By Cheryl Gorski:
Trina’s Family Restaurant, located at 1373 Clinton Street (also known as ‘Ghost Town’), is an excellent diner at which to eat on Saturday and Sunday mornings (see BRO article) – I’m sure you’ll soon agree! I stumbled upon this establishment while shopping at the farmer’s market right next door a few weekends ago. When I strolled in, my first impression was ‘Home Sweet Home’. At the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder what compelled the owner to start this restaurant in the Ghost Town area? I had the opportunity to ask owner Trina Kidder about her diner, and this is what I discovered:
Trina filled me in on the history of the proprietorship of the diner going back to the 30’s. An elderly Greek man once operated it until his wife passed. Sentimentally he couldn’t hold it together without her. It was only after a second tenant occupancy ended that The City took possession. As luck would have it, Trina grew up in the neighborhood and her grandmother lived just a couple of blocks away. One day she noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign, and realized that she and her nine children were capable of running the diner – it was meant to be hers. Knowing the financial difficulties of taking her family out to eat, Trina made the diner affordable for lower income folks. Today the diner is quite the senior hang out, offering free coffee to seniors and veterans, while offering discounts on certain meals. She opens bright and early at 6am Mon -Thurs and 7am on the weekends. She closes at 6pm Mon-Wed, 8pm Thurs & Fr, and 3pm on the weekends.
Trina is an advocate of local farmers (her neighbors), and cooks daily meals using their produce. She also manages to find time to bake pies in the evenings including mince meat, pumpkin, sweet potato, apple, peanut butter, black forest, lemon meringue, all the cream pies, and her famous upside down pineapple cake. On Saturday December 18th, Santa Claus will be on hand passing out Trina’s cutout cookies (secret family recipe). Come and enjoy the festive experience, get a photo taken with Santa, and enjoy a delicious breakfast as the ‘Jolly Man in Red’ frolics about.
Trina’s diner is also a ‘drop off hub’ for holiday gifts for foster children. Child & Family Services’ Adopt A family Program pairs families-in-need with businesses, social clubs, church groups, school classrooms, families, and individuals who provide gifts for each family member. Donors receive a description of their ‘adopted’ family along with the family members’ names, ages, and personalized gift wish list. There are about 30 families left without anyone to adopt them. Gifts will be accepted through December17th. If anyone has any questions, please contact Mary Cornwell 716-335-7050.
Along with Santa and the toy drop, I have a holiday photography show hanging at Trina’s featuring photos of the Downtown Buffalo 1940’s window animations (seen here). Holiday cards showcasing the exhibit will be available for sale. I recently had the opportunity to photograph each window animate. You can sense a bit of sadness and creepiness in the figures… I even photographed the “rejects” which were in poor shape that didn’t make it to the storefront windows.
Plan to stop in to Trina’s and purchase your holiday tree next door – you’ll be charmed listening to Christmas music, while you wait for that ‘cup of Joe’, served to you by one of Trina’s children.
Trina’s Family Restaurant
1373 Clinton Street
Buffalo NY
716-783-8373