Kane’s Flushing Diner (Google Maps)
April 25, 2019 By Meghan Sackman
Kane’s Flushing Diner, a Flushing establishment that has been in business for over 50 years, is closing its doors next Wednesday.
The diner, located at 44-15 College Point Blvd., is owned by siblings George, Patricia and Toni Kane, who said diner was the legacy of their father Ernie, who opened the establishment in 1968.
The Kane family, originally from Jamaica Estates, say they had to sell the diner for personal reasons. They own the property and are in the midst of selling it. They listed it for $15 million.
Toni Kane, part owner of the diner who now lives in Florida along with Patricia, said that she was sad to see the diner go but it was difficult for the family to manage.
Toni said that her brother George, who lives in Nassau County, took the lead in managing it when the diner was passed to the Kane siblings 15 years ago from their father.
Toni and Patricia have been traveling from Florida once a month for the past 15 years to help keep the diner open.
“The diner really needs someone who can be there every day to manage it,” Toni said. “We are upset that it is closing, we love the neighborhood.”
Toni said the family has entered into a contract to sell the property to Long Island-based Kenny Liu, who has developed several residential buildings in the Flushing area. She said the closing date is June 1.
The diner is required to close on May 1, Toni said, and there will be a liquidation auction later in the month.
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42 Comments
I can’t believe it!!!, where we’ll go Sundays after Church to enjoy the steak and three eggs for my little one, the cheese and bacon burger for my older one, the bbq ribs or fajitas for my husband, and my delicious breast breaded chicken salad with the best house dressing I ever had. Now we will see chinese new owner building a 20 or 30 apartments building at $3,000 rent for one room apartment, what a disgrace!!!. Kane’s will be missed so much.
I never understood how these diners stay in business…everything mediocre and overpriced at that…good riddance; Flushing can use more housing!
$15 million for that small lot; Any owner would take it and run.
Guaranteed it will be brought to build Condos.
GOD bless us all always everyone especially the special needs people
Well i Have been coming to Kane’s since 1968. I come at least once a week, sometimes 3 times a week. Toni and Patti are friends from the Jamaica estates area , and have always treated me like family. I know everyone that works there. I worked for our current President of the United states for 15 years. There were days i was very very tired . The girls would give me my Steak and eggs, and i would feel better. Thanks again for always making me feel at home. You will be missed very much. Thanks Toni, Thanks Pat. See you before you close.
Good luck to you and your Sister .
Ronnie the Electrician.
Sorry to see that its slated to Close, Had many
great breakfast there. I remember the twins
waiting on our tables. Memories now all gone
Nowadays another added to History? ?
This place sucked good riddance. Their food was bad. If it was better, they wouldnt be closing. Owners didnt keep the place up. Same decor the since the 60s . Also, the owners had an argument in front of customers, including kids, where the brother was cursing. The only good things were the servers, the iced tea and cornbread.
Good riddens, crap food water milkshake, and o let’s not forget the famous “steak and eggs” give me a break, racist staff, especially that middle aged blonde lady bye, burn that place down.
Sorry to see it go. Recently had a great breakfast there with my wife while back in our old Flushing neighborhood.
I think the only one left like that is Pops on Kissena near Walgreens.
Although I lived closer to the Franklin Ave. Diner I would walk the few extra blocks to Kane’s Diner. The owner, Mr. Ernie would greet you upon your arrival as if you made reservations. Always a class act.
I would have the bowl of Yankee Bean soup and a grilled swiss cheese sandwich with bacon and tomatoes.
Last month, feeling nostalgic, I stopped on by and the man who welcomed me, learned from the best, I rememberhim being the ambitious busboy many years ago.
The meals were exceptional as the pictures of all the A list celebrities along the walls. I pray for the Kane family and all the workers included. They’ve made eating out so comfortably familial. The jewel restaurant, the Kane Diner of Flushing will be sorely missed.
Nasty food anyway
I worked there when Ernie was alive. Great boss. Sorry to see it go?
Spent many a drunken night in there….
Amen my Brother!!!
It was a haven/hangout for the Postal workers at the Flushing annex on Janet Place. My co-worker ‘Bruno’, was there five nites a week for his usual lunch of a can of tuna and a Tab.
Hmmm…..sell for $15 mil or wake up early and get home late 365 days a year working in a diner……tough decision.
I bet another residential multi-story building is coming… Flushing don’t need anymore residential buildings.. It has become too crowded!!!!
Omg the diner has been around forever first time I went there was when i was 17 years old with family and friends.
Now I’m 58 and still visit the establishment it sad that this diner will be gone forever.
Good food and low prices.
George is a good man the founder your father was so humble to everyone.
Will miss you
I really wish they could keep the diner open.
Such a wonderful nostalgic place many of us old New Yorkers will miss.
Another one of our landmarks gone.
It just breaks my heart to constantly see this happening.
I have great memories of late night twin burger specials at the diner with my buddies after our Taystee bread bakery shift. Good times.
They live in Florida. Probably happy to get rid off it at such a great price. NYC is such a hell hole now
You ever been to Florida? I guess not.
So sorry to hear; George had really improved the place with better food, better ambiance & finally getting rid of those revolting “girlie” menus! A lovely guy & a valued stop for me in the working day (parking & a decent bathroom!). But I can’t blame them for cashing out; it’s a hard life.
Watch this get torn down so another building with apts no one can afford can stand in it’s place. I live in flushing almost 30 years and cant afford a place of my own in the area I grew up in
Had so many great breakfasts, lunches and dinners there. Remembered when the twins were working as waitresses. Dad’s favorite word was high class.
One of the great diners of its time run by one of the great people, George Kane, of our era
Whatva shame they probably all justv fighting for the 15 mil ,ur father must be dissapointed with ya, i eat there every morning! Now where am i gonna get my n.y steak from a-holes
I late there with myself over 40 years ago when I was young and good looking. It is sad to see it close. It is sad I am old and lost my look.
From what I’ve seen the only person that ran that business was George the primary owner. It’s a shame seeing it close .His two sisters forced him to sell and again shame on them.
This was my go to place for all meals…not only was the food delicious but service and staff were amazing. This breaks my heart. My family are loyal customers for over 40 years. Wish this wasnt happening!
I came to this country in 1987 I work at Futurama on main Street I used to go there almost every day for seventeen years there was also one across the street name Venus owned by a guy named Teddy the last time I was at Kane’s about two years ago with my two boys telling them how many times I was there
This is heartbreaking!!! I lived around the corner and I have a million memories of this place. It’s the first place I ever had steak and eggs at, the first set of identical twins that I’ve ever seen in real life (as a kid lol) and so many more memories…You will be truly missed <3
Wow, where am I gonna go to now? I love walking into this place, and having the owner scream out.
HIGH CLASS!
OMG I have been going there since 1976 with my parents.
I’m now 58 grew up in corona went to school at John Bowne H.S in flushing as I was taking the bus to main and 40th rd. would always pass by their on our way from school we would get off the bus and just hangout their.
took all of my four kids there my oldest is now 35 and my youngest is 14 and they all love it.
you can’t beet the prices low and the food is awesome.
so as a fare well it will not be the same for these old eyes to see it disappear.
every thing does not last for ever but my childhood years and now after 43 years of going to this dine it has been a grate pleasure.
Fantastic…make way for another ugly unaffordable residential building that will stand in the dinners place. This Kenny Lui has built several building in Flushing but who can afford them? I know I cant and I’ve been living in flushing for nearly 30 years. Crowded + dirty + unaffordable small apt = FLUSHING
This breaks my heart. I am shattered. This diner gave me so many good memories. SO many….
Yes, it is so sad!!!!!
Damn
It’s a shame they can’t keep it for another 50 years. It was the first Diner my parent took us to. I have taken my 22 month old 3 or 4 times already as well. Going to miss them!
Your 22 month old? How bout he’s 2 dumbass!
22 months would be 1 year, 10 months. Not 2 years. If you can’t do basic math you shouldn’t be working at the cash register.