By Egidio DiBenedetto
Staff Reporter
The Yale Daily News
Published Wednesday, May 26, 2010
After 48 years of legendary milkshakes, late-night grilled cheeses and root beer floats, Clark’s Dairy, the iconic Whitney Avenue diner, will close shop Sunday for the last time.
The famed New Haven restaurant will shut its doors for "a variety of reasons," said George Mihalakos, an employee and the son of Anthony Mihalakos, the Dairy's owner and patriarch of the Greek family that has run the eatery since 1962.
George Mihalakos said chief among the family’s reasons for closing Clark's were a...
#1 By joey '00' 7:07p.m. on May 27, 2010
Clark's Dairy looked closed about a year ago. I asked what happened to the sidewalk sign, informed them that maybe they should have a neon lighted sign in the window - "open". I sat in there for breakfast and watched as dozens of students stroll past with coffee and danish purchased up at Grove & Whitney. etc. - they didn't know the joint existed.
I didn't like the hot dog at all. I was happy with the breakfast, but Christ, no one can screw up toast and scrambled.
It was probably decided long ago to close. Still sad, i'd like to see the store be given to a young guy to start a breakfast place there. I wonder if they have a renter ?
#2 By Y71 8:28a.m. on May 28, 2010
Clark's Dairy produced the coffee shake which is the standard against which all other coffee shakes are measured...and found wanting.
#3 By DougMB42 12:13p.m. on May 28, 2010
It's sad that another part of the Yale I knew (1980's era) is gone. Clark's had awesome malts, the best German Chocolate Cake ice cream in New England, and a sweet innocence about the place lacking in the touristy vibe of many newer places on Whitney, or on York or Broadway. Even Fitzwilly's (the quintessential fern bar) was better than Cosi. Gourmet Kitchen, Park St. Sub, Naples, the Doodle, now Clarks. Hang in there at Yorkside, George! Don't leave us, Leo! I agree with Joey #1; let's hope someone uses the space for a great diner.
#4 By George 7:17p.m. on May 29, 2010
I thought the Mihalakos's were the owners of the building . They say it's owned by Yale. It might put the kabash on any chance of a similar restaurant in the stead. But they are moving next door, and will be serving breakfast, then pizza. Ice cream and milkshakes will be missed, Is there an ice cream shop on Audubon St ?
#5 By No Dairy without Tony 9:00p.m. on May 29, 2010
A lesson could be learned from this. Everyone who wants to run a business has to be invested fully in it. Tony was and gave his life for it. That is why it fell apart.He could have survived the economy he knew that only those who work smart and hard survive. Too bad his son never realized that until it was too late. He should have taken the time to pay attention to his father and he wouldn't be closing now.
This is a perfect example of hardworking parents giving too much to their kids without making them work for it. It is a shame that now Tony will never have the chance to enjoy retirement as he should after all that hard work!! God Bless him!
#6 By joey '00' 9:00a.m. on May 30, 2010
I thought his son was a Realtor ? Maybe he has two . It reminds me of the Yankee Doodle, a son inherits it and has a panic attack as he stares down the barrel of the next 40 years behind a counter that's as greasy as a Pelican in the gulf. And just what fer, half goes to rent and bills. Serving it up to a crowd that always has a new plan for the property.
Yes , sons and daughters of the legacy are usually rebellious and obstinate as to running the company and listening to just how it was/is supposed to be. Sometimes it's the memories.
What was the name of the breakfast and lunch joint on Crown st. ? Located about where the old Hotel National was . With the delicious beef stew, i don't know what he put in it , Or what crawled in it
But it was friggin good. A Greek guy named John
#7 By '98 3:25p.m. on May 30, 2010
Great comment, #6!
#8 By Great banana splits 12:38a.m. on May 31, 2010
Clark's Dairy has been open longer than 48 years. Perhaps you are talking about the "current owner"
I had ice cream there at least 55 years ago, maybe longer. Great banana splits.
PK
#9 By Sorry but... 10:44a.m. on June 1, 2010
I hate to kick someone when they are down but I've been walking past Clark's for 12 years. I've been in a few times and found the food and service to be fair. The service was adequate and the cleanliness was not good. This is not a recipe for success. I wish them well but it takes more than token effort and a reliance on being a 'New Haven tradition' to be successful. I hope the new tenants take notice that if you serve good food, with pleasant service, in a clean environment, the clients will come.
#10 By GRD / SOM '08 5:19p.m. on June 3, 2010
This is terrible news to me. Clark's was a haven for me when I was a broke Grad Student living in Helen Hadley Hall. I'd go in there and order the blueberry pancakes from Mary, who'd been working at Clark's for 30 years. She was the best - the moment I came in she'd give me the comics section, bring out my coffee, call me "love". And then there was Ricky, who made terrible hash browns. And finally, the milkshakes which were always too thick to suck through the straw.
Damn I'm going to miss that place. When the Doodle closed, it hurt but only a little. Clark's...now that's a place which I'll forever associate with comfort in cold, lonely New Haven.
#11 By A clean, well-lighted place 11:21p.m. on June 4, 2010
@#9
This is not a dining establishment. It's a hang-out. It's what Hemingway wrote about in his short story "A Clean, Well-lighted Place."
Epicures elsewhere.
PK
#12 By Ticky-tacky overtakes the Greasy Spoon 3:06a.m. on June 7, 2010
@ GRD/SOM '08:
Your pen paints like Picasso: Clark's,the archetypal waitress with a heart of gold (Mary), home fries, grad student life and "cold, lonely New Haven" come alive in your brief strokes on the keyboard.
@ Doug MB42 :
Are George and Leo still flourishing at Yorkside? Leo used to cut his hair short all around the bottom, long before the Marine cut was in fashion. (Or was that a wig?) And Harold Bloom used to eat in there with a conversation mate. The greasiest spoon in New Haven--but great personality, burgers and onion rings.
PK
#13 By Cristina Gomez 5:08a.m. on June 9, 2010
Es una verdadera lástima que vaya a cerrar, yo no estudio en Yale pero estuve en esa cafetería el año pasado.
Una verdadera lástima....
Besos a todos los estudiantes latinos de Yale, ojalá hubiera podido estudiar yo allí.
Saludos desde Córdoba, España.
#14 By Gomez Adams 8:00p.m. on June 12, 2010
Will Mary push the tables together the way she did next door for the morning meetings ? Will they let her ? Does she want to ?
#15 By NOOOOOO! '11 1:57p.m. on June 16, 2010
CLARKS HAS THE BEST MILKSHAKES I EVER TASTED AND EVER WILL TASTE.
EUGH!
NEW HAVEN JUST GOT A LITTLE MORE RUBBISH.
#16 By ROFLCOPTER 5:24a.m. on June 21, 2010
Clark's milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...
#17 By David Yopp 8:07p.m. on July 3, 2010
I can remember my dad taking us there in the mid 60's after bowling with the small balls next door. Later I would stop there after Cross football practice and have a shake.Too bad! I won't be able to make it to the Elm City before it closes.
#18 By Name of commenter 10:35a.m. on July 5, 2010
@#11 -- "A CLEAN well-lighted place" is exactly what #9 was emphasizing.
According to #9, "the cleanliness was not good."
#19 By Vague 12:57a.m. on July 7, 2010
What does "the cleanliness was not good" mean? Rather vague. If the place was dirty, it wouldn't have lasted 48 (actually longer) years. I vote with the other 17 posts.
PK
#20 By ItsAMysteryNY 8:24a.m. on July 12, 2010
Clark's had the best sandwiches/french fries- I went there a LOT since I lived near there (first in Helen Hadley Hall, then Trumbull St.) and loved their stuff. I'm so sick of hoity-toity overpriced places crowding out homey, comfortable, reasonable places. This is depressing. Ugh.
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