Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop

Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop
Eisenberg's in 2024 (doing business as S&P Lunch)
Map
Restaurant information
Established1928 (1928)[1]
Street address174 Fifth Avenue
CityManhattan
StateNew York
Postal/ZIP Code10010
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°44′28″N 73°59′24″W / 40.74113°N 73.990118°W / 40.74113; -73.990118
Seating capacity62[2]
Websitesandwich.place

Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop is a New York City lunch counter established in the Flatiron District in 1928.

History

In 1928, Charles Schwadron and Rubin Pulver opened a diner in a newly erected building across the street from the landmark Flatiron Building.[1] The next year, they sold the restaurant to Monus Eisenberg, who renamed the establishment, and whose family would continue to operate it until 1979.[2]

For several years, Eisenberg's was owned by Louie Weisberg, who sold the business to Steve Oh in 1988.[3] In 2006, Oh sold the business to one of his regular customers, Josh Konecky, who had never run a restaurant before but was passionate about preserving the neighborhood fixture.[4][3] In 2018, facing rising rents, Konecky sold Eisenberg's to hotel executive Warren Chiu.[5]

In 2021, the doors were closed after Chiu allegedly failed to pay rent, but it reopened under new ownership in 2022, along with a name change back to S&P Lunch (Chiu having retained rights to the Eisenberg's name).[6][4][7] S&P Lunch is owned by Eric Finkelstein and Matt Ross, who also own Court Street Grocers, a local sandwich shop chain.[7]

Restaurant

Diners seated at the counter

The restaurant's narrow interior features an original 40 feet (12 m) long counter and swiveling, vinyl-covered stools.[7][4] In about 2005, a back room was added, expanding the seating capacity to 62.[2]

The menu highlights sandwiches, along with Jewish classics and breakfast items.[6][8] Classic sandwiches include tuna salad, meatloaf and pastrami, along with throwbacks like olive and cream cheese.[8][9] In 2017, Grub Street proclaimed Eisenberg's egg cream to be one of the best in New York.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Keys, Lisa (17 November 2022). "A 'Jewish luncheonette' returns to the Flatiron District, with a killer egg cream". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop". Flatiron NoMad. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Koppel, Lily (23 March 2006). "Sandwich Shop Stays, Saved by a Regular". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Platt, Adam (15 March 2021). "Good-bye to Eisenberg's and Its Resolutely Retro Sandwiches". Grub Street. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  5. ^ Siegel, Jefferson (17 March 2021). "Eulogy for a diner: Eisenberg's was 'one of the last places with character'". The Village Sun. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b Friedman, Gabe (13 March 2021). "Eisenberg's deli, a New York City institution since 1929, closes indefinitely". Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Goldfield, Hannah (11 November 2022). "Playful Nostalgia and Honed Classics, at S&P Lunch". The New Yorker. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b Kessler, Kevin (21 August 2014). "Why Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop Is a Pillar of the NYC Diner Scene". The Village Voice. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  9. ^ Raisfeld, Robin; Patronite, Rob (5 October 2016). "The Absolute Best Sandwich to Eat at Your Desk". Grub Street. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  10. ^ Weedman, Mary Jane (23 March 2017). "The Absolute Best Egg Cream in New York". Grub Street. Retrieved 27 June 2024.