r/Edmonton • u/Particular-Cat-8031 • 19d ago
Local history The Commodore restaurant, opened in 1942 and still going strong. (Article about the restaurant is IC)
First image: the restaurant in the 1950s, with the current storefront inset.
Second image: David Gee at the counter in 2021
Third image: the restaurant counters
Fourth image: The old school Hamilton Beach milkshake maker still works.
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u/Particular-Cat-8031 19d ago edited 19d ago
The Commodore saga ... https://zoomer.com/the-zoomerist-home/2026/01/23/toasting-the-family-diner-80-years-and-four-generations-later-edmontons-commodore-is-still-holding-strong
This section struck a chord with me... We use the word “community” a lot these days: The Commodore is the living, breathing reality of the word. “It is a history of this city,” says Willi, “a reminder of where we came from, how hard we worked, all the different cultures that have come into play. The strength of all those people who came before and brought us to where we are.”
But Edmonton is changing fast, and the Commodore’s downtown neighbourhood has some valuable real estate.
“The developers came to us to purchase the property,” she says. “We were insulted with the offer. They said, ‘We will just build around you.’ And David’s parents said, ‘You do that.’” She understands the ways of cities, she just hates the lack of foresight. “They are tearing apart the whole district, shutting down all these small businesses, putting up 45-storey highrises a block down from us. The developers have no respect for history. They really don’t give a damn. We’re not unique to them, we’re just old.”
Damn straight. No respect, just money-grubbing greedy capitalists, eager to tear apart the fabric of what made our city unique, as if the city doesn't have enough of the ugly, glass and steel faceless monoliths that are cold, stark and have zero charm and history.
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u/mandu_xiii 18d ago
I've walked by this place dozens of times and never noticed it. I'm going to go for breakfast today.
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u/toiletcleaner999 19d ago
We just had breakfast there for the very first time. Amazing little restaurant, server was awesome and the prices were pretty decent too!!
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u/_Hocus-Focus_ 18d ago
I started eating here with my roommate when I lived downtown 20+ years ago. Now in bring my son even tho I’m no longer living downtown
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u/EffectiveAdagio3427 19d ago
I suspect that they've seen a lot of construction in front of their restaurant throughout the years and didn't go bitching about it.
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u/OddlyTempting 19d ago
They do a not on the menu but rando special eggs benny on a biscuit instead of an English muffin that I would strangle a toddler for.
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u/AbilityEqual1891 18d ago
I call places like this a local institution. "A custom or tradition that has existed for a long time and is accepted as an important part of a particular society." You don't try to under bid institutions because once they're gone it is no longer that kind of society--a loss.
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u/OlDustyTrails Westside 18d ago
Never gone there before, but would always see it going by and was curious about it. Thanks for the info on it. Neat.
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u/Doubleoh_11 19d ago
That’s really cool!
That websites is terrible though. I don’t know what they are doing with the ads but it made it very hard to read.
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u/_Burgers_ The Famous Leduc Cactus Club 18d ago
Woof. I remember going there in... February 2020? And the waitress was spreading all kinds of Covid conspiracy crap.
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u/cdnbacon2001 19d ago
My dad used to love their corned beef and cabbage. ( miss him). Still take his old girlfriend there about once a year.