Talk of the Town opens in former Mel's Diner

You can have a waffle for dinner or a steak and fish for breakfast.

That's what John and Caroline Toutoulis, owners of the Talk of the Town restaurant in San Carlos Park, want their customers to know about the restaurant that now occupies the old Mel's Diner building.

"We started to hear that it was up for sale and we moved forward with it. It was a quick thing," said Caroline Toutoulis, about the diner that closed because of area competition.

But the Toutoulis' are used to the area's competition. They used to occupy a space at Island Park where they served up typical diner food and Greek and Italian items.

"We had more seating there but this is what we are used to and come from," said Caroline Toutoulis, whose family is originally from Long Island and has been in the restaurant business for 32 years.

"We love the feel of an old time diner."

The Talk of the Town restaurant will keep it's old time family feel despite the move, Caroline Toutoulis said.

"Everything will still be cooked daily and with similar menu to Mel's with the meat loaf ... we just add a greek and Italian twist," said Caroline Toutoulis, of south Fort Myers. "We tried to make it as warm a home and as much a personal touch as we can."

And, the personal touch, the Toutoulis said came from keeping as many employees as they could. Their old ones and most of the 36 Mel's Diner employees as well.

"I tried to keep all my employees and all his employees to have everybody happy," said John Toutoulis adding that a bad economy is bringing many new applicants to the restaurant.

The restaurant doesn't have a sign yet but after having only been open for two weeks, business has been steady.

"Business has been wonderful. Old customers of Mel's and my previous ones have come out to show support," said Caroline Toutoulis. "They are all wonderful people who seem to be happy. It's a humbling response."

The response has prompted the Toutoulis to offer blackboard specials and work to expand their existing menu.