March 22, 2016 By Michael Florio
A long-time diner and ice cream parlor will soon be reopening after undergoing a makeover.
Jahn’s, which has been located at 81-04 37th Ave for nearly 60 years, is expected to be ready for business this Friday, according to owner Nick Moukas.
The eatery closed on March 14th for a revamp, Moukas said.
“We are just giving the store a basic facelift,” Moukas said. “It’s been 30 years since we last remodeled. It needed it.”
The renovations include new tiling, chairs and tables, as well as redoing the bathroom and painting the interior, according to Moukas.
The decor will pay homage to the 1950s and 1960s, Moukas said.
Despite the makeover, the menu will not be changing.
The restaurant will continue to offer its full menu including sandwiches, burgers, steak, kabobs, souvlaki and seafood.
It is widely known for its ice cream. The ice cream menu includes sundaes, banana splits, floats, milk shakes, and the kitchen sink, which is a large ice cream sundae that serves eight.
This month marks the 57th year that Jahn’s has been part of Jackson Heights, Moukas said. His family has owned the store since 1970. Today, he runs it along with his brother, Peter Moukas.
Moukas’ eatery is the last Jahn’s in New York.
Jahn’s was once part of an ice cream chain that was established by John Jahn in the Bronx in the late 1890s . The chain consisted of nearly 30 ice cream parlors across the city.
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My family used to take my brother and I to Jahns on Hempstead Turnpike near the Wantagh Parkway. We lived in Levittown at the time. There was a very nice roller skating rink within a short walk of Jahns. Many years later, I moved to Coral Gables, FL and was going to the University of Miami. One day my boyfriend and I decided to see the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, and when we got there, to our delight and surprise was Jahns on the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, FL. Of course we stopped by for lunch and Jahns ice cream. At the cash register there were candies and they had these large red hand candy lollipop. Of course I bought one, it tasted like cinnamon. It was great having a home away from home.
I never remember this place (I’m from Westfield) but loved reading all the comments. Made me nostalgic for those magical times of the 50’s.
The Union Jahn’s was an attraction for teenagers in Westfield, too. I remember going over with two or three neighbors on the birthday of one of them. Ellen produced her ID and we all felt so smart that she got a free sundae. But then, disaster struck. We went outside to go home, and my car had a parking ticket! We hadn’t noticed the hours when parking was prohibited.
i believe its no longer there………….
Still there
I remember there was. Jahns on prospect avenue in the Bronx they had fancy candies as well I use to get egg creams. They were much less expensive then milk shakes which I would buy them as well at times
I heard the one on Sunrise Hwy in Rockville ctr on L.I. was redone and reopened in the last few years? Was I misinformed? Is it still closed and gone?
I went to the Jahn’s in Rockville Centre as a kid in the ’50s…it’s long gone. Wish your info was correct 🙁
This one in Jackson Heights is the last Jahn’s.
OH, Jahn’s on Fordham Road…it was so beautiful..the wood and the stain glass….and omg…all that ice cream….amazing…and “the kitchen sink”…..I live in another state now…always felt so terrible when I heard it had burnt down…such a landmark and special place when I was young.
What a walk down memory lane. In the spring of 1957 we lived in Middle Village. One day my father said, “Let’s go for a ride” and we all piled into the car (four kids and my folks). He was searching for a Carvel as we wandered around Queens, which to us kids seemed like it was taking forever. Anyway, no Carvel in sight. So he said, “Next ice cream shop we see, we’ll stop.” It was a Jahn’s, to which we kids had never been. I had my usual chocolate sundae with chocolate ice cream. My twelve year old brother had a Tall in the Saddle, which he finished! We suddenly had a better place than Carvel to go for a treat. Unfortunately, it was our first and last visit to Jahn’s, as we left New York for California soon after. My brother still talks about Jahn’s after all these years, and for four decades he and I have dreamed of an East Coast trip that would include a visit to Jahn’s. But it’s a great memory and good to hear that the Jahn’s tradition lives on.
My grand mother took me to jahns in the Bronx as a child in the early 60s moved to ala. In the late 60s will always have fond memories of those days
I remember the “2 Cent Plain” (a glass of seltzer for 2 cents) and “The Kitchen Sink” (a HUGE tub of Ice Cream – your choice of flavors for $7). Today, the 2 Cent Plain would probably cost at least $1 and The Kitchen Sink would probably cost at least $15 – but then again, think of the average salaries during 1963 vs. 2016 and perhaps they would be almost equal in ratio to each other.
Saw the first moon landing in Jahns – summer, in high school, drinking Tab and trying to sweet talk a young hottie – lol. It was great to be young and a far more innocent world.
I went to the Jahn’s in Queens – near Jamaica the one on Hillside Ave. We used to go there every other Sunday just to have lunch & dessert! Wish they would open one here in Anaheim, CA – preferably next to Disneyland Resort!
I can’t speak for all the Jahn’s but the one in Bensonhurst has a red carpet ceiling (or painted Asbestos, who knows). People used to shoot matches through straws and you could see all the matches hanging from the ceiling like little tiny icicles.
Used to be a landmark Jahns in rockville centre with lots of bananas
Loved Jahns in Flushing next to the Prospect. Used to eat there as a teenager . Those were the good old days! Loved there ice cream.
Had many a great times at Jahn’s on 37th Ave in Jackson Heights met always went after school and mostly after the McClancy dances. We always sat in the back and had French fries and cokes. Met my 1st husband who has since passed away at Jahn’s –
I worked in the one on Hillside Ave. in Williston Park, LI during the ’60s
Went to the one on Church avenue down the block from Flatbush avenue Brooklyn.
Spent many happy times in Paramus as a teenager. Also having birthday parties for My children years later. It would be wonderful if they came back to Paramus NJ
I MADE THE COPPER HOOD OVER THE STOVE IN WINDOW
I remember the one in Rockville Centre
We went there in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, I had the distinction of being the guy who tripped Ernie, then manaqger of the Richmond Hill store, as he was personally delivering the first Kitchen Sink, and as he fell, all the contents of the Sink continued their individual trajectories of ffudge, ice cream, flavors, and fruit onto the rear paneled wall to form a pretty good Jackson Pollack. I was banished for 12 months!…Les Aaron
I worked at Jahn’s in Rockville Centre in the early ’60s. Sunrise Highway, Wolf’s Sporting Good Store the Fantasy Theater and much more.
Bunches of us piled into our cars after Calhoun(Merrick)HS basketball games on many Friday nights in the early 60’s!
And we played Chinese Fire Drill at red lights on Sunrise Hwy on our way to Rockville Center.
Bravo Nick! Keep the dream alive. Fond memories of Jahn’s Flushing and Queens Blvd. Some things should never change.
I used to go to the one on Queens Blvd I didn’t know there were any in existence still??
I loved the one on queens blvd in rego park used to get hamburger and fries and a sunday all the time
Glad to see my family restaurant being revamped. It has been way too long. Very sad to hear they were all closed. The kitchen sink was a childhood memory I will never forget. I will have to make my way down to visit. Congrats on getting it back up and running
When did the Levittown Jahn’s closed? Also, how much ice cream is in the kitchen sink?
When I grew up in the Bronx it was Jahns if we went to the RKO Fordham and Krums if we went to the Loews Paradise.
I still have a menu from the 60s. went there a lot.
use to hang out there a lot. I have a menu from the 60s.
NO WAY!!! This is the best ice cream parlor. I remember it from my childhood. YAY!
Wow! Would love to go there and re-live some of those great days! I remember going to the one on Church Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. Remember the “Kitchen Sink” for $7 or the 2 Cents Plain (for 2 cents!!). I guess that they won’t be that cheap now, but then again, the average salary around that time (the mid to late 60’s) was below $150 a week. I took many dates there after seeing movies at the Loew’s and Albermarle, as well as the Art Movie Theater right at the end of Erasmus on Flatbush Avenue. Anyone out there have similar memories?!
Jahn’s route 208/4 Fairlawn NJ. With Marylou H. 1964.
my dad’s and uncle’s…the best and biggest. seating for 300-400!
We used to go every Friday night after rollerskating at America on Wheels in Levittown ,NY Sadly it also closed years ago . We also went after every school event …..It was the local place to go ..Long before Friendly’s (which I don’t care for)
Union, New Jersey had a Jahn’s in the mid-60’s…..
Both the Union and Springfield locations now have drug stores where the ice cream used to be…..
my father’s and uncle’s Larry and Kurt Seftel who emigrated in 1938 from Nazi Vienna. They sold 3 stores and kept Fairlawn, NJ.
My dad’s restaurants in Union, Long Branch and Fairlawn NJ…and Regal House in Manhattan. 1962
Jahn’s was a very special place we went to on special occasions. I always went to the one in Richmond Hill. I also went to the one in Brooklyn. My fondest memories took place in the sixties. I was sorry to see it close.
I used to go to Bingo next door with my friend Louise. We would go in Jahn’s and have a waffle with ice cream , Maple Walnut was my favorite
I grew up with this Jahn’s. It’s where my parents would take us for a special treat. Even though we moved out of the neighborhood in 1966, Jahn’s was still part of our lives because there was one near where we moved in NJ. I was heartbroken when that closed. When I moved back to NY in 1994, I visited the old neighborhood and was delighted to find that this Jahn’s was still here! I’ve been coming back on my birthday ever since.
Union, NJ was my dad’s and uncle’s along with Fairlawn, N.J. and Long Branch or Long Beach.
Union, NJ was my dad’s (Larry Seftel) and uncle’s (Kurt Seftel) along with Fairlawn, N.J. and Long Branch or Long Beach. The best childhood steeped in Ice cream swiss rolls, kitchen sinks and sparklers, milk shakes and malteds, sundaes, pancakes, waffles, burgers, steaks, all great foods and even matzoh brei for Passover. I was a hostess, cashier and waitress summers. A great family/school/date restaurant without alcohol.
Used go there in early 60s after Pop Warner FB weigh ins practically next door would pig out after I made the weight.
I know a spot at 117-03 Hillside Avenue, Richmond Hill that would love a make-over and re-open just like this….
I went to the Jahn’s in Richmond Hill. Went to the movies first and then Jahn’s. Always went with about 10 friends and we would always get the Kitchen Sink. They would let you carve your name on the wood walls and booths. Great memories
Went to Jahn’s in Union soooo many times. The Kitchen Sink after the Prom. So many laughs and memories with good friends
that was my dad’s and uncle’s along with Fairlawn, N.J. and Long Branch or Long Beach.
I used to live the one I. Fair lawn and one of my memories there were the Barley lollipops as a kid and the itches sinks. I didn’t even know it was a chain.
there were 2 sizes of the colorful pops…about 5″ and 12″ diameters on a wood stick. the kitchen sinks were served with sparklers. there was a nickelodean, an old fashioned flip card movie machine, signed photos of the movie stars that came by, stained glass pendant lights, the huge eagle sign on the outside and my dad and uncle who were like family to both the patrons and workers. it was a big part of the community before the malls were built.I ate myself silly when I worked there…a child’s dream. I still love Ice cream! will scan a postcard photo and menu one of these days.
As a child growing up in Inwood (northern Manhattan, not Queens), Jahn’s in the Bronx was where I had my 10th birthday party in 1961; 20 or so girls and boys from my class at P.S. 152 and my neighborhood friends enjoyed a great time! It was also an appropriately popular place for “date” evenings for tweens, otherwise thought to be too young to date. It was a wonderful place in simpler times.
There was a terrific waiter there, who became a legend because he could fill the order for an entire crowd’s (as I recall seeing as many as 20) ice cream/fountain selections without writing anything down. He never missed!
I remember going to Jahn’s Ice cream parlor in Babylon-Deer Park and having the best ice cream sundies and banana splits.
I worked in the Bronx Jahn’s from early high school thru college. Many of my friends have worked there over the years and have many many fond memories there. When the Bronx store burned down, my father was transferred there as the manager and it added even more memories. Next time I’m home I’m inviting anyone who has ever known me and shared the Jahn’s experience to join my there for an up, a down, an in, an on, a black and white,and if we’re up to it a sink.
Had our wedding rehearsal dinner n ice cream party at Jahn’s. It was so delightful in the back room. Thanks for a rememberable time 20 years ago.
i remember the old piano in the backroom on my 10th birthday,along with the kitchen sink,awesome memory
I am so excited to read of Jahns opening. First dates always took you to
Jahns in Richmond Hill, the original. An alumna of FK Lane, the treat was to go to this wonderful ice cream parlor, either with a date, or with your groupies.
Congratulations. I’ll be there. Much success!
Many years of great memories!
I can’t wait until I can take my niece Zoey here. This will be fun. Living my childhood all over again.
So sad it’s not back in the Bronx where I used to go all the time as a youngster and teen (especially on a date).
Yes, The JAHNS in the Bronx. Remember it well !
My grandmother took me to jahns as a child in the early 60s moved to Alabama in the late 60s still have fond memories
i would like to see jahns come back to union county nj it used to sit at union township nj jahns went by by and the rite aids took over the building which was dumb becouse there was one across the street like people are going eat at a phamacy lol
I’ve been to the original Jahn’s in Richmond Hill Queens. Memories I’ll never forget.
I have fond memories of the Jahns in Flushing, right next to the ol’ Prospect theatre. Birthdays we’d take the 44 bus down Main St to the library… Went to see a film, then finished things off at Jahn’s before heading home. Those were the days!
Hi Nickie and Peter
The best of everything on your grand re-opening. We miss you!
I remember Jahn’s well. Back in the day (won’t give the year) we went with our friend Jerry who would eat the Kitchen Sink all by himself. He declared he had TB (two bellies)
I thought they were all gone even this one really miss it
there was a fire some years ago at this one in Queens
,but they reopened very quickly after in
Was the Jan’s in Union nj related to this Jahn”s? Wonderful memories from the one in Union. Now that location is a rite aides. Have to plan a road trip for a kitchen sink.
my father and uncle owned Union, Long Branch (or Beach?) and Fairlawn in the 1960’s and 70’s. I have menus, postcards, toothpicks, straws, placemats.
Donna, looking for pictures for historical website of Jahns in Union before burning. Wondering if you might have some. Would love to see them.
Went roller skating on Hempstead turnpike and then to Jahns . Always a treat.
Been to Jahns many times with my cousins Angelo & Johanna, & friends Ellen & Louie too along with my girl now wife we all got married over 42 +years ago & still are! We should get all the kids & the grandkids and go can you imagine the kitchen sink up to 8 people eating in One bowl! No backwash allowed!
Very excited! But the menu could use a partial makeover as well. For real.
I had my 11th birthday party at Jahn’s on Queens Blvd in 1975!!
They’ve only been closed for less than 2 weeks. They have been there all along!
Would love to have one back in Florida
We had two. One in Coral Gables and one in Sunny Isles Beach.
We still have Jaxsons in Dania Beach.
Is Jaxson’s related to Jahn’s, or just a knock-off?
Will definitely pay Jahns a visit ?�21st Sve. Representing Jahns 86 Street 21 Avenue. Bensonhurst Brooklyn ?Amazing. Memories?
Let me know when you’re going, I’ll represent the Jahn’s on Flatbush Ave (near Lowes Kings) We’d go there once a week…Would go to the one on 86th St when I was hanging with my friends who lived off Kings Highway. Fun memories.
I REMEMBER ALL THOSE AREAS OF BROOKLYN VERY WELL. I LIVED ON THE WEST SIDE OF OCEAN PARKWAY ON WEST 7ST. BET S&T
1
I have an original Jahn’s stained glass lamp that were hung over the booths. Great memory but now moving and have to get rid of it.
do you still have it? I always wanted one but they were sold with the restaurant. where are you?
That is the one I remember best. They also had one at Gerritsen Avenue and Avenue U. The Bensonhurst one became a Jack LaLane’s, and the Avenue U one was torn down for a supermarket parking lot.
Bensonhurst Jahns did not become a Jack Lalane..that was further down by 19th ave..which is still a gym.
Anyone ready for the “Kitchen Sink” platter? Oh I am!!!
Thanks for reopening, Jahn’s has always been one of my favorite places.
Angelica Harris
Kitchen sink was all we ordered 8 of us.We went to the Jahns on Fordham rd in the Bronx. Great times,food, and fun !
Me too and on dates
I’ll tell you one thing – it won’t cost $7.50 as it used to – and, remember the 2 Cent Plain (a glass of seltzer for 2 Cents) – well, that won’t be 2 cents anymore! Nostalgia comes with a price! But, enjoy!!
I remember getting a free sundae on my birthday; still the tradition?
I can’t wait. Jahn’s was where we went after little league games and CYO Basketball. Many wonderful memories.
we went after school (John Adams H S in Queens, NY) It was our H S hangout back in late 50’s.- and it really fed at least 8 when we ordered the “kitchen sink” good memories!
I went to John Adams too & we used to go there after going to the Keith’s movie theatre next door & after Senior night. Great memories.
My sister attended John Adams, we moved before I got there. Such memories.
did the Jahn’s in Richmond Hill close ? I remember the movie did. … I remember the kitchen sink…so big.
Yes it closed unfortunately.
That is where we used to go after school. Went to Bishop McDonnell on Eastern Parkway, took the elevated train allllll the way… always had a great tim. Many a Friday or a Saturday night spent there with a date, too.
YES THAT CLOSED YEARS AGO, ITS A SHAME THEY DIDNT LAND MARK THAT SITE THE CARVINGS IN THE TABLES WENT WAY BACK, I REMEMBER SEEING THE 3 STOOGES LIVE IN THE MOVIE THEATER