It’s called Halibut House for a reason and it’s coming to Guelph.
The medium-sized fish and chip franchise will open a Guelph location at 702 Woolwich St., next to the Tim Hortons, on Oct. 9.
Justin Khoy came to Canada in 2009 from Cambodia. He came alone. In 2010 he got a job at Halibut House in Scarborough and worked in the kitchen. He did that for about four years, then decided he wanted to be a franchise owner and opened up Halibut House in Ajax in 2014.
He’s opened five Halibut House locations in Ontario, the first in Ajax and then Toronto. Now he has three locations, in Brantford, Oshawa and now Guelph.
Justin lives with his parents, wife Bella and their two young children in Pickering.
“It feels … very fast. It’s changed and when I go look back at 2009 it’s totally different,” said Justin. He is happy where he’s at now and grateful Halibut House gave him the opportunity to open and run some of its restaurants.
In the future he is going to run more and more Halibut House restaurants, said Bella.
Justin said nearly 80 per cent of Halibut House patrons across the chain are seniors. The Guelph location is across from Riverside Park and the Evergreen Seniors Centre. The Village of Riverside Glen is nearby.
Justin became a franchise owner because he thought it would be a good opportunity. Many people like fish and they like the idea of having the option of fast food for takeout or in-restaurant dining, he said.
“I love food, and I enjoy interacting with new people, and love cooking,” said Justin.
His favourite item on the menu is halibut with chips, malt vinegar, tartar sauce and a side of coleslaw. At his home in Pickering he enjoys making lasagna. If he is craving Cambodian food his mom makes it because there’s no one who can do it better than her, he said.
On the Halibut House menu there is fried halibut, haddock and cod. There is also grilled halibut, Atlantic salmon and shrimp. Black tiger shrimp and scallops are also on the menu. Aside from the fish there are burgers and chicken wings, fingers and souvlaki.
There is also a breakfast menu served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with classic breakfast fare like eggs, omelettes, and pancakes.
“We are all hard working people and we’re very respectful people and we treat our employees as friends and family,” said Justin.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
He is looking forward to meeting people in Guelph at the restaurant and hopes the community comes out to support.
For more information and menu go to www.halibuthouse.ca.
