Suzie's Chinese restaurant on Bleecker Street has closed after serving the Village for 39 years.
I can't say anything about Suzie's first-hand, but Brooks of Lost City wrote it up for Eater in 2010. In the post, he called it "one of the only notable, sit-down Chinese eateries left in the Village."
Opened in 1973 by Susie Ying and her relatives, the restaurant went through a renovation and change of menu after Ms. Ying's retirement and subsequent death in 2010. After that, business faltered--though NYU students still loved it.
On the school's blog, a student waxes nostalgic for Suzie's, recalling late-night takeout extravaganzas and that "The space was an authentic Chinese restaurant experience, in vein of the classic Seinfeld episode 'The Chinese Restaurant.' Mildly tacky, but relaxed. Comfortable, with a slight flair. Little umbrellas in the drinks, etc."
One commenter replied, "This is like a death for me."
I understand that 163 Bleecker was the site of Nobody's, a rock & roll hangout, in the late '60s and early '70s. (At any rate, I've found some ads in the Voice that list 163 as the address.) http://www.amboyunderground.com/NobodysAU.htm
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will be Marc Jacobs Sino-American by the end of the week...
ReplyDeleteAt least there's still Empire Szechuan on 7th ave?
ReplyDeleteWe would always order from there when I bartended at Cafe Wha? ten years ago. The food was good.
ReplyDeleteSome of the worst Chinese food in the Village. Made me sick on more than one occasion. And when ordering takeout the proportions were miserly when compared, to say, King Wok on Varrick. Good Riddance.
ReplyDeleteNever was a fan of that place or the pizza joint next door, but they served a purpose. Rent increase?
ReplyDeleteDamn. Suzie's served quite good food at reasonable prices, and it was a pleasant room to sit in when you felt like getting out of the delivery rut.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine used to bring her young son there, and the staff treated the five-year-old like a prince.
One memory that still amuses me for some reason: Many years ago, in the aftermath of some blizzard, Bleecker Street was deserted one evening. I passed by a near-empty Suzie's, realized I was hungry, so why not give them my business? There was a bunch of takeout menus hanging by the door, and I took one. Still being wet, a fair bit of the "please order by number" menu tore off. A host greeted me at the door, and I said, "I'm sorry, I tore off the numbers." He looked at me, his eyes saying, "What, are you kidding me?" and his voice saying, "Don't worry about the numbers."
The first place I ever ate Chinese food in New York when I moved there in 1993 was Suzie's. I believe it was on my second night in the city and I was exploring Bleecker Street. I used to love to eat there because it always reminded me of how excited I was to be living in New York City. This really makes me sad. Starting to wonder if a return trip is worth it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI just heard Soho Billiards on Houston Street is no more. RIP.
ReplyDeletei remember "nobodys" bar. funny, but somehow in those days, they didnt make a big deal when something closed. maybe because they know something else would open? looks like now, once its over, many of the same are over. i never thought this would happen. i thought NY was NY, & it was the mecca of indivuality. keep us posted on what will be in 163 bleeker.
ReplyDeletewas one of the better places in the area for takeout. sad to see it go
ReplyDeleteone thing i know, the more asians who immigrate to NYC the more takeouts. it may not be chinese but similar. unless ofcause the asians have moved on to another business op.
ReplyDeleteHad my Birthday dinner there in 2010 when I turned 58..The SUZI's in Brooklyn Heights on Henry Street in the 70's was Szechuan at its best (NY's early szechuan joints)
ReplyDeleteit seems that if you want good takeout, move to e.harlem, chinatown near bridge, queens, or parts of brooklyn. maybe manhattan central is too chi chi for these normal kind of places.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure?!? I walked by there on Sunday and there was a "we'll be back/renovation" sign in the window.
ReplyDeletethanks Jonathan. we're hearing it might be under new management.
ReplyDeleteNew management already took it over, changed the menu, renovated, and it was closed within months.
ReplyDeleteI'll always remember Francis, who I believe was related to Suzie's, who always took care of us, remembered me by name even after I had been out of the city for five years, and always recognized my voice on the phone. The original family members were lovely people, the food was decent and inexpensive. Ive been going there for twenty years and I will miss them.
weird. renovated, new menu, then closed. sounds like the modern version of manhattan. now you see it now you dont. they close before they even open!
ReplyDeleteThis was a nice, convenient place for Chinese when we craved it. Hopefully if it really is just being renovated, it's for the better (unlike the recent changes which so many were dissatisfied with).
ReplyDeleteIronic to read of NYU student dismay over Suzie's since it's NYU that is devouring the Village, its history, mom and pops, it's skyline, architecture and driving up rents. Hope they are all ready for the inevtitable tuition hikes that will have to happen to pay for the voracious changes NYU is brnging to our beloved neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of blame to go around for the demise of the village.
ReplyDeleteTo place it all on nyu is foolish.
Maybe not all, but you sure can put a whole lot.
ReplyDeleteNYU is a huge corporation like a global mega mall, a post modern nightmare metropolis. almost a dozen students have jumped to their deaths from the colleges balcony, & windows. look@ the invisable, its right there. there's something about NYU that gives me the creeps. one would think that students need inexpensive take out, go figure- i know i cant.
ReplyDeleteI started NYU in 1988 and lived there until 1994. Suzie's was a major go-to staple for us, and every time I went back to the city I always had a meal there for old time's sake. Most recently in November 2012. Glad I had one last chance to enjoy it. Though I must say on that last visit the place seemed off. Guess I know why now.
ReplyDelete