In July 2016 I made my way to the Del Rio Diner, Kings Highway and West 12th Street, having heard of its impending closure. NYC’s classic diners have been shutting down, one after the other, for about a decade as high rents, the costs of huge menus, and owners’ retirement all take their toll.
The Del Rio boasted a Spanish Colonial style, which the old Americana in Bay Ridge (7th Avenue and 65th Street) also used. In 2016 the diner closed after exactly 40 years, though its owner, Larry Georgeton, still operates the Vegas Diner on 86th Street in Bensonhurst with his son.
Business at Del Rio has slowed considerably over the years as demographics shifted and the cost of labor and food skyrocketed.
“The economy is not for this kind of business model anymore,” said Larry. “I love my customers, and I don’t want to hurt them with the menu. They are hardworking, middle class people here — bus drivers, postmen, teachers — they don’t want to pay $9-$10 for a hamburger, so I said, let’s go out on top.”
Scenes from the 2007 comedy film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and an episode of the television show Blacklist were both filmed at the diner. Del Rio tables have seen Major League baseball player [the late] Joe Pepitone as well as comedian Jackie Mason, who brought with him an entourage of six. “He stopped at every single table,” Larry said of the humorist.
Larry fondly recalls Del Rio during Bensonhurst’s disco era, when John Travolta-wannabes packed the diner after hours each weekend.
“You had to be here Friday and Saturday night, it was killer. We use to get all the clubs,” said Larry. “It was like a fashion show; with the girls, and the guys were all three-piece suits.” Bensonhurst Bean
I judge a diner by its burgers and the Del Rio’s was excellent, medium cooked was melt in your mouth. The fries were a mix of meaty and crispy, with skins left on. Terrific stuff. Why don’t people like diner food anymore? Tell me why diner culture is disappearing in Comments.
I strolled past the site just a few months ago [in 2022] and the Del Rio site remains an empty lot after nearly seven years.
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5/19/23