Toronto Free Press Restaurant Guide

The Goof:

They're heading--in droves--to "The Goof's"

The first time a friend suggested we "do lunch over at the Goofs", I was a tad wary. "The Goofs" is the fond nickname dubbed to the Garden Gate Restaurant by patrons, some of who have been going there since 1952. Somewhere in time, the `d in their "Good Food" logo went missing from a large outside sign. The nickname stuck long after the logo was repaired.

Garden Gate Restaurant at 2379 Queen St. E. (at Beech Ave.) lives up to its promise of "Good Food".

The Garden Gate Restaurant, which has daily lineups beginning with its 8 a.m. opening, needs no advertising.

Going there for lunch the first time was akin to taking a walk down memory lane. 1950-type table jukebox selection, deep comfy booths, servers who render smiling service in spite of being rushed off their feet and no slow down in sight with people waiting to take over the first empty table.

Garden Gate Restaurant is the restaurant of your childhoodthe kind of place where your parents treated you to an occasional Friday night plate of fish & chips, topped off with a slice of raisin pie.

Not only does Garden Gate feature the best Chinese food available anywhere, their chefs are masters at Canadian fare, particularly those dishes of the "comfort food" variety.

Deliveries start daily at 4 p.m.

Recently off cooking detail having been laid low with a cold, I sent out for Roast Turkey with dressing. "All above dinners come with soup, dinner roll, choice of potato and dessert", the menu advised me.

The turkey was based as lovingly as one from any country kitchen. The gravy on the dressing would give your grandma a run for her money, and it came with cranberry sauce.

The price? A princely $8.95.

A couple of nights later, a friend had popped by and we decided to order in.

Having raved about the roast dinners available at "The Goofs", he decided on the Roast Leg of Pork. I decided on the roast chicken with dressing,

It arrived piping hot at the door. There was homemade pea soup to start off and it proved to be delicious. After finishing our equally delicious entrees, we almost forgot about our desserts, Jell-O with whipped cream for cinnamon-sprinkled rice pudding and me for him. The entire meal cost less than $20!!!

Among Chinese dishes, the Garden Gate Restaurant is famous for its Peking Green Onion Pancake Appetizers ($2). Their honey garlic spareribs are the best Ive ever tasted.

Free Jar Do Chicken Wings come with a food purchase over $22. For Pick-up or FREE delivery only. (Canadian food and combination not included.)

The Garden Gate is one of the best things about living in the Toronto beaches.

Small wonder why people in droves keep heading for "The Goofs".