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The first time Frank Laspis visited Keyport was in 1986, to check out a diner.

A few meals later, he bought the diner on April 1 that year.

Laspis admits that it was a bold step to take on April Fools' Day, but said he knows what works in the restaurant business having spent most of his adult life in that industry.

"We named it the Seaport Diner because it is so close to the ocean," Betty, his wife, said. "So we combined sea and port and came up with the name."

For the couple from South Amboy, Keyport was the perfect place, being just a few minutes away from home.

The diner is over 50 years old, built in the O'Mahoney style and was made locally in Elizabeth, according to Laspis. "It is an old-fashioned diner, like a trailer with two doors and looks like a little train," he said.

It is open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day of the week except Sunday. At the moment, there are no Sunday dinners served at the Seaport Diner because it closes at 1 p.m. However, that might change soon, Laspis said.

"Depending on how the town grows, I might have to expand my hours," he said. "I adjust my future plans according to the town's."

Keyport Mayor Robert Bergen, who frequents his diner, has recently shown Laspis a plan for the waterfront improvements that will begin soon.

"It is going to be a nice town but it takes time, it can't be overnight," Laspis said. Having been part of Keyport's plans for the past 22 years, Laspis is patient and hopeful. He knows it takes time for good things to happen but when it does, it stays, he said. Until then he is prepared for the hard times and a few bumps in the road.

"It's tough, it's not easy right now. Gas is so expensive, people are cutting down on their spending, it is tight," Laspis said. "Today the people are looking for a bit more economy.

Sometimes you go to a big restaurant and pay top dollar, but the food is not good quality, not to your satisfaction. A big place can get out of control sometimes."

Instead, at the diner, it is always fresh and affordable, Laspis said. Diner food is simple and wholesome, with no fancy names or price, he said.

"We have a big menu at a reasonable price," he said. "You can get chicken, steak or seafood as you wish."

"We also have wraps, panini sandwiches, salads and pasta," Betty added. "Usually, we know most of our customers and what they like, so get it ready as soon as they walk in the door."
Monday and Tuesday are Italian nights for pasta lovers, while Wednesday and Thursday are steak nights, Laspis said.

"Today, you can find old-fashioned diner food no more, like beef stew, stuffed peppers or cabbage. That's why you go to a diner," he said.

With seating capacity of 65, Laspis said his is a small diner. "But we are always full," Betty added.

Weekends are especially busy, while a steady crowd flocks in for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a regular basis, a further sign that people prefer a bigger bang for their buck these days, according to Laspis.

The clientele consists of business people, lawyers, doctors, plumbers, electricians, politicians and regular families, he said.

"We keep it nice and clean," Betty said, pointing out the remodeling that the couple has done over the years. She noted that they have a collection of Keyport memorabilia that includes historic photos of the town, other diners built in the same style, old photos of friends and families who came to the diner for every meal and occasion, even framed sketches from Keyport elementary school kids.

"In 1986, the first year I bought the diner, a teacher from the Keyport elementary school asked me to cook turkey during Thanksgiving for kindergarten kids," Laspis said. "In return, the kids drew pictures for me to thank me.”

While those kids have since grown up, Laspis still holds on to the pictures. “Every year during Thanksgiving I put their pictures up."

Such treasures, collected over the years, have translated into a lasting relationship for the Laspis.

"When you have been part of people's lives for 22 years, you do end up with a lot of memories," Betty said. "In other restaurants you are just another person, here we know you by name. Often we know the whole family and have shared the good and the bad times with them."

The diner is located at 83 Broad St. near the waterfront in Keyport and can be reached at (732) 264 9659.