Guidi’s in Westbrook, known for its breakfasts, tries a single comfort-food special one night a week.

Guidi’s Diner, a downtown Westbrook institution for decades, prides itself on its breakfasts.

The diner, which opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays, has a heavy trove of regulars during the morning rush, who stop by for coffee and selections such as the Guidi’s basic breakfast– two eggs, sausage or bacon and toast at $6.49.

Now, Guidi’s is hoping to replicate that loyalty at dinner.

Since April, the Main Street diner began offering dinner on Thursday nights with an unusual approach – just one item on the menu. So far, the weekly dishes have been comfort food – shepherd’s pie, boiled dinner and chop suey – classics that owner Joe Dadiego says are missing from the menus of other local stops.

“There’s no place around here to get real diner food – meat loaf, liver and onions,” Dadiego said. “There’s a lot of places to eat in Westbrook but it’s all specialized.”

Last Thursday, two regulars were already eating dinner at 5 p.m., with Dadiego serving up plates of that night’s special – boiled dinner with either corned beef or ham. Dadiego’s cousin, Jenna Kroot, was behind the counter, and earlier in the day, Dadiego’s mother, Davene, was also serving food.

Since starting the weekly dinners, Kroot said, the customers have come largely from the breakfast regulars.

“They’ve been going pretty good,” she said about the weekly dinners.

“It’ll take a while to get the word out,” Dadiego said, adding that for the past few weeks, he opens the doors for dinner early at about 4 p.m., catering to the senior crowd, he said. Usually, about 15 regulars come in the first hour for an early dinner. Last Thursday, one customer even grabbed two boiled dinners to go.

However, Dadiego said, he’s been seeing some new faces during the last few weeks.

“If it grows big enough, I might expand it to four nights a week,” he said.

A mix of classic 1950s rock and doo-wop sets the stage for the classic diner feel – and the service is as up-tempo as the music. As for the constant ’50s tunes, Kroot said, “I don’t mind it. I got used to it.”

The weekly dinners normally range from $6.99 to $9.99. The boiled dinner is the most expensive meal at $12.99, but it included a small salad starter and choice of dessert, strawberry shortcake or a root beer float.

“This is the food that a lot of people grew up on,” Dadiego said about his weekly menu.

Dadiego bought Guidi’s Diner two years ago from James Rogen. Prior to that, it was Dadiego’s uncle, Frank Guidi, who established and ran the diner for decades. Situated at 916 Main St., the diner was once located across the street on wheels. He said the diner car sold peanuts and cotton candy.

Guidi’s has a large L-shaped counter sitting 10-12 people, and roughly six or seven tables. The diner is open for breakfast from 5 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays, and 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. on weekends. Thursday dinners run from 4-7 p.m.

Last week’s dinner was particularly family-heavy. Dadiego’s aunt and uncle, Cathy and Al Dadiego, sat down for a meal, followed by Dadiego’s cousin, Chris McGonagle, and his girlfriend, Emily Olmstead.

Cathy Dadiego said they frequent the diner quite a bit, but that Thursday’s meal was their first experience with Guidi’s dinner.

“It’s back in the family,” she said, “and it’s delicious.”

McGonagle said he also used to work at the diner, and still frequents the spot for breakfast.

“I used to be in here every weekend,” he said, referring to when he was an employee.

More family works in the diner, as well. Dadiego’s aunt Pattie also works at the diner on weekends, which she has done for 37 years. Another aunt does kitchen prep, and yet another cousin washes dishes.

Before long, root beer floats littered the diner’s counter. People made room after the full plate of boiled dinner, and why not – it’s included in the price.

“All of it was so good,” Cathy Dadiego said.

Dadiego said that when he first purchased the diner, he made a big breakfast and invited his whole extended family, which filled the restaurant.

“I told them, ‘All your meals are on me today, and the rest of the time, you have to pay,’” he said laughing. He’s hoping his family keeps coming, and each tells a friend or two about the Thursday dinner.

Guidi’s Diner owner Joe Dadiego serves up a plate of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots during last Thursday night’s single-menu choice, boiled dinner. Dadiego said business for the weekly dinners have been good, but hopes they will grow by word of mouth.Staff photo by Andrew Rice