NORTH MERRICK, NY – The Diner Boys, 2221 Jerusalem Avenue in North Merrick, could be described as the diner of the new era or, the pandemic era diner. What is certain is that the co-owners, Greek-American Peter Glykos and Michael Campbell from Merrick, Long Island, made a business move that fits in perfectly with the unprecedented pandemic: A diner without booths that serves only take-out or delivery, Newsday reported.

While the idea might seem especially timely, Glykos told Newsday that the idea is, in fact, years older.

“It was my plan from the beginning. I thought with the rising prices on Long Island, it was something I always wanted to do," Glykos said, Newsday reported, noting that they “leased the storefront in North Merrick in March, just before lockdown.”

The diner business is not new to Glykos who is also the co-owner of Lindenhurst Diner which his family bought in 2016, Newsday reported, adding that Glykos’ “grandfather co-owned the Pantry Diner in Rockville Centre for nearly 40 years, and his father and cousin own the Massapequa Diner” while Glykos himself “has worked in diners since he was a teenager.”

Innovation is also not new to Glykos who along with chef Nick Hannides updated the classic menu at the 56-year-old Lindenhurst Diner and “launched a parallel vegan menu of breakfast tacos and eggs ‘venedict’ avocado, Impossible burgers and sriracha ‘chick’n’ wraps,” Newsday reported, adding that “both that vegan menu and Lindenhurst Diner staples underpin The Diner Boys' bill of fare, which Hannides also oversees, with Reuben spring rolls, cauliflower wings, breakfast quesadillas and bacon-cheeseburger tacos still populating a compressed menu.”

Even without the typical booths, the diner offers “cheeseburgers, wings, gyros, Nutella-peanut butter milkshakes,” Newsday reported.

Prices range from $8-13 for breakfast items while burgers and sandwiches range about $12-15, salads $12-18, and dinner plates are about $18-21.

The Diner Boys is open Monday-Thursday: 11 AM-10 PM, Friday: 11AM-11 PM, Saturday: 9 AM-11 PM, and Sunday: 9 AM-10 PM.

More information is available by phone: 516-809-7130 and online: https://www.thedinerboysny.com/.