used to be frequent customers..no more..not ada compliant and rude about it.. disappointed.... read more

Overall pretty good, I think I just came on a bad day, the cooks were arguing and waiter seemed stressed with the amount of work... but food is good! They have the traditional breakfast menu, but they also have cool dishes like duck, Mac n cheese sliders Cons: -Very small place means wait- but still a little frustrating because I asked how long was the wait and waiter said not long... 20 minutes later still waiting - Waiter was rude but like I said he also seemed stressed Pro: -menu has lots of variety! Looking forward to coming back and trying new things -food didn't look good but it was. Scrambled egg was very creamy, hash was crispy and the pancakes were really good, very moist - their salsa was very good! Savory and flavorful read more

Shopsin's - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

So good we ate here multiple times during our visit! Their pumpkin pancakes are legendary, and they did not disappoint! Also tried the Chubby #1 - which is a mac 'n cheese stuffed pancake with eggs, bacon, and cheese. It was AMAZING!!! The breakfast burrito with chorizo is also delicious. read more

Quite literally, the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had in my entire life. I don't find myself near Essex Market as much as I used to, so when the opportunity to eat at Shopsin's arises, I always seize it. I usually go for one of the Petes, because as everyone knows, Petes are better than everyone else. But on a recent visit, I decided to branch out. I asked for advice, but as they say, some decisions (especially those involving a menu featuring hundreds of items) need to be made on your own. I decided on The Wow: eggs, bacon marmalade and cheddar on ciabatta. This thing was breathtaking. It was outrageously, astonishingly magnificent. Absolutely brimming with chopped little curls of slightly sweet, salty bacon, caramelized onions, beautifully cooked eggs and entirely too much cheddar cheese. The ciabatta was just sturdy enough to stand up under the weight and juiciness of this stupendous mountain of heart attack. Against my better judgment, I ate the whole glorious thing, gleefully administering squirts of a homemade hot sauce that has no equal. If you are wondering, no, I'm not doing well on my diet. But at least I didn't have to eat again until dinner. _________ Not interested in the food? You might as well come by for the entertainment. I happily watched Shopsin the Younger chase off an admittedly rude woman with a bunch of children in tow, and then listened to him expound upon why: "I'm OK with one, or two, or three kids. But any more than that, and get the fuck out of my face." :: long, thoughtful pause :: "On second thought, I fuckin' hate everybody." read more

I love a business with an attitude; I will always have a high regard for an establishment that refuses to bend its rules for the whims of patrons. As a customer, I am well aware that I am not always right; I know I am often wrong. Any business that upholds the philosophy that customers like me are always right is insincere, dishonest, and kisses up to me for a few dollars. That practice is best reserved for the world's oldest profession, not for restaurants. Shopsin's is one enterprise that stringently enforces its rules, and customers have no choice but to either respect the rules or miss out on some of the most delicious food our city offers. Shopsin's does not accommodate parties larger than four. Moreover, Shopsin's does not offer takeout; its food is the kind that would not travel. People who complain about the restaurant not offering takeout, would complain if it did and the food got sloppy when it got home. This judicious business does not attempt to please those who are impossible to gratify. The menu, which changes regularly, is vast enough that I could eat here everyday for a year, and still not have tried it all. The duck gyro tops my list of favorites; it is a generous portion of rotisserie duck, stuffed inside a pita roll, with fried onions and a tahini sauce. A dash of one of Shopsin's many hot sauces adds a delightful piquancy to the already flavorful sandwich. The sliders are another hit. One can get them on latkes, donuts, waffle fries or mac'n cheese pancakes. Mix & match is not an option; for example, you can't get one slider on waffle fries, one on a donut and one on mac'n cheese pancakes. All 3 sliders come on the same base. The caramelized onions lend a pleasant, subtle sweetness to the savory mini cheeseburgers, and you can add bacon (or turkey bacon), eggs, chili, kimchi or sausage onto the sliders. Again, any add-ons need to be added to all 3 sliders in a serving. The poutine, the duck fingers, the slutty pancakes, everything I've ever tried here has been delicious! Ken, known for his "foul mouth", is actually a delightful conversationalist, if you get an opportunity to engage in a discourse with him. Eating at the bar provides an abundance of opportunities for such interlocution with the legendary Ken Shopsin. read more

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Shopsin's was nothing that I expected and everything I've ever wanted. This cute cafe is tucked inside a market. It feels very much like any time I've spent in Europe. We arrived early and were able to easily grab a table. I ordered the s'mores stuffed pancakes. Let me say that Shopsin's deserves 5 stars for the food. These pancakes were probably some of the best I have ever had. They were so flavorful and just the right fluffiness. I loved the added crunch of the graham cracker. I could eat these weekly. I did detract one star because the prices are high, and the service is rather aloof. I felt a little bit like an annoyance. I still wouldn't let any of that get in the way of these pancakes. Check them out for yourself. read more

Shopsin's - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

Any good New Yorker will know about Shopsin's, the tiny diner owned and run by Kenny Shopsin and his family. If the documentary on Mr. Shopsin [1] isn't intriguing enough, the extensive 900+ items on the menu (which includes things like Mac and Cheese pancakes, French Toast Sandwiches, Frito Pies, and plenty more) should be enough to lure in even the most daring of eaters. Although Shopsin's has since moved from its original location in West Village, the corner it takes up in the Essex Street Market appears to have retained the same charm. There are, of course, the rules. Parties that are larger than 4 will not be seated, even if said party breaks up into smaller groups. Each person must order at least one dish, and there are no alterations or substitutions of any kind. Ordering should be done quickly, so some prior research of the menu is heavily recommended. Some of the older rules, like the ban on photography and cell phones as well as no ordering of the same dish, seem to have been phased out over time, but any good diner should enter Shopsin's with at least some trepidation; after all, it's not your ordinary restaurant. I met with my friend on a weekend around 1PM and thankfully, there wasn't much of a line in front of us. We were given seats near the kitchen counter and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kenny Shopsin sitting in a chair directly behind us. He exchanged some friendly banter with a few of the diners, but I was wary of pulling out my camera; after all, a DSLR is not an easy object to hide. Thankfully, our meal was mostly uneventful, as my friend and I placed our orders quickly and recieved our plates in short time. I had decided on the Ova, an item found under their "Bread and Breakfast Name Plates" section, which was served still in the frying pan. It's a unique amalgamation of ingredients, to say the least, consisting of two poached eggs plated above a mound of bacon-cheese grits with a side of toast. A little wacky, yes, but nonetheless a delicious and hearty plate of food. I probably enjoyed trying each of the five hot sauces (provided on each table) a little too much as well, but I have to admit that I whole-heartedly enjoyed my dish. After we'd paid our bill, Zack, Kenny's son, offered each of us a small trinket from one of the jars on their many shelves. For a first experience, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised; after all, almost anything goes at a place like Shopsin's. But where else would you find such a wacky, antiquated, yet endearingly unique place like Shopsin's? Although it may not fit the traditional definition, it is very much a NYC institution, and very much worth the first visit. -- [1] "I Like Killing Flies", Matt Mahurin, 2004. read more

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Amazing food, a decadent menu, this place is small and cozy in the Essex st market. It would be perfect if not for the fact that it's known for having rude service.... like it's their thing to be rude. The service is still quick and your orders are right it's just there's some attitude in the mix. It's weird but if you know that and pay no mind to it the place is the best brunch in NYC. I got so excited I forgot to take a pic of my Huevos Rancheros. The jewboy sandwich and Oreo pancakes are read more

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So for my 400th review, what better place to write about than a place that just has New York City written all over it. That's Shopsin's. I say, believe the hype..all of it! But be sure to follow these rules and you will have as much fun eating here as I did. See, what makes eating here so unique is that you have to come here with the attitude that you are going to respect the people that work there, every single person from the owner on down to the cooks in the back. Don't walk in with the attitude that "the customer is always right" That crap gets thrown straight out the window. Just go in there knowing that you are about to have a great breakfast/brunch/lunch and will leave there with almost belly-bursting fullness. Jim and I came here with a one track mind and also with the aforementioned attitude. We wanted EBELSKIVERS!! I haven't had these little delightful balls of dough since I was in Solvang, CA last winter. I already knew they were on the menu here because I read it before I came (you should too! It's available online and decide what you want before you get there! It is vast.) I also ordered the Zackzuka ($15) which comes in a sizzling plate and is loaded with chorizo, eggs, cilantro and peppers. Oh and I needed coffee, it was cold out! So, we walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 a.m. with what we wanted to eat already in mind. I stood up front, saw the infamous Mr. Shopsin himself and smiled. He smiled back and said, "You can sit wherever you guys want." And with that, we got off to the right foot and got awesomely attentive and friendly service. He kept our coffee mugs full, brought out our food quickly and didn't rush us out. Asked how we liked everything and basically, was quite pleasant. Good coffee too! Anyway, I didn't give it 5 stars because I thought that my breakfast plate could have used some salt (yes, me saying it needed more salt considering I am highly sensitive to salt, trust me on this!) and there was no salt/pepper on the table and he didn't bring it out so I didn't want to ask. I think it's served just the way they want you to eat it, so I left it at that. It was still pretty good, but I enjoyed the ebelskivers A LOT and finally got inspired to get my own pan and mix! I'd gladly go back here and try out something else on the menu, so much to choose from! So my advice is, go here with an empty belly and an open mind and you will have one of the best breakfasts in town! read more

Shopsin's - Zackzuka - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

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I love kitschy breakfasts - big pancakes covered with sauce or (and?) syrup, a waffle with pie and ice cream, deep fried bacon and egg sandwiches with a peanut butter banana doughnut, bread pudding drowned in chocolate after chicken and bacon waffles; I've had all the above plus foie gras atop duck hash yet obscure hours and bad had thus far managed to foil my attempts New York's parlor of kitsch; the well documented (yeah, there is a documentary) Shopsin's General Store at the Essex Market. Vowing that I'd not be denied this time around and with my conference now over the day began with a run unlike any other - this time around Central Park - after which I packed my bags, showered, and walked down to the LES arriving at Essex at 9:00am sharp. Having already heard the rumors of surly service, plethoric swearing, and a "the customer isn't always right" approach I was happy to see that there was no line waiting as I approached the small shop and with Kenny seated on his chair already holding court about the "f*cking janitors" I waited patiently until I was greeted by his son - wearing a vintage Judas Priest shirt - who approached me and pointed to a chair with a gruff " 'morning." Replying in the negative when asking if I knew what I wanted as I took a seat on the hard steel chair I was handed a menu and asked if I wanted coffee I agreed. With the menu extensive to say the least and another two parties arriving to be seated I was told to "give me a wave when you're ready" and left to decide I sipped my coffee - a decent brew that only costs $2 and comes with surprisingly timely refills - until I'd decided on an order I figured would be manageable and waved, ordered, and was told "good choices - it'll be about 15 minutes." Thus far quite pleased with the service at Shopsin's my wait would provide the sort of scene on which the legends are built, the sort of stories that keep some people away from Shopsin's while amusing others to no end - in this case directed at two guys seated directly next to me who had the audacity to not only "dilly-dally and waste my time" while ordering, but also to ask if the restaurant offered espresso - a request answered by "do we look like a G*ddamned Starbucks?" but apparently not quite enough to get them thrown out. With the show over and my coffee again refilled without a request it was at this point, almost exactly fifteen minutes after ordering, that my first dish would arrive and paired with a sealed bottle of 100% pure maple syrup the Brown Sugar, Banana, and Walnut Bread Pudding French Toast was everything I hoped it would be and then some with thick chunks of custard infused challah intermingled with caramelized bananas and toasted walnuts plus ample notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla throughout. More a "pancake" of French Toast than a formed French Toast I will note that at $16 the dish was certainly not cheap, but at the same time the substantial portion and quality ingredients - particularly the syrup - shined. With the French Toast partially consumed my second item to arrive would be perhaps Shopsin's most famous and not wanting to upset the balance of power and be accused of over-ordering I opted for a half stack of the Mac n' Cheese Pancakes, a $9 fusion of pancake batter, cooked macaroni, shredded cheddar, and another bottle of maple syrup plus a big ol' squeeze bottle of hot sauce. Exactly as odd as it sounds and pan fried first before being finished in the oven I have to say that although unexpected I really loved the juxtapositions of both textures and flavors - sweet and savory, fluffy and dense, doughy and crunchy - then add the sweet syrup and the tangy spice of the hot sauce...its just one of those things you have to try for yourself. With every last bite consumed my server stopped by and with a clap on the back said "good job" and getting one last refill on my coffee the check was delivered - a pricey $35 cash after tax and tip but for a whole lot of really good food. With the bill collected I was asked if I needed change and telling him no I received a "Thanks man" followed by a "Good job - she thought you were too damned skinny to eat all that" yelled from Kenny pointing at the woman next to him to which I replied "I could've eaten twice that" with the reaction being a smiling "get the f*ck outta here." read more

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The Shopsin's magic lives on in the new/old Essex Market. I love everything I order here, but I dream about the chili with a sprinkle of their hot sauce on it. Closed Monday and Tuesday and hours are strict on other days, but plan ahead - do you really have more important things to do? read more

Omg there's so much going on on the menu. What to eat?? I would definitely recommend trying the mac n cheese pancakes with chorizo! My go-to are the sliders. They are the bomb. The caramelized onions are so tender and juicy. The cheese is melted perfectly. Everything is perfection. They also have some lunch specials which are great if you want to experiment. The portions are smaller than the main meals but they come with a side that you can mix and match! I personally like the nachos yummm. read more

Here's the thing: they don't care what you think. If you can get past that, then you are in for one of the most sublime, heavenly, symphonic, perfect meals of your life, and I don't say that lightly! Do the research on how to behave, bring your sense of humor, leave your outrage at home and for Gods sake, make sure you come hungry, because you are going to want to gobble up every morsel as if it were your last. Here are a few guidelines: 1. Arrive at least 45 minutes before their stated closing time. That's not the time they stop seating, it's the time they stop cooking. 2. Don't come with more than 4 people, and that includes a newborn! 3. Print out the menu online and get a couple of ideas of what you want and be prepared to order fast. 4. Don't even think of asking for a substitute item. Just don't. 5. My brother-in-law got kicked out for asking for another napkin when he dropped his. Just don't. 6. Bring your sense of humor. Trust me, it is totally worth it and if we lived in the city, I would go there every single week until the day I die, it's that good. 7. Don't leave without trying the Nutella shake. You may think you'll want to share one, but really, you'll want your own. 8. Don't order too much food, even if you think/know you can eat it, and if they "suggest" that's too much food, it probably is. 9. Don't use normal human decency, respect or professionalism standards here or you will miss out on a sublimely, ecstaticly, crazy good meal. Just my two cents. read more

Me during the meal: OMG this is so awesome, let's go every single weekend and eat our way through this 900-item menu and roll around like fat tumbleweed. Me 7 hours later trying to digest the mac n cheese pancakes and Bingo sandwich: I am going to try very, very hard to subsist on seltzer water and steamed broccoli for the next week and a half. First off, the rules which are slapped on every available corner of space: 1. No parties of more than 4. 2. No talking on your phone. 3. No saying things right off the bat like, "It's going to be just me and my dad eating. My mom is just going to walk around the market." Sit your mom down and order her a soup and eat half of the chicken and fat dumplings. 4. Be ready to order. Pull up the menu while you wait for the F train. 5. Unless you're a regular here (and if you have to ask ... you're not a regular), don't ask for a take-out container. Pray, make nightly sacrifices to Beezlebub, fast the two days before, ask your friend to help out, try to stuff as much of the food down as possible without hurting yourself. And save room for Brooklyn Taco. The place is tiny. Even for New York. The lines get insane. Everyone wants the delicious, crazy, haywire concoctions. The rules may sound mean and spiteful but they have a purpose. Like Bloomberg's ban on sugary sodas. Second, no second-guessing yourself. I have had my eye on the Bingo sandwich ever since my favorite food blogger in the entire universe wrote about it (Robyn Lee of Serious Eats), and oh my god, the angels sang and the oceans roared and everything was right in the world. Brussell sprouts! Melty jack cheese! Avocado! Bam bam bam. I mustered up the courage to ask where they got that delicious toasted olive bread and it turns out the bread is schlepped from the Bronx and the olive tapenade is made in house. Crap. Anyway, it was so delicious but there were quite a few other eleventh-hour items (like the sneaky Pete and the egg-stuffed avocado and the poutine) that threw off my 3-year infatuation with the Bingo sandwich. Third, the folks who work here most likely have already made up their minds whether or not they want to serve you from the minute you walk in. Be polite to the waiters. Follow the rules. Be nice to the other people waiting in line for your table, as in don't sit with your friend yapping about who gives a shit. The Essex Street Market is right over your head and you could be trying smoked salmon or a Brooklyn taco. Oh god, my stomach is crying but I want to go back! read more

I came from California to visit NY for vacation and this was the first place our friend brought us to. 1. No more than party of 4. We literally saw the waiter dude kick out a party of 6. He was casually about it, so no drama. I read some Yelp comments that it was dramatic--and I'm almost 100% sure its because the customers were dramatic. 2. No recommendations. My friend asked for a recommendation but he said they don't recommend anything. She just gave him a blank look only to have a "What lady" look returned back. 3. No photography. I think? My friend said so...but I took a picture anyways. 4. Everyone must order something and they won't fix it--it comes the way it says on the menu, except for spiciness level. 5. Expect the waiter person to have a chill or whatever attitude and not waiting-on-your-butt-hand-and-foot. 6. Cash only. 7. No cellphones out. But I have to say. I respect this establishment! After working in the food industry, CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALWAY RIGHT!!! Oh my goodness, I can't emphasize this enough. Some customers suck, expect the best service, demand absurd amount of stuff and requests, and tip little. If you have a business, why not do whatever the heck you want?! Heck yes to these policies! Advocate for yourself chefs and waiters/waitresses! Because some customers suck! I enjoyed it because I knew what I wanted, asked very little, and did my own thing. Out of the what seems to be like 2000 menu options we tried: 1) Blisters for Your Sister 2) Mac & Cheese Pancakes These plates are ginormous! The Blisters for Your Sister was served in a pan and my pancakes were served on a giant plate. The pancakes are a must and need syrup! Overall, if you want a fancy restaurant with great service, this isn't for you. But if you're down to experience a place with awesome food, down to meet an establishment where the rules are for their own sanity, and you're okay with that, this is it. Honestly though, out of all the million restaurants in the world, this is probably one of the few who aren't about the service. So what? Then freakin' go to the eatery next door. Boo freakin hoo. I will definitely come back if I ever get a chance. The food is worth it. Good for them and being super original. read more

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**3 stars for the food, minus a star for everything else** Geez, after reading these reviews, I'm glad I wasn't kicked out after asking the waiter if he would recommend the peach melba or blueberry ricotta pancake. I was, however, met with a curt "I don't know, it's up to you." If you're partial to tall, fluffy pancakes, don't bother. These are the greasy, limp ones, and at $16 for six smallish pancakes (or $11 for three), they're certainly not a steal. The blisters on my sister is a large pan of what seemed similar to huevos rancheros, sitting atop of a corn tortilla and topped with an egg that was left nicely runny in the center. The chorizos we added were good, and the dish seemed to be a better value at $14 than my pancakes. It was a lot of food for on person's breakfast, however, and we lamented our decision to get two entrees rather than share a plate and split a pastrami sandwich at Katz a few blocks away (another tourist trap, but unlike Shopsin, worth the hype). The menu was overwhelming, with dictionary-sized type completely covering two large pages. There's a picture of some of their signature dishes on the wall, so you may fare better ordering off of that. Overall, the food wasn't bad, and the sandwiches seemed more impressive than the breakfast items we selected. We didn't get the shockingly rude service well documented in the reviews, but I can't deny that I've been influenced by them in developing a bit of a disdain for a very small shopfront that overcharges and isn't good enough to adopt rudeness as a "thing." read more

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Everything here is good. It's not our typical brunch spot. I particularly like the combo of sweet and savory items. My favorite so far is the Cap N Jack (friend chicken sandwiched between mac n cheese pancakes. Excellenet with syrup and some hot sauce. read more

An experience to say the least. Here's a little vid so you get an idea.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayZYfRXS6Do&feature=fvwrel I sat at the counter so I was in the mist of every F-bomb dropped by Kenny and Zach. Kenny, he's a crotchety old man. Makes a few plates then goes and takes a seat. Then heads back to the hole of a kitchen, snacks on some food, doesn't change his gloves, makes a few more plates, then heads back to the chair. I sat on my phone the whole time and nada was said to me so maybe Kenny finally gave in to the evolution of the cell phone. After all, he wears his fancy flip-phone hanging from his suspenders. The menu is ridiculous in length. The place, is borderline a joke. Knick-knacks everywhere, rock-metal music playing, and NY Mets blankets are used as drapes to cover the upstairs storage area. The prices are outrageous. The food, greasy spoon diner-meets-420-meets-frat house-meets-Adam Richmans wet eats dream when it comes to the size of things. I had the Mac & Cheese pancakes and they were just alright. Side of cheese grits with cheddar and bacon set me back $10. The huge bacon chunks were a mouthful of salty chewy greatness but the grits were nothing to be desired. The mounds of melted cheese was needed to flavor this dish. The only thing I'd come back here for would be the vinegary-A1 like-BBQ-hot sauce that they serve in worlds largest squeeze bottle. Now that shit was great. They should consider selling it for reals. read more

Shopsin's - 1/2 order Mac & Cheese pancakes - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

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Yum yum. Came here super early on a Sunday morning with a friend. Good thing she knew where to line up because there are no signs indicating where to do so (along the wall with the windows). I can understand why someone would just freely sit down if there was an empty table -- but that's a huge no-no!! Menu, as everyone knows, is insane. Your best bet is to look at the first thing that catches your eye and run with it. Otherwise you'll end up second , third, and fourth-guessing yourself when it comes to your order. We had the unfortunate blessing of sitting at the counter and facing the kitchen. Everything looked so good and completely new. You can easily come here 100 times and eat something different for every meal. My friend got the Cajun blister on my sister and I got the Italian. The blister on my sisters are essentially eggs with a variety of topping on some sort of bready material. Think of an enormous open-faced scramble egged sandwich with various crack toppings on top. The Cajun one had beans and rice on top of some AMAZING CORNBREAD. My friend and I were so full halfway through the meal but we still managed to finish almost all the cornbread while our stomachs cried. Italian blister on my sister had amazing tomato sauce, and mozzarella scrambled eggs on top of garlic bread. Awesome. The owner sat a couple of feet behind us in a chair talking to his sons who also work at the restaurant. My service standards are far from high but it sure got awkward when he openly pointed right at us and told the waiter to kick us out because people could be waiting (no one was!) We got the check and scampered off a couple of minutes later. read more

Shopsin's - Italian blisters on my sister - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

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Didn't eat here. Didnt get the chance to because the wait staff was so rude. It's too bad when a restaurant gets spoiled by great reviews and forgets that customer service is just as important as the food. Too many great places in the city to deal with someon's nasty attitude. read more

highly anticipated & highly disappointed!! if you must try it, come on weekday before 12 pm to avoid the wait the menu here is SO EXTENSIVE & overwhelming that it took us 30 minutes just to decide what to order (the workers aren't allowed to give suggestions so YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN)... THEN it took 30 minutes for our food to come out... definitely not an efficient brunch & the seating area in the Essex market is small so the turnover isn't quick ---bubba 1: BLAND, everything from the shrimp to the grits were lacking in any flavor.. the saving grace of the dish was the cornbread ---mac n cheese pancakes: good but not as amazing as the raves on yelp.. we got this w/ gravy over donuts which got soggy ---tel aviv: good brisket but the potato pancakes were nothing special overall such a stressful experience for overrated food.. i'd rather have a relaxing brunch w/ better service elsewhere NOTE: everyone must order their own dish, even though the portions are HUGE & the prices are high!! read more

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Tourists: heck yes go here! BUT I suggest you do your research first so you are not caught unawares. First off: watch the documentary 'I Like Killing Flies'. That explains a lot. Secondly: look at the menu online beforehand - there's so much stuff there. Third suggestion: be prepared to wait in line. I was sad that it was neither of the locations in the documentary. We also had a hard time finding it - thank goodness for smartphones and perseverance (I was determined to get there). AND we got there before the lineup - score! Our experience was awesome - we will go again for sure!!! Excellent food. Kenny and one son were there - cool cool. Our waiter was unenthusiastic BUT he did not yell at us nor kick us out even when we asked not one, but two, 'stupid' questions. Go there hungry and eat it all! read more

Shopsin's - Me and Kenny and son. How nice Kenny woke up for this pic he didn't know I was taking. Mac/Cheese pancakes and more & sliders! - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

Shopsin's is a little diner/restaurant tucked into the corner of Essex Street Market. Blink and you could easily miss it. Although, the line that forms down the length of the market is probably enough of a giveaway that there's something special here. I can honestly say I've never seen a menu as extensive as the one offered at Shopsin's. From soups to sliders to busters on my sisters (that's a menu category), they really have it all. Come hungry because you will leave so stuffed. I ordered the sliders (3 mini cheeseburgers) on mac and cheese pancakes ($16) and they were every bit as good and amazing as they sound. My best friend had the mac and cheese pancake sandwich with eggs and maple glazed duck ($19). It's the kind of meal you start off really excited about, but end feeling so full, tired, and ready to wave the white flag. It was so good and greasy and we had to power through the last few bites. They gave a very generous amount of duck, but the glaze ended up being too sweet for our tastes. Shopsin's has very limited seating and is only open from Wednesday to Sunday 9am-2pm. The first time I made the mistake of coming just a little after 2pm the first time and was told they were no longer serving additional customers. If you want to get seated, come early! On a Wednesday at 12:30pm, we waited somewhere between 30-40 minutes for a table. We also witnessed a family of four (parents and two children) ahead of us be told, after waiting for at least 25 minutes, that due to the long line, they couldn't be seated. It seemed rather arbitrary to me, but I'm guessing the wanted to serve more parties? They started turning people away by 1:30pm and about two more couples were allowed to remain on line. The food was worth the 20-25 minute wait, although my best friend and I both found many items on the menu to be overpriced for what they were (mostly just diner fare). For $20-25 (or $30 with tip and tax) a person, Shopsin's is pricier than what we would prefer to spend on a casual lunch. However, the food is quite the experience and the place is worth coming to once in a while. read more

Shopsin's - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

Shopsin's might look dingy and the employees don't give a bat sh-t about fine dining but they sure as hell know about food!!! Low-keyed but holy sh-t awesome. My 2 friends and I ordered the pancake sampler to share. I don't know how they came up w/ this combo but HOLY SH-T, it is ingenious. Mac & cheese pancakes?! That's a first. And the banana peanut pancakes w/ pistachio butter? What the...?! The shakes are also awesome. The waiter gave me a Hello Kitty cup to go, haha. Thick & creamy the way a shake should be. Not too overly sweet either. Good stuff. If you want a heart attack, go w/ the donut sliders. The donut sliders were greasy goodness. Fresh maple glazed donuts encasing burger meat & ooey gooey cheese. The sweetness was balanced by the saltiness of the cheese & meat. Thank goodness we shared that. I definitely can't finish all by myself. We had ordered the pancake sampler, shakes, donut sliders & both my friends ordered their entrees but he had to stop us from ordering because we were on the verge of ordering too much. I couldn't order my dish! But I guess thank god I didn't because it really was too much food, haha. I had bites from my friends' dishes but I was good to go. Donezo & definitely need siesta time after a meal here. Limited seating so definitely come early! There's always a line too. read more

Dear Lord, Why did you allow Kenny Shopsin to sell people maple glazed donut sliders. Why? Was there not enough gluttonous joy in the world? Were there not enough unhealthy abominations to consume? Did you want a man to put donuts around delicious beef and onions with celebratory decorations on them? Surely, you work in the most mysterious of ways. read more

Shopsin's - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

I've never yelped before, and I make it a point not to complain as people only tend to review more often than not on a bad experience. Well, I guess I'll be one of those as this merits a bad review, not that it will affect this places 4 star rating. Don't know how that happened!!! First disclaimer is don't show up if you have a party of 4 or more. The idiot with the Napoleon Complex in the dooo rag and YMCA Beard will turn you away saying, "we can't seat you". We were a party of 3 adults and two small kids. I know the place isn't big but there was a table that would have seated us just fine. Instead you have two people at a big table taking up space. So, they would rather lose money then make money! Rude is one thing, but this guy was beyond class. Maybe, Napoleon gets off on his attitude, but what comes around goes around. Social media negative blast on its way Shopsins!!!! read more

Mac n cheese and bacon panini. Need I say more? Also, Kenny is a smart man. He only buys striped sheets, so you can tell which way they go on the bed easily. Ingenious! read more

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At Shopsin's, you have to keep it simple and you will have a good experience. Here are my recommendations: Cash: No credit cards Time: Go during the week or EARLY on the weekends. Not many seats so it can get packed quick. Group Size: 2 people max because the largest party they will accommodate is 4. No large brunch groups. Just grab a friend and go. Meal Recommendations: The menu is always changing, but these are some top dishes I have had: - Mac'n Cheese Pancakes - with or without syrup, they are very tasty - Blisters on my Sisters (w/Pork Sausage) - add extra hot sauce to give it the right kick. - Ebelskivers (Banana) - great dessert read more

Shopsin's - Banana ebelskivers!! Yummy!! - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is inside Essex St Market so don't miss it! It's very small with limited seating but it's worth it. They are also only open for a few hours in the day so get there early! Line does get longer during prime lunch time. They also have a very very very extensive menu so I'm sure you'll find something to eat. I got the Sneaky Pete (spicy garlic bread with bacon monterey jack and tomatoes and 3 poached eggs) it is so so so good and so filling. It doesn't look much but it'll fill you up. They also give you six different kinds of hot sauce, my favorite was the garlic one. My friend and I also shared the banana ebelskivers. Definitely get it. They're like mini pancake balls and the banana isn't overpowering. It's perfect. Great sweet dish to complement the savory Sneaky Pete. read more

Shopsin's - sneaky pete. DELICIOUS. - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

After watching the documentary "I like killing flies", and hearing and reading about the great reviews, I was psyched out to finally eat at Shopsin's and meet Kenny for the very first time. I came prepared to Shopsin's already knowing what to order, and acknowledged what the rules were. My sister and I went there when it opened, and there was a line already. However, the wait was not long. The waiter (might be one of Shopsin's son) was very nice and polite. My sister and I ordered the Mocha Nutella Shake, Mo Betta 2, and the Breakfast Combo Tray (hawaiian toast and egg, coconut pancakes, tonkatsu duck breast, palm guacamole) ). The Mocha Nutella Shake was so heavenly! It was the best tasting milkshake I have ever had!!! The food portions were extremely large (so don't be fooled by the pictures). I wish I could have finished my plate of Mo Betta 2 (I am salivating thinking of it now), but I couldn't. The customers around us could not even finish their foods too. If you are going with another person, it might be best to order something small (like the sliders/half order of pancakes & one of Kenny's other items). The Mo Betta 2 was so delicious; the hot sauce and maple syrup combined brought out a nice flavor to the the mac & cheese pancakes. The Breakfast Combo Tray (hawaiian toast and egg, coconut pancakes, tonkatsu duck breast, palm guacamole) was so delicious and beautifully made. There was so much food on the combo tray that my sister ate only 20% of it. We were going to leave Shopsin's feeling like we wasted food, but the waiter was so nice and asked us if we wanted a box to take the rest of our food home. We were so happy! My sister just finished eating the rest of the food with a big smile. I was excited to see Kenny sitting on the side. There were moments when he was conversing with the customers, and moments when he sat there quietly. He did not curse the entire time we were there. The only thing he yelled out was "you are annoying me" because a guy was taking pictures. It was really nice to see Kenny and to eat his delicious creations (also made by his lovely kids). Before we left, my sister and I waved bye to Kenny and he gave us a warm smile. Kenny may be labeled as the "Soup Nazi", but I know deep down he is a kind hearted human being who just wants his customers to respect him. Shopsin's made our day! We will definitely come back again. I will try the ebelskivers, sliders, and some of his other creations..I can't wait!! read more

Kenny Shopsin is a self-righteous artist and a mad scientist of a sort. and would open his kitchen only to those who respect his imposing "house" rules. I'm completely fine with that. His menu - offering a whopping 300+ items - captures his vast, subversive imagination and experimentation. Constantly revising his menu, Shopsin uses the world's various cuisines as his main ingredients in a seemingly ludicrous concoctions. Every item on the menu is I suppose.. a reflection of his unique purview on food and life. On his breakfast foods "sluttycakes" :: "Pancakes are a luxury, like smoking marijuana or having sex. That's why I came up with the names Ho Cakes and Slutty Cakes. These are extra decadent, but in a way, every pancake is a Ho Cake." (From his memoir) Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-03-15/lifestyle/30021261_1_pancakes-customers-wacky-rules#ixzz2IHDI3lvN On my last visit, my friend ordered Mac&cheese pancakes. I, curious about Shopsin's lunch savory items, ordered the Yin&Yang combo of Senegalese chicken soup and peanut/artichoke/curry dirty rice. *On an informational note, you must ask for a separate soup menu featuring over 200+ soups. Oh my, this was perhaps one of the best things I'd eaten over Christmas break!!! The soup was reminiscent of Thai curry but just.. different. And the rice.. a tad greasy but the idea is great. A twist on Creole dirty rice with peanuts and artichokes, a rare combination of vegetable ingredients! I plan to reproduce it myself at home. Zach does a fine job as a server. I never found him to be rude. He's quick with his service, even though he can't answer specific questions about all of his his father's 300+ dishes. I can't blame him. I must deduct one star for the following: 1) Cash only? Well, here's a BoA two blocks down the corner so I can deal. 2) HUGE portions. For the health-conscious foodie like myself, the sheer quantity of delish food tests my inner fat child. Alas, I finished my plates clean both times I visited.. so I fail. 3) Expensive for dishes that probably use canned/frozen ingredients 4) Grade Pending: This is not surprising, I can't imagine how this tiny kitchen manages to store soooo many ingredients! 5) Hours: he closes his kitchen by 2 on weekends, and 3 on weekdays. 6) No party of 4+. Only one star for all of the above inconveniences? Well, I welcome his unadulterated creativity and bold flavors (though adulterated is perhaps the more fitting descriptor for this man). I hope Mr. Shopsin will be around long after I move back, and that he passes on his talents somehow! read more

Shopsin's - Yin/Yang combo of Senegalese chicken soup: peanut/artichoke curry rice. Try his lunch items!! They're VERY good. - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

I don't even know how to think about this place. Schizophrenic and tasty are the two words that come to mind most prominently. Reading the menu is almost impossible. Small text, code names for everything, abbreviations... it's like a fever dream about a diner that makes everything and smashes all those everythings together. Some of it is gross sounding, but all of it is intriguing. Mac and Cheese pancakes - the half order still comes with three big ones. The hot sauce maple syrup combo really works. It's a lot. Don't get the whole order. Ducky Gyro - it is what it sounds like. Sadly it's not all that incredible. Probably some more tzaziki could make it gel better. Sliders - good, greasy and onion-ey. read more

Shopsin's is "F-ing" crazy and awesome! I came here for brunch on a Friday afternoon with the girls. All the tables were full so the waiter told us to wait, which was fine because we were first in line. He gave us the ginormous menu to entertain ourselves while we waited. By the time our table was ready, we still couldn't decide on what to get. Everything on the menu looked so scrumptious and creative. I ordered the blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes. They were the BEST pancakes ever! The three of us also split the Nutella Mocha milkshake. It was heavenly...so decadent yet so light. During our meal, the owner gave us candy as souvenirs. So nice of him! I feel bad for the people that had bad experiences. I thought the people at Shopsin's were really cool. I guess we got lucky. read more

Shopsin's - Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

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Stuff of legend. Not really any other place like it. What you hear is all true. Bring a friend, pick something off the absolutely batshit menu, enjoy its decadence, and move on with your life. Gooood, but if you're trying for longevity I'd not make it a regular haunt. The old guy running the place was pretty nice to me. YMMV. read more

I was the first customer today as I walked into this tiny little eatery. With 3 tables of 2 tops and 3 seats at the bar, plus maybe 3 more tables of 2 "outside", it is no wonder they don't allow more than 4 per table. . . hello?? they do have other customers. . . As usual, I took a picture but was met with a no-no from Zach, the Junior Shopsin. No matter. . . I'll always find a way :) About 15 minutes into reviewing the menu (I don't usually take this long), I was in a serious conflict between deciding on the Adobe II or the famous mac n cheese pancake. When I told Zach that I wanted the Adobe II PLUS a half order of mac n cheese pancake, he shook his head and said, "You're getting the Adobe II. . . its a lot of food. . . AND I'm not gonna waste my time making you food you're not gonna finish." HAHA! Obviously he doesn't know my appetite. So I asked for another minute. A mere 1 minute later, Senior looked at me and said, "So, you gonna order or just sit there?" As I was sitting waiting for my food, Senior Shopsin and Junior started yelling and cursing at each other in the kitchen. . . reason? cos Junior didn't like Senior giving me a hard time about the mac n cheese. . . and Senior was defending himself. . . it was rather entertaining. A mere 7 minutes later (or less), my gorgeous plate of Adobe II came out. Its a beautiful combo of a huge burrito (which is so big the flap is tucked under) of scrambled eggs, beans, cheese, rice, and meat. . . topped with corn and cranberry salsa, served with chorizo pancake (tho I think they gave me coconut pancakes instead. . . apparently they served me the Adobe I). The 3rd guy, cutie brunette, gave me some awesome hot sauce to go with it. Needless to say, I was in heaven. I heart my burrito with the fluffy eggs, the oooey gooey cheese, perfectly cooked tender meat, just nice rice, and loads of sauce. . . I heart HEART my burrito. The coconut pancakes were smaller than my niece's palm but so yummy and slightly crispy on the edges. . . not too sweet, not too salty. All in all, I loved the entire Shopsin experience. The owners, the cook, the service, the crazy menu, the dirty apron (shows they're hard at work, no?), the quaint little place, the other customers, the insanely delish food, and most of all, Mr Shopsin. You're a fuckin genius! Crazy, yes. But a genius nontheless. read more

Three stars for creativity. My friend and I had a pancake fiesta when we went. Ordered the blueberry-lemon ricotta, the red velvet poppy, the slutty cakes, and the mac n'cheese. The only one worth coming back for, and I will come back for it, was the mac n'cheese pancakes. Crispy, with subtle hints of cheese and noodle-y macaroni elbows, it was a winner. I went with the impression that I couldn't take home what we didn't finish...so I literally massacred my half of the pancake stack. NOTE: You can't buy food to go, but the guy at the counter is decently friendly about giving you containers to take home food. A revelation! read more

Shopsin's - Four different pancakes: Red Velvet, Slutty, Mac n'Cheese, and Blueberry lemon - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

I finally ate here for the first time over the weekend, and had an awesome time! This is a great place to bring out of towners, if you want to show them a real "New York" experience. This tiny diner located inside of the Essex street Market offers 900+ menu items from things like "Slutty Cakes", pancakes with peanut butter in the middle, and "Blisters on My Sisters", similar to Huevos rancheros, or things like "Cap'N Jack" which is panko fried chicken & scrambled egg, tucked into a mac'n cheese pancake sandwich. The tiny eatery is owned and run by Kenny Shopsin and his family. If you haven't heard of Kenny, he is the foul mouthed older gent who walks around chatting up patrons or just taking a good old nap in the corner of the the restaurant. Heads up: Before considering this fine establishment, one should be advised that there are of course "rules" that must be abided by before eating at this hidden hole in the wall. Such rules are as follows: Parties that are larger than 4 will not be seated, even if "said party" breaks up into smaller groups. Each person must order at least one dish, and there are no alterations or substitutions of any kind. So if you have food allergies just "F**k off " as Kenny would say=) Ordering should also be done quickly, and prior prior research of the menu is heavily recommended**. Are you wondering what I ordered? I went with the MO'Betta which is maple bacon, scrambled eggs that are sandwiched in between two Mac'n cheese pancakes, served with fresh VT maple syrup. read more

Shopsin's - Its MO'Betta to have this after your hangover - Sandwiches Near Me - New York, New York

How could I have ever given this place 4 stars? I love it and it is definitely worthy of the 5-star Yelp rating, in fact...Yelp should have 6 stars...just for Shopsins! What I appreciate about this place is that they recognize loyalty and patronage. Although Rusty and I only visit about once a month, the server always remembers us. This place is all about respect...Respect that they serve delicious food and enjoy it...That's all! On our last visit, I got Ken's Breakfast special with Turkey Bacon and a side of the delicious Cheese Grits (These were so hot! Let them cool a little before eating them. It's also a huge portion, so you will have plenty to share). Rusty got the Blisters on My Sisters (heat level 7), which was also delicious. Every time we visit Shopsin's, it seems that everyone else is also fully enjoying the food. If you live in New York, if you are visiting New York...you must stop at Shopsin's. read more

Best breakfast I've ever had. Three part breakfast tray was hatch pepper sliders, bacon blueberry pancakes, and chorizo sweet potato fries. Real maple syrup too! Yum! Yum! Yum! I'm still drooling months later. Huge menu, cranky owner, eccentric experience. Some people will tell you they were yelled at or refused service. It's true, it happens. Follow the rules and you'll be treated to an amazing meal 1. Review menu online, before going. Don't ask for recommendations! 2. Don't play on your cell phone while there. Try reading. Kenny hates cell phones...turn off ringer too. 3. Talk to Kenny, but let him initiate. He is kinda cranky 4. Enjoy your meal but don't hang out too long 5. Dine solo or with one other. NO GROUPS. They will refuse to serve you read more

Shopsin's is insane, and I mean that in a good way. The four of us went for weekend brunch with me being the only first timer. It was strong recommendation from a friend who has frequented this joint for over ten years. Arrive before noon if you want to avoid a possible wait. They have 10 or less tables to go around. Shopsin's is tucked inside the Essex Street Market so it's easy to miss. They have one of the most bonkers menus I have ever seen. While it's only a one page front and back menu, it's long and extensive, and with a tiny font size. Parts of the menu you may want to pay attention to are the bread and breakfast name plates, pancakes plates, and the egg specials plates. I played it relatively safe with one of the egg specials plate which comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, and 2 mac n' cheese pancakes. My friend ordered the Zesty, BBQ duck and egg sliders with mini mac n' cheese pancakes as the bun. I can say I was legitimately jealous of those sliders, but there's always a next time. The mac n' cheese pancakes are a unique dish to this place. They're quite good, but they're best when hot. Once it's starts to cool down, it loses a bit of the texture. The scrambled eggs and bacon were very good. Bacon is on the more crispy side. Portions are massive here by the way. Come to Shopsin's hungry because you'll want to indulge. I really liked Shopsin's. It has one of the most unique breakfast/brunch menus I've seen. It can be a bit overwhelming the first time though. They close fairly early; they're only open till 2PM. Don't try to play it safe when you look over the menu, like I did, as you may regret it. Go for something a bit crazy or different off the menu, and I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed. read more

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