Mike’s Diner
June 5, 2014 By Michael Florio
A longtime Astoria diner is undergoing a makeover.
Mike’s Diner, which is located by the Ditmars subway station at 22-37 31st Street, closed three weeks ago to undergo a gut renovation.
The owners, John Kamitsis and Pavlakos Kostas, are installing new tables, booths and ceilings. They are also putting up stone-faced interior walls.
Mike’s Diner was established in 1928, with its current owners taking it over in 1988. This is the third time Kamitsis and Kostas have renovated it since they have owned it.
“This is a landmark to Astoria,” said Kostas. “We are just changing it with the times.”
The diner will feature French style doors, leaving its entire frontage open to the street.
The owners plan to keep the menu largely the same although they will include more salads and organic options.
“We want to be more health oriented,” Kamitsis said.
They plan to reopen June 9.
6 Comments
Since it’s reopened I feel like there an entirely new staff. Is it just me? Maybe I’m going at completely different times than I was before but I don’t recognize anyone any more. And there have been a few very green waitresses there that almost seem nervous to take orders… haha Not a terrible thing but I just miss some of the more experienced servers. 😛
I had my last lunch there the day I retired from teaching at PS 85 in 2001! A great place!!
So did I are used to go there during lunch with my grandmother who lived across the street
I remember Mike’s from the 70’s. It was a real diner then and you didn’t need to speak Greek to get good service. Last time I was there, waited 10 minutes before a waiter even showed up at the table. Meanwhile, two other customers who spoke Greek got served immediately.
The absolute BEST Avgolemono Soup in NYC ( except my moms ) …
Whatever they do, I hope they leave the iconic sign out front.