Here is Curtis Sliwa sitting in the diner, explaining the history of Neptune Diner…column continues below…
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Another iconic New York City diner is closing its doors.
Neptune Diner in Astoria, Queens served up its final plates of eggs and pancakes on Sunday, ending a decades-long run for the business. The current version of the diner opened in the early 1980s, but the building — with its red-tiled roof and stone facade — dates back to the 1960s.
The family-owned business was unable to renew its lease on the property, which will be converted into a new housing development.
Customers swarmed the greasy spoon for a final taste of its fare — with many ordering a second meal to go.
“It’s really sad. Diners are such a mainstay in New York City,” said Brendan O’Brien, 36, as he cherished his final moments in one of Neptune’s clam-shaped booths. “So many of the diners in Astoria are gone now, and it’s like, is there a diner to go to anymore nearby?”
O’Brien’s not wrong. Diners have been in decline across the five boroughs for years. The trend has only sped up since the COVID-19 pandemic, when indoor dining prompted longtime staples like Good Stuff Diner in Chelsea to close shop for good.