Shopsin's
American restaurant · Lower East Side ·
Eclectic diner with a massive menu of creative comfort food.
Eclectic diner with a massive menu of creative comfort food.
"This menu at this quirky little counter spot inside Essex Market on the LES is like a fever dream, but the kind you’d refuse a dose of NyQuil to keep on living in. They make delicious, gonzo breakfasts here, with dozens of pancake varieties, including ebelskivers (Danish pancake balls), and ones stuffed with mac and cheese. Parties of more than four are strictly forbidden at Shopsin’s—yes, even if you split up." - bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, sonal shah
"Kenny Shopsin’s cult-favorite ’80s hangout lives on in Essex Market, and no matter what time of day you’re here, there should be some kind of pancake on your table. In the “Pancakeland” section of the menu, you’ll find more or less straightforward options like chocolate chip, blueberry, and mac and cheese (which is straightforward for Shopsin’s). Then there are the special and extra-special pancakes, the pancake sandwiches, the ebelskivers, and finally, the famous Slutty Pancakes, which are stuffed with things like hatch chile and chorizo mac and cheese." - molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus
"This NYC classic has newer digs in the relocated Essex Crossing but retains its old-school vibe in its eclectic dining room. The busy menu lists sections like “eggland,” “pancakeland,” and “Petes,” a collection of seemingly unrelated dishes with names like the Sneaky Pete and the OG Pete. There’s a named section with dishes like the So Good (triple-decker French toast grilled cheese) and the Bastard (eggs, pastrami hash, and cheddar on ciabatta. It even has its own house poem by Robert Hershon called “Party of Five.” When founder Kenny Shopsin was alive, tables larger than four-tops were famously not allowed." - Melissa McCart
"Perhaps no place is as synonymous with Essex Market as Shopsin’s, the enigmatic breakfast and brunch spot. Opened by Kenny Shopsin back in the ’80s, the restaurant became a destination for creative dishes like mac and cheese pancakes, and more sandwiches varieties than you can imagine. In addition, people came to interact with and experience Kenny and his family’s vocal personalities (check out Kenny’s documentary, I Like Killing Flies). Although Kenny passed away in 2018, the restaurant lives on, with its large menu, tremendous breakfast food, and a strict no-substitutions policy. Make sure you get the ebelskivers, Danish stuffed pancakes that come with jam." - carlo mantuano, will hartman
"“There are a handful of movies I watched repeatedly as a child, and all of them were on VHS. Like Singin’ in the Rain and whatever the second Predator was called. Death Becomes Her also somehow snuck in there, and, to this day, it’s burned in the back of my brain. And understandably so, seeing as how this movie stars Goldie Han as the vengeful ex-lover of a milquetoast Bruce Willis, who abandoned poor Goldie for a friend played by (and I could be pronouncing this wrong) Meryl Streep. The movie is tough to categorize - but if Blockbuster were still a thing, I’d put it in the Gothic ’90s Comedy section (alongside Serial Mom and Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead). For this film, you need a dinner that’s equally complex and unclassifiable, so I suggest Shopsins, where you can get some enchiladas, oreo pancakes, or matzo ball soup. They’re open for pickup on the LES.” - BK" - hannah albertine, nikko duren, bryan kim, hillary reinsberg, arden shore
