Gigi’s Diner delivers family favorites in Marshallville
Cathy Leister, right, pours a cup of coffee at Gigi's Diner in Marshallville. Leister co-owns the diner with her husband Al.
Gigi’s Diner in Marshallville is a family affair, from the name of the restaurant to many of the staff members who work there.
Gigi’s is so-named because owner Cathy Leister’s grandkids, who have eaten many home-cooked meals at her home, call her Gigi. Leister’s husband Al is co-owner of the restaurant, her brother works as a cook, her nephew is a server, and her mom and her daughters pop in to help as needed.
Many of the recipes also are a family affair.
“Many of the recipes have been passed down through the family,” said Leister, a lifelong Marshallville area resident. “From our hash, to our sausage gravy, to our homemade broccoli cheese soup, the dishes are made from scratch. My family kept telling me I should open a restaurant, and it was a dream of mine that just seemed meant to be.”
Leister’s dream of owning a restaurant seemed a bit of a pipe dream at first. She had worked in the corporate world for 25 years, but then the pandemic hit in 2020.
“I lost my job in the corporate world during the COVID pandemic,” Leister said. “I was trying to figure out what to do next, and at that time, the diner that used to occupy this space, Heavenly Hash, went up for auction, also in large part due to the COVID pandemic. As it turned out, the sale from the auction fell through, and the realtor that had the diner listed called me and asked if I was still interested. And that’s how I ended up owning the space.”
The restaurant underwent some renovations before being reborn as Gigi’s. There was an old soda fountain in the restaurant Leister would have loved to keep, but it was too far gone to save. She was able to find a vintage counter and stools to fit in the space.
Since opening in August 2022, they have put in new flooring, built out a covered patio that is heated with outside heaters, updated all the pipes and water lines, and freshened up the interior. The patio area is pet-friendly.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday and is open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Breakfast is served all day.
Gigi’s recently expanded its coffee bar and is now offering mochas, lattes and other specialty coffees including cold brew. There also is a selection of teas as Leister is an avid tea drinker.
The diner offers a selection of alcohol, except on Sundays, and patrons can get a Bloody Mary or Tequila Sunrise with breakfast.
The breakfast menu features a variety of traditional breakfast fare, like the hash and sausage gravy, but also features chicken and waffles and newer fare such as avocado toast. The lunch menu features an array of sandwiches, wraps, burgers and a selection of salads. There also is always a selection of pies, cakes and ice cream.
Gigi’s is located at 1 N. Main St. (Route 94) in Marshallville. Street parking within the vicinity is available for customers.