Like any dutiful American diner, Setauket Village Diner serves burgers and fries, coffee, and omelets as part of its vast nine-page menu, which could please every diner. But like any history book about empires, it also adds Greek and Italian to the mix. Steak gyros and kebabs of chicken or salmon represent the former, whereas pasta such as linguine marinara and and shrimp scampi topped with feta and mozzarella are highlights of the latter.
The neon sign adorning Krish's entrance looks to be unchanged since the ice-cream parlor established itself in the area in 1955. The outdoor patio echoes this '50s feel with aqua-colored tables perched beneath matching umbrellas and nearby murals of ice cream, burgers, and fries that hint at the treasures in store. Inside, the staff concocts more than 35 housemade ice-cream flavors, ranging from chocolate chocolate chip and fluffernutter to peach and black raspberry. This delectable diversity helped earn Krisch's the title of Long Island Press's readers' pick for the Best Dessert Place from 2010 to 2012. Krisch's also transforms this creamy dessert into a variety of treats, adding dollops of it to sodas, whirling it into shakes, and topping it with housemade whipped cream for sundaes.
Krisch's dining room carries on its patio's decorative motifs, flaunting vibrant aqua shades and chrome accents typical of a mid-century diner or mermaid's classic Corvette. Once settled into four-tops or red booths, patrons order from a full menu of comfort fare such as hefty half-pound burgers, deli sandwiches, and homestyle entrees of meatloaf, roast beef, or southern fried chicken.