Bristol’s Golden Eagle Diner celebrates grand re-opening and unveils recent renovations
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
When Huseyin Gunaydin immigrated from Turkey in 1972, he didn’t exactly lead the most glamorous life.
“I started washing dishes,” he reflected.
But it was this hands-on work and an unshakeable determination to succeed that made him push harder. By 1984, with a slew of industry knowledge under his belt, Gunaydin opened the doors of the Golden Eagle Diner at 300 Bath Road and Route 13 — a space that previously housed a handful of Bristol eateries over the years, including the Trailblazer.
Though all went out of business after some time, Gunaydin had no short-term intentions. He was in it for the long haul.
Now, Golden Eagle is not only marking its 35th anniversary as a staple in Bristol Borough, it’s celebrating $1.5 million worth of renovations, which were unveiled to the public during a grand re-opening ceremony held on Thursday, Jan. 10.
Beginning at 5 p.m., guests were able to feast their eyes on several additions to the space, such as an all-new bar and outdoor patio. Gunaydin told The Times he has been working on the diner section by section for some time, and he’s thrilled to have customers finally see the finished product. For him, it’s all about giving back to the neighborhood that supported him and what he called his “Taj Mahal of Bristol” from the beginning.
Boasting more than 70 employees and a massive menu that features breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and dessert, it’s easy to see why Golden Eagle has become a go-to dining destination for a number of locals.
“I think everyone has a connection to the Golden Eagle Diner, everyone who’s here,” said Yardley native and Pennsbury High School graduate David Kelliher of Foster Digital Media, who has been working with Gunaydin to promote the restaurant for three years. “My close connection was with my friend Sam Ross who lived just across the field. We used to come here for Sunday morning breakfast and brunch, and we had some good times.”
According to Kelliher, Ross would even go to Golden Eagle for dinner, sometimes multiple nights in a row. Still, he never got tired of the experience.
“This is a special place where people meet, bump into their neighbors, and tell stories over a good meal,” Kelliher said.
In attendance at the celebration was Raising the Bar president Bill Pezza, who expressed his excitement over what Gunaydin’s work means for the area.
“What a wonderful night for Bristol Borough. What a tremendous enhancement this is to the restaurant that Huseyin has been running for so long,” Pezza said. “It is an enhancement for our gateway. This is a gateway to Bristol Borough, and this renovation just heightens that even more, and that’s beautiful.”
Pezza, who was instrumental in bringing Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution to Bristol in 2017, touched on how Gunaydin can serve as an inspiration to other local owners.
“The investment, I would say the substantial investment that I assume you made, is indicative of the growing investor confidence in Bristol Borough,” Pezza said. “People want to come here. People want to invest here. People want to enhance their businesses, and this is the epitome of that.”
Also present was Mayor Joe Saxton, who shared details on his long-standing connection with the restaurant.
“It’s kind of personal for me. I’ve been coming to this diner for probably almost 40 years. I was just commenting to somebody that it started out as a little silver diner on the corner,” he said. “Then Huseyin came and, over the years, he continued to improve as Bill Pezza said, this gateway that we have here.”
Gunaydin, Pezza, Saxton, Bristol Borough Council president Ralph DiGuiseppe and Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce executive director Minesh Pathak then joined together under the entryway of red and gold balloons to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
“I love this community. I love Bristol Borough,” said Gunaydin. “I love you for supporting me all these years. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
