One of your first teenage dates might have included a hotdog and fries at Easterbrooks. Today you can take your grandkids and the family dog there for a Stoney Creek Dairy cone and a ‘dog’.

This white clapboard building, formerly a post office has a quirky atmosphere that’s unique. Seating is one one of soda fountain stools, in one of the three wooden planked booths or, weather permitting at one of the picnic tables off the gravel parking lot in the rear or on the outside deck where folks enjoy an icecream cone or sundae served from the serving hatch.

One of the signs of spring in our neighbourhood is the first visit to Easterbrooks to enjoy a hotdog outside. The hotdogs are ‘12"-ers’ with a bun that’s just the right squishy consistency. Have one plain with your favourite fixings or order a Coney Island (saerkraut and mustard) or a Whistle dog with cheese and bacon. There are about a dozen and a half combos, some with unmelted slices of real Cheddar cheese that I personally wish were melted under the broiler – if they have one …

A little known fact is is that Easterbrooks serves a dynamite bowl of chili with lots of ground beef, red kidney beans, tomatoes and onion. It delivers a mild to medium kick on the spice scale. It’s served with toast but the bowl of chili is very filling alone. Try it if you’re lucky enough to be in the neighbourhood.

Easterbrooks has a pinball machine, a Wurlitzer record player and individual 1950’s record players in the booths. While your munch your lunch you can read the thousand plus business cards thumbtacked to the walls. I’ve added my own card to one crowded wall. I’ve even used some of the home services I found advertised on these cards.

Easterbrooks is a real ‘blast from the past’ that serves outstanding munchies. I hope there’s an Easterbrooks in your neighbourhood. Every neighbourhood needs one!