Longtime Hartford Area Go-To Diner Fades Into History

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The empty parking lot at the Gold Roc diner Thursday stood as a stark reminder that a longtime culinary institution in the Greater Hartford area has faded into history. The Gold Roc has been part of the social scene for years, and, like the food or not, the diner was a go-to destination for the after-concert munchies driving back from the Xfinity Theater, the post-game celebrations from the XL Center or Rentschler Field, the 19th Hole at the Travelers and extra innings after a Yard Goats game.

It was certainly a cure for the the inevitable hunger after a night out on the town.

The bottom line was that the Gold Roc was open 24 hours, was situated right outside Hartford off exit 44 on Interstate 84 and served everything from eggs and hash to sandwiches to large slabs of beef with all the fixings.

It was so close to the highway that it seemed like all a driver had to do was hop the guard rail to get to it from the westbound side of I-84.

In July, a sign appeared on the door that the diner would be closing on July 18 "for remodeling" and would reopen in August. That never happened and, late last month, plans emerged that the-place would eventually be turned into the latest IHop franchise under new ownership.

West Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart said that, although the Gold Roc was part of the area's culture for years, at least the property would not be sitting vacant.

"It's a consolation that the property will remain viable as a new business," Hart said. He added, though, that there is no formal timetable for the conversion because no formal plans have been submitted for an IHop.

Word quickly spread throughout town and in the area about the Gold Roc's demise and it set off a sequence of reflections — and even lamentations — on social media.

"Worst news ever the other day. So sad," was one reaction.

"Was a fave hangout — late night — after high school house parties," was another.

The late night meals even had an intellectual twist at times with local Siskels and Eberts.

"I am saddened," one commenter said. "Whenever friends and I would see a 9 or 10 o'clock movie, that is where we would go for a late dinner and talk about the film. I hope some other 24-hour place will pop up in its place."

The commenter did not say it the IHop was a viable alternative.

One resident remembered the vast menu.

"I brought my son there as a kid and told him he could order anything he wanted," the resident said. "He ordered the (expensive) prime rib rare. It was a fun place in the day."

Others remembered the atmosphere.

"It was a friendly happy place … same wait staff and helpers for years and years," a resident said. "Goldie was there to greet people and would give out boxes of Danish cookies at Christmas to regulars … Will miss it."

Another added, The nice guy who would greet you when you entered once gave my younger daughter a stuffed chihuahua toy when she could not win anything at the claw machine."

Some lamented on a not going one last time.

"Even though I had not eaten there in a long time, my two daughters and I were so devastated by the news," a resident said. "So many fond memories of eating there over the years. They seemed to keep staff, which is nice, and I think that indicates it was a decent place to work."