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The
Blue Star Restaurant
676 King
St.
Welland, Ontario
Phone: 905-732-2459
"Mom
and Dad married and established
The Blue Star Restaurant in 1947"
(It says so on the menu cover.)
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In
an age where food in a restaurant normally comes either frozen or micro
waved, or stacked 7 inches high for esthetic reasons, restaurants that
value homemade food and good value are a rare breed. Add to the equation
three generations of ownership and a cultural history over 50 years
old and you have a gem - right in Welland.
The Blue Star,
a recognized cultural icon of the city, has been in operation since
1947. Owned and operated by three generations of the Plentai family,
it moved to its current location on the corner of King St and Ontario
St in 1952 and has since gone through numerous renovations in order
to remain competitive and modern. What started out as a small diner
catering to the lunch crowd from the neighboring plant has evolved into
a comfortable restaurant that boasts quality breakfasts, lunches, and
dinners every day of the week.
The
completely non-smoking restaurant has two distinct dining areas - the
front which seats 70 and is instantly recognizable by its nostalgic
soda pop counter and vinyl booths reminiscent of the 50s, and the back
- an addition built in the 60s, with its modern and elegant dinning
room and bar that seats 125. Whether you choose the front or the back
dinning room, the Blue Star has everything you require for an enjoyable
dining experience: good atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly service.
Located an easy 20 minute drive from all major Niagara attractions,
it also boasts ample parking making it the perfect stop on any bus tour!
While the interior has changed over the years, one thing that has remained
consistent has been the quality of the food. It is no surprise that
the Blue Star has won numerous awards several years running including:
The Tribune's Reader's Choice awards for Best Breakfast, Best Lunch,
Best Family Restaurant, and Best Take Out.The extensive menu caters
to a broad range of cultural backgrounds, tastes, and dietary needs.
The 3000 square foot kitchen updated and enlarged in 1987 prepares homemade
meals with an ethnic flare that is distinctively Canadian and reflective
of the cultures that have populated the Niagara Region and provide it
with its unique qualities. French Canadian, Ukrainian, and Italian entrees
dominate the menu and provide the customer with a tasty foray into the
epicurean delights known more commonly as "comfort food".
While
the plates might be dressed up for the discriminating connoisseur, the
homemade borscht soup with its swirl of sour cream, the fresh cut fries,
the fresh turkey and beef roasted daily, and the rich homemade desserts
are definitely for the gourmand in each of us. The menu boasts several
innovative pasta dishes as well as a unique selection of fresh salads.
However, if you ask anyone, it'll be the Blue Star Trios that win, hands
down, as the favorite entrées.
It is incredible in this day and age to be able to point out such a
success story in a community that has undergone such tremendous economic
shifts. That the Blue Star has managed to weather the cycles of change
is not only a testament to its familial history, and its management,
but also to the quality and value of its food. The final ingredient
to its success and to the reason why residents hold this restaurant
close to their heart is the consistency of its service. The Blue Star
is the sort of place where, after a few visits, the waitresses and waiters
know you by name, remember if you prefer tea or coffee, and always ask
after your relatives and friends. They'll take your order with a smile
and a joke, dish up the specials with skill and aplomb, and then serve
them to you piping hot!
So, if you are a visitor to the area, a new resident, or a long time
one, and you are looking for a home cooked meal, some take out, or a
caterer for your next party, look no further than the Blue Star. Quality
of atmosphere, food, and service, coupled with low prices and a history,
ensure that at the Blue Star you will be served not only the best meal
in the region, but a slice of Welland that you won't get anywhere else.
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The
Blue Star Restaurant
676 King
St.
Welland, Ontario
Phone: 905-732-2459
"Mom
and Dad married and established
The Blue Star Restaurant in 1947"
(It says so on the menu cover.)
|
