Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Updated 7/5: The restaurant was able to stay open for a little longer... through Friday, July 7. There is a limited selection of menu items available. You can call (212) 598-0730.
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Today (July 4) is the last day in business for New Double Dragon, the inexpensive and reliable quick-serve Chinese restaurant at 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.
We first reported on this pending closure in February, when there were rumors that the building's landlord was planning to either renovate or demolish the building and the two properties to the south.
According to the Department of Buildings, the landlord is going the demolition route, as permits are on file for the three buildings — 33-37 First Ave.
We'll have more about the demolition and what might be next at another time.
Meanwhile, owner Shawn Lin said he has restaurant items available to sell and give away.
Among the items for sale: large woks, fridges, fryers, a freezer. And the freebies include large rice warmers, prep tables and kitchen supplies. You can take a look today and pick up items tomorrow or Thursday.
Shawn says he has been looking for another space but has not found one. (He'd like the opportunity to lease a space someday in the new development here but realizes he likely couldn't afford the new rent.)
In the interim, he hopes he and everyone else at New Double Dragon can get short-term jobs. If an employment opportunity doesn't work out for him in the weeks ahead, he may visit his extended family in China.
While bagging up some orders, Shawn reiterated a message on the flyers: He was grateful for all the patronage through the years and looked forward to seeing everyone again some day at New Double Dragon — here or elsewhere.
Previously on EV Grieve:
This is very sad the Double Dragon was one of the few remaining low-cost Chinese restaurants in the LES/EV. Good luck to them in trying to relocate with the rents in this area being what they are now.
ReplyDeletePeople tend to overuse the term “end of an era.” But this truly is it.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad news - Love the Double Dragon!! You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteDitto
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ReplyDelete🥇🍋🌶️🥢🫖🥡
Hey guys🥢🥮🍊
Thank you SO much for all those years.
The best General Tso in the neighborhood. I am going to miss Shawn. Thanks for many years of great hospitality. I have always been impressed with Shawn's ability to juggle incoming orders on the phone, handle seamless, deal with walk ins, cooking orders himself, running the register in cash and credit, dispatching new orders to the other cooks, keeping track of everything, all at lightning speed 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. The guy is a wizard. Any restaurant would be lucky to have him. I wish him and his brother well.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us updated on the search for a new place and where Shawn lands next. I will follow him.
This is sad news and one more reason to support Mee Noodles, one of the last of the old school Chinese restaurants around.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. We'll miss you, Shawn! Thanks for keeping us so well-fed over the years. I hope you have luck in finding a new location and in the meantime, get some well-deserved rest!
ReplyDeleteSo that's how the old buildings will die off. Little by little, they'll be demolished, often in groups of 2 or 3 like these, and replaced by these modern condos nobody seems to actually live in.
ReplyDeleteWhat everyone else has said already and more!!!!!!!!!! I will miss you!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat and affordable food with the coolest people working!!!!!!
Best Mapo Tofu in the East Village. Much love!!!!!!
Kinda knew this was coming. I get food there 5 times a week easily. With them and Stage and Odessa gone, where am I gonna eat? Maybe Fei Ma on A? Shawn's family members have to be some of the hardest workers around: 12+ hours per day/6 days a wk. In 30 years I saw Shawn grow up from a little kid. He is one of the sweetest and toughest people I know. On countless occasions I saw him take verbal abuse from belligerent jerks, mentally ill and homeless people. I would've punched them out but Shawn would smile and go out of his way to please them and fulfill their food order no matter how ridiculous their demands were. After they bulldoze Double Dragon, Annie's old laundromat and the old Egyptian restaurant I guess we can look forward to another CVS on the ground floor of the high rise.
ReplyDeleteNot the best of the best, but definitely one of the most trusted and dependable stables in EV.
Delete100% agree, Shawn handled rush hours like a champ.
DeleteGet ready for a max multiple story condo at $5 million per apt.
ReplyDeleteThe old Royal restaurant space on First Ave & 6th St is empty. It's been cut in half and a smoke shop occupies one side. Maybe Double Dragon could check it out?
ReplyDeleteYes. Great idea. Maybe someone has Shawn's info???
ReplyDeleteThose guys were pretty good. I always do have a soft spot for old school American Chinese takeout.
ReplyDeleteDevastated!!!! This has been my go to Chinese takeout spot for years and they’ve literally never disappointed. Best wishes to Shawn and the staff, they are warriors. Hope they can still find a new place in the village, last thing we need is another vape store or $20 cocktail bar…
ReplyDeleteNew Double Dragon was always dependable, and sad to see this. Yet another casualty of real estate greed. The days of cheap or even reasonable eats in this city are gone.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should post their website, so that people can check it for updates.
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