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the title of the documentary is "I Like Killing Flies" and it's directed by Matt Mahurin (best known for his brilliant b&w photography, as well as illustrations and music videos)...
I've never eaten at the restaurant though, and after seeing the doc, i doubt i ever will...
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ehh, place isnt for everybody. Though I did not go to Shopsins when they were located in Greenwich, I am a frequenter at the Essex location. There is rarely any "drama" and I actually find it pretty friendly. Mainly everyone that goes there now know the basic "rules" and most of the cursing and drama usually from customers- or would be customers. I would not suggest ordering for 4 but if you do (and convince them) be ready to eat that in one sitting.
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chowdom
Jun 18, 2012 08:57 PM
Go...no drama last time I was there in May just good food
home fries
mo betta: maple bacon and egg sandwich on mac and cheese pancakes
they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
hours of operation W - Sat 9-2 Sun 10 - 2
don't go with a party of more than four you will not be seated
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re: kevin
chowdom
Jun 18, 2012 09:31 PM
I have no first hand experience with over ordering, perhaps this will help
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/642004-
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re: ChiefHDB
I will never understand how people can put up with abusive behavior at Shopsins for some tasty but certainly not great food. I ate there years ago and vowed not to return. It was at the Bedford st place. After getting screamed at because there were 5 of us, one, a well known food critic and gracious man left so we could eat. We looked at the all the toys around us on the shelves and when we took one down it was covered with grease and dust. The waitress was smoking and then took a bite of a fried egg sandwich that exploded all over her plate and beyond. I have never felt so close to loosing my appetite and I don't mind walking through Chinatown in the middle of summer. The food was ok, some rather tasty, some just odd. The best thing was that the plates were clean and warm. Having to sit there and listen to this man swear up and down and have such contempt for his customers, I silently said to Mr. Shopsin, "yea? well f you too!.
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re: foodwhisperer
Sweet good to hear.
The last time I was there a few years back it was still at the orginal location at Bedford and Carmine in Greenwich Village.
I loved the quirkiness and the proprietor who laces a lot of his verbiage with expletives.
I did also see "I love Killing the Flies" (correct name? my memory slighly escapes me, years agao).
Can't wait to try those Slutty Cakes, Taco Fried Chicken, and Coconut Cloud Mullitwagawny soup, and an orange julious to topp it all off. Hopefully kenny won't chew me out for ordering too many dishes.
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re: kevin
Actually, the original was on Bedford and Morton, across 7th from the Bedford and Carmine location. They moved to Carmine maybe 2002 or so... I randomly had an apartment on the corner of 7th and Morton and kept wondering what "that little hole in the wall place" across the way was. Finally ventured in one day and it immediately became my go to brunch place - it was sad to see them move a few blocks away to Carmine though that location was much nicer and bigger. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the Essex location, partly because it's farther away now but also because it's smaller and more cramped and doesn't have the character of the original. Still, need to get down there sometime soon. Kenny's wife did pass away in 2003... I remember I'd stopped in for dinner that same week and the place was quiet and we chatted, then I came in for brunch the following Sunday with my parents and they had a sign on the door saying "R.I.P. Eve". Really sad...
Just this past weekend, I was wearing the Shopsins t-shirt they gave me when I told them I was heading for Africa in the Peace Corps... the only request "Take a picture of you with pygmies wearing the shirt." The shirt made it with me when I took a trip to Uganda and I did.
Anyway, rambling post, but it's one of my favorite "New York" experiences. Need to get back there sometime soon!
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They are still around. There's a video on Netflix about Shopsin's, for anyone who knows the place well you'll love the movie. One day the wife/owner tasted my kid's sarsaparilla soda when we said it tastes like soap. She said "it's fine". The documentary shows them eating people's leftovers and more. Many of the regulars referred to the place as "Dirty People", but the food is great, the mixtures of foods is great, the soups are great. the place is great. The wife, I'm pretty sure passed away. They had 5 kids who always ran around the place when they were little. See the documentary. Definitely go to Shopsin's, they are still the pretty much the same.
