Coming Soon: Uncle Betty’s diner, bringing ice cream, doughnuts and comfort food to Yonge and Eg
By Jon Sufrin
With its concentration of high-end restaurants like Centro, North 44 and Blue Zen, the Yonge Street strip just north of Eglinton isn’t exactly known as a haven for casual dining. Which is exactly why husband and wife entrepreneurs Robert Lewocz and Samara Melanson set up Uncle Betty’s diner, where enjoying food doesn’t mean having to get dressed up.
“This is comfort food: no pretenses, all things warm and fuzzy,” Melanson tells us. Comfort food, in this case, means mac and cheese, hot dogs, chili dogs, fries, onion rings and the like, made with all-natural, trans-fat free ingredients. Think Coney Island, but less trashy.
Heading up the kitchen is Paul Lampa, formerly the sous chef at Coquine Restaurant, who sources many of his ingredients from local markets. Entrees will likely range from $5-$13.
If Uncle Betty’s raison d’etre is casual dining, it’s also about satiating the sweet-tooth. In addition to 16 flavours of ice cream (from Greg’s Ice Cream), the diner will offer homemade “twinkees,” as well as doughnuts made on-site with NYC's famous Dreesen’s recipe (Alec Baldwin once joked that Dressen’s doughnuts are the entire reason anyone goes to the Hamptons, and Uncle Betty’s will be the first place in Toronto to serve them).
Set in the space recently vacated by LoLo Restaurant, the 70-seat diner was named after Melanson's mother, who earned the nickname “Uncle” for her free spirit and “take-no-mess” attitude. It'll open early, around 7 a.m., for those seeking doughnuts and coffee (from Kicking Horse), and will serve brunch, lunch and dinner, too, staying open till around 9 p.m. The restaurant is set for a soft opening next week.
Uncle Betty’s, 2590 Yonge Street, 416-483-2590
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Reader Comments:
Finally, a diner in the north end with some good sounding food!
The donuts are excellent!
I had the pulled pork and my friend had the meatloaf. Holy crap, it was so delicious! I hope they open their patio soon.
Robert,
Congrats on the restaurant... Annelle, Little Max and I can't wait to come by and eat the hotdogs you have been telling me about for months.
Matt W
I've been there 3 times. Yesterday a few of us had their home made granola and my daughter had the donut. Absolutely delicious!
I Love Uncle Betty's, walked in last week for the Break wich and it was sooooooo delicious. Fell in love and now I'm addicted, and the donut are great, also had the ice cream sandwich (donut & vanilla ice cream) YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!! Thanks Samara & Robert for opening a great diner at Yonge & Eg. See u in the morning.
We live in the neighbourhood and wanted to walk somwhere for casual eats. All I can say is if the food (excellent) & staff (personable and efficient) is as consistent as it was this evening this place is a winner.
Good concept, good ice cream, good donuts but the restaurant itself was pretty disappointing. I think some real work needs to be done on the scope of the menu if it is going to be more than just an ice cream stand.
Wow, I thought there menu was HUGE! they said they just added a bunch of new things...loved it, coming back again this weekend!
I had their pasta and my sister had the meatloat (huge and very tasty). and Greg's ice cream!!!!