The interior of the iconic Ovaltine Cafe hasn't changed much in the diner's multi-decade presence on East Hastings Street.

The timeless decor of the long, narrow room includes a row of bar stools and several booth tables. The front window of the establishment, which opened in 1942, still displays a distinctive neon sign.

The classic look of the historic diner has earned it cameos in The X-Files and the movie I, Robot, among other productions.

While regulars from the neighbourhood continue to frequent the restaurant during the day, the operators are now looking to spread the word that for the first time in more than 20 years, the diner is also open in the evening.

"We want to open up at night and make the space available to everybody to provide a great place to be, great atmosphere, great food at affordable prices and high quality," said Theo Lloyd-Kohls, owner of the Dunlevy Snackbar. He was hired in February to manage the new dinner service, along with Corben Winfield, one of the owners of Six Acres.

“The Ovaltine is an institution, so we want it to thrive and continue as such, as the institution it’s always been,” Lloyd-Kohls added.

Ownership of the Ovaltine changed hands in October 2014, when Grace Chen, the former owner of the diner in Save on Meats, and her daughter Rachel Chen (who also runs Perks Cafe on Pender Street), took over.

Lloyd-Kohls said business has picked up a great deal during the day, with an improved selection of food on the menu.

Meal options include a hamburger and hand-cut fries for $5.50, BLT and Reuben sandwiches, grilled cheese with hand-cut fries, fried chicken, homemade meatloaf, fish and chips, and mac 'n' cheese.

Some of the historic favourites on the menu have also remained, like hamburger steaks, a popular choice among some of the regulars.

A happy-hour special between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. offers a burger and beer for $10. Other drink choices include wine, cocktails, a pint of house beer for $4.79, and $5 local beers.

Lloyd-Kohls stressed that the improved diner fare remains affordable, and that the restaurant will continue to be a welcoming space.

“A lot of places are getting taken over, and made exclusive—you know, there’s a Starbucks a block and a half away, so the neighbourhood’s changing really quickly, and I think to have a business survive in a neighbourhood and to survive in a way that’s thoughtful is to include everybody, so that everybody in the neighbourhood feels welcome, and I think we’ve done that,” said Lloyd-Kohls.

“There’s been a couple of instances where people have been a little bit spooked that this restaurant that they are regulars at is going to change and become unwelcome, and I think we’ve gone to great lengths to talk to people, and communicate to them that this is still the same place, and we still have very affordable prices, and we make sure that everyone feels welcome when they come.”

A formal launch of the new evening hours will be held next Thursday (April 23), starting at 6 p.m.