If I could, I’d eat diner food every day for the rest of my life, such is my love for it.

But it’s not just the food; I’ve got a diner personality. I like to sit with my coffee, take in the scene, chat with the locals and enjoy old-school chow that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Diner food typically uses fairly basic ingredients and isn’t served on fine china. But it’s mostly homemade, and the people I’ve met in diners – whether they work there or are eating like I am – are some of the most genuine people you could ever encounter. There’s no snobbiness, no dress code and no reservations required. But you can always count on getting your coffee refilled before you have to ask and that your food will be served hot and fast.

Guidi’s Diner in Westbrook

Guidi’s Diner

WHERE: 916 Main St., Westbrook; 854-2949

HOURS: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends

WAIT: 5 to 10 minutes

PARKING: on-street

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: no

Additional Photos

Guidi’s Diner in Westbrook serves up a tasty homemade breakfast at a great price. John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Chris Odlin and Jason Lovejoy, both of Scarborough, enjoy hearty breakfast fare at Guidi’s.

Guidi’s Diner at 916 Main St. in Westbrook.

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All that said, I am adding Guidi’s Diner in Westbrook to my list of joints to revisit from time to time when my stomach’s rumbling and my taste buds are looking for comfort.

My standing lunch date, Jen, was available when I called and off we went to Guidi’s for a mid-morning breakfast a couple of Fridays ago. As far as I’m concerned, breakfast is the new lunch, dinner and midnight snack.

First things first. We plopped down at one of about six or seven tables and were immediately greeted, handed menus and served coffee by a friendly woman I suspect has worked there for some time. A handful of regulars were perched at the counter and they gave us newbies the obligatory once-over and then went back to their bacon and chit-chat. I could hear the nearby grill sizzling, as if waiting for the eggs that were destined to feed me.

Now for the tricky part. I’m a diner lover but I’m also trying to get back in shape. So even though I was almost seduced by the Bradleez Plaza (two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon, two sausage, home fries, toast and coffee for $8.89) I snapped out of it and ordered scrambled Egg Beaters with wheat toast. I did cave a little and got a half-order of home fries. This set me back about five bucks and the coffee was $1.99 for a bottomless cup.

As for Jen, she ordered the Lee Sandwich ($5.79) which was fresh tomato, bacon, egg and cheese on grilled Italian toast with home fries and coffee. She raved about its two-fisted size that she could barely get her mouth around. She also, as I did, applauded the home fries, which were cooked to perfection.

Now let’s talk about some of the menu items I would eat if calories were no object. My head is spinning with the possibilities, including strawberry pancakes ($5.29), Irish Benedict (corned beef hash, grilled onions and two poached eggs on a grilled English muffin topped with Hollandaise sauce and served with home fries and coffee for $7.99), the Italian Omelet (spicy Italian sausage, grilled onions and green peppers with your choice of cheese, home fries, toast and coffee for $8.49) and The Stroudwater (two eggs any style, six-ounce sirloin steak, home fries, toast and coffee for $10.29).

Hey Guidi’s Diner, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Aimsel Ponti can be contacted at 791-6455 or at:

aponti@pressherald.com

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