Defunct Manhattan Cafeteria

[BeefCheeks]

Does anyone out there remember the name of the now-defunct "cafeteria" located somewhere on Park Avenue South---it was there from the 40s through the late 70s, a real greasy spoon and favored by cabbies.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BrooksNYC]

You may be thinking of the Belmore Cafeteria, at Park Avenue South at 28th Street. The cafeteria opened in 1929, according to this article.

It finally closed in 1981, to be replaced by — what else! — a soulless condo. Google the Belmore, and you'll get a page of hits.

[weinoo]

Ahhh, yes, the Belmore...I remember it from my cab driving days in the early to mid '70s. If I recall correctly, they had a ticket system similar to Katz's - that is, you got a ticket as you entered, which was marked up according to what you ate - and then you paid on the way out...if you lost your ticket, you owed the max!

Another of our favorite cabbie hangouts was on 78th and Lex - SE corner and now, fittingly, a Starbucks. I think it might have been called Lenny's, or perhaps Lenny worked the grill, it's a little bit hazy at this point. But, it was a long counter with stools and no tables. You could get a London Broil dinner, soup, bread, a nice portion of beef, mashed potatoes, dessert, etc. for about $3 or $4.

[Cleo]

Not on Park Avenue South, but when I was a kid in the 70's, I would occasionally come into Manhattan with my father and go to work with him, and it was a novelty for me to go to Dubrow's Cafeteria in the Garment District. My sister and I loved that you could literally pick out your own food.

[Miami Danny]

Ahhh, yes, the Belmore...I remember it from my cab driving days in the early to mid '70s.  If I recall correctly, they had a ticket system similar to Katz's - that is, you got a ticket as you entered, which was marked up according to what you ate - and then you paid on the way out...if you lost your ticket, you owed the max!

Another of our favorite cabbie hangouts was on 78th and Lex - SE corner and now, fittingly, a Starbucks.  I think it might have been called Lenny's, or perhaps Lenny worked the grill, it's a little bit hazy at this point.  But, it was a long counter with stools and no tables.  You could get a London Broil dinner, soup, bread, a nice portion of beef, mashed potatoes, dessert, etc. for about $3 or $4.

←

The great scenes from Taxi Driver with DeNiro and Peter Boyle were filmed in, and on the sidewalk outside of, the Belmore. And weinoo, you're thinking of Kay's. Lenny was the grill man (I think). Lot of Lennie's back then.

[weinoo]

Another of our favorite cabbie hangouts was on 78th and Lex - SE corner and now, fittingly, a Starbucks.  I think it might have been called Lenny's, or perhaps Lenny worked the grill, it's a little bit hazy at this point.  But, it was a long counter with stools and no tables.  You could get a London Broil dinner, soup, bread, a nice portion of beef, mashed potatoes, dessert, etc. for about $3 or $4.

←

The great scenes from Taxi Driver with DeNiro and Peter Boyle were filmed in, and on the sidewalk outside of, the Belmore. And weinoo, you're thinking of Kay's. Lenny was the grill man (I think). Lot of Lennie's back then.

←

You talkin' to me? Sorry - couldn't resist and you're absolutely correct, Miami Danny - Kay's it was, and Lenny was the "grill" man - the guy could put together a London broil dinner in a Manhattan minute. Funny thing is, the side street (E. 78th) was a taxi stand - and it still is, though I'm pretty sure that not many cabbies go to Starbucks - other than to use the restrooms .

[BeefCheeks]

Excellent---thanks everyone!