[Photo from last week]
Work is wrapping up at 23 Third Ave. near St. Mark's Place... where Archie & Sons, a 1950s-style luncheonette, is expected to open this week...
There was a casting call for staff on July 22...
Archie & Sons has roots on Long Island (Hewlett) where proprietor Howie Cohen ran Archie's Deli until 2010. He's bringing that concept here.
Cohen is also one of the investors who bought the Papaya King brand several years ago.
While we didn't get a chance to speak with Cohen, Blake Gower, part of the Papaya King team, told us a little more about Archie & Sons.
"Howie and his family have been in the business for decades. The presence of B&H and Stage reinforced our thinking that the East Village was the right kind of neighborhood to bring this to life in NYC; there's a certain warmth and appreciation for homey neighborhood places that persists in the East Village," Gower said. "I grew up eating at the original Archie's — I still have dreams about side dishes of Howie's macaroni salad."
Archie's will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They originally announced an Aug. 1 opening date, though Gower said that they may bump that back by a day or two.
23 Third Ave. was mostly recently home to a fairly humdrum slice place.
This is welcome news. I love diners!
ReplyDeleteEver since that original pizza place closed from... 20 yrs ago, that spot's been cursed.
ReplyDeleteI hope it really is an old style diner with good solid chow, and not an ironic "take" on the theme. Ever since Odessa food became terrible about 8 years ago, we have really needed a good go-to diner around here.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be great if this was a reasonably-priced, decent spot to grab a quick bite. Not sure I'm too bullish on it if they're holding "casting calls" though.
ReplyDeleteNow THIS sounds like someplace I would love to eat at, and will.
ReplyDeleteIt's the "casting call" thing that has me worried. Am I going to be served by a real waiter/waitress or someone playing a role?
ReplyDeletethe incoming imperial stormtroopers will need a place to eat.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Gower, Mr. Cohen,
ReplyDeleteThe East Village will see right through any faux/theming and you'll be closed before you open. This is *not* Times Square.
Just make it an authentic, no frills diner with good food, quick service, and you'll pack 'em in.
Go hang out at Westville, Stage, and Odessa. They do it well.
In, order, eat, out. People don't want/need anything else.
Welcome to the neighborhood sirs!
I went to one of these restaurant/bar casting calls back in the late 80s at the knitting factory. needless to say it turned me off of the restaurant/bar industry.
ReplyDeleteyou think westville didn't have a casting call? you're fooling yourself then.
ReplyDeleteShawn you must not have been in Odessa for a long time pal. I survived on their food for 15 years or more, but since about 2002 or so it has been simply unacceptable. If you want to give them some examples, (not that they need them from industry outsiders like me or you), the places are the great surviving borough diners; sheepshead bay, Astoria, etc. I know those do not face quite the same rent pressure, and can afford to serve a proper plate, but OH BABY!!
ReplyDeleteI've been in withdrawal for the past few years while you've been greeting up for nyc
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is watering for the macaroni, potato salad, cole slaw !
Can't wait !
Got to taste parts of the menu today- couldn't be more excited to have this place in the neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful family and we wish them all the best and plenty of success!!! Long live Archies& Sons.............Matt is the best!
ReplyDeleteI went to Archie's growing up in Long Island. I know it's a weird thing to say, but the macaroni salad is unbelievable (you won't understand until you try it). They also have a really good cheeseburger. This is not some stupid themed Times Square restaurant, as other posts surmised - it just has that 50s style luncheonette/diner/coffee shop vibe. If they maintain the same quality/recipe as the original, it will be extremely successful.
ReplyDeleteA friend and I ate there last night. We loved the decor - clean and uncluttered. The price point is very reasonable. The food - real, non-fried food - was delicious. My friend, who was suffering a cold, ordered the best chicken soup I have tasted in a long time. I had an egg salad sandwich which was a risk since I don't care much for mayo but it turned out to be very good. I even noticed the taste of the tomatoes - which you almost never do in a sandwich. I'm glad to put have a decent place to eat in that area of St. Marks that hasn't had a decent eatery in years. Some of us grew out of tasteless pub food years ago.
ReplyDelete