Ask any Torontonian to recommend an old school diner, and George Street Diner will always be among the handful mentioned. Old school diners are like kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) in Singapore. They are friendly, warm hangouts for affordable meals but a disappearing breed today, both in Toronto and Singapore.
The little eatery is located at the intersection of George Street and Richmond Street East, hence the name George Street Diner. It's in the old market district at the edge of the Financial District. Hence, it is popular with office workers as well as students of nearby George Brown College.
Painted red, the distinctive looking, hard to miss diner is also called Little Red Diner because of its distinctive loud
Owner Ash Farrelly came to Canada from Ireland in 1988, 18 years old with just $12 in her pocket. Working as a waitress in various restaurants including the iconic Senator at Victoria Street, she learnt the trade and also saved enough money to strike out on her own.
Her opportunity came in 2007, when she spotted a decrepit, termite infested diner for sale at the intersection of George and Richmond East. Farrelly took the plunge, bought the property and dove into turning the business around.
Farrelly simply cleaned and spruced up the place. Added Irish touches to the menu while maintaining much of the original. Most importantly, she ran the diner hands on, personally cooking and serving customers. From the word go, Farrelly put bringing people together at the heart of her business - “People come in, they talk, they meet each other … its community. We have so many regulars” she told CityNews in 2008.
Twelve years on, her acumen and hard work paid off - George Street Diner is established as one of Toronto's top classic greasy spoon diners. The little diner still sports the classic diner ambiance of open kitchen, bar top, bar stools, booth seats and large street facing windows all along one side. The people and place are bright and cheerful.
Over the years, George Street Diner was featured in movies (e.g. What if, The F Word, A Date with Miss Fortune), television and music videos which earned it fame and appeal.
Some scenes in the movie Every Day (2018) were shot in George Street Diner. I found this intriguing scene particularly captivating.
Still, George Street Diner is best known for their homely, honest good food and warm service.
Everything is on one page, simple and nice.
I had their signature All Day Irish Breakfast which is a full meal (price CDN11.95++). There's two organic eggs, French fries, baked beans, grilled tomato, Irish soda bread (i.e. baking soda, no yeast) and ham (there's option of sausage, peameal bacon or avocado).
I like everything in the dish and they come together very well. The savoury flavours were relatively milder which suits my tastebuds. I ate it with marmalade, the Irish way, which gave the dish a gentle sweet zest.
Brewed coffee is free flow which the friendly waitress comes around to top up regularly. Tasted like Americano, light body, slight sourish bitter. Slight aroma.
Recommended for you 👍 If you are visiting Toronto, eating in a diner is an opportunity to mingle with locals and experience local comfort food. The food at George Street Diner is nice, service is warm, and this place is extra special, if you are a movie buff.
The best article I can find on Toronto diners. I am going to follow this list and visit all of them one by one 👈 click
Restaurant name: George Street Diner
Address: 129 George St, Toronto, ON M5A 2M6
GPS: 43°39'10.5"N 79°22'17.3"W 🌐 43.652907, -79.371483
Tel: 1(416) 862-7676
Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm (Sat & Sun 8:30am - 3:30pm)
Non Halal
Date: 14 Jun 2019
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