Shopsin's in NYC

I'll piggyback here on TTM's write-up with some pictures from our adventures yesterday in the city. The Travelin' Man and Lexi perusing Shopsin's menu.
I managed to take some photos of the menu while we were in line and fortunately no one said anything to me about it. My ABC breakfast plate is the first one on here. Brett's "Greekboy" sandwich is about halfway down on here. You know they don't care what anyone thinks when they name a sandwich "JEWBOY"! I was thinking of getting the "Slutty Cakes", but my hankering for something savory won out. They also have Hatch, NM green chile cheeseburgers (in NYC)! So regionally appropriate! Wanderingjew, when are we gonna have some of those? Some more of the menu with pictures of Kenny's kids (who work there) I figured we were in for a different experience when I saw Alex DeLarge from "A Clockwork Orange" on the menu! TTM and Lexi had been there for a few minutes when I arrived and after a while the line grew to look like this. Brett's GREEKBOY sandwich. I didn't try it, but the aroma coming from it when they brought it out almost had my mouth watering! Lexi's Feather Crisp breakfast: pastrami hash, poached eggs and toast. I wasn't crazy about it as it was of the "loose" style and there seemed to be way more pastrami than potatoes. TTM's MOE I breakfast "sandwich". I apologize for the quality of these photos (both in lighting and clarity) but I was taking them as surreptitiously as possible so as not to wake the sleeping giant as it were! My ABC breakfast consisting of a fried chicken breast, scrambled eggs and grits, covered in a pork cream gravy with challah toast. The texture of this fried chicken bore a strong resemblance to the crusts of the Korean fried chicken that has been popping up all over the NYC. Battered rather than breaded and with a nice crispness to it. I couldn't tell you what the seasoning was, but I did enjoy the flavor and the chicken sure tasted fresh. This really one of the best breakfasts I have ever had in the city. The grits were creamy and yet had a pleasing grainy texture to them. As TTM said, the eggs were very fresh tasting and that gravy just put it over the top for me. I like that they grilled the toast. They had a non-descript squeeze bottle of hot sauce on the table that definitely packed a bite and was a a welcome addition to the family of flavors living on my plate. After we scurried out of Shopsin's we made our way to Economy Candy to stock up on some hard to find treats and Lexi picked up a 10lb bag of cinnamon gummi fish! Of course, being Billyboy and being on the Lower East Side means a trip to the Doughnut Plant. As if! Billyboy, Lexi and The Travelin' Man ready to mack on some most tasty fried goodness! Apple Cinnamon AND Pumpkin doughnuts? In the words of one Matthew McConaughey, "Alright, alright, alright!" The man in action behind the counter. I ended up taking so many shots of my doughnuts on the ledge by the window, I think he got a bit annoyed with me and asked "What are you doing man?" When I explained that I was doing it for a website, a smile came over his face and started joking with me. My apple cinnamon yeast doughnut. This was packed with flavor. In my first bite I got some pieces of apple and a nice burst of cinnamon. My pumpkin cake doughnut. Very good as well with some cider in it possibly. And the cross-section. Lexi was on a mission for some pickles but no such luck at The Pickle Guys or Guss' Pickles as they are both closed on Saturdays. We did take some hilariously candid shots which I don't think we'll be posting here! After a bit more walking, getting caught under a tin awning in a downpour, serenading Lexi with Milli Vanilli's "Blame It On the Rain" and buying what I like to call some "2.99 bodega special" umbrellas, we made our way to Vanessa's Dumpling House for some steamed pork and cabbage dumplings, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and some sesame pancakes. The total for all of this was $5.00 and very tasty to boot. Below are some close-ups.       After Vanessa's, we headed up Orchard Street to find some ties for TTM. I can't believe I have been in this city for six years and didn't know this street had so many cheap clothing shops on it. Orchard between Delancey and Houston has some pretty good shops! We also stopped at Katz's Delicatessen so TTM could get a sandwich for the road and Lexi could get her pickles. We walked Lexi to the train and then the three of us wound up to Union Square and strolled through the Greenmarket. Pretty crowded for a rainy day. Brett founs some really cool artwork depicting different areas of NYC... and we all found some seriously delicious HoneyCrisp apples. These had just the right balance of tart, crisp and sweet. A kaleidoscope of color. I picked up some heirloom tomatoes to make some pasta sauce at home. Lots of eggplant, squash and still some sweet corn on sale. Could Peter Piper pick a peck of these peppers? The variety here was just amazing. I ran across this adorable fellow, so I had to get a shot! The Swan family enjoying a day out at the market.

 

I had only met TTM once before at Katz's with Wanderingjew, only exchanged emails with Lexi and had never known Brett before today, but it really felt like I had just spent an afternoon with three old friends who enjoyed each other's company. I hadn't laughed that much in a long time. Steve, Alix and Brett, thanks for a great day!!

You are the man for getting that much photography in at Shopsin's.  And I love a nice stroll through the farmer's market--the Honeycrisp apples made my mouth water almost as much as the donuts.  Thanks Billy!

I ate at the old one in 2001. His wife was still alive and was there. She was very friendly and nice. This was not too long after 9-11 and everyone in NYC was unbelievably warm and friendly.

The place was completely empty except for the our group of (thank god) 4 but they still wouldn't let us take pictures.

We loved the food but I didn't remember it being that pricey.

I always ask for the "right" side of the menu...

billyboy


Brett's "Greekboy" sandwich is about halfway down on here. You know they don't care what anyone thinks when they name a sandwich "JEWBOY"!

Not to mention the "jihadboy."

Hell's bells they said you ordered too much food?  Never heard that from a restaurant before.  Don't they know about "leftovers"?, or do they not allow those?  I wouldn't want to eat in a restaurant where I felt nervous and tense, that's for sure.

Andrea

Great stuff. Except for those foods with sweetness to them. I mean, who eats sweets?