Kateryna Topol –
The George Street Diner, located at 129 George Street, has character developed through many years of service. The space feels warm and welcoming, with daytime sun streaming through the large windows and the kitchen humming with life.
A narrow entryway leads into a long dining room with classic red booths on the right and a lunch counter on the left. Miscellaneous toys are scattered on the windowsills and cheeky paintings hang on the walls.
Over the years, many films, shows, and commercials have been filmed at the diner. The F Word is perhaps the best known, but George Street also served as a set for The Boys, Reacher, Suits, American Gods, and Shawn Mendes’ music video for “Life of the Party”.
“Would you like some tea or coffee?” owner Ash Farrelly asked me, settling into a booth. Much like the space, she has a welcoming presence and cheeky character.
“I moved here from Ireland alone with my seven-year-old son and opened this restaurant as a single parent. That was eighteen years ago.” As a single mother, she used to close the diner after lunch to pick up her son and spend time with him in the evenings. He is all grown up now, and works at the restaurant a few days per week.
Like many family-owned local businesses, the George Street Diner has felt the effects of the pandemic and constant economic twists and turns. The last five years have been particularly challenging, but Ash has adapted to the changes, bringing in new interesting products into the storefront and now opening for dinner Wednesday through Friday.
As I sat there scanning the menu, Ash spoke about learning from the neigbourhood and leaning into the community needs. “We’re a neighbourhood restaurant; I’m not making foie gras,” she chuckled.
The complete breakfast and lunch lineup, complemented by Irish soda bread, is available all day. The evening menu also has specials: Magic Mac and Cheese on Wednesday, Beer and Burger on Thursday ($20), and Fish and Chips ($20) on Friday.
Aside from the imported Irish tea (“Barry’s Tea is the best!”), all produce is locally sourced. Every month Ash drives out of the city to pick up Irish rashers (Irish bacon) from Mennonites and handpicks produce at the Ontario Food Terminal, giving preference to smaller local farmers. All preparation is done in-house. From roasted chickens to chorizo, this kitchen works with from-scratch family recipes.
The George Street Diner offers more than a sit-down experience. The storefront is packed with Irish snacks like Guinness caramels and Tunnock’s coated wafer biscuits, and you can buy Farrelly’s Famous Irish Soda Bread or pancake mix for a later homemade breakfast. Farrelly’s online store, thegeorgestreetdiner.com, also has fairtrade coffee, marmalades, packaged rashers, and other produce available for delivery.
“We’re a mom-and-pop shop; we hire people’s children for their first job,” Ash commented. In turn, the community can support local small businesses, even if just to buy a coffee or a muffin.
