Passing Bellerose Tiles and Building Materials on Jericho Turnpike west of 249th Street in Bellerose in February 2026, my first outing after a long layoff due to cold, wind and ice, I was struck by its resemblance to a diner, with its picture windows and gleaming chrome exterior.
Indeed a look at Street View reveals it to be the former Triple Crown Diner. Belmont Park is just to the south, its presence reflected in the Triple Crown Diner (American and Greek flags a-flutter) and the Finish Line Tavern (also gone). The track is all but inaccessible from Jericho Turnpike, though; you have to enter via Hempstead Turnpike, which motorists reach via the Cross Island Parkway, part of the NYC Belt system.
What’s strange about the Triple Crown is that it wasn’t here that long. It opened in 2001, replacing the Bellerose Diner which had been in business from 1947-2000. I had passed by back in 2007 previously on a previous Jericho Turnpike walk (before 2005 the north side of the road was called Jamaica Avenue). Very close to the diner was The Frozen Cup, which dispensed sugary frozen treats; it had closed by 2001. The Triple Crown was shuttered by 2024, adding it to the long list of failed Queens diners, which included Forgotten NY’s home away from home, the Scobee Diner in Little Neck, which perished in 2010.
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6/15/26
4 comments
I know why diners are fading. Not long ago we went to lunch at a nearby diner on Long Island. Two soft drinks, a shared appetizer of baked clams, and two sandwiches (each came with fries and a small soup). It was fine, but it also came to $69 before tip
Prices have risen dramatically for food everywhere. I typically used to pay $22 for a doordash order including tip. It’s up to around $30-$32 now.
Just last night I got takeout from a Chinese joint near us. A pu-pu platter for two, zon bong beef, shrimp with snow peas, and orange beef, all for $67 with a two liter of Diet Pepsi thrown in for free. It will be enough for two dinners and a lunch for two people (and a cat with an uncontrollable appetite for people food).
“…the long list of failed Queens diners,”
Saying the diners failed is a bit harsh.
They were killed by the Ptomaine Trio of McDonalds, Taco Bell and Subway.