Goody's Diner Update, August 29, 2012

[Yongeman]

I tried to go to Goody's on Tuesday, Aug 28, but it was closed. Most disappointed, because three of us were going to have lunch there. Everything seemed normal except for a simple hand-written sign in the window...something about security being on, I think. So, early this morning, I went on their Facebook page and noted that on Aug. 21 they had posted, "Goody's will be closed this week. Sorry for any inconvenience."
Ok, no problem, except that it's just over the week now, and they are normally open on Tuesdays.
Does anyone know when they plan to reopen? I haven't seen any information since the Aug 21 post on Facebook. Thanks

[canadianbeaver]

I've used Noble Catering for years, but I've noticed some weird changes. Tina, who was with them forever, is gone, and now they have Chef Noble's wife? (I think) doing all the catering organization/planning. I wanted to plan a baby shower for my sister and had inquired about some menus; unfortunately due to logistics I had to cancel the shower. When Gwen contacted me asking if I did want to go ahead (I'd never booked anything,just asked to see some menus) and I said sadly the shower was cancelled, she basically yelled at me and asked me a million questions like, "How could you cancel a baby shower?" This seemed very off-putting and strange to me, especially since it could have been a horrible or personal reason why we had to cancel. It turned me off --- so sad, after years of great service and great product.

[Yongeman]

Well, Goody's will certainly be missed. I guess they bit off more than they could chew...kind of like one of their burgers. I really don't know much about the operation, but maybe they needed to hire more staff, not try to do everything themselves? You have an interesting perspective on the whole operation, canadianbeaver. That's pretty awful treatment. Let's hope some enterprising restauranteur is reading this and seizes the opportunity. Forget the glitz and focus on the food, like Goody's did.

[babinni]

I finally found a place both of us loved, with great food, and they acted like they really cared, and I've told anyone that will listen about how great this place's food is. Sad.
I would rather go here than those Queen St places.
Goody's - if you reconsider, and reopen, please do it soon. I don't know how to break it to hubby.
(The respect and appreciation and love for Goodys shown on this board is true " brand affinity", what most brands aspire to, and really really hard to earn. It is a shame to let it all go after all the hard work to build it)

[Googs]

My sincere hope is that they maintain the Manville space as their base of operations. The busy season doesn't last forever. Perhaps when it dies down come January, they could take us all in again at least for a couple, 3 months until events in the city pick up once more.

[Poorboy]

Well said Googs. A hiatus is very, very understandable as business levels dictate.
I am fortunate though that I got to bring my Son there before it closed. We have a fond memory that will last for years. Here is wishing.

[Pincus]

Well, dang.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

I never got the opportunity to eat at Goody's because their hours of operation were really not convenient.

[Herne]

Just when you think you have identified a great deal---pooof.

[ylsf]

Yeah, same, I wanted to get down there though.... Too bad... :(

[Dr Butcher]

Just saw their Facebook page, they are closing Goody's to concentrate on Noble Catering.

"A huge thank you to all our valued customers at Goody’s Diner – your patronage was greatly appreciated. It was great getting to know many fabulous people and we’re glad you enjoyed Goody’s so much!

We certainly appreciate everyone’s well wishes and concern. Unfortunately we have had to make a very difficult decision & Goody’s Diner is closed due to very high operating and product costs. Many of you know we operate two businesses – Noble Culinary and Goody’s. It’s become too much to operate both business and we will continue only with Noble Culinary.

The Goody’s team had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed serving everyone!

All this being said, Chef says ‘never say never’…"

[Sueb24]

Just read the same thing on FB. Very sad indeed. We need more DDD places like Goody's not less :-(

[magic]

Wow. They seemed pretty busy too. Presumably low(ish) rent. Hmm.

[pakmode]

Wow, sad news. RIP.

[Googs]

This is, by far, the saddest news I've heard all week and I've heard plenty. Now that my whole family loves it too, where do we go? Young or old, rich or poor, we could always escape to Goody's Diner.

[sbug206]

I don't buy the high operating and product costs. The rent couldn't have been high and it's amped up diner food. I don't recall anything on the menu that was high cost. All the prices were in line with other places. I'm willing to bet it's more that the catering side is more profitable and they're simply concentrating on that due to better margins.

[Full tummy]

It is widely known that catering is where you make the big bucks, so I tend to agree. Smart business decision. But what do I know about their particular circumstances?

[BJC01]

Cajun Bajan Cafe was in that spot before and left they said because of the high rent charged. That always made me worry about Goody's future there.

[julesrules]

Cajun Bajan never reopened anywhere else, did they? Loved their food but felt they had some issues getting it out in a timely way (no despite their website disclaimer I didn't expect them to nuke it - just do some prep/develop whatever practices allow other places to fry food to order in a reasonable time frame).
I never did make it to Goody's due to the hours/location - I planned to go over xmas break but they took the same vacation week that I did! It seems to me that Goody's prices were quite reasonable and with the fans they had, they could have raised them a decent percentage with no drop in business. So I don't entirely buy the high costs argument either.

[Herne]

Don't know about the rent but the neighbourhood was unmatched in the GTA to my knowledge. I expected to see Snake Plissken hanging around. The place will be missed by many that is for sure. I know of no place in the city that does the variety of burgers that Goody's offered.

[shekamoo]

haha you date yourself Herne, by that reference!!

[Herne]

Now Now the Snake Plissken movie was on TV just a few months ago. I also recall the GM plant at Pharmacy and Eglinton which gave rise to the neighbourhood I believe. Too bad about Goodys. I doubt there is an equivalent anywhere close by. Five guys has raised some curiosity so I'll try them next. Seems the burgers are about the same price.

[Poorboy]

Was surprised to see a Five Guys spring up at Don Mills and York Mills. Goody's inspired me to get creative with my "home burgers" this past season. It worked and I get rave reviews from our company when we entertain. It's all about fresh ingredients in the end and just the right amount of seasoning. So thank you to Goody's and I do hope they reincarnate somewhere. Likely the location was a hindrance.

[Googs]

Poorboy, the family behind Goody's haven't gone out of business. On the contrary, they became so successful in both their restaurant and catering ventures that they had to choose one or the other.

I understand that it honestly breaks their hearts to leave us behind. So much so that Mom Noble called at least one customer I know to say how sad and sorry they were. Imagine that. How sweet and how just like them.

[Pincus]

Uh oh.

[Yongeman]

Yeah, hopefully it's just a 2-week holiday.

[Googs]

Yeah, I like to call that holiday TIFF. Bet they're slammed with catering for it.

[Yongeman]

I sure hope so. The thing is, they were closed for the 2 weeks before TIFF.

[babinni]

If that were the case, would make it a lot easier.if they posted on their web site/ door that they are closed for TIFF or busy wedding catering season or vacation or whatever it is ...and when they are reopening....? odd way to conduct business- speculation is not usually welcomed. I hope they are just on vacation and opening again soon.

[Yongeman]

Agreed, babinni.

[Googs]

Sorry. Got a little ahead of myself with the TIFF thing. It's that season. Weddings, parties, anything. It happens now!

I kinda miss the days when Goody's was just an early morning to late afternoon diner offering excellent value and a decent meal to the poor folks who work in the factories, auto repair shops, and offices nearby. It's rare indeed when a restaurant shows such care in that neighbourhood.

[DJFoodMMAn]

Their Noble Catering service has been slammed with weddings (6 last week and this week I think) so I guess that has something to do with it.

On an unrelated note, I attended one of the weddings and the food was amazing.

[Yongeman]

Oh, that's good to know. I was a little worried...

[Yongeman]

It still hasn't reopened, and no explanation on their FB account or website, except, "Closed this week" posted on Aug 21, last week.

[babinni]

DH heard from someone that it had closed and we were planning to go there today for lunch today, no mention on FB , or their website.
I called and got the answering machine- again no mention of being closed . It SOUNDS like business as usual, but I'm not going to take the long drive down there without knowing if they are open for business.
can someone please post if they find they are open.