Factory Tamal reopens today on 4th Street after a short break

After being closed for nearly a month (making a few people nervous), Factory Tamal reopens this morning at at 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. 

EVG regular Lola Sáenz spotted owner Fernando Lopez inside the shop getting everything ready for serving his delicious tamales, egg sandwiches and panini.

They'd been busy at the lower Ludlow Street location ... as well as prepping an entry in the 14th annual Food Film Festival taking place in March. Lopez is featured in the short "Food of Love: Tamale Man," one of the festival's official selections.

The EV outpost of Factory Tamal opened in early February, and is an excellent inexpensive eats spot to consider. You can find their website and menu here. 

Reopenings: Baji Baji, Factory Tamal, Ruffian x Black Emperor, Málà Project and more!

[Image via @factory_tamal]

It's a busy time for some East Village restaurant reopenings.

Among the reopenings today for takeout and delivery: Baji Baji at 145 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Hours for now: 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Owner Jay Yang just opened back in January after deciding to revamp his family owned China Star.

Also reopening today:

• Factory Tamal, 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for takeout and delivery.

• The Ruffian x Black Emperor collaboration at 197 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street is back. Food and drinks to take home via the walk-up window are available today through Sunday from 1-7 p.m. (They'll reassess after the weekend for more days/hours.) Pickup and delivery (and the menu) available via this website.

• Málà Project, 122 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is open for takeout and delivery from noon to 9 p.m. daily.

• Ahimsa Garden, 265 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, reopens today for delivery and curbside pickups. Open from noon to 10 p.m. Website here.

And returning tomorrow:

• The Immigrant, 341 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. They'll be serving take-home summer drinks, cocktails and food. They're also delivering through their website here. The Immigrant will open tomorrow at 2 (and until 9 p.m.)

Other recent re-openings include:

• Sushi by m, 75 E. Fourth St.

• Beron Beron, 164 First Ave. at 10th St.

• Augurs Well Bar, 115 St. Mark's Place

Ongoing:

• Van Da is continuing its collaboration with chef Hannah Wong (of the incoming Brooklyn restaurant Haema), for a weekend takeout service.

You can find the Haema-Van Da menu, which changes each weekend, and order in advance via this form. You pick up the food at Van Da, 234 E. Fourth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B from noon to 8 p.m.

• Black & White Bar, 86. E. 10th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, has added Friday to its schedule. Open from 3-7 p.m. for take-home drinks.

And to help you sort out all these reopenings, volunteers are continuing to update the map created in collaboration with the East Village Community Coalition. You can access the map at this link.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Updating: Here's a map of what's open in the East Village

Factory Tamal now open on 4th Street

[Photo via @factory_tamal]

The new outpost of Factory Tamal debuted yesterday at 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

This is the second location for Factory Tamal, which first started selling its reasonably priced (and homemade) tamales, egg sandwiches and panini from a small take-out space on the Lower East Side in January 2017. (They moved from Essex Street to 34 Ludlow St. in August 2017.)

Owner Fernando Lopez makes his own masa — "faithful to the ancient Mayan way," as the Times put it in an August 2017 feature. And the result of his hard work? "Mr. Lopez’s tamales are beautifully fluffy, clingy and crumbly at once, a texture that calls to mind the airiest of poundcakes."

An EVG reader snapped these photos of the menu...





Their hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Factory Tamal bringing its freshly made tamales to 4th Street

Factory Tamal bringing its freshly made tamales to 4th Street

Factory Tamal, which offers a variety of popular tamales, egg sandwiches and panini from a small take-out space on lower Ludlow Street, is opening an outpost at 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

The signage arrived a little earlier this month with an expected soft opening on Friday. (And this is a second location — they're keeping the current space at 23 Ludlow St.)

Owner Fernando Lopez makes his own masa — "faithful to the ancient Mayan way," as the Times put it in an August 2017 feature. And the result of his hard work? "Mr. Lopez’s tamales are beautifully fluffy, clingy and crumbly at once, a texture that calls to mind the airiest of poundcakes."

Check out this Eater video from Jan. 2 for a behind-the-scenes look at the process...



No. 63 previously housed Miscelanea NY, the Mexican cafe-market that closed back in June after owner Guillaume Guevara decided to return to his native Mexico.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo!