1. It opened nearly 70 years ago and has had four owners
Founded in 1950, Kostas has been owned by four people, most recently Young Kim, who owned it for almost 26 years before Yunhui Bui purchased it earlier this year. Bui plans to re-open the restaurant this summer with the same staff working there.
2. Hollywood loves it
Kostas was a filming location in April 2014 for Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett’s movie, “Carol,” which itself was nominated for six Academy Awards. The movie is set in the 1950s and Kostas doubled for the Liberty Bell Diner.
MORE: PHOTOS: Hollywood hits Hamilton with filming of ‘Carol’
Movie crews returned to Kostas in February to film scenes for the upcoming Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway movie “Dry Run.”
3. Renovations are afoot
New owner Bui said she is working to completely renovate the restaurant, replacing all kitchen equipment and installing new booths, tables and chairs. The entire interior received a fresh coat of paint and decorations will be “all about Hamilton,” Bui said.
4. It’s for early birds, not night owls
Kostas serves breakfast and lunch, opening at 5:30 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. Saturday hours are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who do want to dine on it later at night, take heart: it does offer carry-out.
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5. Its menu is full of classic American fare
Kostas serves up everything you’d expect for breakfast at a diner, but many customers saying the biscuits and gravy is the institution’s top offering. Lunch options include sandwiches and burgers galore, including a “Sausageburger,” grilled ham & cheese, tuna melts, roast beef, meat loaf, grilled chicken and hoagy steak sandwiches
Double decker sandwich choices are plentiful, and include turkey, ham, BLT, ham & beef, ham & ham, beef & turkey, egg salad & tomato, tuna salad & boiled egg or tomato and ham & boiled egg or tomato.
Dinners include steak, pork chop, roast beef, pork loin, hamburger, chicken tenderloin, pork tenderloin, codfish and shrimp basket. Side dishes include french fries and onion rings.
MORE: 5 things to know about the historic Hyde’s Restaurant in Hamilton
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