In October of 2023, Hermie Baldado and her husband, Chris Suckling, sat on Bayview and were blown away by what they were seeing: hundreds of people on foot shopping, smiling and chatting, enjoying the distinctive Bayview vibe.
It was this energy that sealed the deal for the couple. As restaurateurs looking for a new location, Bayview was a no-brainer.
At the end of 2023, the two opened Hermie’s and quite soon the business became a neighbourhood favourite.
Hermie’s is a family-friendly restaurant that first opened in Orillia as Hermie’s Diner. Wanting to move closer to their children and grandchildren, Baldado and Suckling decided to return to their hometown of Toronto where they would set up their new location.
The restaurant at 1595 Bayview Ave. offers a combination of Filipino and Canadian dishes, with multiple all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner options appealing to all tastes.
Filipino-born Baldado creates dishes which she first learned to prepare in her mother’s kitchen.
Filipino food includes such favourite dishes as longganisa, a traditional sausage; pancit, made with noodles with sautéed veggies and shrimp; kare kare, a dish prepared with beef, bok choy, eggplant and string beans sautéed in a peanut sauce; pinakbet, a delicious combination of sautéed squash, okra, green beans and eggplant; and bicol express, a meal of cubed pork cooked in coconut milk and shrimp paste, topped with chili peppers and red onions.
“Canadian” foods include options from eggs any-style to pancakes, French toast, avocado toast, all-day sandwiches, BLTs, clubs, burgers, salads, fish and chips, and tacos.
A kids’ menu offers a wide range of foods from mini burgers to pancakes and chicken fingers.
Baldado and Suckling do all the shopping for the restaurant in-person to ensure the highest quality. The fact that, as Suckling points out, “it takes Hermie 15 minutes to pick out the perfect pineapple,” is a testament to their commitment to superior freshness.
Suckling was recently overheard with a customer pointing out that “at Hermie’s nothing is small except the chef.”
Portions are indeed beyond generous, and as Suckling notes, “we want to ensure that you go home feeling totally satisfied.”
The proof of customer satisfaction is reflected in the number of guests who continue to journey from as far away as Orillia, home of the original Hermie’s Diner, to enjoy the restaurant’s fare.
With a cosy vibe, friendly staff and amazing food, Hermie’s is definitely a hot new restaurant for a date night, a family meal, everyday breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a spot for a relaxing coffee and sweet treat with friends.
