[3914 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside, Queens, c. 1939–1941. From the NYC Municipal Archives Collections. Click for a much larger view.]
Rest rooms and booth service? I’m there.
A Facebook post describes the Sunlite Diner as “a beloved Sunnyside spot where locals gathered over coffee, pancakes, and stories.”
And there’s a diner at this location today, Pete’s Grill, est. 2007.
As for Hub Homes, a 1937 New York Times article places this real-estate development of small, stately two-story houses south of Queens Boulevard between 60th and 64th Streets. Here’s one such house, within walking distance of the diner, if you like a long walk. In remembrance of things past, carry a keyring sporting a Sunlite Diner doodad.
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More photographs from the NYC Municipal Archives (Pinboard)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Sunlite Diner
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comments: 11
Very nice
Thanks
Cool photo. I've seen diners that started out as passenger train cars, then repurposed as diners. I'm no architect, but this looks like it was originally built as a diner.
That’d be my guess. I’m happy just to look and feel a bit awestruck :)
I took a chance and asked Gemini what railroad car was used to construct the diner, and it replied it wasn't a railroad, but as both of you have noted, custom built as a diner to resemble a railroad car. It suggested it was built by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company of Elizabeth New Jersey; however, I found corroborating evidence to back up that assertion, although it does seem plausible.
I’ll look into it. I wonder if there’s an answer buried in real-estate records.
Thanks for the info. Nice research, JDL.
a common name
https://www.newspapers.com/article/covington-virginian/180934090/
Egad, my comment is incoherent :-( I'll live with the uncorrected shame of the comment, but I will say I should have said "found no corroborating evidence"
No worries — I knew that’s you meant to say, Jim.
I wonder uf Sunlite might have suggested cleanliness. At any rate, .it seems especially appropriate in Sunnyside.
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