In yet another attempt to satisfy student requests for a traditional diner on Walnut Street, the University has reached an agreement with a vendor who promises to finally deliver pancakes and bacon at an affordable price.
Diner operator Hossein Elbanna signed a 10-year lease with the University last week, filling the vacancy left by El Diner at 3925 Walnut Street.
Amid complaints of slow service and high prices, El Diner shut down in June after only four months on campus.
The new diner, called Philly Diner, will be a bona fide greasy spoon, according to Elbanna and University real estate officials.
"It's going to be a regular diner, no bullshit," said Elbanna, Philly Diner's chief of operations.
John Greenwood, a top Penn real estate official, was enthusiastic about the new restaurant, saying he hoped it would open its doors within the next 45 days, perhaps as early as the end of this month.
Philly Diner is a local operator. Elbanna runs a number of other diners in the area, including one near Philadelphia International Airport and another by Independence Hall.
Elbanna, though, feels he is being rushed by the University to open the diner, when he would rather take more time to understand the students' needs.
"I want to do things right, but I'm being pushed," he said.
However, he went on to say that the University was providing a lot of support and that "they really want this diner."
Both Elbanna and Greenwood claimed that the Philly Diner's prices will be reasonable.
It is "a diner price for a university market that will recognize university and community price points," Greenwood said.
The diner's hours are tentatively set at 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Elbanna added that "if things go well," they would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The new diner plans to feature wide variety in the menu.
"We're very good at breakfast," Elbanna said, and he went on to describe the fresh bakery items, seafood, soups and other foods that will be available.
Philly Diner plans to capture a "family atmosphere" with fast and efficient service. Elbanna also emphasized his desire to cater to the students and to become a popular hangout, but warned that he does not plan to serve alcohol.
According to Greenwood, Philly Diner will soon be submitting a plan to improve the space, including plans for cosmetic changes and new equipment.
Elbanna said that Philly Diner actually had a lease to take over after the '50s-themed diner Eat at Joe's, when the University brought in El Diner instead. When El Diner closed down in the early part of last summer, the University contacted Philly Diner and began discussions.
Greenwood said he is excited about the new diner's potential.
"You cross your fingers and hope that this is the answer," he said. "I'm hoping and I'm confident that this is going to be terrific."
