One of Meaford’s freshest faces on the food scene is Roosters Diner, which offers good old fashioned fare – such as home cut fries, burgers, whistle dogs, fish and chips, and all-day breakfasts, as well as a number of healthy choices in sandwiches, chicken dishes and more. Currently, it’s operating as a takeaway restaurant, but Maria will soon be expanding Roosters into a full sit-down diner.

Maria has travelled a long route to bring Roosters Diner to Meaford. For nearly three decades, she and her husband, John, were the Northern Ontario area franchisees for Dixie Lee Food Systems. After stints in Barrie, Parry Sound and North Bay, the couple moved to Orphir, about 45 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie, with plans to open up the far north for Dixie Lee.

John passed away three years ago, and Maria continued as the area franchisee until recently, when Dixie Lee re-acquired her interest. In the meantime, she’d taken over the lease and operation of the Meaford Dixie Lee when the franchisees decided to get out of the business a couple of years back.

While this was in part due to her business philosophy, she thinks there was something else involved. “It was probably because I’m somehow feeling – beyond the legal, business part – connected to Meaford,” says Maria. And when she ended her relationship with Dixie Lee, she realized she had an opportunity to do something new with the Meaford location. “As I was head leasee on this location, I chose to think about what one could do,” says Maria. “I looked at my agreement with Dixie Lee, and realized I could launch a different concept – as long as it wasn’t competitive. I immediately approached our landlord, and began to make plans to expand next door.”

Since opening, Maria has found Meaford’s response to be very positive, and she’s enjoying the experience. “Being a hands-on owner is cool,” she says. “I love the community; Meaford is a beautiful community with very nice people. You live in one of the nicer parts of Ontario, I dare say. So it’s a pleasure being here and doing business here.”

Right now, she’s on the road a lot, travelling between Orphir and Meaford, and she may seek a local manager or owner to take over the business – or might even consider a move south.

“Our sales indicate people are definitely going out to eat as long as the food’s good, the service is good, and the price is reasonable,” she says. “It’s fun to see your store busy and have a customer tell you they had a great meal.”

Roosters Diner offers a reward program, which gives you great deals on special occasions in your life. Drop in to the diner on Trowbridge Street across from the Post Office, or visit the website to find out more.

Maria Struik