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Old John’s Luncheonette Will Reopen, With a New Owner Who Has Quite a Story

December 28, 2020 | 1:01 PM - Updated on December 29, 2020 | 9:16 AM
in NEWS
57

By Carol Tannenhauser

Great news for the neighborhood! Old John’s Luncheonette, the classic 70-year-old diner on West 67th Street near Amsterdam Avenue — which closed in October to the dismay of the neighborhood and the entire city — will be reopened the first week in February, 2021, by a restaurateur with a remarkable connection to the place.

Louis Skibar started as delivery boy at Old John’s in 1984, at the age of 16, working his way up to short-order cook. He went on to open several restaurants of his own in Manhattan and Queens. According to a press release:

Louis renegotiated the Old John’s lease terms, ensuring the legacy of a diner that is near and dear to his heart. In addition to resurrecting the space, Louis is also bringing many of the former staff back too – one of the original 67th street crew members, Kathy Dellinger, will work on social media and photography for the new spot. And while the diner will get a bit of a facelift, the bones will be preserved and respected, and will still feature classic diner counter seating. Both indoor (once that is permitted again in the city) and outdoor seating will be available, as will takeout and/or delivery.

Old John’s will serve American Comfort Fare, including updated takes on many of its former dishes. It will operate daily, from 7AM – 12AM, and will also offer the neighborhood a full-service coffee bar, along with an assortment of to-go baked goods each morning. The diner will look to serve the neighborhood with a full service bar, featuring locally-sourced spirits.

Note: A reader commented correctly that Old John’s wasn’t at its current location in 1984. Here is the explanation, according to the press release: “The restaurant was forced to close in its original location due to development on the block (the diner was originally located at 66/Broadway for about 40 years). Old John’s would eventually relocate to W 67th Street, near Amsterdam Avenue, becoming a neighborhood mainstay for the next 30 years.”

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Peter Salwen
Peter Salwen
2 years ago

Terrific news. Old John’s was the greatest!

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Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago
Reply to  Peter Salwen

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/iloveoldjohns/

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uwsmom
uwsmom
2 years ago

So grateful to Louis for revitalizing this neighborhood institution!

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Carol
Carol
2 years ago

How wonderful!

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Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago

2021 is starting look better already. Great news!

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Diane Booth
Diane Booth
2 years ago

This is great! So good to see a resurrection of such a venerable icon.

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Paul
Paul
2 years ago

This may be part of a pattern of “old” restaurants coming back with “new” owners who aren’t really strangers to the prior business but who are able to get reduced rents.

This isn’t the first in the neighborhood and it won’t be the last.

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ben
ben
2 years ago

Best of luck to the new owner!

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Jan
Jan
2 years ago

Such wonderful news! My home away from home when in NYC. Once I am able to travel again and am vaccinated, Old John’s will be among my first stops in NY.
Love to Kathy and the rest of the staff.

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UWSer
UWSer
2 years ago

Sweet story. Welcome back, Louis!

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Peter Bloch
Peter Bloch
2 years ago

Old John wasn’t there in 84. There was a Russian place called Troika at that address. Was it somewhere else?

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WSR
WSR
2 years ago
Reply to  Peter Bloch

You are right! Note added to story.

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Linda Goodman
Linda Goodman
2 years ago

Will it have the same phone number? It’s as ingrained in my memory as deeply as my own phone numbers!

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Kevin McAnarney
Kevin McAnarney
2 years ago

FANTASTIC1
Love the place… and come up from Hells Kitchen to eat (a lot)

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Harvey Schmelter-Davis
Harvey Schmelter-Davis
2 years ago

fabulous news!

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Linda Goodman
Linda Goodman
2 years ago

Old John’s was originally called “JOHN’s,” on Broadway between 66th and 67th ST. Address: 1966 Broadway. I know because my office was upstairs, on the second floor of the same building. Musicians and dancers from the Lincoln Center community would drop in regularly. I saw Peter Martins, the wife of the Mexican composer Carlos Chavez, members of Speculum Musicae – anyone who wanted a quick sandwich and a good cup of coffee. The staff was so alert! So quick! After a while, I had only to show up and Eileen would have my coffee ready for take-out, just the way I liked it. Will Clarence be back at the NEW “Old John’s”?

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John E.
John E.
2 years ago
Reply to  Linda Goodman

Good question Linda! I would love to see Clarence back as well.

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Bronx Boy
Bronx Boy
2 years ago

This is about the first good news I’ve heard all year! Thank you Louis Skibar.

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Harry
Harry
2 years ago

Where was it on 66/Bwy?

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Emily Miller
Emily Miller
2 years ago

What a lovely story! Happy to hear a neighborhood favorite is staying put and that a 16-year-old delivery boy was able to enjoy the American dream and now owns several restaurants in the city, including the one where he started.

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Larry
Larry
2 years ago

Calling “Old Johns” 70 years old is a joke. I liked it when it was a tiny counter place on Broadway, in the 1970s. When it reopened years later (after the old Broadway counter has been closed for ages) in its current site, it was not very good, trading only on the beloved old name. Let’s hope the new owner gives us something better.

What I would like to see it the return of Pat’s Bar! Now that was a great place! But sadly, the old crowd — Jenny, Moe, Beau, Mary, etc., are long gone.

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no work now
no work now
2 years ago
Reply to  Larry

Larry– you’re talking some serious Juilliard School hangs. Johns before class, Pats to end the day. Good memories.

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Larry
Larry
2 years ago
Reply to  no work now

I forgot to mention Sonny, who was Jenny’s husband. His last name was Patolano. His father Louis Patolano had opened the place in the 1930s, hence the name “Pat’s.”

Pat’s was a great hangout for Lincoln Center constituent staff. Best burgers, eggplant parmigiana, soups, etc., and drinks, including great Manhattans!

Google “Sonny Patolano” and you’ll find a fascinating and sweet NYT article from 2001, long after Pat’s closed its doors.

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Boris
Boris
2 years ago
Reply to  Larry

You and Linda Goodman should get together and come up with a few names from the past.

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Jeff Rosenblatt
Jeff Rosenblatt
2 years ago

Great news! I miss the egg creams.

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Morgan
Morgan
2 years ago

oh thank god

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West 80s Neighborhood Association
West 80s Neighborhood Association
2 years ago

Wonderful news!!! Does anyone also remember the great movie house on that block (W. 66 St) that showed foreign and independent movies? Miss that theater still. Glad to see the return of John’s!

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rteplow
rteplow
2 years ago
Reply to  West 80s Neighborhood Association

The Regency Theatre! I saw some great old movies there, a Hitchcock retrospective being one of the best.

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EdNY
EdNY
2 years ago
Reply to  West 80s Neighborhood Association

Cinema Studio 1 & 2 on the corner, then John’s which was a sliver of a coffee shop.

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Randy Kaplan
Randy Kaplan
2 years ago
Reply to  West 80s Neighborhood Association

Cinema Studio twin art theaters. Saw many movies there. Just north of Lincoln Square, torn down to build big apt. bldg. where Barnes & Noble and then Century 21 were.

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HelenD
HelenD
2 years ago

This is an amazing story, kudos to that 16 year old delivery boy who achieved his dreams! Now I’m wondering if there is anyone out there who might save the Pier 72 diner. 😉

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Mindy Kaufman
Mindy Kaufman
2 years ago

You just made my day! I remember the original John’s right where Century 21 is (was!).

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Tam
Tam
2 years ago

This is such a great, NYC love story!

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Watto
Watto
2 years ago

Great to hear that Old John’s is coming back!
I worked at ABC back in the 60’s and ordered many lunches from the original John’s! Before the pandemic, I had many a lunch in Old John’s Welcome back!

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UWCider
UWCider
2 years ago

Great news! Now bring Big Nicks and Giuliani back!!!

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Paula Washington
Paula Washington
2 years ago

I know the faculty of the local schools will be delighted to learn that Old John’s is coming back. It was popular during Regents week for years. I’m glad the new owner has a history with the place. Best wishes!

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marc
marc
2 years ago

Wonderful news! Now, if only they would make it wheelchair accessible…

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tim
tim
2 years ago

Love stories like this and bodes well for 2021, thank you WSR!

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Kath
Kath
2 years ago

SO GOOD to read this!!!!! YAY!

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Ron
Ron
2 years ago

Had to work on Thanksgiving 1978, so my first dinner w/o family who were out of state. Luckily Johns had a sign in the window…complete Thanksigiving Dinner $4.00. It was a complete dinner…albeit shared at a counter with a few other down on their luck souls.

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Helene
Helene
2 years ago

Great news

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Reg
Reg
2 years ago

YAY !!! Great place to have dinner before Lincoln Center. Thank you Louis !!!!!!!

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Carolyn
Carolyn
2 years ago

Yaaay! Good news! Now please bring back O’neil’s Balloon……life would be sweet!

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American Express 04/24
American Express 04/24
2 years ago

It was like my dining room for many years

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Heather Walters
Heather Walters
2 years ago

I hope you will have some vegetarian and vegan offerings. Last time I was there, baked beans were on the menu, but none available.

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Glenn Giere
Glenn Giere
2 years ago

Great news, best of luck.Hope the new Old Johns can recapture the flavor of the old Old Johns.

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John E.
John E.
2 years ago

Great news indeed! All the best to Louis and the staff!

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Benn Mitchell
Benn Mitchell
2 years ago
Reply to  John E.

Great news! We live directly across th street and even in foul weather run across without coats. We are returning to the City in March and Old John’s will be our first stop. My mouth is watering. We are very happy.

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Carole De Rienzo
Carole De Rienzo
2 years ago

Already have a reminder in my cell phone.

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Reply
Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago
Reply to  Carole De Rienzo

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/iloveoldjohns/

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Reply
Dee
Dee
2 years ago

I’m hoping they will have a wonderful matzoh ball soup, like Eisenberg’s on 5th Ave and 22nd. I was very disappointed by the versions offered at P.Queen and Friedman’s on 72nd.

0
Reply
Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago
Reply to  Dee

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at @iloveoldjohns on Instagram.

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Reply
Suzanne Borget
Suzanne Borget
2 years ago

A classic story of the American Dream. The bones of this country.
Congratulations, Louis!
Looking forward to dining there again!

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Reply
Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago
Reply to  Suzanne Borget

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/iloveoldjohns/

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Reply
jimbo
jimbo
2 years ago

John’s was convenient but the food was really tasteless.I hope for an improvement on the flavor.Please bring Manny back.

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Reply
Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago
Reply to  jimbo

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at @iloveoldjohns

0
Reply
Old John's Diner
Old John's Diner
2 years ago

It’s a pleasure for us to reopen soon!
We invite you to follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/iloveoldjohns/

0
Reply

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