Lunch counters are a thing of the past, in most cities.

Back when no one had kitchens in their tiny apartments, people would grab most of their meals at these little dives. It was another time. I would imagine. I’m not that old.

Now, thanks to the Food Network, everyone’s a chef. Just like everyone’s a photographer, thanks to Instagram. Even in NYC, people are cooking 4 course meals in their tiny cracker box tenements. Trust me, I’ve done it.

Breakfast, however, is another matter.

I stopped into the Johny’s Luncheonette one morning because I had seen pictures of their Curious George breakfast sandwich online.

I sat at the counter of this tiny bodega like joint, ordered my sandwich and had it placed in front of me in about 2 minutes.

As I sat there, I witnessed the guy at the cashier know the name of almost every single person that entered. I felt like I was eating in a small town diner. It was kind of surreal.

Everyone in the neighborhood was coming to get their breakfast at Johny’s. It was really nice to see.

Bodegas can be found on every corner in the city. But lunch counters, they’re a different breed. Johny’s doesn’t sell potato chips and toilet paper. It’s a straight up lunch counter.

Order, eat and scram in less than 15 minutes.

The old guy who took my order (was it Johny? If so, I should ask him what happened to the other “N” in his name) and everyone was really friendly. Not smiley friendly. Like, real friendly. NYC friendly.

The sandwich is on a hero sized bread, nothing fancy or artisan. The sandwich also had fried eggs, cheese, ham, bacon and French fries.

It may sound a little kooky but it was delicious. And the fries were basically hash browns, so relax.

It was a hearty start to a work day, so next time I might just try one of their BEC on a roll. That’s the official breakfast of NYC. Bacon, egg and cheese on a soft, round, nutritionally devoid roll. It’s cheap and delicious.

Just like Johny’s.

124 W 25th St
New York, NY 10001
b/t 7th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas
Chelsea
(212) 243-6230
johnysluncheonette.com

The place is cleaner than you’d expect!

The Curious George Breakfast sandwich – around $8 bucks after tax