Neptune Diner in Astoria. Photo via Google Maps
July 22, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
Neptune Diner, which has served the Astoria community for the last 40 years, will close its doors for the final time this Sunday.
The popular diner first opened at 31-05 Astoria Blvd. in 1984 and quickly became a beloved local institution.
Staff at the diner confirmed that it will close its doors on Sunday, July 28, to facilitate a large-scale residential building development. Owner Peter Katsihtis, who opened the diner in 1984, was not immediately available for comment.
Katsihtis has since opened two more Neptune diners, opening Neptune II on Classon Avenue in Brooklyn in 2012 and Neptune Diner on Bell Boulevard in Bayside in 2020. Staff at the Astoria-based diner confirmed that both locations will remain open.
However, the popular Astoria location, known for its 24-hour service, traditional diner fare and Greek specialties, will close its doors Sunday after five years of persistent rumors about its future.
Rumors about Neptune’s closure began surfacing five years ago when the diner’s initial 35-year lease expired in August 2019.
Katsihdis dismissed the rumors at the time, stating that he had a five-year lease extension at the site.
He also acknowledged that the sale of the property in October 2018 alongside two adjacent lots had contributed to rumors about the diner’s imminent closure.
In 2022, Katsihdis said Neptune would “not yet” be closing down after the City Council unanimously approved Astoria-based MDM Development’s plans to rezone a section of 31st Street where the diner was located.
The council voted 47-0 in favor of the rezoning plan, giving MDM Development the green light to construct three residential buildings on the east side of 31st Street.
The three-building development includes 278 residential units, including 69 affordable housing units, and will also bring retail space and community facilities, according to plans approved by the City Council in January 2022.
The three buildings are slated to go up where Neptune Diner, Staples, and a nearby vacant lot are currently located.
No one from MDM Development was available for comment.
Neptune Diner has long served as a local Astoria landmark, with local residents previously stating that they visited the diner for family meals or to “close business deals.”
Its imminent closure is the latest in a series of closures that has seen New York’s diner scene shrink considerably in recent years.
At least eight other Queens diners have closed their doors since 2018, with the iconic Shalimar Diner in Rego Park shuttering in 2018 along with the popular Elmhurst establishment Georgia Diner, which merged with Nevada Diner.
Briarwood’s Flagship Diner also closed its doors in 2018, while the Terrace Diner in Bay Terrace and Kane’s Diner in Flushing both shuttered in 2019.
Mike’s Diner, an Astoria institution that served the neighborhood for over 90 years, permanently closed in 2022, while the T-Bone Diner in Forest Hills closed its doors in the same year.
More recently, Bayside residents mourned the closure of the neighborhood staple the Bayside Diner, which closed down in April last year.
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SAVE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD DINER BEFORE IT IS GONE FOR GOOD by Larry Penner
Closing of the Astoria, Queens Neptune Diner on Sunday, July 28th was bad news for diner patrons Over the years, we have seen the demise of too many other diners including the Bay Terrace (Bayside). Bayside (Bayside), Gold Star (Bayside), Triple Crown (Bellerose), Parkway (Douglaston), Seville (Douglaston), Sage (Elmhurst), Nevada (Elmhurst), Kanes (Flushing), Saravan (Flushing), Palace (Flushing), Future (Fresh Meadows), T-Bone (Forest Hills), Waterview (Howard Beach), Fame (Jamaica), Scobees Grill (Little Neck), Sky Line (Glen Oaks), Shalimar (Rego Park) Tasty (Ridgewood) and other diners I may have overlooked. All to often, the diner owners did not own the land their establishment was built on. The landlord could sell the property to a developer earning far more money than the diner owner could afford to pay. As a result, the diner had to close..
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Diners have been part of my life from teenage years to today. Eating out is a periodic ritual with my wife. Portions are generous. Who never took a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day. Between the customary soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles along with the main course — dinner could satisfy the heartiest appetite. Many times, we bagged our desserts to go.
Neighborhoods have seen changes over time. Many new immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to fast food restaurants. Many of their menus have expanded to also include breakfast items and a greater variety of items for lunch or dinner.
Remember these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our community creating new employment opportunities. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either.
In these difficult economic times, it is important to patronize your favorite restaurants. Let us honor the employees who make them a success. There are several ways to say thank you. Let your server(s), cooks and owners know you appreciate the excellent food and service.
My wife and I try to tip 20 to 25 percent against the total bill including taxes. If it is an odd amount, round up to the next dollar. If you can afford to eat out, you can afford an extra dollar tip. When ordering take out, don’t forget to leave a dollar or two for the waiter or cook.
Remember the people who work at your favorite restaurant are our neighbors. They work long hours for little pay and count on tips, which make up a significant portion of their income. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either. Your purchases keep our neighbors employed and local economy growing.
Drop off a box of candy, cookies or some other treat for your favorite waiter or restaurant staff next time you stop by.
Here’s hoping that our remaining Queens diners including the Austin House (Forest Hills), Bel Aire (Astoria), Atlantic (South Richmond Hill), Avenita (Jamaica), Bell (Oakdale Garden), Big Apple Eats (Long Island City), Blue Bay (Fresh Meadows), Buccaneer (East Elmhurst), Corona (Corona), Court Square (Long Island City), Cross Bay (Howard Beach), George (Elmhurst) Good Eats (Maspeth), Jackson Hole (East Elmhurst), Jackson House (Jackson Heights), Jax Inn (Jackson Heights), New York (Long Island City), North Shore (Bayside), Silver Spoon (LeFrak City), Ozone (Howard Beach), Esqire (Ozone Park), Mike’s (Ozone Park), ops (Flushing), Springfield (Jamaica), The Classic (Richmond Hill), USA (Rosedale) and others that I may have missed all continue to survive and prosper.
(Larry Penner is a frequent patron of Queens diners for over 5 decades)
I am really surprised. every greek owner i knew would eventually buy the property to keep prices low….
I’ve been going there for over 30 years. When ever I’m in New York, I stop there for dinner or lunch.
Going to be sad when it closes. R.I.P.
This is the post of living in NYC and it’s surrounding boroughs that I dread. We are losing great places like this one to eat at for big developers. This restaurant was a great restaurant. I was able to have a wonderful meal with my family that served Greek American meals. I am so sick of restaurant chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and others. This was the last great place to dine with a family feel that reminded me of childhood. What else will greed take from
Alpha Donuts in Sunnyside was a small diner that was popular among the locals. They sadly also closed.