The Empire Diner

Some impressions of Empire Diner friends...

2010-05-19T04:59:00.003-04:00

... read more after the break ...

dear empire staff,

there was a time when the Empire was not yet the world's most famous diner. probably no one there now remembers the winter of 1977, when 2 'starving' musicians came is regularly at 2:30 am after the Village bars had put us out on the street. we came often for early breakfast. and then, once we got the know the crew we gradually insinuated ourselves into the vicinity of the piano, then located down at one end of the counter. it was a fine instrument too. a Kawai upright in good tune. after a bit it became our habit to jam for whoever was left hanging around until 4 or 5. then home to bed. my buddy's name is Steve M.

. he played guitar, and i played that piano. i'm not sure if our efforts were appreciated or just tolerated, but we were left alone, which was enough for us. over several months we really tuned up our repertoire.

that winter was an especially difficult time for me. i had returned to NYC after many years, and NY wasn't ready for me yet. [ it's still not :-) ] the following year i moved to southern NH and stayed there for 14 years. the Empire faded into history for me.

but i write today to express my gratitude and to wish you all well. there was a moment when the Empire diner provided a temporary 'home' for me during one very cold NY winter, when i was hard pressed to find one anywhere else in the big apple.

many thanks [ from a heart you helped to warm up ]

very best regards.

Kendell K.

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Hi

I just wanted to share my thoughts, I have been enjoying my Chili Sundae since the days I used to work at The Roxy Roller Disco.

After I would get off of work at 3:00 am I would come over and have that with the Sour Creme Apple Pie,

Now flash forward 30 years and I would take my son and Nanny in to enjoy the same Chili Sundae, and they

enjoyed the burgers with Brownie Sundaes for Dessert.

Today My Son Maxwell and myself are very sad.

We will always have the fondest thoughts for The Empire Diner and the Staff

Regards

Elyse & Maxwell R.

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In 1979, I moved from Berkeley into the apartment building next door to the Empire (yes, the one with EAT painted on the side). My roommate and I went there all the time and split many a "brownie all the way" late at night. At the time, it was just a great place to go with a very cool clientele (at least from the perspective of a grad student living in NYC for the first time).

I only lived there one year, but I developed a real attachment to the Empire and came back as often as I could over the years when I traveled to NYC. I sent many friends there to get a real local experience and loved it every time the diner made an appearance in a movie or TV show.

Can't believe it won't be there next time. Like so many others, it just seemed to be one of those places that would always be there to provide an anchor for every subsequent trip. We're going to NYC this summer and I had already planned to take my teenagers to show them where I lived and to stop in at the Empire. I just saw the note on its closing in the NYTimes. Time passes, things change; there are no more Italian Ice guys in the West 90s, so few slice places left in Manhattan and now no Empire Diner.

Congrats on a long run.

Last days of the Diner

2010-05-18T08:57:00.000-04:00

We sit now in The Empire Diner soaking in something we've never before experienced here-Silence.
Sunlight shines through the 10th ave. windows, gleams off the Chromed Black Chairs that are up on the tables making this beacon of warmth look like a Retro-Futuristic Kindergarten Classroom waiting for the happy hungry noisy kids to return.

They will not return.

Two days ago, Friday Night, we served our last meals at the World's Most Famous Diner. The crowds came early and we were busy to the end. I came up from the basement prep kitchen and overheard bits of conversation; people remembering past meals here, past encounters, past celebrity sightings.
Different menu items ran out through the evening one by one- Lamb Burgers 86 ed at 10:30, Fish & Chips just past Noon, Grilled Chicken Cutlets around 9:45. We sat at table 82 in the cafe having a beer and trying to keep our smiles on when, just after I heard the waiters passing the word that our Hamburgers were gone, I got a text message from the kitchen-"Shut it down, we're down to Eggs and White Bread."

At 11:15 we closed the kitchen and I chatted with the couple sharing the last meal to come from our kitchen-a plate of French Toast, sliced banana already devoured. They had come here for their first date years ago, she said, and were now married for some time. I thanked them, picked up their tab and said goodnight to my business partner, to staff, and gathered my own wife and her bag into a cab.

Saturday morning Debra and I returned to the Diner to prepare for our Wrap Up Party- an intimate affair for 250 or so of our closest friends. Wine and Brie en Croute, Huge bowls of Chili, Beef and Turkey Sliders, Hummus, Giant Frittatas, Renate working like a smiling Mad Scientist at the Punch Bowls, re-mixing the liquors and the Lemon Ice as the day went on, always changing, always tasty and alwayseffective! A pair of rambling off the cuff speeches, a shout out to Carl who helped start it all in '76: the Diner, the Icon, The whole Chelsea Renaissance. An enormous Carrot cake cut into slices- four us us cutting, plating, traying.

All day and into the night former waiters, guests, managers who had once worked with us returned to say farewell, their faces, some burnished by time, some bearing the years with less grace, all expressed the grief of our departure, the joy of our shared memories.

A wonderfully boisterous party with Seniors parked by the counter, Renate's grand daughters and friend gently slipping through the maze of giant grown-ups, three babies, a couple of toddlers, one former waitress returned with her husband and growing clan, the sweet reporter from WNYC with her boyfriend, the former manager/waitress Betsy stirring up the crowd when she was hoisted aloft by her neck- (Don't Ask!), plans for future Empire Diners discussed, Photos taken, poems exchanged, hugs lingered over and departed friends remembered.

Again I took Debra and our daughter Sarah home early, exhausted in mind and body, and later heard that the festivities went on into the late night with some dancing, some declarations of love, some tears. It was just like any great party that lasted 34 years.

The last day...

2010-05-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Well friends, the day we have dreaded has arrived; this, our last morning at the Empire Diner on 10th & 22nd has broken clear and bright, and soft Spring breezes make sitting at our Sidewalk Cafe a real treat. This is your last chance to dine there or in our Black Glass, Mirror and Stainless Steel interior.

The last chance to have one of our omelets at the Counter, a burger and a beer at one of our tables.

Come to us, Pilgrim, and take sustenance for Body and Soul on this day of Leave Taking and Goodbyes.

Our doors will close at Midnight tonight, so join the crowd and get toasted- (I know I will)

See Ya'.

Across the Black Glass

2010-05-01T12:59:00.001-04:00

Friends, we are nearing the end of our stay here on the corner of 22nd and 10th.

As Spring and its promise of change and renewal quickens our pulses and heightens our optimism, we find ourselves packing our bags to leave what has been home to us for over three decades; we say goodbye to the friends we've made, the strangers we have fed and charmed, to those who have met future lovers, spouses, one-night flings, and mortal enemies here in our oasis of cool warmth and cold beer.

We are also touched by the fond memories and the outpourings of affection we have received since we announced our departure.

We are touched to the point of tears.

We always had an inkling that the Empire Diner was a Big Deal, but when you've been intimately involved with its day-to-day operation for well nigh three decades, you don't have an appreciation of what it has meant to so many who have passed through its doors, read about it in Guide Books, seen it in movies or ads, or just caught a glimpse of the flashing lights, EAT sign, and Stainless Steel Spire on the corner of its roof.

We expect to soon be moving into new quarters, new kitchen, new office, new job.

We hope to have fresher, better iterations of the Empire Diner in the near future, and we will grow to love our new digs and the new friends we make there, but.

But.

This has been our home and our love, our misery and our joy for the better part of our lives, and it tears at our souls to be leaving here.

We hope to see you at our New Empire Diner, wherever it will be.

Keep reading this page for news and updates.

In the meantime - "Be Kind, For Every Person You Meet Is Fighting A Great Battle." -- Philo

New York Times Blog

2010-05-01T12:57:00.000-04:00

Dinersjournal Blog

Customer notes...

2010-05-01T12:53:00.004-04:00

...just a incomplete collection of some customer notes...

As a long-time Chelsea resident, I am incredibly sad that you are leaving. I wish you could find a way to stay. You will be missed - Seena

*****

I was saddened to learn the news of your closing on New York One News. We are originally from Amsterdam, Holland, so we would always come to your diner whenever we visited New York City. Now that we are residents, we still come here and bring all of our family and friends that visit from Holland. This brings tremendous sadness to many of our family and friends that love the Empire Diner as much as we do. This is very sad news and we wish for a miracle in order to save you from leaving. Please spare our favorite diner!!!

****

I lived in London terrace for 12+ years and Empire Diner was a part of my home and my personal History. I was friendly with waiters, brought ALL my friends there and my Dog Won 1st place and 2nd place Halloween contests!! I think that was in the late 90's or early 2000's. His name is Mac, Brown Standard Poodle and he won 1st place as Shakespeare and the next year 2nd place as Voldemort. I know you guys have photos.

it's a travesty to hear you're shutting down. Very sincerely, eve

****

I am so sad.

xoxxo

Betsyann

****

I suppose Thomas Wolfe is correct, "You can't go home again."

I spent the first 38 years of my life in NYC. My family still protects that town as NYPD. From my sister to my Great-Great Grandfather. I now live in San Francisco but am still a dyed in the wool New "Yawka." I fear to see what my hometown has become after five years away. The news of your closing is yet another sad story of how much NYC is changing, and I don't think it is all for the better.

Thank you for being a part of NYC and a bright spot in Chelsea. You will be missed.

Sincerely, Rebecca

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Dear Empire Diner,

It's so sad to see a good neighbor leave ... and it's especially sad when it's the place where my husband and I went to celebrate after our City Hall wedding. We had a bigger celebration with family and friends later, but the Empire Diner was a very special and small celebration on the official day.

Chelsea is changing ...

With fond memories, Sarah

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Hi, I have just read the sad news’s regarding the closing of the diner.

My wife and I made a trip across the pond from the U.K. in March of 2009, for a week’s holiday.

One of our things to do was to call at the diner for a meal, which we did and it was everything we had read about and heard.

The service and food were second to none, the guy’s behind the counter were great, very friendly and lots of fun and they could understand someone like me with a strong north of England accent.

We are hoping to get back to NYC later this year and more trips to the diner were planed.

My wife Pauline and I wish you all the best for the future and whatever your plans are, we hope you achieve your goals.

Best regards, John Spencer (Manchester U.K.)

****

Damn

I'm British, work in NYC at times and I cannot believe that such an iconic piece of history is allowed to close!

That such a landmark place may end up being reduced to a plaque saying "The Empire Diner was here" is criminal.

I know all things change - but some things should remain the same to give anchors to folks' lives

I hope you find a new location and continue the tradition and heritage :-)

****

I was so upset to hearing the closing of the Empire Diner. I worked there from 1982 -85.I now live back in London,but make visits to NY twice a year.Wonderful memories.Sad ones too. Richard,Jack,Teddy,Ron,Billy,Patrick,Marvin and so many more.All gone but never forgotten.Renate and Mitchell not forgetting Mr.Chang I shall remember you all.

Much Love Alan

****

Memories been going there since 1980.

My cousin Cesar Caro worked there as a cook.

David the CPA was a friend. Lost track of him.

I worked at Simons restaurant, they were very good frineds of the owners.

whom I bought three Boats from Pinta, La Niña and Santa Maria

Which I still have. WOW.

Have Friends that live a block away.

Been there many times with friends and family. So SAD

I will have to go back for one last time.

Ruben

Empire Diner To Close

2010-05-01T11:36:00.003-04:00

After more than thirty years of serving Chelsea residents, actors, police commissioners, athletes, gangsters, such luminaries as Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, and anyone carrying a New York City Guide Book, the Empire Diner has lost its lease and is closing its doors May 15th, 2010.

Renate Gonzalez and Mitchell Woo are facing the bittersweet task of closing this iconic New York institution on 22nd and 10th while actively looking for sites to open a new Empire Diner.

The search is on for appropriate real estate in and around New York City, as well as abroad, on which to develop both new Empire Diners and Burger Rebels eateries.

Inasmuch as the Empire Diner will no longer be in its original location, the plan is to bring the Empire Diner Experience to neighborhoods around the world.

The Empire Diner was closed and nearly abandoned in 1976 when three young New Yorkers-Jack Doenias, Carl Laanes, and Richard Ruskay, renovated the former greasy spoon on then-grungy 10th Ave. and turned it into the landmark restaurant it has become. With its Chrome and Black interior, traveling marquee lights, outdoor café, flashing “EAT” sign, and stainless steel Empire State building silhouette, the Empire Diner became a major force in the Chelsea Renaissance that allowed art galleries, hotels, and other restaurants to replace the machine shops, gas stations and auto parts stores that then dominated the landscape.

After the passing of Doenias and Ruskay, surviving partner Carl Laanes sold the operation to Executive Chef Mitchell Woo and General Manager Renate Gonzalez. Renate had come to the Diner in 1986, Mitchell in 1980. Both have been hands-on owners and are deeply saddened to have to leave their professional homes of over three decades.

Mitchell and Renate hope that friends, customers, and anyone with a lead on a suitable site will leave word here for them. Interested people will be kept informed of progress in the News section of our web address.

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