New GoGo Diner opens in North Fort Myers
If you love a great sausage gravy with your breakfast – or are a fan of corned beef hash – plan on visiting the new GoGo Diner in the Coral Gate Commons Plaza, on the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard and Pondella Road next to the bingo hall.
Customers are already raving about the food and the prices. “The lunch wraps and Reubens were incredible,” said one diner.
There is also a buzz around town about its “Red Velvet Pancakes.”
The sausage gravy is made by scratch by chef and owner Brian O’Connor, along with daily lunch and breakfast specials.
“The really hot mover is the corned beef hash,” he said.
“My philosophy is buying high-end products and preparing them properly, and serving them in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Of the “”Red Velvet Pancakes,” he said, “Back in the day cocoa powder and baking powder (and other ingredients) would get them to turn red.” Modern day cooking doesn’t have the same effect, so some chefs use food coloring. “What we have here is still a red, chocolate-flavored pancake. I also garnish it with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.”
Prices are reasonable – from a $3.49 breakfast to a $4.99 omelette and up to $6.99 for an unlimited topping burger.
He experimented himself with corned beef hash, he said, and that has turned out to be a house favorite. “I also use bell peppers and onions, paprika, do it with home fries, and toss it all together to make it happy.”
He came down to Florida from New York. “That’s where I learned my trade.”
He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute Of America – very high end in Hyde Park. “But my fondest memory is working for a mom-and-pop shop restaurant. Even though it was ‘sandwichey’ the place was a lot of fun and with it, I learned how to be creative with price parameters.”
He boasts low prices every day, and specials.
At the restaurant, he went with roomy booths rather than square tables, a personal preference.
“Customers should be comfortable,” he said.
He also started a “Breakfast Club” – when you buy 10, you get one free, stamped with a little cappachino cup.
O’Connor is single, a resident of Cape Coral, living with his rescue dog, Buddy, and a big fan of vintage boat racing.
“I’ve got a boat that goes about 90 miles per hour – just a pleasure boat. I like to go to the vintage boat events.”
The plaza and the business are part of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce “Discover North Fort Myers” campaign, in which two local plazas have been chosen to get marketing advice and networking opportunities through the chamber.
The restaurant is located at 957 Pondella Road. It’s open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 599-8877.