Peter Pan Diner reopens in Bay Shore

They hadn't announced the opening but word still got out that the Peter Pan Diner had reopened after a kitchen fire shuttered the Bay Shore stalwart almost two years ago. By mid-morning Monday, the parking lot was full, the new double-height vestibule was filled with customers waiting for tables. 

The owners, brothers Peter and Nick Lentzeres, were trying to keep their eyes on the kitchen and the dining room — "We've still got some kinks to iron out," Peter said — but they were distracted by a sea of well-wishers all of whom seemed to want a hug, a kiss, a word.

Tom Wilson Sr., of Brightwaters, was sitting at the counter with his son, Tom Wilson Jr. The elder Wilson, 78, has been coming to the Peter Pan since 1953, the year it opened. He said he was "so happy" to be back and opined that "with this location, it couldn't be anything but a diner." 

After the fire in July 2024, Peter vowed to rebuild. Now he is poised to make good — make that great — on the promise. He and Nick are ushering in a new era for the 71-year-old Bay Shore fixture. At a time when Long Island diners are dropping like flies, the Lentzeres family is doubling down. "We were doing well before the fire," Peter said. "I believe in this concept, but you have to stay updated."

When the damage had been assessed, the brothers’ insurance company agreed to replace the kitchen and pay for reconditioning the booths that had been damaged by smoke. But, Peter declared, "I wanted everything to be brand new." The updated design has an organic feel, with wood floors, lots of greenery and wallpaper that suggests an enchanted jungle. The exterior has gotten a face-lift too — it now features that double-height foyer, a vaguely space-age roofline and a greenery wall suitable for snapping pictures.

Longtime customer Wilson gave the update his seal of approval. "It's modern," he said, "but it's still a diner." 

The brothers say they  found it difficult to prune the menu, but updated it with smash burgers, bowls and an assortment of avocado toasts, including the Greek, with grilled tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese and two eggs.

"To survive," Peter said, "we have to attract younger people." For the same reason, he is also bolstering the diner’s beverage program. "We expanded the bar," he said, "and, for the first time, we hired a bartender." Never one to overthink the background music, he installed a Sonos system and was considering the Sonos "Mellow Morning" playlist to set the right mood.

Almost two years after they lost their jobs, many of the diner’s workers are returning. The servers will be working differently, however: For the first time, the dining room will use dedicated runners to deliver food to customers. "That means the servers no longer have to listen for the bell," Peter explained. "The idea is that they will be able to focus more on the tables — and customers don’t have to hear that constant ding.’ "

When it opened in 1955, the diner took its name from Disney’s blockbuster "Peter Pan," which had been released two years earlier. Peter and Nick’s father and their uncles bought it in 1960 but changed neither the name nor the sign, which featured the film’s titular character. The new sign still features the flying manchild, but his face is based on that of Peter’s grandchild. 

Peter Pan Diner, 999 Sunrise Hwy., Bay Shore, 631-665-1788, peterpandiner.com.