I had never eaten at the Comfort Diner — in the 1980s called the Jay Dee Coffee Shop — while working at Photo-Lettering, though at 214, Jay Dee was right next to PL at 216. It had “normal” hours and was closed when I went to lunch in the overnight hours. I never thought to try it before work, though, and I can’t remember if it had any of those classic diner trappings back then. These may be add-ons, because Jay Dee doesn’t show up on any of my NYC diner sources. This is the only Comfort Diner in operation at present — the West 23rd Street Comfort, just west of 5th Avenue, shut down in early 2009.
I finally had breakfast at the Comfort in 2018, when I worked for a couple of months on the 12-8 AM shift at Summit Financial in the same building Photo-Lettering had been located in. The pancakes are OK, but it’s hard to ruin those.
There has apparently always been a restaurant in this one-story building. In 1940 it was called the City Desk Luncheonette. There had been a number of steakhouses in the area that catered to both the news industry and the showbiz crowd; East 45th came to be known as Steak Row in its heyday beginning in the 1920s.
Have you been in the Comfort Diner?
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
7/15/25
5 comments
I steadfastly maintain that Texas Roadhouse is an absolute gem when it comes to steakhouses. It’s two-thirds the quality of a fancy pants steakhouse at one-third the price.
I had breakfast there several years ago and bought one of their high-quality coffee mugs. No idea if they still sell them.
I work in the area and have been there several times. Foot traffic on that street is a bit slow, so I hope the place will be able to hold on.
Another “oldie” is John’s Diner on 2nd Ave/44th. Been there since the 1940s. They seem to draw a brisk business from one of several hotels that opened over the past few years in the area.
BTW, I grew up in your area. 41st Ave in Little Neck. 1969-1994. Enjoy your posts greatly.
Cheers!
I recall the location but didn’t know much about these diners, but I dearly miss John Bruno and the Pen & Pencil.
Amazing — “Gergle” Street View has ten different dates, going back to 2011, and they EACH include at least one section of scaffolding, if not two, if not — nearly that entire side of the street.