Workers have removed the paper on the front windows, offering a view inside...
News of the PE arrival first surfaced in January.
And previous posts about PE's arrival have brought out comments of support for the delicious and affordable Mee Noodle Shop & Grill down the block at 223 First Ave. (between 13th Street and 14th Street). It was Allen Ginsberg's favorite restaurant (when it was at the former location at 219 First Ave.). You can find their menu via all the online delivery platforms. (212) 260-7838.
No word on an opening date (and this outpost has yet to make the PE website).
This marks the latest outpost for the quick-serve Chinese restaurant chain that launched in California in the early 1980s ... with more than 2,000 locations today (with a handful around NYC).
An AT&T store was here for a few months... taking over for the Vitamin Shoppe.
Mee Noodle has opened up indoor seating again. I hope people will continue to eat there. Such an anchor for the neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand... this is very strange. On the other, with how terrible that intersection has gotten, having more new tenants that aren't smoke shops sounds like at least a partial win in my book. Maybe between Panda Express and whatever replaces Papaya Dog, there will be enough of an in-flow of customers that the homeless back away a bit.
ReplyDeleteAnother long-time customer of Mee Noodle here! I was so happy to see them open during the lockdown and I've been getting takeout all though and giving them the same tips I would if I were eating at their tables and being served. They've added some shrimp dumplings, too, during the lockdown. I don't think they are always available as they still aren't on the menu, but, there's a sign up near the register.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Panda isn't a fav of mine, I am happy to see something in the space though. Still missing Love's!!
Very mixed feelings here. But definitely an improvement over the Vitamin Shoppe, which seem ubiquitous but who the hell shops there? And for what, powdered "nutritional" substances?
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about it, and I suspect an ultra-low-end chain like PE is just going to end up providing bathroom/shooting gallery facilities for the circus across the street.
ReplyDeleteMEE Noodle for Life! agree with the need for businesses but PE ug
ReplyDeletei don't eat fast food, but that corner is in sad shape with all the homeless people camped out there. maybe it'll be better for the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHaving moved away from the EV a while ago, Mee Noodle has sustained me on many occasion. Noodles with Peking Style Meat Sauce all day, every day!
ReplyDeleteMee was very good many, many years ago (living here 43 years as Gramercy resident)...standards and ingredients have grown poorer and nostalgia won't help them. 14th Street was a burlesque and red light district for over 100 years, never made a real recovery either (14th Street in the 1970's? anyone?).
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