[Updated] Today in lines for restaurants that may or may not be opening tonight

A reader notes that the line for Blue Ribbon Chicken Fried Chicken on East First Street and Second Avenue is currently wrapped around the corner... the restaurant isn't officially ready for business yet, but it is rumored to be opening tonight maybe for service.

Per another reader who stopped by at lunchtime:

We pressed our faces against the window and watched the staff eat lunch, and talked to a staffer outside eating a delicious looking sandwich. He told us it may open for dinner tonight, but he's not sure. HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW?!

Updated 9:03

Still a line around 8:20... several readers say that everything is free on the menu tonight...


[Photo by Carmen, aka, Tommy Sharkskin, aka aka Tompkins Square Shark]

Updated 11:26 am
Robert Sietsema offers his take on the food here at Eater.

EV Grieve Eatery Etc.: Power problems KO Alder's Friday night; here's Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken

Last Thursday night, several people noted the arrival of the FDNY at Alder, chef Wylie Dufresne's newish restaurant on Second Avenue...


[Photo by @jabell86]

Not sure exactly what transpired other than that the power went out... and that diners finished their meals by candlelight... The power issue kept the restaurant out of order on Friday night too...



Alder was back in business on Saturday.

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On Saturday, we took a look inside the incoming Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken on Second Avenue and East First Street... we haven't heard of any opening date yet... but it looks close...

Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken signage arrives

A sign has arrived to mark the impending arrival of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken on Second Avenue and East First Street, as this photo via @superterrific shows... this is the latest outpost from chefs/restaurateurs Eric and Bruce Bromberg of the Blue Ribbon empire...

CB3 signed off on a beer-wine license for the place back in November.

This corner of of the Avalon Bowery Mall Place was once home to XOXO, Julius Klein's performance space and gallery ...

First sign of activity at incoming Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken

Back in October, Diner's Journal at the Times reported that the chefs/restaurateurs Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Blue Ribbon fame are opening Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken on East First Street in the spring.

Well, we haven't seen any activity here since then.

Until now. Well, actually the other day. But. There was some sign of work inside here at this long-empty corner of the Avalon Bowery Mall Place



And now, the windows are papered up...



...with work permits in place.



CB3 signed off on a beer-wine license for the place back in November. According to CB3 documents, the BRFC's stated hours are 7 a.m. to 4 a.m.

The corner here on Second Avenue at East First Street was once home to XOXO, Julius Klein's performance space and gallery ...

Report: Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken frying soon on East First Street

Diner's Journal at the Times is reporting this afternoon that the chefs/restaurateurs Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Blue Ribbon fame are opening Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken on East First Street in the spring.

Per FloFab:

And for the first time, they will be making their own small-batch ice cream. The new place, in an increasingly foodcentric slice of the East Village, will have 65 seats and will be designed for quick service, takeout and delivery.

The address: 28 E. First St. If my address memory is any good, this puts the Fried Chickeners right here in the long empty Avalon Bowery retail space...

And a few years earlier on this corner ... via EVG reader Steve Carter circa 1997 ...

XOXO at 19 Second Ave. was Julius Klein's performance space and gallery ...