IHOP lops off its sidewalk dining shed

IHOP's blue plywood sidewalk shed is dead. Long live IHOP's blue plywood sidewalk shed! 

Pinch notes that the pancakery removed its pandemic-era sidewalk setup on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue this past week.

The outdoor space evolved over time, starting with plastic sheets before the plywood-painted IHOP blue arrived ... looking festive during the December 2023 holidays below...

As previously reported, restaurants can now apply to participate in NYC's new outdoor dining program.

Key dates, per the city: 

• Aug. 3: Deadline for food service establishments with existing temporary outdoor dining setups to apply to continue operating until NYC DOT approves the application. 

• Nov. 1: A temporary program outdoor dining setup that applied before Aug. 3 must comply with the new Dining Out NYC design requirements by the earlier of (i) 30 days after NYC DOT approves the Dining Out NYC application or (ii) Nov. 1. 

We're still hearing from people who are confused by all this and wondering when the existing structures will need to come down. 

Under the new DOT-enforced regulations, enclosed, year-round roadway dining structures are no longer permitted. The revised regulations stipulate that roadway cafes must now be open-air, easily portable, and simple to assemble and dismantle. Additionally, these establishments are restricted to operating only from April through November.