8. Bel Aire Diner

Bel Aire Diner, on 31-91 21st St. in Astoria, is open 24 hours a day. It is owned and operated by Argyris “Archie” Dellaportas, who immigrated to Queens in 1972. Over the years, he’s worked at several diners, including the Westway Diner in Hell’s Kitchen and a diner in Maryland; in 1996, however, he purchased the Bel Aire for $350,000 and since then, he hasn’t taken time off for vacation. His hard work is one of the reasons why