Lexington Candy Shop New York
Period 1925 Luncheonette
Geoffrey from New York
The ascension to recently lost ubiquity of NYC luncheonettes and soda fountains began in the 1920s when places like S&P Luncheonette (on Broadway opposite the Flatiron building at Madison Square), the Lexington Candy Shop (Lexington Avenue at 83rd Street) and Eddie's Sweet Shop in Forest Hills originally opened.
This Lexington Avenue luncheonette —an uncommon survivor of many on that avenue—has altered nearly nothing since its most recent renovation in 1948. Even nearby Orwasher's Bakery—where bread is still made by hand and without preservatives—still provides the sandwich and French Toast ingredients.
As places to eat breakfast and lunch such luncheonettes face intrepid competition from restaurants offering menus based on more modern thinking, but for classic menu items and simply, the experience, there is no alternative.
Here, the white smocked soda jerks still utilize syrups and seltzer to fabricate all their soda fountain creations such as Chocolate Egg Creams, Malteds, Ice Cream Sodas, Frosted Floats, Orange Freezes, Creamsicle Freezes and Floats.
Or, for a first experience, coffee and pie á la mode might be the way to go.
The restaurant has—as one would expect— vinyl booths and a long formica counter with backless spinning stools, and in the Lexington avenue window, a collection of vintage glass Coca-cola bottles, above which hang original storefront neon signs which themselves may be landmarked.
This place is so original the phone number is still listed as BUtterfield 8-0057, the same exchange as for the John O'hara novel, Butterfield 8 and movie, starring Elizabeth Taylor.
New York Spotter Geoffrey
About this spot
1226 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10028,
- Mon - Fri 07:00 – 18:00, Sat 08:00 - 18:00, Sun 08:00 - 16:00
Pie and Coffee:
US$
15
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