Showing posts with label IHOP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IHOP. Show all posts

Friday, March 9, 2012

Police looking for these men wanted for slashing 2 victims outside IHOP

[Via DNAinfo]

A Crime Stoppers alert, via DNAinfo ... Per the report:

Police are searching two suspects wanted for slashing two men in front of the IHOP restaurant on East 14th Street.

The suspects allegedly argued with the two victims, who are in their 20s, on the street outside the IHOP, which opened late last year at 235 E. 14th Street, on March 3 about 6 a.m. The suspects then slashed at both victims with an unknown object before fleeing the scene, police said.

Info on these guys? Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Update: Transit worker didn't fall though subway grate in front of the IHOP

On Friday, we quoted news sources that reported "A worker fell through a subway grate on E. 14th Street ... said FDNY officials."

We later linked to a Times City Room article, but obviously didn't read it too closely. According to that piece:

The worker, in his 60s, was on a ladder beneath the grate in front of the IHOP restaurant at 237 East 14th Street, near the Third Avenue stop on the L, about 10:35 a.m., the authorities said.

He was inspecting the grate when he fell from the ladder, said Charles Seaton, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The Times noted that the worker was not seriously injured.

Several people said that falling through a subway grate was one of their worst city fears... wanted to put your mind at ease.

[Outside IHOP this morning ... solid grates!]

Anyway, you should be more worried about falling air conditioners.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The line for free pancakes at the East Village IHOP

Earlier, we noted that it was National Pancake Day at IHOP... (a free short stack of pancakes in return for considering leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities...)

And there was a line to get in early this afternoon...


...a lot of high school students in (or on!) line ...

Noted

Per a commenter:
Don't forget National Pancake Day for free pancakes at IHOP [today] Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $8 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 28, 2012, guests from around the country are invited to celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes.* In return for the free pancakes, guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© and other designated local charities.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

One explanation for the existence of IHOP on East 14th Street


Back on Jan. 3, we pointed out that 235-237 E. 14th St., which houses the IHOP, was on the market for $14.5 million. The Massey Knakal listing noted that IHOP was paying $45,833 per month on a 10-year lease.

The Real Deal had more details on the sale in this piece published Monday:

Just over a year after buying a bland, mixed-use building on the border of the East Village for less than $4 million, retail-focused landlord Ashkenazy Acquisition is ramping up efforts to sell that location, which is home to a popular International House of Pancakes restaurant, for $14.5 million. That extraordinary, potential growth in value at 235 East 14th Street, between Second and Third avenues, is due to the long-term IHOP lease inked at the building last year, property sales marketing material shows. But that valuable lease was a bit of an inside deal, because Ashkenazy Acquisition Chairman and CEO Ben Ashkenazy is a managing member of the company that owns the IHOP franchise rights in the tri-state area.

So to review, as a friend of EV Grieve did for us. Buy an undervalued asset. Place a retail client that you own the rights to in the space with a long-term lease. Then turn around and sell the building for more than triple what you paid for it. Not a bad day's work...

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

How you can own the East Village IHOP


Just buy the whole building! That's right: Massey Knakal has the listing for 235-237 E. 14th St.

Here it is:

The property, situated on the north side of East 14th Street between Second and Third Avenues, contains 17 lower income housing units and 1 store. The building, erected in 1988 as part of NYC's Inclusionary Lower Income Housing Plan created 3,915 SF of retail space on the ground floor and 18,019 SF of residential floor area on floors 2 through 7. The retail store was recently leased for 10 years with one 5-year option to IHOP Restaurant for $45,833 per month or about $140/SF. IHOP is an excellent credit tenant with a corporate guarantee by Dine Equity Inc. (NYSE: DIN). IHOP’s rent increases 10% every 5 years. As a result of the Inclusionary Housing Plan in place, an investor can only benefit from the rent increases by the retail tenant and the revenue from the cell antenna. Ownership must break-even from the residential portion where rents are regulated by HPD and all units must remain affordable for the life of the building. Any profit derived above the cost to operate the building’s residential portion must be preserved in a capital reserve account that can only be used for capital improvements. The building can not be taken out of the Inclusionary Housing Program making this asset ideal for a conservative long-term investor, a retail investor, or an institution looking to place capital in a solid, low-risk investment.

So. IHOP's rent is $45,833? Yow. I would have guessed $30,000-$35,000.

Anyway, at least the building is safe from any high-end condo conversion. Wonder how the current residents handle any IHOP smells?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Life behind IHOP: 'My apartment now smells like the kitchen of a cheap hotel after the breakfast rush'


Late Tuesday night, someone left a comment on three of our IHOP posts... (This one ... this one ... and this one...)

We thought that we'd share them with you all in one place...

1) IHOP is a neighborhood killer in more ways than one. The local owner of the 14th St location somehow persuaded the DOB to allow them to place the restaurant's heavy equipment and ventilation system on the "roof" of the 1-story extension behind the building, instead of on the building's actual roof; as a result, the (considerable) noise, and the smell of rancid bacon are channeled directly into the windows of homes up and down East 15th Street. My apartment now smells like the kitchen of a cheap hotel after the breakfast rush. All.The.Time. If any of your readers get wind (hah!) that their neighborhood is the next to be invaded by IHOP (I'm looking at you, Chelsea/Limelight area), tell them to sell. Sell now. Because if you wait until after the IHOP has opened, you'll be trapped.

2) Please God, let someone or something kill off this disgusting hellhole! IHOP's management somehow persuaded the DOB to allow it to place their heavy equipment and ventilation system on the "roof" of the 1-story extension behind this building on 14th Street. As a result, the noise and the horrible rancid bacon smell are channeled up and into the windows of 100+ apartments on 15th Street. This goes on 24/7. They have destroyed the quality of life for countless people. And Chelsea folks, they're coming for you next.

3) Glad the staff is nice. However, if you lived in one of the apartments behind this hellhole, you'd be praying for the day when the "Going Out Of Business" signs go up. The noise from the equipment never, never stops, and the smell! The SMELL!!!! My apartment stinks like a cheap hotel kitchen after the breakfast rush now. If you own an apartment in one of the neighborhoods slated to get their very own IHop (I'm looking at you, Limelight neighbors), sell now. Because once the doors open on the new grease palace, you'll be trapped. No one will buy your place once they see, hear and smell what's going on.

Bonus:

Punk rope flashmob outside IHOP...

Saturday, November 19, 2011

A note from our far-flung correspondents

From Dave on 7th, walking on 14th Street:

I just need to report that at 1:30 on Friday night, the IHOP is basically full.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

On closer inspection, IHOP NOT opening a sidewalk cafe on 14th Street

Joking. But still. Seeing the blue tarp tent out front ... which matches the IHOP brand colors ... gives you pause...


...the work continues on all this... the cooling system for the Pancake Maker. Or it's something for the L train. Either way.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dinner at the East Village IHOP


We've talked enough about the outside of the new IHOP on East 14th Street. So it only seemed fair to go inside the place. We waited several weeks after the grand opening to allow the kitchen time to work out any kinks. Or something.

By Lux Living

After my incredibly popular review of the new lesbian Phoenix, Grieve put me on desk duty. [Editor's note: I did?] Only recently has he decided to wean me back onto the Internet with such high-brow assignments as reviewing new ATMs, public storage units, and the much talked about IHOP on 14th Street.

Knowing that self-induced, explosive diarrhea is more fun with a partner, I begged Marty to join me on this trip into suburban enemy territory. We met at the Blarney Cove and, after a few cocktails with a peg-legged mute named Muttly, we were off.

The new IHOP has all the ambiance of a check cashing joint on 23rd Street. If they ever hope to succeed in making this place a “late night destination for hipsters” their PR people dream of, the first thing they need to do is adjust the stadium lighting. On top of the overall retinal bleaching, each booth has its own interrogation light bulb dangling between you and your dining companion.


It was so bright I could see the back of Marty’s eyes. If you pop in here for a bite to eat after some late night drinking but before some late night fucking, forget it. All bets are off. Nobody looks good in here.

The menu is a West Virginian’s dream come true that includes Country Fried Steak, Thick-Cut Bone-In Ham Dinner, and a wide variety of burgers all of which come with bacon. Lots of bacon. The only saving grace to this health care crisis menu is the calorie count listed next to each item so the choice of how fast or slow you’d like to die from coronary disease is all yours. Onion rings are a mere 1,250 calories BTW.

We started with an order Monster Mozza Sticks which came so lukewarm the cheese was like white tar.


I ordered the Philly Cheese Steak AKA Steak-Ums on a buttered mini sub roll with onion rings. Opting for the slow death, I ate only two of the onion rings. After getting management’s permission to order from the kids menu, Marty treated himself to a large pancake that came with all the fixings to draw a face on it – strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and yogurt in a tube. His meal was far more engaging than my butter soaked white trash delicacy.


And then there were the bathrooms. Single occupancy for men. Single occupancy for women. Have fun with that late-night disaster in the making.

The one thing this place has going for it is they have the most courteous staff I have experienced in a casual dining spot of this caliber. Our waitress, April, was incredibly friendly. She entertained our numerous questions about the stupid menu, didn’t yell at me for taking random photos of the syrup, and was kind enough to ask the management if we could order from the kids menu. She checked in on us several times and we tipped her generously for putting up with our shenanigans.

Bottom line, eat at a real restaurant people.

But look! On the way home we ran into Lady Gaga!



Marty wrote about the experience here.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Today's sign of the apocalypse: IHOP is opening in the Limelight

The Real Deal has the scoop. IHOP will open in the Limelight Marketplace, the former church, club and current shopping center. The Real Deal reports that the IHOPPERS will take over parts of two floors.

Anyway, here's Johnny Thunders playing at the Limelight circa 1988 via a Nelson Sullivan video...

Monday, October 10, 2011

Upon further review, there are actually two three-floor-tall IHOP signs on East 14th Street

Last Monday, we took photos of the three-floor high IHOP sign going up on the east side of the IHOPlex... Lordy, we never noticed that one went up on the west side as well...


and now, dueling three-floor IHOP signs...

Thursday, October 6, 2011

IHOP's suburbification of East 14th Street complete, we hope

Wow. Just seems like June 12 yesterday when we first saw the warning sign on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...


And yesterday, workers put the finishing touches on the IHOPnopy...



Per EV Grieve reader Tom:

Wow. First the extra-wide awning, then the 3-story high banner, and now the sidewalk canopy. That's a whole lot of IHOP Blue!

I think they're trying to compensate for not being able to build one of those giant blue roofs found on classic suburban IHOPs.

[Manhasset IHOP pic via Tom]

Don't give anyone any ideas!

h/t Jennifer at Xoom for the IHOPalert...

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Looking at the new IHOP sidewalk canopy

Workers put it up this morning...



And what about the large opening on either side...?

Here comes IHOP's sidewalk canopy


Look out... coming through... After adding the three-story IHOP banner yesterday, workers are on the scene of the EVOHOP this morning installing the sidewalk canopy, which will extend nearly to 14th Street... Perhaps this is just part of Art in Odd Places that's taking place now along 14th Street? (Ha.)

Thanks to Jennifer at Xoom for the photo...

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Today's sign of the apocalypse: IHOP will have a bouncer

As you're painfully aware, IHOP opened yesterday on East 14th Street. And, according to the Post today:

IHOP is so convinced its new East Village location is going to be an after-hours hipster hot spot that it has hired a bouncer.

An off-duty cop will stand guard outside the East 14th franchise each night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. in order to keep the bar crowd at bay, manager Michael Carlos said, explaining, “When people have a few drinks, they can get rowdy.”

Hipster hot spot? Uh-huh.

Anyway, let's give it up to Niall Gibbons for this quote:

“IHOP is bland and belongs in Times Square — it doesn’t make sense in the East Village. The neighborhood has lots of character, but the character fades when something like this comes along.”

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

[Updated] The East Village IHOP is now OPEN

This news comes via Jennifer, who's across the street at Xoom.

Now accepting First Meal photos via grieve98@gmail.com

Updated 1:00 p.m.:

Speaking of photos... EV Grieve reader Rebecca just sent us this one... "Great service and familiar food."


Check out the carry-out menu in the interim...

Breaking: IHOP not open yet on East 14th Street


We had today circled on our calendars as the EVIHOP opening day on East 14th Street ... And, although it looks open with a handful of diners inside, an IHOPPER says that they are still training... and she hesitated to even speculate when they might open. But soon enough. Probably!

And we got the to-go menu. Sorry. No deliveries!