Jim Denningers Sandwich from Denninger’s Foods of the World. Denninger’s smoked and cured meats are all natural, with no preservatives or additives. (Photo courtesy Denninger’s Foods of the World)
From the outside, Hamilton, Ontario’s towering smokestacks paint a picture of a gritty city, weathered by time and industry. But peel back the layers and you’ll find a city that continues to stand tall, and reminding us not to judge a book by its cover. While the city’s culinary culture is constantly being reinvented with new, trendy cafes and restaurants, ‘Steel-town’ is a city home to iconic and nostalgic foodie joints that continue to pull at the heartstrings, proudly supported by passionate locals who strive to keep Hamilton’s rich and flavourful soul alive and thriving.
Five Places You Will Love
Roma Bakery was established in 1952 as a small bakery with a door-to-door bread delivery bread delivery service. Since then, Roma has grown into a full-size deli, bakery and hot food. retailer. (Photo Courtesy Roma Bakery & Deli)
Roma Bakery & Deli
Full disclosure: growing up in Toronto, I had never heard of Roma. It wasn’t until 2016 when I met my wife – a Hamilton-native – who told me: “What do you mean you’ve never heard of Roma?! It’s the pizza every household had for every party. Since forever!”. I finally took my first bite, and immediately understood what all the fuss was about.
Ask virtually anyone in the Hamilton area about iconic, local landmarks, and the invariable response will be Roma Bakery & Deli! Philip Di Filippo and his wife Pauline established this humble, Steel-town staple in 1952, operating as a bakery and door-to-door bread delivery service. Thanks to its consistent quality and authentic flavours, it built a loyal following quickly, one that’s still evident today. Its famous ‘slab pizza’, aka, bread pizza, remains one of Roma’s most popular menu items, especially the original meatless, dairy and trans-fat-free plain slab which is topped simply with tomato sauce and spices. Roma also offers a daily, homemade comfort food hot table, and of course, daily handmade buns and breads, including Calabrese and Cornetti, not to mention pies and pastries, including Venetian and Sicilian Cannoli.
Sausages from Denninger’s Foods of the World. Denninger’s has 5 retail locations, a manufacturing plant and a warehouse employing approximately 300 people across Southern Ontario. (Photo Courtesy Denninger’s Foods of the World)
Denninger’s Foods of the World
Rudolf Denninger and his wife Frieda were already seasoned proprietors when they left Germany in 1953, and opened their first store in Hamilton in 1954. Not long after, the couple quickly garnered a reputation as respected purveyors of European-style sausages and smoked meats in the greater Hamilton area. Today, Denninger’s Foods of the World has five specialty grocery stores, a manufacturing plant and a warehouse employing 300 people. Their Bitehaus Bistro – inspired by Germany’s Bier Halls – features German street food favourites including the Smokehaus Schnitzel with Havarti cheese and pulled pork, and the Denni Melt, featuring Denninger’s famous Fleischkase with Dijonaise on a toasted bagel. Meanwhile, “Denninger’s Own” is a line of signature meats, and selection of ready-made soups and appetizers.
Cutting into a delightful dessert from Innsville Restaurant. The Innsville is known for its award-winning prime rib, highest quality seafood , juicy AAA steaks and intimate surroundings. (Photo Courtesy Innsville Restaurant)
The Innsville Restaurant
The Innsville has been welcoming weary road trippers with a comfortable nights’ rest and a memorable meal since 1932. The cabins may be gone, but the restaurant remains, serving award-winning prime rib, top notch seafood and succulent AAA steaks with an emphasis of old-school quality and hospitality. Reserve a table on Saturday nights and enjoy an elegant meal with live entertainment, or add a touch of mystery to your night out. At least twice monthly, The Innsville offers a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, which includes a special prix-fixe menu featuring hearty, Canadian classics that highlight seasonal ingredients, including relish plates, The Innsville Festive Salad, Fresh Salmon with Dill Sauce, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Herbed Roasted Potatoes.
Since 1946, Hutch’s on the Beach has been a cherished destination for those seeking classic diner fare in a nostalgic setting. (Photo Courtesy Hutch’s on the Beach)
Hutch’s on the Beach
Every time I visit Hutch’s, the vibe always makes me feel like a kid time and again. Nostalgic to its core, Hutch’s on the Beach has been a cherished, lakeshore mainstay since 1946. It’s the type of place where the ambiance brings young and old together to enjoy classic diner fare, including their famed fish and chips, burgers and hotdogs “with the works”, milkshakes, and of course, mountains of French fries. Being almost 80 years old, the place has obviously undergone some upkeep, but thankfully, the original décor has been maintained well. Combined with the grub, vintage booths, sports memorabilia on the walls, black and white checkered flooring, a jukebox playing 50s tunes, and stellar lake views, all combine to make this an ultimate Hamilton hangout.
Celebrating 50 Years in Hamilton, Shakespeare’s Steak and Seafood has several delicious items on its menu. (Photo Courtesy Hutch’s on the Beach)
Shakespeare’s
In his twenties Franco Putignano yearned to open an Italian-inspired restaurant that featured old world charm, and sprinkled with a touch of old world hospitality. In 1969, he did just that, opening Shakespeare’s in the heart of Hamilton’s downtown core. For generations, Shakespeare’s has been delivering authentic fare, and fanfare since 1969. both served with perfectly prepared steak and seafood makes this multi-year Consumer Choice Award Winner a timeless, fine dining gem. This isn’t just a regular night out; it’s a cozy, inviting and delectable dining experience with attentive staff eager to welcome you, pair your ribeye steak with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, your Rack of Lamb with a glass of Pinot Noir, or your grilled Branzino with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
MORE ABOUT HAMILTON
Tourism Hamilton: www.tourismhamilton.com
Destination Ontario: www.destinationontario.com
