Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope my local readers weren’t hit too badly by this weekend’s crazy snowstorm. Luckily, it wasn’t that bad in Burlington, but I heard from friends in other cities – from Guelph to Peterborough – that it was horrible. But go figure… Tania and I were in Toronto last night, and there was barely anything on the ground. Wherever you are – in Ontario or elsewhere – I hope you’re staying warm and cozy!
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know there are few things I love more than a great brunch. In fact, it may just be my favourite meal! Brunch always feels fun and decadent: still special enough to warrant a trip to a restaurant, but not as serious as going out for dinner. There are no rules: whether you’re craving a coffee or a cocktail, a dessert-worthy stack of pancakes or a savoury lunch dish, anything goes. And whether it’s the association with weekends or the fluid time frame, it just feels leisurely. I’ve asked friends to meet up for a “quick coffee” or a “quick bite” numerous times, but have you ever been invited to join someone for a “quick brunch”? (Didn’t think so!)
Today, I want to share one of my very favourite brunch spots with you: Electric Diner. With two locations in downtown Hamilton, this 80s-themed restaurant serves creative takes on classic comfort foods, with a side of quirky, nostalgic decor that’ll transport you back a few decades. (May I remind everyone that 1980 was almost 45 years ago. I’ll give you a few minutes to let that one sink in!) Electric Diner is also known for their over-the-top brunch specials and weekly game nights. Over the holiday break, I met up with my best friend Victoria at the restaurant’s second location on James Street North, which opened just over a year ago. I’d previously only ever been to their original location, located on George Street in Hess Village, so it was fun to check out this “new” spot!
You’ve probably eaten at a 1950s-style diner at one point or another, but I’m willing to bet you’ve never been to a 1980s-style one! Electric Diner provides a nostalgic trip back in time to this iconic decade. I know what you may be thinking and okay, you’re right. I was not around in the 80s (I missed it by four years) so I can’t claim to have any true nostalgia for this time period. But I think I’ve watched enough 80s movies and TV shows, listened to enough 80s music and been to enough 80s-themed costume parties to have a bit of an appreciation for the decade! Electric Diner’s decor pays homage to the most memorable movies, music and celebrities of the 80s, as well as some other iconic decades (I spotted an Elvis or two…)
I was happy to see this appropriately reverent depiction of Dolly Parton on the wall. Dolly may have been a cultural icon of the 80s, but her star power is eternal! (In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a huge Dolly fan… you can read about my trip to her theme park Dollywood here.)
The bar at the James Street outpost mirrors the one at the original Hess Village location, with graphic leafy wallpaper, a pink neon sign, and shiny purple barstools.
We were there just a few days after Christmas, so they still had all their festive decor up. I love the retro charm of an aluminum tree!
I sipped a vanilla latte while we decided what to order. As soon as you open the restaurant’s menu, you’ll see that the 80s theme isn’t just reflected in the decor… it carries over into many of the dish names too, from the Axel Foley Burger to the Boy George Sandwich. You’ll also notice some rather intriguing and creative takes on classic brunch dishes. For instance, the Grilled Cheese Benny – eggs benedict with tomato soup hollandaise, served on mini grilled cheese sandwiches – or my personal favourite, the Cinnamon French Toast Crunch. If you didn’t think French toast could possibly get any better, imagine what happens when you batter it in cornflake crust and deep-fry it? (Magic. That’s what happens.)
I (naturally) ordered the French toast, which is served with maple syrup, whipped cream and strawberries. The cornflake batter gives it a satisfying crispy, crunchy texture that’s absolute perfection. I definitely consider it a must-try menu item! Victoria got the Brunch Burger: a beef smash burger topped with bacon, American cheese, and a sunny-side-up egg. Instead of settling for a side of either home fries or salad, she did the half-and-half option and got a little of each (I love when restaurants offer this!)
One more glamour shot of the French toast that I’m still dreaming about…
Electric Diner is also famous for their over-the-top pancake features, which they rotate every few weeks. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for updates: the current offering is this stack of Oreo pancakes that would delight any cookie monster. They also do fun festive features for the holidays, from candy cane pancakes at Christmas to mini egg pancakes at Easter. I can’t wait to see what they do for Valentine’s this year… last year it was these decadent red velvet pancakes.
If you’d like to check out Electric Diner for yourself, you can make a reservation here. Both the James and George Street locations have delicious food, cute decor and friendly staff, so you can’t go wrong with either one – and they’re only located a 5-minute drive from each other! And if you’re looking for some entertaining activities to shake you out of your winter blahs, be sure to check out their event calendar. From trivia to bingo to 80s movie nights, they’re always something fun going on!
If any of you have a favourite restaurant in the GTHA to recommend, please send it my way! I’m always looking for new eateries to add to my list.
Cheers and happy brunching!
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