May 16, 2011
I got a nice shout-out on EV Grieve about my night out with the Chillmaster, check it out here: EV Grieve.
One thing I’ve been meaning to start featuring here on MAD is New York Diners. As noted at Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, this is another of many things slowly vanishing in New York. I thought I should start documenting the ones left before they turn into a Starbucks or a Chipotle.
I had to work tonight, so I thought the first Diner I would feature here at MAD would be my neighborhood diner, The Hollywood Diner. I moved into my apartment on 16th street in 1998 and have been going to the Hollywood ever since I’ve moved in. I’m not sure how long its been on the block, but I know its been there quite a while. It’s friendly, the waiters, hostesses and counter workers are all friendly and the food is great with tons of selections. And it’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And it’s just a half a block from where I live. So let's go already!
It's just 14 blocks from where I work, but I've got overtime money, so we'll take a cab and arrive in style.
And we're off!
And here we are at the Hollywood Diner. As you can see, there's outside dining, but it's a little chilly out so let's go inside.
Here's the main dining room...
But I think we'll sit at the counter tonight.
Florencio is the host tonight and he happily serves up an Amstel Light. Cheers and beers!
Okay, I'm all settled in and it's time to order.
Of course since it's the Hollywood Diner, there's a few celebrity sandwiches on the menu. My favorite is the Al Pacino. Attica!
The service is great here and before you know it, the food starts arriving.
I started out with a cup of Matzo Ball soup. I loaded it up with pepper and it was delicious!
And here's the main course, a grilled cheese sandwich. I think that's the perfect diner dinner, matzo ball soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The grilled cheese is rye bread and cheddar cheese.
And it was delicious!
The ceiling of the Hollywood Diner has a nice mural of clouds on it.
A photo of Elvis hangs on the front wall.
They love Lucy in here.
See!
Speaking of Al Pacino, here he is as Scarface next to 007.
And no self-respecting Hollywood Diner would be complete without a picture of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall.
And finally...cake! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Hollywood Diner
574 Sixth Ave. (@16th St.)
212-295-3850
Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, New York magazine, facecrack and Meghan Hickey Photography.
You might also like: Peter, Paul and Mary.
Five Hollywood Icons
Marilyn Monroe
Clark Gable
Mae West
Paul Newman
Briget Bardot
Avoid steppin on Bela Lugosi,
Because he’s liable to turn and bite.
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
--------------------------------
Bonus Link!
My friends Karen and Jon from Grade “A” Fancy have been asked to be part of the reading series, Drink, Think. If you’re in the area June 15th, you should go cheer them on. Check out the information here: Drink[dot]Think.
36 Comments
Reader Comments (36)
I love diners, you can get everything from cheese burgers to seafood. We will have to have MAD over to the new and approved Knuckles Tiki bar for a few beers and a Saturday night Cheese burger {diner style of course} We might even see if we can supply a glass swizzle stick for MAD..
P.S. No Card Board Man I don't want him to know where I live
I wish I had a cool neighborhood diner where I live. Hope it stays around for awhile.
I used to love watching Hollywood Squares, and that's an awesome link!
There should be a “Marty Wombacher Deluxe Cheese Burger Special” on that menu. I’m thinking; two eight ounce burgers with cheddar cheese, onion rings, cole slaw, pickles, three diet cokes, six domestic beers and choice of dessert.
Did Marty Allen used to keep several small furry mammals in his hair?
@Knuckles Tiki Bar: Looking forward to having a return visit to your new and improved bar! I'll try and leave Cardboard Man behind, but you never know when he's going to show up!
@kari: That clip cracked me up too! I've tried to leave comments at Britta's blog, but it won't take them!
@Harry: Sounds like my kind of dinner! And dessert would be six more beers! And I think Marty Allen used the furry mammals as his toupee.
24 hour Diners are great and very similar to a Deli, serving sandwiches, though deli's are more for pastrami and corned beef fans, Diners are burgers, patty melts, sandwiches fries, onion rings etc. When you going to Katz? Oh that surprise clip was a gem,,,,Paul Lynde, was the Hollywood Squares,,,,though he was not really a square,,,if you know what I mean.
Kudos on the Chillmaster exposé and great post on the EV Grieve, nice job Marty!
More diners. They ought to be called diner-saurs the rate they're dying out.
Also more Marty Allen references, please — I for one can't get enuff. "Hello dere!"
You went to a delicatessen, ordered a matzoh ball soup and grilled cheese, and shmoozed about the celeberties of the day; Elvis, Lucille Ball, 007 Sean Connery, and young new comer Al Pacino. This summer, are you going to continue this time and religion warp, and vacation in the Catskills?
OMG-a cup of matzo ball soup and a grilled cheese sammy--one of my all time faves!!I like the "artisanal" touch with the rye bread and cheddar!!I love your blog and comments--you give a a chuckle all the time.
I almost forgot--the artwork rocks at the Hollywood Diner. Cool. I prefer a place like this. It reminds me of the good ole days. They really should name a sammy after you. Thought about a Melanie sammy--Italian bread-pesto smeart-homemade mozzarella and tomato (either sliced or sundried). Ok--another suggestion--if you are ever in Brooklyn in Carroll Gardens--Joe's Superette--back in the day they made that sammy for me and only charged me $1.50-we are talking 1989/1990.
@Al: I'll try to get to Katz soon. And Paul Lynde was great!
@Ned Sparks: Hello dere! I once asked my mom if I was named after Marty Allen. Sadly I was not. Good luck on the June 15th booze reading!
@csp: You'll have to speak to my manager about my tour schedule.
@Melanie: It's the classic deli dinner! Glad you're enjoying the blog, I love yours as well!
I'd have ordered the same thing.. I'm a sucker for a good grilled cheese:)
please take me here when i visit!
That Matzo Ball soup looks amazing. I haven't had Matzo Ball soup in ages - extremely tempted to run up there after work for a bowl and a beer.
As a "Foodie" cheese is one of my favorite food groups. Funny, in hip hop lingo--cheddar refers to money.
I miss some old Dinners that are gone & one was Dave's Dinner on the corner of Canal & West Broadway .
It was open 24 hours , & was the place to go after going out in Soho , Bar hopping . Also just around the block was the Reggae Lounge , a club that you didn't go by yourself , if you where white !! To bad they are both gone .
I miss the late 70's early 80's of New york , I feel it was the real New York City , not what it is today .
Toulouse France Reminds Me of The Old New York City & it's Night Life , but much safer . It's funny to see stores closed on Sunday , & stores closing before 11 PM , just like when I was a Kid in New York City , & you can find a store open on odd days & nights , but have to go out of your way to get there .
Loved the surprize link...those old school comics could really do it up right when they worked themselves up into Rare Form...I remember when I was little and I'd be watching some of those celebrity game shows with my folks, a lot of the time they'd say something that would go right over my head but would have both of my parents rolling on the floor and having hysterics.
@Melanie: a Melanie sammy sounds good!
My wife (R.I.P) grew up in Carroll Gardens on 3rd Pl between Clinton and Court, just a couple blocks away from Joe’s. I’m a veteran of many a Joe’s sammys.
How about those Rice Balls?!?!
@Gidgie: We'll go for sure!
@JAZ: The Matzo Ball soup is fantastic, you should stop in. Tell them I sent you and they'll charge you an extra 10% for just knowing me!
@Melanie: I never knew that about cheddar and hip hop!
@JHwang: Lots of diners have bit the dust! Hopefully the remaining ones won't close.
@Jaws: I love Hollywood Squares and the Match Game too!
@Harry: I'm desperately trying to think of a rice ball joke...maybe later!
@Marty: You're Nuts
Brigitte Bardot was hot !
@Harry: Bollocks!
@GENE: She still is! She's aged well!
I am LOVING the Hollywood Diner. And now I want a grilled cheese!
@ Harry. I am sorry about your wife. The rice balls and the prosciutto balls are the best I have ever eaten. Soft-hot-moist and wonderful. I don't remember if they made prosciutto bread there but I think so--a mixture of prosciutto and meats and cheese baked into a bread I believe they made these delights only on Fridays. Still the best ever!! I love those guys.
@Harry--thanks for endorsing the Melanie sammy!!!
Anyplace that loves Lucy is alright by me! Cool place and that cake looks fantastic!
Good one ! I've been going to Hollywood since 1990 when I attended Drummer's Collective across the street. Good eats! remember Jones Diner? I miss it so and their giant apple pies and homemade Turkey on thursdays...
@Meleah: It was a great grilled cheese!
@Biff: They love Lucy and I love the Hollywood!
@ken mac: I do remember Jones Diner, I miss it as well! I didn't know you were a drummer!
I think one of my favorite places are old diners where you can get quality awesome food for cheap. Granted, a diner in NYC is not on the cheaper end of things...but better than some others, to be sure.
I may go make myself a grilled cheese sandwich now.
@SuzRocks: The prices at the Hollywood are pretty decent and the fact that it's open 24/7 is nice! Nothing like an all night diner!
Hey, thanks, I'll have to try Hollwood. Walked passed a zillion times & never been in! I miss the old Joe Jr., that was a little further down. Sometimes I go to Eisenberg's. My favorite breakfast/lunch place in Manhattan, though, is the Cup & Saucer luncheonette, on Canal. EV Grieve had a very depressing story last week about its possible demise. Go while you can! As you approach it, it's such a vision of beauty you can barely believe it - just exactly what a luncheonette should look like. You should hold a MAD convention there before it's gone.
@onemorefoldedsunset: The Hollywood's a good old school diner. I miss Joe Jr.'s too! I need to check out the Cup and Saucer, I've never been to it, I hope it's open late! And I hope it doesn't close.
No, not open late. But worth a visit if you can manage it.
@onemorefoldedsunset: Thanks, I will try and get there!
Love the Hollywood Diner. I used to work nights up on 18th Street and would often drop by around midnight for a quickie "lunch".
@Uncle Waltie: Where did you work on 18th Street? Let's hang out sometime!
@Marty
I worked at 123 West 18th Street. Post-Production facility. They closed a year ago after their 20 year lease expired on their 12,000 square feet facility ... renewal was offered at a 300% increase, which made it economically impossible to renew. Definitely would love to hang out some time. My schedule will be very flexible in another couple of weeks. Right now I'm playing host to an old friend visiting from Japan. Love your nightly excursions...you're a nocturnal dynamo.
@Uncle Waltie: Let's plan on hanging out in June then! Your comments at EV Grieve crack me up! Send me an email if you get a chance!