broder

Visiting NYC in June and have been told visitors to the city should experience a Greek Diner. Looking for suggestions. Will be staying just north of Times Square.

Aduchamp1

Skyline 34th and Ninth Ave

But most of the good ones are in Brooklyn and Queens

ac291

Astoria maybe?

owlwoman

Cosmic Diner - 52nd (or 53rd) and 8th, there's another good one on 9th Ave. in the high 40's on the West side of the street and the Westway Diner is good too on 9th between 43-44 St. (The only thing I really eat at a diner is a spinich/feta cheese omelet). Don't expect gourmet food, just big portions with standard fare.

doug_stallings

There's just nothing that special about so-called "Greek" diners. There's one at the corner of 55th and Broadway, but I can't remember the name. I do like Cosmic, but it's not special in any way, and I've eaten at Westway a few times, though it's not my favorite. You'll be wise to stick to a hamburger or omelette (or better, breakfast).

Aduchamp1

Just ate at Westway a few weeks ago, it is nothing special but it does the menu and the atmosphere you are seeking.

A diner's menu will be encyclopedic, but as Diug points the irony is most people have a burger or an omelet. There should be a revolving dessert showcase by the entrance and if the lemon mernigue is not than two feet high, leave.

mclaurie

Many of the diners and coffee shops are owned by Greeks (just the way many of the corner deli/veg. markets are owned by Koreans). They usually have very good chicken souvlaki and other Greek specialties on the menu that most NYers don't eat. Are you looking for Greek food? If not, what is it you are looking for?

jroth

These are the features to look for in a Diner - Greek or not (but almost all are Greek): Waitresses who call you "hon", mints gratis at the cash register, menus about 6 pages long. I order a sliced egg sandwich with lettuce and tomato on a roll with mayo on the side.

michelleNYC

I don't really understand why you would seek out a "greek diner" in NYC. If you're looking for greek cuisine, try a greek restaurant, otherwise I'm not sure what you're looking for.

ellenem

I'm with michelle. This post reminds me of another recent thread where the OP had heard about eating at a "greasy spoon" and wondered if she should try it. I wonder what the allure was for the person who told broder about Greek diners . . . Dining with a view of a mural of the Parthenon?

Greek diners ARE my favorite place to get a quick burger or a breakfast special. But the mile-high cakes never taste as good as they look.

michelleNYC

Bingo Ellen. Re: the cakes... I definitely always thought they were for show (especially the ones in the mirrored, spinning case).

hvsteve1

I think some of the posters, being from NY, may miss the point. There is nothing similar to these NY "Greek" diners in some other parts of the country. Living upstate, we had loads to choose from. Having recently moved south, there is nothing like the big, glitsy diner with the huge menu in this part of the country. Years ago, my parents would visit from Connecticut and make a point of having us take them to diners as there were none in parts of that state. As the younger generation takes over the diners, many are becoming themed, which makes them even more interesting.

ellenem

Our point about Greek diners is, that even with the huge menus, we wouldn't recommend eating much more than a breakfast or burger at a Greek diner--there are so many better choices for better food in NYC.

Toucan2

I could be wrong, but I don't think that going to one for a visitor is about the food at the Greek diner. It's that it is a fairly unique "New York Experience." Not like going to the Met or anything, but you don't get many great bagels outside of New York, and you don't have many equivalents to the Greek diner outside of New York. It's okay to let visitors have the experience.

broder

Thanks for all of the responses to my post. I especially like all of the "how to know you are in a NYC Greek diner" comments. Easting at a Greek Diner is one of three things every visitor to the city should try was a suggestion of your mayor, Bloomberg, during a talk show interview.
Toucan 2 says it well--it is the NYC experience. Now, if you every come to Wisconsin, it is likely you will be advised to experience a fish fry.

Elainee

Trust me...Bloomberg, whom I admire, does not eat in Greek diners and I certainly would not bother with one as a NYC tourist. Almost anyplace would be better.

Aduchamp1

The following in December 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314108,00.html

And there is a sandwich shop on Park Place where someone for the Mayor often gets sandwiches to go.

Aduchamp1

Way late but for future reference.

Good Stuff Diner on 14th off Sixth is probably the best diner food we have eaten in Manhattan.

The place, athough large for Manhattan, was jammed at 2 PM service was prompt and not complacent. We had an Greek omelette and lunch special whcih was a roast sandwich with a small cup of store made chicken soup, Everything was pretty good. They made their own cole slaw with raisins.

With one coffee at a reasonable $1.35 the bill came to $22.

Diner fans try it. It won Time Out NY 2008 Best Diner Award.

Gwendolynn

Bloomberg (and fatties like me) eat at Viand. they roast fresh turkeys every day.. get a turkey sandwich with both dark and white meat w/ mayo and lettuce. Unless you're 6'4 and weigh 225 split it with a friend - There's one at 78th and Madison (mine and the mayor's), one in the 60's and Mad... and one at 86th and 2nd.

Aduchamp1

From what I read the Viands are not related even though they have the same name.