Along College Point Boulevard, at the corner of 14th Road is the College Point Diner. This Greek diner, the sort that’s a staple of small towns and communities, fits nicely in the quiet confines of this neighborhood. The menu is expansive and ranges from breakfast staples like bacon and eggs to Greek gyros and a pot roast plate that every grandma in Queens would gladly eat at 4 p.m.
Diane Kordich said she visits the diner at least once or twice a month. “The food is good. It’s cheap. It’s quiet here and I know I can sit and relax.” Kordich said she usually sticks to the breakfast menu.
“Sometimes I’ll get fries with my eggs if I want something extra,” she said.
The counter and kitchen window at the College Point Diner. A popular takeout spot, one large order is almost ready to go.
©Shane English
The food at the College Point Diner is solid and affordable. The portions are generous. Breakfast is served all day and quickly made to order. For $5.95 the diner offers two eggs (any style) with a generous serving of bacon, home fries and toast. I ordered eggs over easy and the yolk was creamy and perfect for dipping toast. Unfortunately, the bacon was closer to burnt than crisp. It was brittle and noticeably tasted like griddle scrapings.
I couldn’t quite finish my heaping portion of home fries but the potatoes were fresh and crispy. Even with the slightly burnt bacon, the College Point Diner serves a solid and affordable breakfast.
The generous portions continue with lunch and dinner. For $8.95, the bacon cheeseburger with fries, onion rings and coleslaw is a hearty (if not exactly healthy) meal. The burgers are fresh and cooked to order. My burger, cooked medium well, was still juicy and had a spackling of pink at the center. The melted cheddar and the lettuce and tomato were crisp and fresh. The bun was a little thin but totally serviceable.
A generous meal: A bacon cheeseburger, fries and onion rings.
©Shane English
The bacon, however, was as burnt as at breakfast. During breakfast, the diner was busy so it was easy to assume that my bacon had been momentarily forgotten and burnt but when I ate a late lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant.
The burgers are great, but maybe skip the bacon.
When asked about the bacon, Kordich said, “I stick to sausage. I know it’s good.”
The fries and onion rings were not freshly cut but they were fried perfectly. The onion rings were slightly crispy on the outside and sweet and juicy under the batter. The fries crisp exteriors gave way to the fluffy potato goodness inside.
The staff is friendly and polite. The same waitress served me during both of my visits. She was quick and unobtrusive, easily juggling the relatively full breakfast crowd. During the quiet afternoon, she was relaxed but still attentive, clearing my plate and refilling my water with a smile.
The diner is warm and inviting, the tables are spread so that everyone has plenty of breathing room. Across from the kitchen is a soda-fountain style bar with spinning circular stools.
The diner is decorated for Christmas: there are festive lights framing the kitchen and garland along the bar. The windows are painted with candy-canes, snowmen and wintry scenes. The windows that face the road read Merry Christmas and the outdoor awnings drip with white icicle lights.
Maria, the waitress, said that she liked serving regulars best. “They come in and they sit and I know what they want to start. It’s easy and they’re friendly.”
“We have lots of people who get take out a couple times a week,” Maria said, in addition to people who come in and eat.
Although there are diners like this in neighborhoods throughout New York City, the College Point Diner serves solid meals at even better prices. Between the menu’s variety and the staff’s quick and friendly service, it’s hard to leave without a smile.
