Court Square Diner

"This massive birthday cake of a diner, modern in form but ancient in spirit, lies just east of the commercial strip of Jackson Avenue, with MOMA’s P.S.1 only a stone’s throw away. Hence the presence of office workers and art hangers-on among the colorful mix of patrons, who tuck into disco fries with bacon, crispy taquitos, and vegan chicken fingers, among other smaller dishes that encourage snacking." - Melissa McCart, Robert Sietsema

"High chairs: Yes We love diners for so many reasons, one of which is that pretty much anything goes. At Court Square Diner, a 24-hour chrome institution in Long Island City, we’ve witnessed babies screaming, babies sleeping, toddlers throwing fistfuls of very good curly fries, and preteens rolling their eyes at their moms—all at once. No one cares. The other customers are too busy stuffing their faces with waffles. Plus, the endless menu has something everyone in your family can enjoy." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick

"Hours: 24/7 Not much has changed at Court Square Diner since brothers Steve and Nick Kanellos started running the joint in 1991, even as Long Island City has welcomed glitzy food halls and developments to the neighborhood. The 24-hour diner serves a standard, multi-page diner menu with hero sandwiches, over a dozen omelets, and Jell-O." - Luke Fortney, Robert Sietsema

"Coffee: $1.75 As one of the increasingly rare 24-hour spots left in the city, Court Square Diner in Long Island City is as much a restaurant as it is a public good. Even if you’re not a regular—at least, not yet—you’re bound to feel like one at this shiny, retro-styled joint in the shadow of the 7 train. At any hour, you’ll encounter a cross-section of fellow New Yorkers enjoying a golden-brown belgian waffle or the extremely gooey french onion soup: construction workers in hi-vis vests, subway conductors, two-year-old kids throwing fistfuls of (very good) curly fries from their booster seats, or 22-year-old kids coming in straight from the afterparty. " - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, bryan kim, neha talreja, sonal shah

"As one of the increasingly rare 24-hour establishments left in the city, Court Square Diner is as much a restaurant as it is a public good. Even if you’re not a regular—at least, not yet—you’re bound to feel like one at this shiny, retro-styled joint in the shadow of the 7 train. It's been in the same location, just off Jackson Avenue, since 1946, and remains a hub for people who live nearby, or need to pass through. At any hour, you’ll encounter a cross-section of fellow New Yorkers enjoying a golden-brown belgian waffle or the extremely gooey French onion soup: construction workers in hi-vis vests, subway conductors, two-year-old kids throwing fistfuls of (very good) curly fries from their booster seats, or 22-year-old kids coming in straight from the afterparty. We once spent 24 full hours here, and it was a great time. photo credit: Alex Staniloff" - Molly Fitzpatrick