That first bite of good ol’ corned beef hash takes you back to your youth. It’s not something mom ever made; it was only available as a ‘blue plate special’ at the diner you visited as a kid. For some gearheads, the classic diner is the forever connected to the golden age of motoring,. Where else would a 70’s child or millennial ever see a ‘deuce coupe’ but the diner.
From early diners made out of converted rail-cars to mid-century ‘Googie’ style buildings with carhops, diners have always catered to the motorist. Iconic imagery of classic cars and diners has continued in popularity.
In the Toronto, area one of the best nostalgic spots is Wimpy’s. Established in 1961 as ‘Wimpy’s Drive-In’ near Yonge & Finch, a second location wasn’t opened until 1992. Since then the chain of 1950’s style diners has expanded to 50 restaurants across Ontario.
The decor at Wimpy’s Diner recalls music and movies from the 50’s and 60’s, but if you look too closely at the vinyl 45s on the wall, you’re likely to find some old Queen rather than the King of Rock n’ Roll. While each location is a little different, their share the overall design of checker-board floors, plus blue and red vinyl booths to match the colour of the sign.
Car clubs like the Back Alley Cruisers up in Bradford, an hour north of Toronto, keep the car connection alive at Wimpy’s Diner with weekly meets. Hot rod, rat rods and classics are the order of the day.
The Wimpy’s Diner in Coburg, Ontario is where these interior pics were taken. A lot of Wimpy’s are located in plazas and strip malls (keeps the cost down) but this stand-alone building really takes you back in time. It’s so easy to picture the parking lot filled with greasers looking to set up the next big street race.
The interior is the same old recycled pinups of Marilyn and street signs of Betty Boop Lane. But the local McDonald’s or Starbuck’s is even less original, and doesn’t have nearly as many curiosities to check out.
A lot of old-school car clubs still host meet ups every week, but usually in boring old mall parking lots. Those places certainly have the space, but not the vibe. On the other hand, when a mid-50s Pontiac Star Chief rolls into a Wimpy’s Diner, it’s just like being back at the original Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank. And if there’s no cool cars at the Wimpy’s when you get there, skip the avocado toast and order up a plate of corned beef hash to transport you back to the bygone era of youth. .
I’ve wanted to go there. So jealous right now. I take it it was good?
Really good. When you go to Wimpy’s make sure someone at your table orders the burger. It’s comically huge. So wide it hangs off the bun.
Oh man, that’s hilarious! Like the cartoon then huh? Lol
Yup. A cartoonish looking burger. Bring your appetite!