after kitchen fire|As they pored over the glossy pages of Scobee Diner’s menu deciding their lunch order, Phillip and Beverly Aufiero of Bay Terrace said they were glad the Little Neck diner had reopened its doors last week after a fire gutted the k
By Sophia Chang
“We missed it,” Beverly Aufiero said, noting that she and her husband had been having lunch at the diner about once a week for the past five years. The diner was back in business July 14.
On a recent visit, the diner on Northern Boulevard and Little Neck Parkway showed no signs of the April 10 kitchen fire that destroyed all the kitchen equipment and shuttered the diner for extensive renovations. The interior, freshly painted with new cityscape murals, fairly gleamed as a waiter polished one of the many mirrors lining the walls.
“When we had the fire, people were very concerned and asked when we would reopen,” said Harry Pallas, co-owner of the diner along with Sol Winder, Gus Xikis and Greg Christ. “At the time we thought four weeks, but due to equipment deliveries and construction delays, it was held up.”
There was never a question of closing down the diner permanently, Pallas said, citing its long history in the community. The Scobee Diner was originally owned by former CIA director George Tenet's family, and was bought by the four partners in 1960.
“Everyone is very glad that we opened,” he said. “The phone didn't stop ringing, at least 10 phone calls a day, with people asking 'Will everything be the same?'”
Although the renovations retained most of the original look of the diner, Pallas said new murals have been painted on the walls and the skylights. In addition, the menu has been updated while keeping many of the classics, which have proved popular with customers.
“We've put on new breakfast items, and we now serve relish trays with every dinner” with pickled beets, kidney beans and chickpeas, Pallas said. There are new fish items, a new Mexican omelette, new wraps, a heftier hamburger, new Greek specialities. And in a real reflection of today's palate, Pallas said there are now low-carb offerings at the diner. “We've upscaled our regular service,” he said.
But you can expect to see the same staff, with some new faces, Pallas said. “The staff that left due to the fire, they're all back 100 percent with some new people,” he said, noting that he was especially proud of this aspect of the reopening.
The local Lions Club, which had met at the diner before the fire, has hung its flag outside the diner again, and various civic organizations have also resumed their breakfast meetings at the diner, Pallas said. “We've been part of the community for 44 years,” he said. “We're just going to continue doing business and taking care of our customers.”
And it looks like customers are returning the favor, Pallas said. “Since we opened, business is booming.”
Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
