Classic Canton Counters

Some time back, First Selectman Dick Barlow asked About Town to write a column on Canton’s old diners. He apparently remembered them fondly and wondered what canton-ct.patch.com could come up with.

When no newspaper reports documenting Canton's old diners were found, the next logical place to turn for research was to the people who were there - the diners at the diners.

So, About Town recently sat down with: Mitch Bialicki, Tom Bidwell, Butch Danila, Ron Demski, Bob Goodskey, Jim Lynch, Richard Olson and Greg Sims to discuss their favorite diners and what made them so. They generously shared their memories, some of which were poignant, others funny and a few unprintable.

Diner Highlights

Christie's: 9 River St.

Cigar smoking Christie Tollides ruled the counter at this popular diner and was remembered for his sense of humor. This was a true, old fashioned soda fountain. The menu included: milk shakes, burgers and fries. Patrons sat at either the counter or in booths. Christie’s also had jukeboxes and pin ball machines. "It was a great place to go after school," recalled Butch Danila, "to spend the rest of the afternoon."

The Coffee Cup: Intersection of Routes 44 & 179

This was Kathryn Merrick’s diner; a small shack with one or two gas pumps. But, it wasn't the space that Richard Olson recalled as much as Merrick’s kindness. "My mother was ill, so Kathryn looked after my father. She always kept a plate waiting for him at breakfast each morning."

Comeau’s: Route 44 at the site of the former Geri’s Diner (near BreMar Rental)

"Good portions of good food," everyone agreed. And while there was talk about the steak and eggs, recollections soon turned to the owner’s, "cute wife."

Crossroads Restaurant: Intersection of Routes 44 & 179  

Danila would meet his friend Joe at Crossroads every morning at 8:30 a.m. "It was convenient, had a friendly atmosphere and fresh, homemade food – nothing frozen. They had great home fries!"

Dori’s: At the site of what is now River’s Edge Condos

Dori’s was on the main route to Farmington, so a lot of truckers stopped there to eat the standard, filling diner fare. It was also a popular place for the employees at Miner Lumber. There was a large gravel pit out back which Danila fondly remembered racing his jeep on.

Judy’s: On Route 44, Valley View Circle (Canton Valley Circle)

Al and Sally Braga named this diner after their daughter, Judy. Bob Goodskey and some of the others could still, almost, taste the 'Texas Hot Weiners' and chili; made from a secret recipe that Braga refused to divulge. They also remembered that the service was always polite and that Judy was, "nice to look at." Olson recalled a State Health Inspector telling him there were only two places, this side of Avon Mountain, where he would eat. One of them was Judy’s. The other was Birch Lane in New Hartford.  

Leo’s Luncheonette: 100 Main St.

In addition to great BBQ, Leo’s offered pool tables to entertain its customers.

Luoto’s Luncheonette: Across from what is now The Shoppes at Farmington Valley

Everett and Eda Luoto ran this diner and service station from 1925 until 1969. While they were known for their homemade pies, it was the steak sandwich that got the best reviews from the guys. And, the ice cream. Ron Demski recalled visiting Luoto’s with his father. "My dad would be buying gas for the car and I’d run over to the window to get some strawberry ice cream. It had chunks of strawberry in it."

Polar Whip: At the site of Reno’s Drive-In

This diner, owned by Henry Bahre, employed car hops: waitresses who took your order; placed a portable tray on your vehicle; then delivered the food, which you ate in your car. While many items were deep fried, in the best diner tradition, this was not the typical greasy spoon. The guys recalled fries and clams that were, "crispy on the outside, nice and soft on the inside." And, "cute car hops."

There were other Canton diners/taverns that were remembered as much for their atmosphere as for their food. Mitch Bialicki recalled that O’Leary’s was a, “lock and load joint. You'd better have a gun or a knife on you when you went in there! It was a place where women really couldn’t go. Men went there to: drink beer; get into a fight; or  eat some pickeled eggs or lamb’s tongue.” 

Then there was the Canton Inn, which Bialicki and Tom Bidwell recalled was the type of place where, "if you got even a little bit out of line, you were out. Sometimes, you got thrown out before you got in!"

Jim Lynch described his memories of Canton's diners in a way that resonated with the other men. "It was a simpler time. Many of the guys were starting to drive and were looking for places to hang around, to get something to eat. There was always something that drew you there."

Here’s the Deal

As a young lady, Town Historian Mary Ellen Cosker was a hostess/greeter at Crossroads. She recalled the homemade pies and the many orders that came for them during the holidays. Mary Ellen was instrumental in gathering photos and the finer details about Canton’s culinary past for this column.

Additional resources: Canton Historical Museum, 11 Front St, Collinsville; 860-693-2793: www.cantonmuseum.org.