Known for its famous honey dill sauce and for making “the best chicken fingers in town,” Mitzi’s Chicken Finger Restaurant in downtown Winnipeg has shut its doors after more than four decades in business.
“I doubt that I will ever find chicken fingers that are as good again. The breading is perfect, and it’s always crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside,” said longtime customer Graham McDonald outside the restaurant at the corner of Garry Street and St. Mary Avenue.
McDonald was among dozens who waited in line outside the restaurant Saturday afternoon to eat at Mitzi’s for the very last time. The owner has decided to retire after opening the restaurant in the city 46 years ago.
“It’s a Winnipeg institution,” McDonald said, crediting it for inventing Manitoba’s famous honey dill sauce.
“You can get it at like all types of different restaurants now. Everywhere that serves like chicken fingers and fried chicken is gonna have honey dill sauce,” he said.
“I may just stop eating chicken fingers because there’s no reason now that Mitzi’s is gone,” he added.
LISTEN | Mitzi’s owner talks about closing her restaurant after 46 years:
Information Radio – MB6:47A long-standing Winnipeg eatery is closing after four decades…. known for making Manitoba famous for honey dill sauce, we get one last time chance to visit Mitzi’s Chicken Finger restaurant
CBC’s Jim Agapito takes us there to speak to owner Shirley Eng
Rod Riopel was also waiting in line to get one last bite of Mitzi’s chicken fingers. He said he’s been eating there for the past eight years, since he moved to Winnipeg.
“We’re loyal followers,” he told CBC News. “It’ll be missed, end of an era.”
Shirley Eng, who runs the business, told CBC News in an interview last summer she has so many favourite memories from running the restaurant.
She said regular customers would often call her “Mama.”
“So many kids in there,” Eng said.
Jeani Dasilva, who has been going to the restaurant for 20 years, said it’s sad Mitzi’s is closing, but Eng deserves the rest.
“When I used to go and order, she used to say ‘The usual?'” said Dasilva. “She knew me, and so it’s good to know that.”
But Eng doesn’t plan to just sit at home once she retires — she said she plans to continue making her honey dill sauce and selling it in stores.