The Last Stop

By Lou Pastina

There are plenty of nice restaurants and bars in Rockaway Beach. Some have nice water views, and the sunsets are truly spectacular. Some are decorated very nicely, ornamented with all sorts of plants, pictures, paintings, creating an undeniably beachy vibe. Some are on the beach with access to the sand and surf.

But there is one that doesn’t have any of those things, and yet it is actually very special. The Last Stop restaurant next to the last stop of the A train on Beach 116th Street has been around for a very long time. I never was one to patronize the proverbial “greasy spoon,” always looking for a pretty brunch or breakfast place to dine. But recently I started to frequent the Last Stop, and I discovered what I had been missing. Now let me paint a picture for you: uneven floors, a ceiling which looks like it will fall in at any time, tables and chairs that wobble a bit, and doors that open to the buses on Beach 116th and to the train station. Doesn’t sound appetizing, right?

And that’s where you would be wrong, as I have been for so many years. Because if you look a little closer, you will find comfort food that hits the spot. I am now a big fan of their breakfasts. I don’t know how they get the bacon so crispy, but they do, and it’s great. Their eggs and omelets are especially good, and they butter the toast on the inside, the way you’re supposed to. And they refill the coffee cup. All delivered by wait staff that approach you with a world-weary look, but a smile, and certain attitude popularized by the TV show “Alice” about a similar place. They are the best.

Now I thought I had made a great discovery. You know like the guy in Egypt who recently discovered a new set of mummy tombs amongst all the ones that are already there. But once again, I was wrong. Every time I go with the mermaid, we see people from the neighborhood there. I wondered how long they were going to keep this little secret to themselves and not tell me, until I mentioned it to the mermaid, and she casually said, “Oh yeah this place has always been great.” Well, “kiss my grits!”

I do remember that dropping the kids off at the bus stop for high school, that they would visit the Last Stop, but I didn’t give it its proper due at the time. And I do recall my brother-in-law (Beef for those who know!) ordering giant party heroes from the restaurant and remembering how good they were, but did it ever register with me to stop in: no!

Well now I am making up for lost time, as I am working on becoming a regular. My hope is that by adding a spotlight, I don’t ruin the joint. I’d hate to see hipsters coming in splitting the check seven different ways, or someone asking for a latte to go! I also hope that the resumption of the A train doesn’t cause it to be overloaded. But who knows, maybe it will just add to whole vibe. I must admit that I have started staring at the pictures on the walls depicting a Rockaway of old. And I do remember a book or two by local authors including Last Stop in their stories. So maybe this place is more romantic than I thought. If you do go and you look up and see me, just give a nod, this way I know that you know what I know: Rockaway is the best.