Hidden Gem: Time Square Diner

Necessity spurs delectable innovation

Brenda Scalzo makes it a point to visit Time Square Diner once, even twice a week. The loyal patron was so worried her favorite Brevard eatery would be struggling during the pandemic, she would place to-go orders as often as she could to ensure she was contributing to its survival.

“We just love them. I've never had a meal there that I didn't like,” said Scalzo, who considers Sol’s Seafood House Paella and the Chef Salad among her favorite dishes. 

If the delectable flavor of the foods weren’t enough, Scalzo also delights in the moment when the “edible art” first comes out of the kitchen.

“The presentation when they bring out a plate, wow! It's just unbelievable what you get, and what it looks like,” Scalzo said. 

It’s customers like Scalzo that make co-owner Sol Castellon feel like she’s living the dream. 

“My favorite part of owning this business is talking to the customers. I meet so many amazing people, I’ve just made so many great friends,” Castellon said.

The other part of the job she loves is getting to work with her husband, Chef Hernando Castellon, the creative responsible for turning the “ordinary into the extraordinary” in his scratch kitchen with daily signature creations. 

Chef Hernando’s father, a renowned cardiologist back in their home country of Colombia, expected his son to follow his footsteps into the healthcare field. But when the culinary arts called, the younger Castellon answered. He has spent the past 17 years cultivating his love for food and it’s deliciously obvious.

Plates such as the Lobster Castello, Chicken Souvlaki and Prime Rib Au Jus are prepared with specialty ingredients, all of which are made fresh same day. This may be part of the reason why customers line up to satisfy their palates.

The other reason may be because of Time Square’s infamous Carnegie-style sandwiches, which bring a little flavor of the Big Apple to the Space Coast.

“It’s one of our specialties. It has corned beef pastrami, and it’s huge, very similar to Katz’ in New York,” Sol Castellon said.

Though the Castellons agree that times have been challenging this past year, they also acknowledge how living through COVID-19 has inspired them to dig deep for innovation. 

“We just really had to reinvent ourselves. We started lunch and breakfast kits, takeout, delivery. So now there really is something for everyone,” Sol Castellon said. 

Time Square Diner 

7777 North Wickham Road, Suntree 

Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Call 321-622-6909 to schedule curbside pickup and delivery. 

Full menu timesqauredinerinfl.com 

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