Dangerous Dan's closes its burger institution after 18 years

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Dangerous Dan's Diner has closed up shop and said goodbye to Toronto's east end after 18 years at Queen and Broadview. 

The famous greasy spoon — well-known for its outrageous burgers — shut down after its lease expired on May 29.

With gentrification swiftly changing the streetscape of the area, and the building going up for sale in 2015, its long-term future was questionable.

According to BlogTO, Pizza Nova snapped up the building, and Dangerous Dan's owner James McKinnon was unable to reach a deal with the new landlord.  

McKinnon told BlogTO he's weathered four lease renewals since opening in 1999, and was recently faced with an 80 per cent rent increase and repairs from the new landlord. 

One of the quirkiest spots in the city, Dangerous Dan's was part of a dying breed of old school diners.

Its interior shabby and eccentric with makeshift seating from the backs of old automobiles. Its motto —  "The burgers are bigger at the Double D" — displayed prominently on its outdoor marquee, proudly referring to the diner's infamous 24-ounce burger. 

Whether you were a regular or have hesitated to step inside, it's hard to deny that the closing of Dangerous Dan's will forever change the corner of Queen and Broadview.