"We were expecting you."

 

Cashin’s Chestnut Tree Café

It never ceases to amaze us just how friendly Newfoundlanders are. We were stopped at the end of the driveway to a private campground, deciding whether we wanted to spend the night there or continue on a bit further, when a fellow came up to the RV and started chatting.

He introduced himself as Sean Callahan, son of former NL cabinet minister Bill Callahan. Bill Callahan served under Joey Smallwood (Newfoundland’s first premier after confederation in 1949) and was responsible for the creation of Gros Morne National Park, making the west coast of Newfoundland the tourist destination it is today.

Sean also, upon learning this was our first time in Newfoundland, offered many suggestions of places to see and visit, and even gave us his phone number - in case we needed more ideas on places to go. One restaurant he highly recommended was the Cashin’s Chestnut Tree Café in Gambo, a town located about a half-hour’s drive east of Gander. Turns out, his friend Billy Cashin owns the café, and there’s a bit of a story behind the restaurant, and the town itself.

We we were heading in that direction a few days later, so took Sean’s advice and stopped into the Chestnut Tree (known to the locals as Billy’s Café) for lunch. That is, we drove by twice looking for the restaurant, before realizing it was completely obscured by the giant (we guessed chestnut) tree in front.

Wandering in, we told Billy that Sean recommended we stop in for a meal. He said, after making a few jokes about his friend, “We were expecting you.” I’m not sure we received any extra special treatment for dropping names (because everyone there was friendly with everyone), but the food was fresh and delicious, and served in huge portions. And although Billy was too busy to chat with us that day, he did send us on our way with a bag of freshly made chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

So, what’s so special about Gambo, and the Chestnut Tree Cafe? For a start, Joey Smallwood was born in Gambo in 1900. There is a statue commemorating him in the centre of town, very near the Chestnut Tree Café. And stepping into the café is a bit like stepping back into Smallwood’s time. Originally a general store located a short distance down the road, Billy acquired the building and moved it to it’s current location to open a café/bookstore/general store. The interior is an eclectic, yet inviting, mix of old and new and just plain odd - the original store counters from 1938, paintings on the wall from local artists, a wood and glass cabinet filled with antique shoes and other curiosities, and Christmas decorations adorning the piano in the corner of the adjoining room.

Inside Billy's eclictic Café

There’s a joke about Newfoundlanders. It’s a knock-knock joke. It goes something like this:

“Why are Newfoundlanders bad at knock-knock jokes?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“Well, let's try it. I’ll be a Newfoundlander. Say knock-knock.”

“Okay. Knock-knock.”

“Come on in, the door’s open!”

That kind of sums up our trip here. We’ve never felt more welcomed by the land, the culture, and the people, than here in Newfoundland.