The Garden Gate became a landmark in the Beach(es) through a simple twist of fate. A simple electronic twist of fate. To explain, let's go back to the GOOD FOOD part of the restaurant's pledge emblazoned in Neon light above the entrance.

One long night ago, who knows when or how or why, both D's on the sign fizzled out. Instead of GOOD FOOD, the brightly lit calling card of which the owners were so rightly proud now read: GOO FOO.

East Enders of the day, never ones to let an opportunity for a little fun to pass by, quickly shortened the name to THE GOOF. And it stuck. Been that way ever since.

Time, then, for toast.

Here's to GOOD FOOD, or GOO FOO, or THE GOOF... and doing what the place has done best for another sixty (or seventy-five or a hundred) years.