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Cheyenne Diner serves final meal

By Marlene Naanes | mnaanes@am-ny.com

April 7, 2008

The Cheyenne Diner is located on the corner of 33rd Street and Ninth Ave. The diner has been in the area for more than 50 years and is one of the last remaining railroad-car-style diners in Manhattan. (RJ Mickelson, amNewYork / March 31, 2008)

Loyal customers and diner enthusiasts flocked to get the last eggs over easy ever served at the iconic Cheyenne Diner Sunday as the chrome-covered eatery closed its doors forever.

Weary employees and the diner's owner served up heaping portions of comfort food and breakfast dishes and received best wishes from patrons before the midtown business was official closed by 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Some folks came for the first time, some came back after several-year hiatuses and regulars showed up to pay their respects and look at one of the last diners of its kind for the last time.

"It was sad just to think it's the last time it's going to be here," said 15-year regular Jennifer Tessler, 60, of Chelsea as her boyfriend took photos to remember the place. "I wish I could afford to buy it or move it."

The likelihood that the railroad car-style diner, including the iconic neon sign, would be saved may have increased yesterday as the property owner confirmed that a diner museum was checking out if the structure could withstand a move. The museum also found interested buyers. It could take weeks before any decision on a move or sale is made.

Unclear though was if business owner Spiros Kasimis will open up another eatery with some of the familiar memorabilia, including signed photos of celebrity patrons like David Letterman. Kasimis, who's owned the business since 1989, said he was touched and overwhelmed by the number of patrons who showed up yesterday, and gave at least one longtime customer a free meal.

By midday, he was tired.

"I just want to get this over with, to tell you the truth," he said, adding that he is grateful the property owner let him stay as long as he did. "I'm not sad. These things happen ... all over New York."

Property owner George Papas has said that he wants to build a nine-story commercial and residential development on the lot where the diner currently sits. Patrons said they hoped the diner would be spared destruction and some hoped they could visit it in its new location.

"The physical restaurant is closing, but it will live on in another location and in the hearts and minds of people," said regular Bryan Pazaras, 48, who made a special trip from his Putnam County home yesterday. "This place just had a comfortable feel like you have when you are at home enjoying a meal and relaxing. You'd see New Yorkers in here, you'd see tourists in here and you'd see people who worked in the neighborhood in here, and the great thing is they're sitting side-by-side, comfortably."