
Here's Calvin Trillin's "isn't New York full of hilarious eccentrics" take on Shopsin's. And here's an email a friend sent over the weekend after he heard I was interested in the restaurant:
When a friend moved to L.A. for three months, he asked me to housesit his place in the West Village. Or, rather, he allowed me to house-sit because I actually didn't have a place to live that year. I had bounced around cat-sitting here for a few months, cat-sitting there for a few months.
He lived on Carmine Street, right next to Shopsin's. I literally had to walk downstairs, take a left, and walk 10 feet. So, one day, my father decided to drop by and take me out to brunch. It's not something he normally did, but he had a son who lived in the Village, so he clamped down and did it.
We agreed on Shopsin's. I told him while we waited in the line that always appeared on weekends that Shopsin's was a special place. They had a very large menu. They didn't abide talking on cell phones and the wait staff was pretty ornery. He seemed -- seemed -- to understand this.
The two of us are finally allowed entrance. I say it this way because the waiters would lock the door between letting people in. The restaurant was full. A table would get up to go. A new table would be seated, and the door would be locked. My father and I get in and we're seated at this one table away from the main dining room. I didn't mind because I was starving. But for some reason my father thought it wasn't good enough for him. So he asked, nicely, "Hey, is there a way we could get a table over there?"
The waiter turned to him and said, "Hey, listen, you see that line of people out there? They all want to eat in here. So if you don't want to sit here, then get the fuck out and I'll let one of them take the table.
My father's a correction officer. A prison guard. He worked on Riker's Island for 20 years, so he's not used to taking shit. Of course, then, he responded, "What the fuck? I was just asking a question. You don't have to be an asshole.
I literally -- literally -- pulled my hat down over my eyes and tried to calm the situation down. It didn't work.
"Did you just call me an asshole."
"Yeah, you're being an asshole. If you can't seat us over there, that's fine. I was just asking a question.
"You know what, fuck you."
"Fuck me? Fuck you! This is how you treat your customers, motherfucker?
And on and on. The waiter had the last word. "Get the fuck out of my place now. Get the FUCK out." He unlocked the door. I slunk out. My father strutted out, and we ended up going to some shitty breakfast place down the block. He was stunned that I was angry at him, that I wasn't defending him against the asshole waiter. All I could say was, "Dad, I told you the staff was pretty ornery. . ."
Over the next few months, I only went one other time. I was afraid they'd recognize me and kick me out again. So I waited until I had a good amount of facial hair, until I was so flu-ridden that I was sweaty and dumpy and not looking at all like myself. Then I went back. And the food was delicious.
I fucking hate the Shopsin family.
Be honest Tipsy. Don't you wish your own father was like that?
ReplyDeleteI delicately suggest, move on to another cookbook. We want joy! Light! Happiness! Good stuff to eat!
ReplyDeleteI am with you Philomere. I have been feeling really ugly lately.
ReplyDeleteTipsy,
ReplyDeleteI hope you know I was teasing. I really am one of your biggest fans and I hope, through Debra, we'll get to meet in person one day soon. Your writing is a real inspiration to me; I am so impressed by your talent, wit,and energy (and your photographic skills). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I see it in you! (I swear, losing my next-to-last awful job was the best thing that ever happened to me!) Hang in there!
Oh, I know you were teasing, Philomere! Don't worry. But this book really has been bumming me out. I would love to meet you sometime.
ReplyDeleteI know you were teasing Philomere. I really am one the biggest fan of your. I am really impressed by your talent.
ReplyDeletetimberland shoes, handbags outlet, christian louboutin, prada shoes, tory burch outlet, air max 90, polo ralph lauren, louis vuitton, bcbg max azria, ugg boots, burberry outlet online, uggs on sale, coach factory outlet online, adidas superstar, gucci, supra shoes, swarovski jewelry, giuseppe zanotti, the north face, jimmy choo, eyeglasses online, kate spade, womens clothing, hollister online shop, hollister clothing, north face outlet, michael kors outlet online, beats by dre, ed hardy, michael kors handbags, thomas sabo, babyliss, oakley sunglasses, gucci outlet, adidas, celine handbags, hermes, toms outlet, hair straightener, soccer shoes,
ReplyDeleteShared this Obat benjolan di penis ubay Obat sakit kepala karena asam lambung naik howdy Obat gatal di selangkangan dan bokong atau pantat tone Obat rahang bawah telinga sakit dan bengkak nano Obat sakit pinggang belakang bawah know Obat luka borok bernanah dan berair where Obat kalazion di kelopak mata atas dan bawah here Obat ganglion di tangan steady Obat bintik seperti jerawat di sekitar mata think Obat infeksi kulit selulitis Thanks...
ReplyDeleteشركة عزل خزانات بالرس
ReplyDeleteشركة عزل خزانات بسكاكا
شركة عزل خزانات بالدوادمي
شركة عزل خزانات بالزلفي
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog .
ReplyDeleteIm really impressed by it.
buy marijuana online
You’ve performed a fantastic job. I’ll definitely
digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be
benefited from this web site.
marijuana for sale
buy marijuana
buy marijuana online usa
buy marijuana online
buy weed online usa
buy weed online
marijuana for sale
order weed online
buy cannabis online
cannabis for sale
weed for sale online
weed for sale
buy pot online
buy cbd oil online
kush for sale
cbd oil for sale
dankwoods
dankwoods for sale
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on.
ReplyDeletebuy marijuana online
You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
marijuana for sale
buy marijuana
buy marijuana online usa
buy marijuana online
buy weed online usa
buy weed online
marijuana for sale
order weed online
buy cannabis online
cannabis for sale
weed for sale online
weed for sale
buy pot online
buy cbd oil online
kush for sale
cbd oil for sale
dankwoods
dankwoods for sale
slactavis
Hello There. I found your blog using msn.This is a very well written article . I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. buy marijuana online . Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
ReplyDeletemarijuana for sale
buy marijuana
buy marijuana online usa
buy marijuana online
buy weed online usa
buy weed online
marijuana for sale
order weed online
buy cannabis online
cannabis for sale
weed for sale online
weed for sale
buy pot online
buy cbd oil online
kush for sale
cbd oil for sale
dankwoods
dankwoods for sale