The downside of the tens of thousands of NYC eating options is that they all can’t last forever. Due to severe competition, greedy landlords and fickle trends, some really great, unique eateries vanish overnight. Here is my homage to a few deserving ones…
Jacques Imo’s – It is still very popular in New Orleans, but unfortunately the NYC location only lasted 4 years. It had all the kitsch and grub of genuine N’awlins, and I am not sure why it closed, but it could have been due to location. Columbus Ave on the UWS is not the best place for a theme based destination eatery. Or it could have been the excessively heavy food. Either way, it may have fared better in midtown or a more touristy location. I will miss the food and fun though. It is nearly impossible to find solid, classic N.O. cooking in NYC.
Mo Pitkin’s – I actually never got around to eating here, which I am bummed about because it was certainly an unusual experience. It always had live music, and a fun Jewish-Latino menu representing of its alphabet city neighborhood. I mean where else can you get a “Cuban-Reuben”???
Shopshin’s Wow, talk about a one-of-a-kind! This is a New York original if I’ve ever seen one. It was so special that they made a documentary about it a few years ago called “I Like Killing Flies”. The movie wasn’t bad, but the menu is the special thing. It is by far the largest menu I have ever encountered. I think there are 100 different soups alone. Check it out below (that’s only page 1 of 2). Plus, the rigid, NY cranky owners have their own list of eccentric rules posted on the doors. I have heard rumors that it has sprouted up in a new location. Hopefully it will be the same.
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