Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Lahore Deli — home of the world's best chai? — has closed on Crosby Street

From a little outside our usual coverage zone... EVG reader Choresh Wald brings word that Lahore Deli has closed at 132 Crosby St. between Houston and Prince after 25 years in service.

A sign on the door notes the permanent closure (with an apology!) and thanks customers for their business through the years.

The small shop, a popular destination for cab drivers, offered up delicious, inexpensive and generous portions of Indian and Pakistani fare.

However, it was Lahore's $1.50 chai that people talked about. Bon Appétit once declared: "The World's Best Chai Might Just Be From a Small NYC Deli." Other fans included Ian Astbury, lead singer of the Cult, who said it was "the best chai I have ever tasted outside of India."

While there wasn't any reason given for the closure, the lack of office workers and cab drivers around here during the pandemic didn't help.  
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8 comments:

  1. XTCNovember 9, 2021 at 8:04 AM

    One of the few cheapo Indian places that served meat based dishes. Their spicy shredded chicken and rice was pretty great. The do nothing traffic enforcement agents on Crosby St will have find a new hang for their 2 hour break. Doubt it closed to lack of office workers as they never seemed to me to be a big part of their clientele.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 9, 2021 at 8:06 AM

    NO!!!! DREADFUL NEWS! i was just by there and was sure i smelled their good cooking! ghost scents.... goodbye to this wonderful dream!

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  3. EVQPNovember 9, 2021 at 10:59 AM

    So sad! Loved this place.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 9, 2021 at 1:38 PM

    Very sad. Very few if any little places with good, inexpensive food much less chai that isn't an overly sweet mix left in the neighborhood.

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  5. DanNovember 9, 2021 at 7:40 PM

    USed to have an office right next door and Lahore was the go-to lunch spot. This sucks.

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  6. RJJNYNovember 9, 2021 at 8:44 PM

    Worked in the Cable Building from around 96 to 2010 and used to get lunch from there all the time - good people, great food and the most affordable option in the area. Thanks for everything, Lahore Deli.

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  7. KarimNovember 9, 2021 at 9:10 PM

    Boo! Delicious samosas. A nice hidden gem.

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  8. WNovember 11, 2021 at 5:28 PM

    :(

    ReplyDelete

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