NORWALK, CT — Elm Street Diner, a Stamford eatery famous for its elaborate milkshakes and waffle towers, plans to open a second location in Norwalk later this year.
Owner John Moshos said the new restaurant will open at the Waypointe apartment complex on West Avenue, which currently houses a roster of other restaurants that includes Colony Grill, Barcelona Wine Bar, Haruki Ramen & Izakaya, Sedona Taphouse and Allora Coffee and Bites.
Click Here: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
“It’s a fantastic location,” Moshos said to Patch, “and we’re excited that more and more people and families are going to get more exposure as they come meet us, see us and see a little bit of what we do.”
Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Moshos said he has been looking to expand his restaurant since 2019, plans for which were put on pause due to the coronavirus crisis. The Waypointe complex was brought to his attention by the owners of Colony, with whom Moshos is friendly.
“We’re an everyday place for everybody, but we’re also a destination,” Moshos said, “so we thought this was the right move in the right location.”
Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The location’s close proximity to family attractions like the Maritime Aquarium and Stepping Stones Museum and other family-oriented towns like New Canaan, Westport and Fairfield also factored into the Norwalk expansion plans.
“From what we’ve seen, Norwalk’s a great family community,” Moshos said. “That’s a big part of our customer base and demographic.”
Elm Street Diner first opened in Stamford in 1987, however the restaurant’s inventive large milkshakes have gained notable attention on social media in recent years. The diner was even featured in a 2020 episode of the Food Network show “Food Paradise.”
Earlier this month, former “Real Housewives of New York City” star Bethenny Frankel and her daughter Bryn popped into the Elm Street Diner, which caused a buzz on TikTok.
See also: Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star Visits Stamford’s Elm Street Diner
In a video Frankel posted to the app, she raved about the diner’s red velvet cake pancakes and cheesy bread with vodka sauce, as well as one of the restaurant’s signature over-the-top shakes.
Moshos said fans of the Stamford diner can expect a similar menu and experience at the Norwalk location.
“The menu is going to be the same,” Moshos said. “We’re going to do a lot of the very unique, crazy, over-the-top stuff we’ve been featured on social media and the Food Network for. The great comfort food, the everyday food.”
He also noted the Norwalk location will feature a more modern, contemporary design, as well as outdoor seating and a full bar.
“We’re going to incorporate some really fun things that we’re not able to do in Stamford,” Moshos said. “We’ve really wanted to do ‘crazy’ Bloody Marys for brunch and adult spiked milkshakes.”
Though a definitive opening date has not been announced, Moshos said he hopes to have the Norwalk restaurant open in late summer or early fall.
“We’re a great everyday place where you can get classic comfort food,” Moshos said, “but we’re also totally different and unique. We do things that no one else does, and that’s kind of what we hang our hat on.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.