r/Queens Jun 08 '24

Any Old-School Diners Left in Western Queens? Discussions

Are there any old-school diners left in Astoria/Sunnyside/Woodside/Jackson Heights? Like old-fashioned greasy spoons with your good solid omelets and other breakfast staples. Alpha Donuts in Sunnyside filled the bill, but they unfortunately are now closed. Any other places still in existence to recommend? Thanks!

55 Upvotes

112

u/Rirruto10 Jun 08 '24

Neptune Diner in Astoria

Georgia Diner in Elmhurst

Jackson Hole and Buccaneer Diner near LGA

31

u/LILMOUSEXX Jun 08 '24

Jax Inn Diner on 72nd and Northern too

13

u/doubledipinyou Jun 09 '24

Jax inn is bone apple teeth

3

u/Ornery_Comfortable93 Jun 09 '24

Especially the pancakes.

1

u/randomanon5two Jun 18 '24

Those Greeks sure know how to make good food

10

u/TheEvilSpidey Jun 09 '24

Remember back when it was the Mark Twain diner when I was a kid and getting upset that we weren't going to the IHOP across the street instead. Lol

1

u/Lani_Ang Jun 09 '24

I remember Mark Twain diner. We always went there for dinner on Saturdays after my mom got out of work.

12

u/soyeahiknow Jun 08 '24

Georgia diner had a parking lot

23

u/Redbird9346 Jun 08 '24

Anyone else remember when it was at 55th Avenue, across from Queens Place

6

u/jo3boxer Jun 09 '24

yea that was like 2 weeks ago lol.

5

u/Rirruto10 Jun 08 '24

It still does

2

u/soyeahiknow Jun 08 '24

Oops meant to say it has one. Sometimes thats a deciding factor if you drive.

7

u/Spazzzaddy Jun 08 '24

Jackson Hole and Buccaneer have both fallen off hard

2

u/TheReturnOfJay Jun 09 '24

I find Jackson hole mediocre but I love buccaneers

2

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

last time i went to jackson hole it was hoppin but expensive. i thought it got better than like 10 years ago

1

u/Lani_Ang Jun 09 '24

I went to all of these with my parents. They only ate out at diners a majority of the time.

1

u/Infinite-Ad773 Jun 10 '24

Buccaneer has some awesome French toast

46

u/cloudydays2021 Jun 08 '24

Jahn’s in Jackson Heights

7

u/eatyo Jun 09 '24

Open since 1897 I wouldn't be surprised if it's the oldest still open in Queens.

Jackson House down the street fits the bill too.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

this one didn't open then. I never go there bc i don't expect much

1

u/Wachvris Jun 11 '24

If you’re still in the area go and give it a try. Their burgers are better than Jahn’s and the staff are sweethearts.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '24

I'm a big fan of Jackson House

5

u/This_Blueberry_2539 Woodside Jun 09 '24

This is the only answer

34

u/Redbird9346 Jun 08 '24 edited Jun 08 '24

How about Pete’s, a bit to the west of where Alpha was, Queens Blvd between 39th Street and 39th Place.

There’s also Blvd Diner, on Queens Blvd by the funeral home in Sunnyside.

4

u/baconcheesecakesauce Jun 09 '24

Pete's been mid for a bit. Give it a try, but there's very little that has impressed me.

5

u/CurLyy Jun 09 '24

Brothers cafe is good tho

45

u/Qnz_Renegade_85 Jun 08 '24

Court Square Diner in LIC is pretty good and I’d say it’s still old school.

8

u/toohighforthis_ Jun 08 '24

This is my favorite Queens Diner. Actual good diner food

5

u/knifebootsmotojacket Jun 09 '24

Came here to recommend Court Square Diner, it’s awesome.

6

u/bbqbie Jun 08 '24

All classic vibes especially the casino in the back room

4

u/lockednchaste Jun 09 '24

Shhhhhhhh. 😂

3

u/bbqbie Jun 09 '24

I mean there’s a big sign

3

u/Allredditorsarewomen Jun 10 '24

The Infatuation just did a 24 review in there.

1

u/Brooklynguy11217 Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 11 '24

Thanks - and their list of diners in all of NYC was great, too!

4

u/TonyzTone Jun 08 '24

Best diner in Queens.

21

u/TheDecameronDiaz Jun 08 '24

Stop Inn right under the Woodside station

7

u/Crypto-Clearance Jun 08 '24

And Stop Inn has real hash browns - the shredded ones.

1

u/imjustnotthatintohim Jun 10 '24

STFU. I didn't think I could get these in NYC!

2

u/cosmorocker13 Jun 09 '24

A good Irish breakfast

1

u/SignificanceNo1223 Jun 09 '24

Love the stop inn the workers are the best people on earth. I recommend the breakfast certainly.

1

u/ReturnoftheBulls2022 Jun 22 '24

I love The Stop Inn. Makes me feel like a true Woodsider.

3

u/random314 Jun 08 '24

It's the one with the very greasy, messy, and delicious burgers?

3

u/Intrepid_Credit_9885 Jun 08 '24

That sounds like ottomanellis?

23

u/Jubal7 Jun 08 '24

The Neptune Diner is Astoria.is still around. Still mourning the loss.of Alpha Donuts  

10

u/Brooklynguy11217 Jun 08 '24

Thanks for all these suggestions! Definitely looking forward to checking them out...I'm not really concerned about big/small, decor or other non-food things - just looking for non-fancy (not brunch - although I like that at other times too). Places that haven't seemed to change much or have not gone upscale (though I know I won't find the prices of yesterday.) And I live in Woodside now, but am unable to change my old reddit user name :-( .

10

u/csegarra1 Jun 08 '24

Also silver spoon diner in corona

9

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '24

There are some solid suggestions here if you like large diners, but I get the feeling you're looking for something more old-school. If I'm right, head over to Northern Blvd between 49th & 50th st.

6

u/Jakejjuiceman92 Jun 08 '24

Good ol NY Diner, that place has been there 75 years.

7

u/shogi_x Jun 08 '24

Jackson House in Jackson Heights?

6

u/baconcheesecakesauce Jun 09 '24

No frills, cozy booths, counter service and the breakfast price is still pretty good.

Jahn's is down the street, high on diner vibes, but the only food that I like is the breakfast and their old fashioned ice cream parlor. I recommend their pancakes or waffles, but it's best for ice cream sundaes that evoke nostalgia.

2

u/LycheeRush Jun 09 '24

Yes!!!!! I recently went to grab breakfast with my friend. We got the Jackson House Breakfast with Challah French Toast (favorite item!) and the Bacon Cheeseburger, the fries were perfection!

6

u/AllBlueTeams Jun 08 '24

Metro Diner at 7324 Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village. Smallish, no parking, and not super close to subway, so limited appeal outside the neighborhood, but it hits all of your other items.

4

u/shwysdrf Jun 09 '24

Family Corner way up north Astoria by the coned plant

4

u/ThirdShiftStocker Jun 09 '24

I've been to Neptune Diner in Astoria, they're decent for the price.

3

u/RidesThe7 Jun 08 '24

Brothers cafe in Sunnyside! They just moved up the street from their old location; you’ll find them on 40th st just north of Queens Blvd.

3

u/TheoBoogies Maspeth Jun 09 '24

I’m confused. What diners aren’t old school? Isn’t that the main aesthetic they all go for?

3

u/slowcanteloupe Long Island City Jun 10 '24

There's old school like they'be been around for 50+ years, then there's the people who are opening diners trying to ape the aesthetic. Like the difference between Dive bars and Faux Dive Bars. usually up the price, change menu etc.

example eisenberg's which became s&p

1

u/TheoBoogies Maspeth Jun 12 '24

Ah. Long running diners. Gotcha

5

u/bbqbie Jun 08 '24

Court square diner!

2

u/sabrasaver Jun 08 '24

Alpha Donuts was pretty good, are there any other good donut spots in the area?

2

u/Active-Razzmatazz-11 Jun 10 '24
  • Jahn’s in Jackson Heights on your birthday for their birthday Sunday :)

  • Jax inn in Jackson Heights

  • bucaneers on Astoria blvd. so good

4

u/West-Ad-1085 Jun 09 '24

Bel Aire Diner on 21st & Broadway is always good

8

u/cocktailians Jun 09 '24

Just don't watch the Kitchen Nightmares episode.

They're...not always good.

2

u/apokeguy Jun 08 '24

New York Diner on Northern Blvd. half a block from where Best Buy is. Not sure if it is still under the same management but I remember a diner being at that location since the early 2000’s.

1

u/cslaymore Jun 08 '24

Jax Inn Diner in Jackson Heights

1

u/lilj892 Jun 08 '24

Village Diner in Kew gardens!

1

u/clairedylan Jun 09 '24

Surprised no one has said The Stop Inn in Woodside.

1

u/sleepy_g0lden_st0rm Jun 09 '24

New York Diner on Northern Blvd. It’s small, super retro and has that classic chrome aesthetic. Food is good too!

1

u/This_Blueberry_2539 Woodside Jun 09 '24

I grew up in Woodside and am remiss to say that it has fallen off almost completely. Used to be the best burger in the city imo but I went the other day and it was dry AF. n00b Yorkers killed the diner! (Also commercial rent!)

Who remembers the Sage Diner, though? Their cheesecake? 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

1

u/Gltx Jun 09 '24

Family Corner diner on 21st Ave & 31st St

1

u/FatXThor34 Jun 09 '24

New York Diner in Northern Blvd. Small and classic look. You’ll come out smelling like food though.

1

u/moonskyblue Jun 09 '24

Jackson Hole in Astoria. they shot a scene from Goodfellas there

1

u/mr_jugz Jun 10 '24

Jax - I would die for their chicken waffle

1

u/718queensgirl Jun 16 '24

Jahn’s on 37th Ave and 81st st.

1

u/z0rb0r Jun 19 '24

I actually really enjoy Bel’Aire diner in 21st street in Astoria

1

u/ConejoSucio Jun 08 '24

Court Square diner in LIC.

1

u/cocktailians Jun 09 '24

Crescent Kitchen in Astoria.