Retro signage alert: Good Time Country Buffet on 1st Avenue

ICYMI: Signage is up for Good Time Country Buffet at 166 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

As we previously reported, the owners of C as in Charlie on Bleecker Street, and Kisa on Allen and Houston, signed a 10-year lease for the space — an all-you-can-eat Southern buffet is headed to the East Village. 

According to a May 19 report in Food & Wine, restaurateur David Yun — a co-owner of Kisa and C as in Charlie — said the concept will offer an all-you-can-eat spread for $26.99, featuring Southern comfort-food staples such as fried chicken, Salisbury steak, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. 

Yun told Food & Wine that affordability is part of the appeal.

"At that price, it won't be too difficult for people to come in and try," he said. "People can't always just go and try a new three-star, fine-dining restaurant, but most people could come [to our buffet] to see if they like it or not." 

The opening date is set for this month. 

P.S. 

We like the retro signage, btw... created by Noble Signs in Brooklyn... who also run the New York Sign Museum. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• On the CB3 SLA docket in October: A country buffet from the C as in Charlie and Kisa team

What’s happening at 166 First Ave.? Think Southern buffet.

We've fielded a few reader questions about the status of the storefront at 166 First Ave., now behind plywood between 10th Street and 11th Street.

As reported last August, the owners of C as in Charlie on Bleecker Street, and Kisa on Allen and Houston, signed a 10-year lease for the space.

Last October, the hospitality group successfully applied for a liquor license for a country buffet concept.

Eater recently noted the name — Good Time Country Buffet. According to the site, "restaurateurs David JoonWoo Yun, Yong Min Kim, and Steve JaeWoo Choi are taking cues from the Southern buffets they'd go to growing up in Atlanta. Expect classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and stuffing." 

A spring-time debut is planned.

The bistro-bar Ferns closed here last February after more than seven years in business.