Eight Local Diners To Satisfy Your Breakfast And Burger Binges After El Greco’s Closing

As we mournfully bid “αντίο” — that’s Greek for “Auf Wiedersehen” — to our friends at El Greco Diner, and further lament the long bygone days of other legendary neighborhood dinerial establishments such as Ray & Shy’s Flame Restaurant (aka “The Flame,” where my parents went on their first date back in 1970), the Foursome, which made the finest U-bet’s egg creams on God’s green earth, and my personal favorite, New Clements, of blessed memory… let us remember the good times and turn toward the future.

With tomorrow’s pending closure of El Greco, our little corner of the world grows ever more bereft of places to get disco fries at 2 in the morning.

However, once the mourning period for El Greco concludes (and really, does it ever?), there is no reason, after a night out

celebrating that much-deserved promotion, why you should deny your hypothalamus and grumbling belly the greasy, dopamine-skritching, artery-gorging deliciousness that is two eggs sunny side up, crispy home fries, sizzling bacon, and a piping hot black cuppa joe.

Well, I have great news for all you intrepid foodies: You can still have those things… just, after Friday, not at El Greco. If you’re a local diner fiend looking to get your greasy spoon on, do like Elizabeth Taylor once said and “Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together… and check out Sheepshead Bites’ roundup of some neighborhood diners to help fill the gaping void that El Greco will leave in our broken hearts forever.”

Okay, she didn’t really say that last part, but still… check out our roundup of local diners and diner-style eateries below. I checked out the user comments for all these places on Yelp, some of which were profoundly bizarre. In lieu of my own opinions (because I haven’t actually been to a couple of these places), I chose the more illustrious comments on Yelp. They speak for themselves.

It should also be noted that all of these places are rated between two and a half to three and a half stars out of five on Yelp, which basically means: “The waitress was snotty,” “the fries were soggy” and “Wow! This place is better than the Taj Mahal!”

Kouros Bay Diner (3861 Nostrand Avenue; (718) 743-5777):

“For those who know Brooklyn diners, you know that The Foursome closed down and reopened as Kouros Bay on Nostrand Ave.  I’m so glad that they did because this place is prettier and seem to attract a mixed crowd than the the septuagenarians and the octogenarians I was used to seeing at the other location.  I have nothing against old people… just saying.” – Angel F., Brooklyn, NY.

Perry’s Restaurant (3482 Nostrand Avenue; (718) 934-9800):

“This restaurant is above all a great value. The portions are enormous.  Dinners include: a platter with pickles, chick peas and cole slaw; a soup or salad; a main dish with a starch of your choice and a vegetable of your choice; a complimentary glass of California jug wine; a dessert.  Oy vay, who can eat that much?  Perry in person runs around the dining room to make sure that everyone is happy.  The patrons, most of whom are card-carrying AARP members, have a great time.  When the check comes, you wonder how things can possibly be that cheap. The quality/price ratio is so high that you forget about the numerator of the fraction.  The food is actually OK.  It’s worth making a small detour to visit Perry’s.” – Kenneth R., Berkeley, CA.

Card-carrying AARP members? I’m sensing a theme here…

3 Star Restaurant (1611 Avenue U; (718) 336-4195): This review was longer than “War and Peace” so I just borrowed the more illustrious snippets:

“My husband loves diners.  He’s not a simple man by any stretch of the imagination, but his taste in food is simple.  One family member has referred to him affectionately as being “tastebud challenged”.  I heart him nonetheless.  One of the things he likes as a meal is scrambled eggs and home fries.  3 Star Restaurant provides that.  We’ve been going to 3 Star Restaurant for many years as well as to other diners in our area.  When judging diners, I look for consistency and hot strong coffee.

Today we went there to have breakfast, and as we were being seated, I noticed one couple chatting with a police officer that was dining alone two tables away.  It was a little loud, but I liked it.  It feels homey.  We were served by a Russian waitress who we found to be surprisingly both polite and friendly!  We ordered four different plates and by the time I turned my head, she had already brought over four piping hot plates.

One Caveat:  Unless you’re with me, you’re going to have difficulty parking in this area.” – Angel F., Brooklyn, NY.

Hey, it’s so great that you heart your husband even though he is “tastebud challenged.” That would be such a deal-breaker for me.

Spiro’s Restaurant (2103 Avenue U, (718) 891-9843):

“It is open from 6am to 8pm. Their food, service and environment is very classic and in old fashion. I just wish my grandpa colud be as healthy and happy as those 2 old men, the owner and the cook.”– Queenie W., Manhattan, NY.

Manny’s Café Family Restaurant (311 Avenue X; (718) 645-9005):

“Breakfast for dinner is getting fun! This was a great little place, fast and friendly service. Frank and Dean playing in the background and the food was good. It wasn’t crowded so we were able to talk easily and enjoy the meal and family time together.” – Chris H., Cordova, TN

Mirage Diner (717 Kings Highway; (718) 998-3750).

“This is a legit diner. I was happy with my grilled cheese and chocolate milkshake. Some of the other patrons had some pretty impressive feasts at their tables. All of the sugar packets were facing the same way and perfectly aligned.” – Cori C., Brooklyn, NY

Not only a legit diner, but it sounds like Adrian Monk might be moonlighting as a busboy there — a sure sign of cleanliness.

Oasis Restaurant (2132 Flatbush Avenue; (718) 258-3461):

“If kings plaza dinner hadn’t closed, I wouldn’t have found this place. Great food & service. Portions r hugeeeee and im a big guy. Staff is like family. It is always ‘anything u want, anyway u want’. Never a no. Value is tremendous. The complete dinners have always us leaving with a 2nd midnight diner at home. My dad always enjoys the huge primerib. complete  with drinks, Soup, side, vegetable and dessert @ about 20 dollars!!!! Love this place.” – Joey C., Brooklyn, NY

“Oasis is free of ‘diner stench’ and it matters a lot.” – Christina G., Brooklyn, NY

The Floridian Diner (2301 Flatbush Avenue; (718) 377-1895):

“The decor?? Wow VERY Florida, retirement-at-80-years-old-senior-citizen-lost-my-­dentures-wheres-my-wheelchair-looking spot Colorful, and very outdated. Def not a South Beach Florida vibe. More of an old school Orlando.” — Nate S., Deer Park, NY

If we left any out, be sure to let us know in the comments (as our commenters invariably always do), and if you’ve been to any of these places, tell us what you think of them.