There’s being close to home, and then there is being right across the street.
Mike Saucier, the new owner of Chateau Guay Restaurant and Motel owns a restoration contracting firm on the opposite side of Highway 17 and lives up the street in Minnow Lake.
Saucier admits he has treated himself to three Chateau Guay lunches per week on average over the years so it was fitting that he took it over.
“It’s always been known for its big portion breakfasts and for its meat and potatoes lunches, but now we have a tiny bit more planned and it is going to require a bigger kitchen,” he said.
His restoration firm, Winmar, is knee-deep into a massive kitchen expansion that should be complete by Christmas.
“We are looking to double its size with a $70,000 investment that will add new dishes to the menu, a pizza oven and doubling the size of the deep frying system for wing nights.”
That pizza oven will pump out pizza that Saucier said is a part of his past. The dough recipe is linked to his family ties in Cornwall.
The expanding kitchen is not his only feather in his cap. Saucier said he has an experienced kitchen staff that each brings their own niche, whether that be to breakfast or lunch dishes.
“We have staff from other breakfast establishments in the city now working here and experimenting in the kitchen. They are creating breakfast dishes like the Blueberry Coulis French Toast, which are impressive,” says Saucier.
He said breakfast will continue to be a major focus because there are about 100-150 customers that line-up for a meal every weekend.
Saucier is not that familiar with the history of the Chateau Guay. But 82-year-old Norm Tammi, a regular customer for the past 13 years, tells me it was built in the 1960s and has been through a couple family ownerships. Tammi lives around the block and isn’t much of a cook, so he goes for the social aspect, great food and the price.
“The cooks have been there for years. The waiting staff are lovely. I love the $11-12 specials that include the daily homemade soup and coffee. The rice on ribs and the chicken parmesan are my favourites.”
After 40 years in the restoration business, Saucier admitted he doesn’t have any experience in running a restaurant or motel. But he’s already learning the ropes.
He’s also banking on the creation of the Kingsway Entertainment District to sweeten the deal and make his spot a hub of activity in the years to come. The motel is also getting an overhaul.
With the changing of the seasons, means more heartier meals are being prepared. Saucier says hot hamburgers and hot turkey sandwiches are a big ticket item right now, along with the meatloaf and the soup of the day.
Chateau Guay
2865 The Kingsway
Takeout and delivery available
Hours of Operation
Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Find them on Facebook
705-566-1501
Anastasia Rioux is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
