How to help 73-year-old East Village mainstay B&H Dairy get up and running again

[EVG photo from yesterday]

B&H Dairy, the classic small lunch counter at 125 Second Ave., remains closed after the deadly explosion on March 26 killed two men and brought down three buildings several storefronts away.

Word came via Facebook that B&H would reopen by yesterday here between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street. That didn't happen. However, an employee told Eater yesterday that the 73-year-old kosher dairy restaurant was getting its gas hooked up again … and hoped to be up and running soon. (Hopefully in time for Saturday.)

However, the expenses have piled up these past two weeks. Now, the East Village Community Coalition, Fourth Arts Block and miLES are helping B&H owner Fawzy Abdelwahad launch a crowdfunding to "keep alive its tremendous history in the East Village."

You can find more details about the campaign here. Investments range from $5 (you get a big thank you on Facebook) to $150 (10 percent B&H discount for the year).


[Undated photo via Smallknot]

[Updated] Assessing the damage at neighborhood favorite B&H Dairy

On Saturday, the FDNY allowed the folks at 76-year-old B&H Dairy to assess their sliver of a space at 127 Second Ave., several storefronts away from the three fallen buildings.

Workers were able to start cleaning the mess… Per part of a Facebook message yesterday: "The place look Good Tanky God."



They are looking forward to reopening soon … no word just yet on when the city will allow that to happen. A full vacate order remains on this building.

We miss our great Costumer

Posted by B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant on Saturday, March 28, 2015

Meanwhile, other neighboring restaurants on the west side of Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street remained closed as of yesterday — Taqueria Diana, Ramen Misoya and Paul's Da Burger Joint. Paul's reopened this afternoon!

The image of our whole corner gone is beyond devastating. We send our love out to our neighbors who have been hurt,...

Posted by Paul's Da Burger Joint on Friday, March 27, 2015

Images via Facebook

Across Second Avenue, the Stage has been open. (Diner regular Helen Mirren got an order to go on Friday.) San Loco and Bar Virage remained closed. At 43 E. Seventh St., Jimmy's No. 43, Standings and Burp Castle were spared any major damage. However, all three spaces have yet been given the OK to reopen.

Updated 11:45 a.m.

Several readers mentioned that the Stage in not open today. And San Marzano at 117 Second Ave. is not open.

Moishe's Bake Shop and the New Yorkers Market are open...

B&H Dairy and Downtown Bakery: Still inexpensive, still good

[EVG file photo of Downtown Bakery]

Over at Eater yesterday, Robert Sietsema contributed "Another Dozen Cheap Eats Classics in New York City" list … which includes two EVG favorites:

• B&H Dairy at 127 Second Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. "Since 1947 it’s been catering to dieters, vegetarians, and cheap dining enthusiasts, who fill up on a bowl of soup and buttered challah bread made right on the premises — it threatens to overshadow everything else."

• Downtown Bakery at 69 First Ave. between East Fourth Street and East Fifth Street. The restaurant "serves an all-Mex menu of cut-rate burritos, breakfast tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, hard- and soft-shell tacos, and other quick grab-and-go delights, many with a Pueblan flair."

A Mother's Day-Mannequin moment at B&H Dairy

EVG Roving Mannequin Photographer Derek Berg spotted the above earlier this afternoon on Second Avenue at East Seventh Street … she (they?) was heading into B&H Dairy …



Turns out that this was a Mother's Day gift …