S&P Lunch New York
1928 Lunch Counter
Geoffrey from New York
Eric Finkelstein and Matt Ross are the new owners/operators of S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928 by Austrian Jewish immigrants Charles Schwadron and Rubin Pulver. Then, it was one of many lunch counters serving garment workers whose factories were located in the neighbourhood lofts.
For most of those workers, English was a second language, their Eastern European culture was brought almost intact to New York, lock stock, and barrel. Lunch counters such as S&P offered menus that catered to that culture.
Today S&P's menu still offers Jewish specialties like kreplach, matzoh ball soup, latkes, chopped liver, rugelach, kasha varnishkes, and so forth along with old-fashioned sandwiches like grilled cheese, tuna melt, egg / chicken / tuna salad, and chopped olives and cream cheese.
The thing is today's customers may be nothing like the originals, nearly all of whom worked nearby—even upstairs—in the schmata business, but they are still entrants in the endless parade of perhaps millions of people who have entered S&P's premises, which looks pretty much exactly now as it did when it opened, right down to its very old telephone.
The nostalgic interior is a maintained original, which partly makes S&P wonderful—diners feel they are part of the continuum, making lunch there akin to being able to step inside an Edward Hopper painting. The matzoh ball soup is on target, heavy on dill, light on the matzoh balls, and liberal with the schmaltz. A nice bowl of soup.
New York Spotter Geoffrey
About this spot
174 Fifth Avenue, NYC 10010
- Mon - Sun 08:00 - 17:00
MatzohBall Soup:
US$
9
+1
212691691
Our New York City Guide
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Music Mondays
UWS Free Chamber Music
The Artistic Director Aaron Wunsch says “We believe this music is for absolutely anyone and everyone—it uplifts us and brings us together, as a community”.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Bach Vespers
Candlelit Bach
A concert was held within the aura of candle light—each congregant holding one—which, combined with the many candelabra, created a calming atmosphere.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Apple Bank
Samuel Yellin Ironwork
His malleable, buttery creations are a sight to behold! They can be seen closeup outside on the buildings massive iron doors, and inside where floral motifs adorn the central teller’s 'pen' and customer desks that line the walls.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Birria-Landia Tacos
NYTimes 2 Star Food Truck
Choose: tacos, quesadillas, tostados or a hot, chunky beef based soup called consommé composed of birria, chopped onion, cilantro and squeezed lime.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Old Print Shop
Flatiron District Gallery
"The Old Print Shop" in New York is my hands-down, hands-on museum/gallery of choice. I love mid-twentieth century 'industrial' or 'city' art...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sea & Sea
Fried fish takeout
"Sea & Sea " in NYC is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand, busy with customers from near and far...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Modern Bread and Bagel
Extreme gluten-free bagels
"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pain d’ Epices
French / American patisserie
"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Django
Tribeca jazz boîte
"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Dublin House
Irish Bar Centenarian
"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pastrami Queen
Traditional kosher Jewish deli
"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sisters Uptown Bookstore
African diaspora hub
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite New York
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
