After months of anticipation, Pop Diner (3600 McKinneyAve.) has officially opened its doors to the West Village. The 24-hour diner, located next to Max's Wine Dive, celebrated its soft-opening this morning. At quarter past eleven, owner Nik Gjonaj boisterously announced to his staff (who'd been darting around in their lime green and electric blue uniforms for the past 20 minutes) that the diner was open for business. The large room erupted in cheers, and literally within minutes of opening their patio door/windows, pedestrians wandered in and started ordering off the diner-inspired menus.
The restaurant itself is spacious and embodies the feel of a diner combined with a studio space. White booths shoot up the middle of the floor and line the walls (some of which are coated in bright orange paint, with others covered by wood panels and adorned with '80s "pop art"). An enormous and well-stocked bar spans the left side of the restaurant, and is dotted with gray leather stools.
The menu is divide into sections; Starters, Soups and Chili, Salads, Coney Island Favorites, Naani's, Favorites, Sandwiches and Pop Burgers plus an entire side devoted to breakfast. Some highlights include the classic Reuben served on grilled marble rye, the Coney dog topped with Detroit chili, mustard and onions and the Philly cheese steak in which shaved rib-eye steak comes served with grilled onions and is topped with gooey cheese sauce. We have a feeling this will be a favorite with the 2 a.m. crowd.
Cinnamon raisin french toast//Pop Diner's very first customers.
The heaping "Pop Cobb" salad; fresh greens topped with chopped bacon, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, fried (or grilled) chicken breast and shredded cheddar jack cheese.
Pop Diner's well-stocked bar.
