Long Live The Greasy Spoon

Last week, NY magazine had a sad article about the slow but sure disappearance of local diners, aka coffee shops, aka greasy spoons, because landlords can get more in rent from other potential tenants. The article has some really interesting detail about the economics of having a restaurant in NY (in the case of one diner, rent went from $3,000 to $35,000 in 32 years; rent should not exceed 12 percent of sales) and economics of certain dishes (burgers are high margin products). Gothamist has always found diners comforting: Straightforward food, menus with something for everyone (You're on a low-carb diet? Get a big salad! You want grease? Get the fries!) and usually delivery if you're hungover at home and really need some French toast and bacon. Where will we be going if there are no more diners? Sometimes we don't want to wait in line to eat!

Ask Gothamist finally gleaned insight into one of the small mysteries we'd been wondering about: Why, when taking care of your bill, do you pay at a cashier instead of at the table?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 29, 2004 2:37 PM

Comments [rss]

SP

Where will we be going if there are no more diners?

Why, Starbucks of course!

Tom

I like Eisenberg's but I thought the article was talking about a different kind of place -- the kind that there used to be two to four of on every block in midtown, which I used to call Greek diners, but not the kind that serve Greek food. When I lived in New York in the eighties I ate lunch in one -- the Brown Derby on 34th Street -- every day. Usually a cheeseburger special and a Coke. Then I moved away for nine years and when I came back I was walking down Third Avenue and someone asked me where she could get a normal cup of coffee and I said, at a Greek diner of course, there's a whole bunch of them around here, and looked around and they were all gone.

I think the custom of eating something from a salad bar at your desk killed them off. There are still some left in residential areas on the East and West sides, but the decline of rent stabilization is gradually eroding their clientele.

And as for the Purity in Park Slope, I love how that block gives you (used to give you) the choice between Purity and Economy in dining. Life is about tradeoffs.

Jen W

I love Neptune Diner in Astoria (conviently located at the Astoria Blvd. stop). Purity in Park Slope isn't bad (I alwas read the name as "Purty" in my head. The Donuts Luncheonette down the street from Purity is scary-cheap and open 24-7. Mayrose is yummy upscale diner-ing.

Joel

BURGER HUNTERS...

I tried Corner Bistro in West Village finally, and it's OK but not great. The beef patty was too smelly and dry. More like meatloaf. At least the bacon in there helped counter these factors and the burger grill dude was friendly. Try Pop Burger on 9th Ave, Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien hotel or Island Burger on 9th Ave. in Hell's Kitchen area.

Happy hunting! Aloha Joel.

Laren

I heard that Eisenberg's has a rockin' tuna sandwich, which I plan to check out sometime soon. I am still mourning the demise of The Bagel on W4th St. It was a fantastic little joint. Sniffle.

pieceomymind

Yes! If we're thinking of the same place - on the southeast corner, large glass windows out to the street, awesome food - I'm in love with that place too.

brianvan, i think you might mean mayrose, also a good place...

-piece

joel

At least saigon grill that was displaced from it's Broadway and 85th St. location was replaced by a Malaysian Restaurant that maintains an edginess to their Asian-ish menu.

Has anyone tried it? The Pineapple Beef Nenas is fun...tasts good.

Yojimbot

ohmygod...happy burger is no more?!> shit now i'm really considering moving out of manhattan. where has all of the flavor gone?!?

unhappy burger :(

BrianVan

Yes! If we're thinking of the same place - on the southeast corner, large glass windows out to the street, awesome food - I'm in love with that place too. If I'm in the area and hungry, I don't have to be asked twice to go there. I might eat there for lunch soon, if I happen to be dropping off film at Manhattan Color Labs two blocks away...

pieceomymind

does anyone besides me love eisenberg's on 5th & 22nd?

more of a luncheonette than a diner, perhaps, but it definitely evokes the bygone era

they just expanded in the back & painted last week

if you haven't been, it's worth checking out if you're in the flatiron district

-piece