Kitchen Bliss

It was lunch on Halloween and the second floor dining area was playing the movie Ghostbusters. Just one sign that this eatery is whimsical. Owners Erika Puckering and Jamie Ewing love the 1980s and they have crafted Electric Diner as a tribute to that decade, central to their youth.

Whether you were the young’un or the parent during that time, you will surely have memories triggered by the décor – a Bo Derek poster, Tony the Tiger glasses, a jukebox, neon, classic bar stools, and my favourite – the wooden souvenir spoon rack.

They were attracted to Hamilton – which they say has a heart – to raise their growing family. Building on Erika’s background in marketing and management, and Jamie’s decades of experience as a chef they are busy entrepreneurs. You may have first encountered them as a burger booth at Tim Horton’s Field – and they also run Lou Dawg’s, also on George St.

We began our lunch with Diner Deviled Eggs. “Why”, I asked Jamie, “devilled eggs?” They made a resurgence in recent years, but I don’t particularly associate them with the 80s. Turns out that Jamie’s mother used to make them for company. This might be the right moment to mention a major influence on their vision for Electric Diner. They both lost their mothers about a decade ago, and now part of their gift to their children is dusting off memories of the moms (grandmas) and their food. Erika recalls Saturday cartoons, and her mom making grilled cheese and tomato soup. The tomato soup on their menu comes not from a can, but is made-in-house - elevated and enhanced – and they use these words often!

Back to the devilled eggs – Jamie has enhanced his mother’s version and serves them with fried capers – those brined, salty buds from a caper bush. He fries them and they pop into pretty little puffs. If you think you don’t like capers – try these and you’ll never look back.

Reuben sandwiches are popular and we added that as a shared/extra appetizer – with no regrets. It was the perfect pairing of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, dressing, marbled rye, pickle. Made in-house, the brisket is brined for 5-7 days and then braised overnight.

I had been craving a burger and the Electric Burger satisfied. Two smashed patties were enhanced with cheese, pickles, lettuce, onions and awesome sauce (mainly lemon, garlic and herbs). The addition of hickory sticks was a genius way of adding crunch to a juicy burger.

Menu item names frequently make playful reference to cultural touchstones - often movies. So it was with Revenge of the Birds – their fried chicken sandwich. Boneless thighs are buttermilk-marinated for a day or so, then coated with rice flour, fried to crispy perfection and served in a bun with cheese and pickles. Made-in-house Maple-Bacon Jam definitely elevates the experience.

On their new menu (which I have not yet tried) they added a fish burger called A Fish Called Wanda - spicy fried whitefish, kale slaw, pickles awesome sauce. Also new are Cauliflower Croquettes, Reuben Jalapeño Poppers and Jamie’s Beer and Bacon Mac n Cheese.

Sides choices are frites – exceptionally good - or a small salad of kale and Brussels sprouts with green apple, spiced chickpeas, goat cheese, pickled red onions, cabbage, radicchio, carrot, honey roasted jalapeño, and a yogurt dressing.

Desserts change daily and usually include made-in-house pies and cheesecakes, along with treats from The Barton General (BG). On this day, BG had delivered apple-filled pop-tarts – elevated, as in, made fresh – not frozen and cooked in a toaster. They were tasty and cute. The Cherry Cheesecake was a thing of beauty – though not quite as expected. With the 80s theme, I was expecting that classic no-bake cheesecake smothered with canned cherry pie filling. Instead, the delicious cheesecake was topped with almost an inch of flavourful sour cherry compote – good and elevated!

We didn’t have anything from the breakfast menu which is available all day and very popular, especially on weekends. Big hits are Rainbow Brite pancakes with sprinkles, rainbow icing and Froot Loops, and the Electric Benny - poached eggs, bacon, toast, Hollandaise and hickory sticks. Vegetarians also enjoy the Flower Power Benny - poached eggs on cauliflower cakes, and Hollandaise.

Their drinks menu includes beer, wine and creative updates on classic cocktails.

Erika and Jamie want Electric Diner to be inclusive. Says Erika “that’s why we created an atmosphere so nostalgic for us – we want families to come in.” At peak family time kiddies can watching retro cartoons while parents enjoy their meal. The scene begins to transition after 8 to more of a couple’s scene – often with events such as trivia night, movies, games (think Trivial Pursuit), with the popcorn machine busy in the background. It’s not on the menu, but you’ll leave with a smile.

What you’ll pay: Diner Deviled Eggs $8; Classic Reuben $17; Electric Burger $16; Revenge of the Birds $16; Lucky Charms Cheesecake $7; Pop Tart $4; Coffee $3.50 Wheelchair access: Yes