I consider myself a “casual foodie”: I certainly don’t know much about culinary arts or haute cuisine, so I would never call myself a true foodie, but I’m simply a person who loves food! I love trying new recipes, discovering new restaurants, and tasting dishes I’ve never tried before. And while I’ve enjoyed gourmet meals at some high-end restaurants – and believe there’s truly a time and a place for that – I also know that sometimes at the end of the day, there’s nothing more delicious or satisfying than a good old-fashioned burger and fries. That’s why I’m thrilled to share my new favourite Prince Edward County eatery. It’s not the luxurious Merrill House or the critically acclaimed Flame + Smith – it’s Harry’s Charbroiled!
If you’re not familiar with Harry’s, it’s a legendary Toronto burger joint that’s been around since the 1960s. The original restaurant, a Parkdale staple since 1968, closed in 2019 due to rising rental prices, but owner Grant van Gameren – a legendary Toronto restaurateur – reopened in a new location on Palmerston Ave. He also started operating a popular Harry’s food truck. (Fun fact: the original Harry’s location was since bought back by its original owners – the Petropolous brothers – in a partnership with a former staff member, and now operates as The Originals Dining Lounge.)
Back to Harry’s! In the summer of 2021, van Gameren – seeing potential in the tourism hotspot that is Prince Edward County – decided to bring the Harry’s food truck to Waupoos, a small community southeast of Picton that’s renowned for its wineries, cideries and gorgeous lakefront views. The food truck was such a success that he decided to open a permanent location in Picton. Harry’s Picton outpost opened on June 1, 2022 and if the crowds when we visited are any indication, it’s clearly a very popular spot!
Entering the Harry’s parking lot feels like you’re walking into a scene from Grease. From the retro signage to the vintage yellow convertible parked out front, every detail is perfectly aligned with the 1950s theme – I’m almost surprised they don’t have carhops!
The interior is definitely retro-diner-inspired, but they’ve incorporated contemporary elements – such as white shiplap wainscoting and modern industrial stools – that make the décor feel fresh and not overly kitschy. I absolutely love the white and yellow colour palette – it’s so bright and cheery!
There’s some indoor seating, but we went on a gorgeous summer day and everyone was sitting outside. Beyond the deck, there’s a huge outdoor seating area with several picnic tables and beautiful views of the surrounding fields.
Tania ordered the Plain Jane (a beef burger with cheese) and I got the Crispy Chicken sandwich, and we both really enjoyed our meals! We ordered a side of fries to share – the fries were thick and crispy, almost like potato wedges – and they hit the spot! The only downside (in my opinion) is that Harry’s doesn’t currently serve onion rings, which I would order over fries any day of the week – I hope that changes someday soon!
I really liked the food, atmosphere and general good vibes at Harry’s. It was a gorgeous sunny evening, the speakers were blasting 80s rock music, and we were happily indulging in our fast food splurge – all in all, a great meal out! I’m so happy that Harry’s came to the County, and I’m sure they’ll be around for a long time to come.
Now, the most important question that I have to ask: are you team French fries or onion rings??
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