Patrons Mourn The Loss of Shalimar Diner - Now Available For Rent

By Michael Perlman

Full house at Shalimar Diner, Photo by longtime patron Ivy Hammer

For nearly 45 years, the Shalimar Diner has been an unofficial Rego Park landmark at 63-68 Austin Street. It was manufactured by the popular Kullman Dining Car Company, and was one of numerous freestanding Greek family diners dotting the tri-state area. In 1974, it was delivered on a flatbed truck, and a diverse menu has been delighting palates ever since for family occasions, friend gatherings, first dates, and community meetings. It was a destination where patrons at nearly any hour would sit elbow to elbow at the counter or comfortably at a booth or table. The diner has even been in the spotlight for a number of productions including the CBS drama “Blue Bloods” and the 2016 film “The Wolf of Wall Street” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. 

Behind its stone and streamlined façade, patrons attest that owner Chris Karayiannis and his staff have become an extended family, but on November 25, tears were exchanged. The Shalimar was forced to shutter after the owners unsuccessfully negotiated a new lease offered at reportedly more than double the rent for a 20-year period. It has now met the fate of the Flagship Diner among others, unless it can be acquired by a party who is willing to meet the asking price or will present an offer for the property. 

Dr. Arthur Gudeon with some of his favorite servers, Dennis & Dell

For over 70 years, Dr. Arthur Gudeon, a well-respected podiatrist resides in Rego Park, and was a Shalimar regular. He reminisced, “My office was across the street when the Shalimar was built, and I was one of the first customers of the four brothers who owned it. It’s been our go-to place for my family, office staff, friends and neighbors. I’ve also treated my many podiatry students, and we have enjoyed the food, camaraderie, and the consistently friendly staff. I recall the years that they had jukeboxes at the booths which also made it a fun experience. Although my office moved to Fleet Street, I still brought Shalimar breakfasts to my staff regularly.” On the farewell evening, he spent three hours over dinner. “The diner was loaded with regulars, and we went to our table reminiscing and often tearing up, and of course I took lots of selfies with friends, patients, and staff.” 

“This is a story of the ‘Real’ Rego Park with a teary-eyed ending,” said Margot Zimmerman, another Rego Park native. The Zimmerman Josephson, and Morgan families (her relatives) spent decades at the Shalimar. She reminisced, “After the horrid gas explosion on that block, it was exciting to have a new family diner. Back in 1975 to 1978, there was no place for the teens in the neighborhood to go, so the owners would let us stay in that little lobby to hang out until the wee hours, but with no partying. As I got older, this was the place to be after a night of clubbing. I remember many late night meals at 5 AM, and it was a home away from home for Passover and Thanksgiving for a larger extended family.” She continued, “As the area changes, the first generation of new cultures stick to what they know, but it won't be until their children’s children become Americanized, that they may want to experience the real Americana.”

Bonnie Sholl relocated to Rego Park in 1984. She said, “This was where I have memories of my married life, friends visiting, my son’s first restaurant experience at one-week old, and quick and delicious ‘Dinners for Lunch’ before I taught clarinet lessons.” The Shalimar serves more than food, according to Sholl. “It serves friendships, community, reasons not to stay at home, and gives a pleasant diversion to our lives.” 

Shalimar Diner main dining room, Photo by Frank Carroll

For 20 years, Forest Hills patrons Frank Carroll and his wife Gina have shared many laughs and good times with the staff, and especially their waitress and good friend Judy. He and his wife, along with staff members became emotional on the final night. He explained, “The Shalimar offered that true New York diner experience that our out-of-town family and friends craved for. It added a charm to the neighborhood, where people would always socialize in an informal atmosphere and leave feeling better. Losing the Shalimar, as well as other small shops and smaller theaters nearby is diminishing our New York culture. Now there are too many vacancies and too many towers going up. What a shame that the landlord and the current owner are unable to negotiate an acceptable lease!” 

Ivy Hammer & her husband Steve pose with owner Chris Karayiannis, center

Rego Park residents Ivy Hammer and her husband Steve were also sure to say their last goodbyes. “We used to bring our son Michael in his car seat into the diner, and even though he is now 25, the owner Chris still asks about him.” Hammer called the Shalimar a great place to bring grandma on a Sunday afternoon. “You don't have to worry about what type of food she will like because you have your choice of everything in a diner. Many elderly people and singles in our neighborhood count on eating there daily or weekly, so it is sad that they will have to find another place to easily get to. It was close by, affordable, and there was parking.” Her tears continued upon learning that one of her favorite waitresses, Dottie, recently passed away.

The Hakim family has lived in the nearby Walden Terrace for generations, and it has been a staple for Lisa Hakim and her family. “On weekends and after every softball game we would go to the Shalimar. I always enjoyed their breakfast, but I could never stay away from the pickles.” Hakim is hoping that it can still be preserved. “Most local businesses that are family-owned are closing due to the high rents. I wish there was a way we could save this one, as it's one of the last from my childhood.”

Mira Pinkhasova descended from Russia and lived in Rego Park for 21 years before relocating to Long Island. She feels that diners are part of the American Dream, and said, “Diners brought all types of cultures together, and everyone eats eggs afterall.” She called Sunday breakfasts a tradition. “My husband loved his eggs sunny-side-up. My daughter, who is now 12, has great memories too. We loved their pancakes and cheese fries. Now I work nearby, and on Fridays, my colleagues and I would go for lunch.”

“It feels like the death of a good friend,” mourned Rego Park resident David Schantz. “This is an old-school railroad style diner, but will now be a lost architectural design.” For him, among many others, a visit turned into a “family gathering.” “Patrons developed longtime relations with usually one waiter or waitress, but most eateries nowadays do not have that due to the high turnover in the food industry. I would chat with owner Chris, who was always willing to engage.” His favorite foods were the turkey meals and a periodic buffalo burger with sweet potato fries, but it is also the small details that count. “I will miss my weekly after breakfast prune Danish.”

On its final day, patrons were hard-pressed to find a seat. Among the expressions of gratitude by patrons were a display of letters and poetry in front of the cash register. Forest Hills resident Carol Lustgarten, who often dined with her close friend Amy, designed a colorful collage featuring the retro Shalimar sign along with a detailed handwritten poem that began “Shalimar, oh Shalimar; You’ve been part of my life for so long; Where did we ever go wrong?; Now you are singing your goodbye song.” It concluded with “We will always keep fond memories in the light and in the dark; Every season; You are a true landmark!” 

Shalimar Diner menu, Courtesy of Dr. Arthur Gudeon

A similar version of this feature has been published in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column:
www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27615125/article-Patrons-mourn-loss-of-Shalimar-Diner

Ben’s Best: A Legend Since 1945

By Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairman & Forest Hills Times Columnist

Ben's Best founder Benjamin Parker & son Jay Parker

Few independently owned restaurants in Rego Park among citywide establishments hold the merit of satisfying taste palettes of New Yorkers since 1945. The days of seeing neighborhoods lined with mom and pop shops inclusive of delicatessens on every few blocks may have faded, but Ben’s Best at 96-40 Queens Boulevard is here to stay, according to second generation owner Jay Parker. Local delicatessens which now only exist in the memories of longtime residents are Sandy’s Surf, King Delicatessen/Boulevard Delicatessen, and the Pastrami King.

   Ben’s Best opened in 1945 and was incorporated in 1947 by its founder Benjamin Parker. His son, 62 year-old Long Island resident Jay Parker is the third generation in the kosher deli business. Reminiscing his youth, he said, “I would work for my father on weekends and ran the franks and knishes grill.” His grandfather owned a Hebrew National deli on 163^rd Street and Southern Boulevard in the Bronx.  

   Some people attribute the dwindling of classic neighborhood delis to changes in demographics, modern tastes, or retirement. However, Jay Parker, who purchased the business from his father in 1984, values tradition while maintaining his faith in the future.  He said, “All neighborhoods change, but we looked far ahead. There is only one reason for success, but thousands for failure. You have to fertilize the soil you are growing on.” He explained his recipe of survival. “During the holidays we charge a little less for our products, since we have an ethical component to our business. The more the community needs us, the lower the price we set.”

   Parker takes Ben’s Best in the direction of private and corporate catering for events of all sizes, maintains an online presence, is open 7 days, and processes orders from anywhere in the United States. “We have 250 corporate accounts that we service all the time,” he said. Ben’s Best even catered Air Force One under the Clinton Administration.

   Parker takes pride in what’s more than a position, but rather a commitment. “It has been my life. I met my wife and closest friends here. Customers have been here for 40 years, and when they come back, they pick up the conversation from where they left off.” Businesses are destined to become a mainstay when their owners foster new relationships daily. “When you like what you do, it comes a little better,” said Parker. 

   “I have an obligation to keep the community strong,” said Parker, who has proudly served the Rego Park-Forest Hills Lions club and the Rego Park Merchants Association, and was also a past president of Rego Park Jewish Center.

    Another key ingredient is tradition. “Seventy years ago you walked through the door, and you got the same product you will get today. Consistency is the word,” said Parker. His personal favorites are goulash and his grandpa’s recipe of stuffed cabbage. Some patron favorites are pastrami, corned beef, chicken soup with matzo ball, and the Knishwich. Parker explained, “You won’t get a pastrami sandwich with sprouts and sundried tomatoes anytime soon. Corned beef should be corned beef. A little mustard and cole slaw, and we’re good.” Some foods that have been phased out are heart stew, lung stew, cholent, and jellied calves feet (p’tcha).

   Ben’s Best was a stop for notable figures such as Jerry Lewis, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Senator Jacob Javits, Governor Pataki, Mayor Ed Koch, Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz, and Architect Jack Brown. Ben’s Best was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and will be featured in “Deli Man,” a documentary produced by Erik Greenberg Anjou, which chronicles cross-country deli owners who maintain the tradition.

   Enter Ben’s Best and one will see an appetizing counter with photos of notables and plaques on the wall. Just beyond, a 65-seat wood-paneled dining room displays historic Rego Park scenes. A painting of Benjamin Parker looks out at patrons with pride. A map reads “You’ve been in our home. Where is yours?,” and allows patrons to pin their residence. A classic wooden sign of a Judaic main street is another definitive element, often memorialized on Ben’s Best postcards. The famed logo depicts a man on a bicycle, who rides by a deli window. 

A classic menu

A current menu of a classic!

  Parker displayed a classic menu insert, potentially dating to the Mayor Lindsay Administration. It boasted a 99 cents Friday lunch special with no tax, and offered soup, golden brown filet of sole, French fries, cole slaw, tartar sauce, dessert, and coffee, tea, or Coke. The menu featured an Amstel Holland Beer logo and a sketch of a fisherman on a boat.

   Reflecting upon the past while sensing the future, Parker stated, “Every day is a challenge to get better than the day before. Whatever you learned on Monday, you bring to work on Tuesday and add to it. Now I am focused on the next 70 years.” He continued, “For our 50^th anniversary, we rolled the prices back. Maybe for our 75^th anniversary, we will do the same.”