[Photo by EVG reader Russ]
Ugh. As the sign shows, the 50s-style luncheonette on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place is closed for the month of August.
They opened just about a year ago to the date.
We're big fans of their food. However, the closure, temporary or not, doesn't come as a total shocker. In recent months, the hours became more sporadic, the offerings became more varied (juice bar! smoothies!), the quality of food seemingly deteriorated, the staff changed. Plus, we were the only people inside the last six or so times inside. (And we were not there at off hours.)
We were hoping that they would catch on — particularly with all the office bodies (and students) coming to the IBM Watson Building across the street.
Still, it wasn't also tough to opt for Archie's over old favorites the Stage and B&H …
Previously on EV Grieve:
Archie & Sons, a new luncheonette, opening very soon at 23 Third Ave.
I'm still sad that they changed the "falafel shawarma" sign painted on the side of that building. Their logo looks much worse. I never had much interest in going inside because of that.
ReplyDeleteTheir food is really good and I hope they return.
ReplyDeleteThis calls for the EVGrieve DeathWatch Update:
ReplyDeleteArchies, becuase its never a good sign when they close down for "renovations" and it's usually empty.
Dollar Pizza places in general, a failed business model in an overheated retail market, and the pizza sucks.
Nicolette, because it's just a matter of time now for most overpriced gourmet pizza joints to just go away. It's usually dead.
The new Dojos on West 4th St. After they revovated the crowds including the NYU students all went away, and the menu isn't the same or as appealing as before.
Zum Schnieder. Just kidding, after Germany won the World Cup they will never, ever close down. Ever. And their 4 dollar pretzels are very tasty.
Most of the remaining Indian restaurants on 6th st, and the Italian place run by Indains on the corner of 6th St. and 1st Ave. called Figaro Bistro Grill. If real Italian places can't survive, why sould this one be any different? Plus it's usually dead.
Little Italy. It's basically gone already.
Finally, any place in the East Village that has been around for more than 10-20 years and is beloved by long-time residents, besides Veniero's and Veselka and anyone lucky enough to own the building they are in, because all of our landlords suck.
51 Astor Place can't open soon enough for these guys.
ReplyDeleteI want to like them but man those bagels are bad. Possibly the worst I have ever had AND the girl made me the wrong order. Maybe they are worth another try?
ReplyDeleteThey're so nice in there, I just wish the food was cooked better... I'd go so much more!
ReplyDeleteGood tuna melt, but honestly I would go there so much more if there was a little more love in the cooking. :-(
They have too limited a menu for me. I don't need to go there for tuna sandwiches or bagels. If I am going to a diner, it is because I want diner food. And I go to a diner for diner classics which are not the same anywhere else, like jumbo eggs cooked how I want, and home fries, and milk shakes and thick french toast, and pancakes, or a greasy cheeseburger deluxes, with salty fries... This place is more like the corner delis with a gill, and even the corner delis/bodegas have a better menu these days
ReplyDeleteAgree with other commenters. I really wanted to like this place, but the food wasn't particularly good and it wasn't particularly well-priced, so I saw little reason to choose Archie's over the venerable B&H.
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to like them but the food was just ok and everything was about $2 more than it should have been. My tuna melt was nearly burned and they forgot the micro side portion of potato salad. Never went back.
ReplyDeleteWent in once, checked out the very limited menu, saw nothing on it for me, and went to Little Poland. Sorry, Archie.
ReplyDeleteagreeing with majority of commenters - want to love Archies, went there a few times, service is very uneven - they got my order wrong every time and the food was just ok. sadness!
ReplyDeleteOne of my top 5 favorite EV restaurants. Five stars along with Paul's Burgers and 1st ave. Indian places. Went there for the first time a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.
ReplyDeletefirst few times in really liked, nice staff, but last two times in i swore the counter person was either high or hadnt slept the night before. still like the place and any closure a bad sign
ReplyDelete