Letter to the Editor: Food for thought

I have enjoyed many excellent meals for decades when frequenting local diners.  Over the years, we have seen the demise of many diners.

Diners have been part of my life from teenage years to today. Eating out is a periodic ritual with either friends or family.  Portions are generous.  Who never took a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Between the customary soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles along with the main course, dinner could satisfy the heartiest appetite. Many times, we bagged our desserts to go.

Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Bath Beach and other neighborhoods all over Brooklyn have seen changes over time. Many new immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants.  Diners have also lost customers over time to numerous fast food restaurants. Many of their menus have expanded to include breakfast items and a greater variety of items to select from for lunch or dinner.

Remember these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our community, creating new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally-funded taxpayers’ stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment.  If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either.

Why not honor the fond memories we had at diners which have come and gone by continuing to patronize our handful of remaining diners.  Here’s hoping that the remaining diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs into permanent extinction.