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The Goof, officially known as the Garden Gate, is a well known restaurant in the Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto. Founded in 1952 it serves Canadian Chinese cuisine as well as diner fare such as breakfast and hamburgers. Its nickname comes from the restaurant's neon sign. The word "good" is vertical on the sign and "food" horizontal, so when at some point in its history the "d" in "good" burnt out, it read "Goo F". It is today near universally referred to as The Goof by media and locals, while the official name remains Garden Gate.
After remaining almost unchanged for more than 50 years, the Goof was thoroughly renovated in 2006. The 1950s decor, including the jukeboxes, was removed and a modernist interior, done by local designer Bennett Lo, was put in place. The menu remained unchanged, as did the well known sign outside. Another well known fixture is waiter Hazel Hoeg, who has been working at the restaurant since the year it opened. The restaurant is today owned by Raymond Lee and Keith Chau, who purchased in the early 1990s.
The restaurant has also been a filming location for two movies. Frequency with Dennis Quaid and Angel Eyes with Jennifer Lopez.
The song "Pinch Me" by Toronto/Scarborough band Barenaked Ladies makes reference to The Goof with these lines "there's a restaurant down the street/where hungry people like to eat."