Kiss the Chef’s Original Owners Return

After a two-and-a-half year hiatus, original owners Horacio and Lorraine Mazariegos have returned to , a restored railroad-car diner located at 106 East Second St. in Mineola.

The Mazariegos' originally bought the business in 2007 but sold it after two years to spend more time with their family. However, at the coaxing of the diner's property owner and former patrons, "we were enticed to come back," Lorraine said. "We're happy to be back. This is like home."

Horacio, the chef, and Lorraine took ownership on Oct. 15. The reopening coincides with the release of the movie "Morning Glory," starring Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams. A scene in the movie, in which McAdams is speaking on the phone while sitting in a diner, was shot at Kiss the Chef last year. Lorraine went to a local movie theater to hand out menus to take advantage of the publicity. Several people came to the diner who were at the movies that day, she said.

What they will find, as others have, is a diner unlike most others. The 1947 restored railroad-car diner has the nostalgic feel of a small-town gathering place and the menu of an upscale bistro. Generous portions are served at reasonable prices. "You can have a good lunch for under $20 here," Lorraine said.

Judges and lawyers from the  down the road, doctors from neighboring , and office and factory workers vie for seats at the seven booths and 20 counter stools. The busiest period is between noon and 1:30 p.m. If you do not reserve a table, you may have to wait outside, albeit for only about 10 minutes. Breakfast is busy as well.

There are six specials every day. Among the chef's favorites are meat loaf on Thursdays and Spaghetti Bolognese on Wednesday. The doctors from Winthrop have told Lorraine that the Bolognese sauce is the best they have ever tasted.

Mazariegos, a native of Guatemala, offers a few Latin American specialties such as huevos rancheros served with homemade tortillas, which sells out most days. Other favorites include the Cobb salad, the Sloppy Joe chicken sandwich on a brioche roll and tuna salad made with herbed mayonnaise. Another home-style favorite is chicken potpie, made fresh every day. The soups, also made fresh, are a big hit as well.

"I put my heart into everything here but the meat loaf is one of my favorites," Horacio, said before rattling off some other favorite dishes. Mazariego is also the chef at the newly opened five-star restaurant at the  in Long Beach.

Lorraine said that when she and her husband left the diner two years ago, "everyone left with us," but now that they've returned, "little by little, they are coming back. We have made many friends here. Our customers become our friends."