This week in lines

Photo by Stacie Joy 

We didn't think we'd see a line like the one for the Olympic Village muffins on Second Avenue on Saturday again, but then Kolkata Chai Co. said, "Hold my Chai oat milk soft serve." 

From 4-7 p.m. yesterday, Kolkata Chai Co. at 199 E. Third Street handed out free small cups of Chai oat milk (made with Oatly) soft serve. The line went down Third to B... north to Fourth Street ... and west on Fourth toward Avenue A. 

Per one EVGer: "CRAZY. People waiting hours for a tiny free Oatly oat milk soft-serve sample?"

A Tim Ho Wan line check

EVG reader Doug notes that the lines are back to pre-March 2020 levels at Tim Ho Wan at 85 Fourth Ave. at 10th Street ... as seen today for their 11 a.m. open. 

The Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor officially opened here in January 2017. And they've been able to keep the crowds coming back (except when they were closed for indoor dining during the pandemic).

There's now a Twitter account that will let you know about the lines outside Trader Joe's and Target on 14th Street

With the possibility of rain, the line outside of Trader Joe’s extends maybe 15 people. Shorter than I’ve seen in a while. #EastVillage

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

The account launched on Monday, for anyone who may want some neighborly info to save time standing in a line. Per the description: "Headed to the Trader Joe’s or Target on 14th St and Ave A? We’ll let you know how the line looks. Not a bot, just two people stuck in self isolation."

2:30pm : No line at Trader Joe’s, and 8 people at Target.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

At opening, the Trader Joe’s line is backed up to Dion Cleaners, but they aren’t very spread apart. Target has no line.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 22, 2020

The Trader Joe’s line shifted directions and is now at Dion Cleaners at Ave A.

— EV TJs and Target Line (@EV_TJsAndTarget) April 21, 2020

Line check at Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan had its soft opening back in December... and the lines immediately started at the Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor on Fourth Avenue at 10th Street.

The restaurant, the first in the United States for the brand, had its grand opening on Jan. 18, expanding the hours of operation in the process. So did that do anything to help reduce the crowds...?

No, at least on the weekends.

Here's a look at the line Saturday morning around 10 (they open at 10:30)...


[Photo by Steven]

... and Sunday at 9 a.m. ...


[Photo by EVG reader JG]

The 1 person in line at 10 am in the snow for 'Othello' cancellation tickets

The sold-out, two-month run of "Othello" starring David Oyelowo and Daniel Craig ends on Jan. 18 at the New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street... one way to get a ticket: show up for the cancellation line at least two hours before a given day's performance... this theatergoer arrived four hours early in hopes of a seat... (not sure if he was successful)

Photo by Derek Berg

Noted

I was walking south on Fourth Avenue this morning around 9:15... I noticed just a few people standing outside the new Tim Ho Wan at 10th Street. Lines had been back to 11th Street when it opened on Dec. 16. Perhaps the holiday season curtailed the lines?

Oh! The line was on 10th Street, maybe 30 deep...



Lunch service during Tim Ho Wan's soft-open phase starts at 10 a.m.

The grand opening for this first U.S. location of the Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor is Jan. 18.

Checking in on the line this afternoon for National Pancake Day outside IHOP

[Photo via @JenniferKellow]

There have been lines here on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (IHOP Way) pretty much all day.

Why?

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP restaurants have raised almost $16 million to support charities in the communities in which they operate. On March 3, 2015, guests from around the country will celebrate a "Decade of Giving" with the tenth annual National Pancake Day at IHOP restaurants and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© or other designated local charities.

Previously

Now THIS is a line for free pancakes

Checking in on National Pancake Day, where IHOP is serving free short stacks (of pancakes) on IHOP Way/East 14th Street … A very healthy line around 5, made up mostly of students (high school, middle school…)



The line goes back to Kings Hairstyling … about 9 storefronts to the west … it is all very orderly …



… and an ambulance remains parked nearby… just in case.

This morning in lines for German beer

Oktoberfest begins today at Zum Schneider on Avenue C and East Seventh Street... and EVG reader John noted a 30-person line at 9:41 a.m. ...



Doors open at 11. First keg is tapped at noon. (And what is German for Woo?)

[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.

[Updated] A quick look at the long short-stack line on East 14th Street

It's National Pancake Day. (Thanks to everyone who sent me a card!) And IHOP is giving away short stacks (of pancakes) to anyone who wants to wait in line today. Per the news release: "Proceeds the restaurant chain hopes to raise $3 million as the first national fundraising campaign to kick off the 2013 fundraising year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals."

Photo by Dave on 7th (who's now standing on 14th).

Oh, and a longer view...

Updated 6ish

The line is growing...

Today in lines for Octoberfest at Zum Schneider

Octoberfest started last Saturday at Zum Schneider at Seventh Street and Avenue C ... and the lines remain as long today, via this picture by Goggla...

The line for the first day of Octoberfest at Zum Schneider

Octoberfest starts today at Zum Schneider on Avenue C and East Seventh Street ... doors open in a sec at 11:30 ... four people were waiting at 10 a.m. ... and soon enough...

...and the schedule...

If you can't get in here, then you could always try Zum Schneider Montauk on Oct. 19-21.

Meanwhile, at 16 Handles

[Via @samlevysam]

A reader said that there is a $1 for allyoucaneatFroYodeal at 16 Handles on Second Avenue... and that the line stretches around the corner.

You could wait in line. Or just go get the Bacon Milkshake at Mark Burger on St. Mark's Place...

How to successfully walk past the Prune brunch line

Regardless of the season, there's usually a line to enter Prune for the first seating on weekend mornings. The line seems even longer on nice spring mornings. Like this past Saturday. So if you find yourself on the north side of East First Street around 9:50 or so...

You simply need to take a quick zag to the the right then straight in an easterly fashion. Then, right before you get to the last person in line, you should get skinny, like the arrow below, turn sideways and kind of shuffle, either with your butt toward the crowd or the cars. (We prefer butt toward the crowd.) If you're carrying bags, then just try to hold them over your head, as if you're wading through a stream. You could also say EXCUSE ME, PARDON ME. But they're not really listening to you.

Or, you can just walk on the other side of the street.

There are people waiting in line for Best Buy on Union Square to open at midnight

NY Tofu House opens on St. Mark's Place with free samples, lines

Back in August, we noted that something called NY Tofu House was taking the former Mondo Kim's space on St. Mark's Place... EV Grieve reader Stephen Popkin sends along photos of a grand-opening sample giveaway this afternoon...

The line for Prune's brunch is getting ridiculous

Oh, c'mon... just a shot of the usual long cab-gas line here on Second Avenue at First Street via Bobby Williams.

The Doctor is in...

Last night, "Doctor Who" fans started camping out outside the East Village Cinemas on Second Avenue and 12th Street... The premiere of the BBC series "Doctor Who" takes place tonight here ...

EV Grieve reader Han Shan passed along these photos of the line... which goes west on 12th Street and around Third Avenue...

The Local East Village interview some of the nerds people in line.

Celebrating Labor Day by standing in line to eat roast beef sandwiches, cupcakes

There was some kind of line today for Butter Lane Cupcakes on Seventh Street....



Meanwhile, EV Grieve Correspondent Blue Glass noted the crowd waiting here on First Avenue and Ninth Street for This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef... (In the background, the usual sidewalk shed denizens....)