Third-generation owner John Strats recently launched a GoFundMe campaign amid ongoing financial challenges stemming from the pandemic.
"For over five decades, Cozy Soup 'n' Burger has been a staple in our community," he writes. "It's become more than just a place to eat — it's a gathering spot where memories are made and traditions are kept alive."
But like many longtime businesses, the diner has struggled to fully recover in recent years and is now facing mounting expenses.
Funds raised will go toward payroll, inventory and rent, to keep the doors open for years to come.
If you're inclined, you can support the effort here.
Or, as always, consider stopping in for a meal — or maybe a T-shirt — to help keep a neighborhood institution going.
Thank you for brining this to our attention. There were so many times in my younger days when I would stop in late at night at Cozy after a super long day of work and the rest of my family were already in bed. Or take my kids for breakfast in the early morning. Sometimes even on a weekday at the expense of being a little late for school and work. This place continues to be a special place.
ReplyDeleteDone. We need to support these old time places. Im still sad Astor Riviera is gone.
ReplyDeleteWe used to call it Asshole Riviera but we miss it too.
DeleteBefore it was the Astor Riviera, I'm told it was called "Gourmet Treats"—parodied as "Gourmet Threats."
DeleteI hope this business sticks around. I spent many a night after hitting the gay bars during my 20's and 30's arriving to a table by myself albeit a little buzzed and ordering a bacon cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, and an icy coke. That was always my order. The service was warm and professional. Every delicious bite would always hit the spot. It was usually nice and quiet. Cool music playing in the background. Haven't been there in a couple of years. These are the places that make our neighbourhood what it is. We just don't see restaurants like this anymore. Every penny donated will help. Fingers crossed for them.
ReplyDeleteLOL. In college (40 years ago), we enjoyed the gruff, rude service. Nevertheless, it's a beloved institution.
DeleteOh no! I love that place. It's the next to last diner (with Little Poland) in the neighborhood. The best pea soup ever!
ReplyDelete"The best pea soup ever!" - Don't let any Dutch person ever hear you saying that...
DeleteI'll stop in tonight for some soup and some pie.
ReplyDeletethey close at 8pm weeknights and 10pm weekends. there are residential buildings west of them and three universities east of them. is there no demand for diners anymore? i love late night diners, but it seems like market forces are against them.
ReplyDeleteExactly, no demand for diners anymore, since they all charge restaurant prices.
DeleteI was thinking it would be nice to check this place out, but $25 for a hamburger platter?!?! There is just no way that what they are offering is worth that much money. Sorry to see established places go, but what kind of clientele do they imagine supporting them? Trust fund kids? They don't care about how long some place has been around.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school I would go there and enjoy the ordinariness of the place... including the food. But the friendliness was extraordinary. There were always 2 older Greek guys speaking Greek between them. They seemed so self-important like there were solving the problems of the world.... They were probably complaining about tips. I used to called them Plato and Aristotle. But we all get old and move on... except for the memories.
ReplyDeleteLet's do Cozy Burgers!
ReplyDeleteDiners are just dying off left and right. The prices are getting out of whack. $25 for a cheeseburger deluxe is hard to take. All eat out food is going astronomical. And then you add a 20% tip? Times we are living in.
ReplyDeleteThey close at 10 PM on weekends and 8 PM on Sunday -- so there goes the post-concert, post-theater, post-movie crowd. :(
ReplyDelete