning ticket was sold somewhere in the nation's capital.
Live Nation reveals data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary
Live Nation is investigating a data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary, which dominates ticketing for live events in the United States.
Vancouver synagogue holding service after arson attack
A Vancouver synagogue is set to hold its first service after an arson attack charred the building's front door and left the Jewish community shaken.
Israel describes a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as a 'nonstarter,' undermining Biden's proposal
Israel’s prime minister on Saturday called a permanent ceasefire in Gaza a "nonstarter" until long-standing conditions for the ending the war are met, appearing to undermine a proposal that U.S. President Joe Biden had announced as an Israeli one.
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.