Anyone else still trying to comprehend and recover from 2020? Well, 2021 said hold my beer and bulldozed its way into our lives whether you were ready for it or not.

There was some good, bad, and ugly in the Windsor-Essex hospitality and tourism scenes 2021. Here’s our look back at some of the happenings that stood out to us.


JANUARY

Downtown Windsor Restaurant Closes After 30 Years In Business

After 30 years in business, downtown restaurant restaurant Mandarin House calls it quits.


New Restaurant Serving Fried Hot Chicken Opens in Tecumseh, Ontario

When the pandemic hit and severely affected indoor dining, Vine + Ash owners transformed the restaurant into a fried chicken joint, Georgia Rae’s, and immediately became a must try.


Local Winery Is First To Be Ocean Wise Designated In Southern Ontario

Local winery, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, shows leadership in becoming the first restaurant in southern Ontario to be the Ocean Wise Designated.


FEBRUARY

Letter to Council: Let Us Help By Further Developing Whiskytown Canada

With the release of the Windsor Works report, WindsorEats reaches out to Windsor city council encouraging a focus on whisky and prohibition developments and support in showcasing Windsor as Whiskytown Canada.


Windsor City Council Approves Parklets, Outdoor Food Hall For 2021

With the pandemic still going strong, Windsor city council once again approves on-street parklets and the Outdoor Food Hall for 2021.


Windsor Whiskies Win Big At 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards

Windsor whiskies were the big winners at the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards, once again underlining the city as Whiskytown Canada.


MARCH

Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park Cancelled for 2021

More bad news as the pandemic strikes again and leads to the cancellation of the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park.


APRIL

No Indoor Or Outdoor Dining In Ontario For All Of April 2021

The Province of Ontario officially reimplements lockdown measures, eliminating indoor dining at restaurants across the province.


There’s A Map of Windsor Restaurants Using Cardboard Takeout Boxes

A local Windsorite created a helpful guide for those wanting to support local restaurants by ordering takeout but also reduce their impact on landfills.


New Restaurant Opens In Walkerville Serving Asian Fusion

The owners of F&B Hospitality Group open up their latest venture in the former location of their very first restaurant in Walkerville.


MAY

Opening Day For 2021 Downtown Windsor Farmers Market Announced

The pandemic in 2021 wasn’t all bad news as the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market launches what will become their most successful season yet.


We released our annual list of Must-Try Burgers in Windsor for 2021. This time it came with fancy video!


JUNE

Enjoy These Pet Friendly Patios in Windsor-Essex

With lockdowns and working from home regular occurrences, 2021 was a great year for pets as they got to spend so much more time with their human besties. As a result, pet-friendly patios were all the rage once beautiful weather arrived.


Electric Scooter Tour Points The Way To Windsor’s Coolest Graffiti

WindsorEats officially partnered with Bird Canada to launch what would become extremely popular tours of Windsor’s urban art and graffiti scene with their Windsor Graffiti Scooter Tour.


JULY

Long Time Via Italia Restaurant in Windsor Closes Permanently

Enzo Mancuso closes the door to his restaurant to take advantage of a new opportunity as the head chef at The Windsor Club.


These Are The 9 Most Iconic Foods of Windsor, Ontario

After tallying feedback from hundreds of voters, WindsorEats announces Windsor’s Most Iconic Foods list and launches a special print for purchase by a local artist.


AUGUST

Watch the Trailer for Documentary, “The Pizza City You’ve Never Heard Of”

A trailer is released, giving folks a first look at the documentary, “The Pizza City You’ve Never Heard Of”, which is all about Windsor being a hotbed for amazing pizza.


SEPTEMBER

Here’s A Look at What To Eat At Tacos & Tequila This Weekend

Not even last minute vandalism and vendor cancellations could stop the first Tacos & Tequila event from being a huge success.


Windsor, Ontario Brewery Seeing Gold at 2021 Canadian Brewing Awards

Walkerville Brewery continues to showcase the great beers they and other local breweries are creating by taking home gold at the 2021 Canadian Brewing Awards.


Complete Guide To Dining At Restaurants With Ontario’s Vaccine Passport

Vaccine Passports become a real thing and a requirement for indoor dining at restaurants across Ontario.


OCTOBER

Rico Taco Mexican Street Eats Will Be Closing Their Doors

Rico Taco Mexican Street Eats, who achieved cult status attending the Outdoor Food Hall, announce the closure of their popup brick and mortar location in Windsor.


Booyah! WindsorEats Celebrates Winning 3 Ontario Tourism Awards

WindsorEats does it again, bringing home three Ontario Tourism Awards for our efforts showcasing Windsor-Essex in 2021. Phog Lounge and Iron Kettle Bed & Breakfast were also winners.


NOVEMBER

Ontario Announces It Is Going To Pay You To Go On A Staycation

The Province of Ontario announces that come 2022, they’ll pay residents to go on a staycation within the province.


The Ultimate Interactive Map To Find Wings Specials In & Around Windsor

With so many people always asking about wings specials throughout the region, WindsorEats creates an interactive map to find specials for each day of the week.


The Grove Brewing Company Is Expanding And Making A Big Move

Award winning Kingsville, Ontario, brewery, The Grove Brewing Company, announces they’re expanding and moving to a new location in the town.


2021’s Ultimate Gift Guide For Windsor-Essex Food & Drink Lovers

WindsorEats releases their first Ultimate Food & Drink Gift Guide, which is a great inspiration for local gift giving even beyond the holidays.


Ready To Get Lit? Friday Night Lights Bike Ride To Return in May 2022

Maybe there’s a little hope after all? After a pandemic induced hiatus of two years, WindsorEats announces they’ll be bringing the popular Friday Night Lights bike rides in 2022.


Learn To Make Sausages From One Of Canada’s Best Sausage Makers

Bike rides weren’t the only things making a return for 2022. January and February dates for the Be A: Sausage Maker classes, featuring Robbie’s Gourmet Sausage Company, were also announced with tickets available for purchase.


DECEMBER

New Book Rediscovers Windsor’s Storied Brewing History

Walkerville Publishing releases another book showcasing Windsor’s past, this time focusing in on the city and regions brewing history.


Two Local Breweries Win Gold At The 2021 Ontario Brewing Awards

More awards for local breweries as two Windsor-Essex craft breweries take home gold medals at the 2021 Ontario Brewing Awards.


Motor Burger Is Closing Their Doors, Nooch To Take Over Space

After many years serving up what Reader’s Digest selected as one of Canada’s best burgers, Motor Burger calls it quits for their Windsor location making way for the return of another loved restaurant.


Two Local Wineries Named Within The Top 20 In Ontario

Two Essex Pelee Island Coast wineries were included in Vine Routes Top 20 Wineries in Ontario list.