Cozy Soup 'n' Burger is one of those places with 54 years of feeding students, night owls, workers and wanderers.
It will be closing its doors later this month. Eyewitness News wanted to give it some love, as this spot has meant so much to so many.
There's something about a neighborhood diner, the smell of fries, the ringing of the bell, a menu with just about everything, and the feeling that someone is genuinely glad you walked through the door.
"When somebody walks into that front door, I tell my staff, greet them," said John Stratidis, owner of Cozy Soup 'n' Burger. "In Greek, we say 'kalimera,' good morning, how are you? That actually makes a difference in people's lives."
For more than 50 years, the diner has been all of that and more; a place where late nights turn into memories, where breakfast meets you when you need it most, and where New Yorkers gather and linger.
"If you haven't experienced the famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger yet, you're missing out," Stratidis said. "Let's go."
The diner was built by his father, a Greek immigrant, and his uncle.
"From a young age, I wanted to work and help my father," Stratidis said. "He never told me to come in, but I knew what I was meant to do. They put in a lot of hard work, trust and faith, and created one of the top diners in New York City."
Over two generations, the corner spot became a second home for many.
"You meet so many beautiful people doing this, and it touches your life the same way you touch theirs," he said.
It has also drawn some familiar faces over the years.
"Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ryan Reynolds, Adam Sandler," Stratidis said. "We're filming 'Dexter: Resurrection' in here. Michael C. Hall told me, 'John, do you know how many times I ate in your diner before I became famous?'"
But for Stratidis, it has always been about the everyday customer.
"When somebody's having a bad day, I care," he said. "I have a full conversation, 'Are you OK?'"
That connection is part of what makes this closing so difficult.
"In New York City, there are a lot of factors that make diners no longer affordable," Stratidis said. "Even though we're struggling, we never cut corners. Could I serve lower quality? Probably. But you start high, you finish high. We're known for our quality and our quantity. Until the day we close, we'll keep giving 100%."
"That's something to be proud of," Eyewitness News entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo said.
"Thank you," Stratidis said.
After decades in business, there are still no shortcuts, even at the end.
"What are you going to miss?" Garguilo asked.
"My customers," Stratidis said. "I love you. Thank you to the families who supported us, to the people who made a difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating these memories. They'll live on forever."
"I walked in and we said we weren't going to cry," Garguilo said.
"I know," Stratidis said. "We probably look terrible crying. But we fought, and we did what we had to do."
"You've fed New York City, a multigenerational business," Garguilo said.
"We eat soup and burger, New York," Stratidis said. "You know?"
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