Benny's Burritos & Empanadas will not be reopening on 7th Street

Benny's Burritos & Empanadas has not been open of late. And yesterday, owner Mark Merker confirmed that the small shop at 86 E. Seventh St. near First Avenue has closed for good.

Merker, who launched Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, opened Che Cafe last April. In January, Che Cafe went dark for several weeks ... reopening at the end of the month with a new business partner ... as well as an expanded menu featuring burritos, empanadas, tacos and chicken tortilla soup, and a new name — Benny's Burritos & Empanadas.

"The partnership didn’t quite work out," Merker said in a Facebook message. "For now I will be doing catering only."

Benny's Burritos closed on Avenue A and Sixth Street after 27 years in business in November 2014. (The Benny's to-go space next door closed in February 2015.)

The 400-square-foot space has been on the market for the past month. The listing doesn't mention the asking price, which we hear is $4,200 a month. The space was home until the fall of 2016 to Abraço, the popular coffee shop/cafe that moved across Seventh Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches

A look at Che Cafe

EVG contributor Derek Berg notes the arrival today of new signage at Che Cafe at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue.

People I've talked to really seem to like the empanada pouches and tacos here, Derek included. And it looks as if they're adding soup into the rotation. (Find the menu here.)



Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, is the owner. The small, quick-serve Cafe opened back in April.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street

A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

In case you missed our post from last Thursday... Che Cafe is now open at 86 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This quick-serve venture is run by Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987.

Here's his story via the Che Cafe website:

I have long enjoyed empanadas and their culinary cousins from around the world including the Indian samosa, Chinese dumpling, and Jewish knish.

Empanadas make great on the go street food. Given the many versions from around the world, they present endless possibilities for including different tastes from many cultures. I am excited by the opportunity to borrow from each the essence of flavor that I love and share it with you.

So I came up with Chechenitas, an empanada pouch. They are a small, easy to eat on the go item. Better yet, the pouch means less bread and more delicious filling. Please give them a try and let me know what you think.

You can find Che Cafe's offerings here.

The small space was home until last fall to Abraço, who moved across Seventh Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street

Sneak preview at Che Cafe tonight on 7th Street

Che Cafe is holding a free tasting tonight from 6-8 at 86 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This quick-serve venture is via Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987. Che specializes in empanada pouches aka Chechenitas.

Come on in a taste our Che's. Free tasting tonight. Thursday from 6-8 pm

A post shared by Che Cafe (@che_cafe_nyc) on Apr 12, 2017 at 9:32pm PDT

The small space was home until last fall to Abraço, who moved across Seventh Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street

Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street

[EVG photo from last fall]

Che Cafe expects to open on April 1 at 86 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This venture comes via Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987.

Now my interests are focusing on street foods. Every culture in the world has a similar item that is closely related to the Empanada. I came up with Chechenitas (empanada pouch). A small, easy to eat on the go item.

I love the many different tastes from all cultures around and thought to borrow from each the essence of flavor that I love. Only issue I had with them is that there wasn't enough food inside the bread. I felt it overpowered the ingredients.

Che Cafe launched last summer, and was a regular at the LIC Flea & Food (and later last year at the Rockaway Brewery).

A post shared by Che Cafe (@che_cafe_nyc) on Aug 29, 2016 at 9:43am PDT

The Che Cafe website notes an April 1 opening... for "an evening of a free tasting."

The small space was home until last fall to Abraço, who moved across Seventh Street.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the tip!