New York Old Fashioned Diner Dinner
<strong>Waverly Diner | </strong><a href="http://bit.ly/1s7c0C3" target="_blank">Flickr/Joseph</a>
New York City crushes the fine-dining game, but sometimes the only mode to curb cravings is by visiting a archetype, old-fashioned diner. There's something timeless and nostalgic near a no-frills (and no-res-required!) spot where you can club everything from fluffy banana pancakes to a archetype griddle cheeseburger to a malted chocolate shake -- and all of information technology at 2am.
Convenience, fast service, and a cornucopia of bill of fare items are the hallmarks of truly great diners, and NYC has no shortage of them. From iconic, decades-old institutions to circular-the-clock neighborhood gems, here are a dozen of the city's meridian greasy spoons.
Waverly Eating house
West Village
Though it underwent a renovation and expansion in 2011, this old-fashioned, greenbacks-only Greek diner withal looks frozen in time with padded vinyl booths, peach curtains, and nighttime wood paneling. Information technology offers the aforementioned familiar menu, as well, 24/7: buttermilk argent dollar pancakes, malted milkshakes, thick-cut steak fries, Italian-American specialties, and just nigh anything else you could desire. Regulars often settle in for the extensive egg offerings (more than three dozen varieties of omelette alone), which come served in a steel skillet on a wooden board.
La Bonbonniere
West Village
Don't let the fancy proper name fool you: this cash-merely swoop slings cheap American eats in an unassuming setting, complete with bright blue vinyl stools and a Formica counter. A refreshing change for the posh West Village locale, information technology'southward the identify to enjoy simple-nevertheless-satisfying food -- stacks of pancakes, omelettes anyway you like 'em, erstwhile-schoolhouse milkshakes -- and possibly grab a celebrity sighting. All for only a few bucks.
B&H Dairy
E Village
Not much has changed at this tiny Eastern European diner since it opened more than seven decades ago. Footstep upward to the counter of this vegetarian hole-in-the-wall for kosher comfort food staples: matzo ball soup, meat-free borscht, plump pierogies, cheese blintzes, and knishes. Check out the rotating daily specials, and don't miss the challah French toast (a steal at $vi.fifty).
Tom'due south Restaurant
Morningside Heights
Seinfeld fans know that the fictional Monk's Café featured in the sitcom was really Tom's. This Greek family-endemic shop has been around since the '40s, serving solid no-frills diner fare and bottomless cups of java to TV evidence devotees, Morningside Heights residents, and Columbia students (ordering a milkshake and gravy fries at 3am is basically a rite of passage). Tom's also claims to have the best shake in New York; we'll take to inquire Kramer most that.
Bel Aire Diner
Astoria
Astoria is Queens' Greek capital, so information technology's only fitting that the heart of town boasts this grand Greek diner -- consummate with mirrored walls and nostalgic neon accents -- that dates back to 1965. The all-24-hour interval-and-night menu is massive, and spans everything from Mexican (huevos rancheros, pulled pork quesadillas) to Americana (chocolate flake pancake sundaes, triple decker turkey clubs), only when in Athens, practice as the Greeks would: go for the stuffed grape leaves, Athenian burger on pita staff of life, or Souvlaki platter with all the fixin's.
Joe Jr.
Gramercy
The epitome of a greasy spoon establishment, this cozy 3rd Ave spot offers all the typical American eats, but it's also the place to go when jonesing for a classic, diner-style cheeseburger that's ranked amongst the city's all-time. Made from ground beef chuck and cooked on a well-seasoned flat top griddle, then topped with American cheese and crispy salary on a seeded white bun, this babe is unproblematic, unpretentious, and always satisfying.
Jackson Pigsty
Jackson Heights
Y'all may recognize this identify from an early scene in Goodfellas (when Paulie and Jimmy steal the truck from the diner parking lot) -- it's a quintessential Queens landmark right off the K Fundamental Parkway (originally the Airline Diner built in 1952). The family-owned joint looks about as old-schoolhouse Americana as you tin can become with buzzy neon signs, tabletop jukeboxes, and vintage vinyl booths. Dive into one of the two dozen signature "bronco" chicken specialties and a tasty root beer bladder, or get directly gangster with the 7oz, house-anile beefiness burger.
Kellogg's Diner
Williamsburg
Open round the clock, this Williamsburg standby offers standard diner fare in a (relatively) updated setting, following a makeover in 2008. Expect anybody from neighborhood regulars who always social club the baked meatloaf to hipster night owls stopping in for mail service-bar- crawl burgers and mozzarella sticks. Be warned: it'southward difficult to resist the temptation of the dessert case, with its rotating assortment of sweets like banana cream pie, tiramisu, and Oreo cheesecake -- and the added scoop of ice foam goes without proverb.
Loving cup & Saucer
LES
The classic corner diner on Culvert seems to have nailed its recipe for continued success: quality nutrient, fast delivery, and great customer service, all at a palatable cost. Snag a counter seat (if you tin, there's only a dozen) for generous portions of all the greatest greasy spoon hits: eggs to lodge, fluffy pancakes, stacked sandwiches, or fried annihilation. Open daily from early morning breakfast through late tiffin.
Square Diner
Tribeca
The fact that this tiny diner has survived since the '50s in its ritzy Tribeca 'hood means it must be doing something right. Mannerly red vinyl booths and shiny silvery pervade the triangle-shaped (non square!) eatery, along with a super-extensive bill of fare of breakfast basics, hearty salads, and killer sandwiches. The move here: get Teddy'southward Special Sandwich (a not-too-mayo'd homemade craven salad and salary melt with sharp cheddar, tomatoes, and onions on toasted seven-grain bread) and a wonderfully frothy egg cream. At that place'south also a 4-7pm weekday happy 60 minutes with beer, wine, and cocktails for only a few bucks a pop.
The Pillar
Staten Island
If you e'er detect yourself on Staten Island (hey, information technology tin can happen!), stop into The Colonnade to step back in fourth dimension -- or merely to peep the 'hood where Wu-Tang rose to fame. Oozing with old-school gaudiness, this family-owned-and-operated landmark is a total throwback with tried-and-true diner nutrient. You'll find all the expected platters, piled high sandwiches, pastas, and seafood specialities, forth with hearty entrées in the "Roasts, Steaks, Chops & Birds" section of the menu.
Alpha Donuts
Sunnyside
Tucked beneath the elevated 7 railroad train platform, this dear, family-owned shop dishes out one of the all-time breakfast deals in boondocks: java, juice, eggs, and a donut for just $iii.95 (with bacon for a cadet more than). In addition to breakfast, the specialty here is -- you guessed it -- donuts. From the featherlight glazed best-seller to vanilla and chocolate frosted, these daily-made delights sell out chop-chop during the morning rush, and so get at that place early to ensure your favorite isn't wiped out. Craving a cruller at 3am? Alpha'due south got you covered, serving nutrient all night long. Cue Lionel Richie.
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Megan Tater (aka "This Daughter Tin Eat") is a contributing writer at Thrillist and a self-proclaimed pro at the belatedly-nighttime diner lodge. Follow along on her culinary adventures on her website, Twitter, and Instagram.
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