NEIGHBOURHOOD EATS: 'Customers made sure we stayed open': Vaughan's Gordo's Diner serves up all-day breakfast

Yorkregion.com
March 2, 2023

There’s a warmth when you walk in at Gordo’s Diner. You feel as if you walked in to an ’80s sitcom where everybody knows your name.

The classic American-style diner features retro red leather booths bringing in nostalgia for an era that never was. The walls are filled with kitschy decor.

This is Min Joo Seol’s fourth restaurant. Previously, Seol owned a Greek restaurant, a deli, and another all-day breakfast place. For her, the diner experience provides an opportunity to be personable.

“It's not only business. You develop a relationship with the customer, and you get to know them,” said Seol.

Seol’s husband does most of the cooking alongside a few cooks. She and her husband bought the place six weeks before the pandemic hit.

It was a struggle, she says, but everyone who was in the restaurant business was in the same boat.

“Regular customers made sure we stayed open, so they came and did the takeout regularly,” said Seol.

It was thanks to the community that she was able to pay the rent for Gordo’s Diner, according to Seol.

Gordo's Diner

The scrambled eggs, home fries and bacon are a popular dish at Gordo's Diner.  | Brian Capitao/ Metroland

Gordo’s quaint doors remain open. But the unassuming exterior doesn’t do it justice.

The food is warm and inviting and what you would expect of American diner fare with a focus on breakfast.

But that’s not all. Gordo’s Diner offers steaks and shakes too, as well as the staple American hamburger for lunch. The reviews online talk about generous portions.

Located near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station, but tucked far enough away at Edgeley Boulevard, Gordo’s Diner is a hidden gem. It should be a future stop for people making their way into the city.

A look at their website, you can see what looks like vintage commercials for Gordo’s with the tag line, “Gotta go to Gordo’s.”

Nostalgia plays a big factor in the restaurant’s appeal. Together with its cosy atmosphere and mostly made from scratch cooking, Gordo’s Diner feels homey.

“We're a very friendly place here. Everybody, once they come in and they get to know us, most people come back because everybody is fun here,” said Seol.

GORDO'S DINER

Website: gordosdiner.bu-bi.com

Location: 200 Edgeley Blvd., Concord, Vaughan

Instagram: @gordosdiner

Phone: 905-738-5003

Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.