A NATIVE NOO YAWKER RETURNS HOME
A BIG APPLE PILGRIMAGE TO … THE DINER WHERE THE SEINFELD CHARACTERS HANG OUT ///
BY RICK MARSCHALL
he previous article by Rachel Williams should be of interest to Michiganders who have never, or seldom, visited New York, or are planning to – the impressions of a young, first-timer.
On the other hand, I was born in Brooklyn, held several teaching and editing jobs in Manhattan, served on the board of a NYC museum( the Theodore Roosevelt Association), and even have endured three New Year’ s Eves in Times Square. I visit a few times a year … like Old Home Week for me.
Yet one site I never visited – to some people, a“ must-see” spot –
The famous“ Monk’ s Restaurant” seen in virtually every episode of Seinfeld obscures the Broadway side of the old sign, which reads“ Tom’ s.”
was Monk’ s Café. Monk’ s Café? It is not your average New York diner. In fact, it is not actually called that – except in the minds and memories of countless Seinfeld fans.
I recently visited New York with my sister and I realized that, as a Seinfeld fan and native New Yorker, I had never visited the corner diner where Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer hung out every episode. Easily solved – better late than never.
Tom’ s Restaurant( its real name) is in Morningside Heights, Broadway and 112th Street, two blocks from Columbia University. My sister and I frequently exchange lines from Seinfeld. Some of us always do, always will; not that there’ s anything wrong with it.
The walls, however, are filled with signed photos – Jerry and friends have visited; and of course once lived in the neighborhood when they were struggling comedians...
You will see from the photo that it is the actual diner shown in the TV show’ s exterior establishing shots. In fact, its façade likely has changed little since the‘ 90s or before. The same for the interior, which bears only vague resemblance to that on the show. But it is, um, compact, unpretentious, and retro. Its menu features no Costanza Sandwich or Cosmo Omelet or Del Boca Vista Salad. Other New York delis do this preternaturally: visit the Stage or Carnegie Delis and nibble at your favorite stars.
The walls, however, are filled with signed photos – Jerry and friends have visited; and of course, they once lived in the neighborhood when they were struggling comedians – as well as TV Guide covers, posters, and the rest. The guy at the register seems bored, and almost annoyed by tourists’ questions about Jerry or Kramer or Newman. Well … it is New York City.
And the waitresses are not like those on the TV show, so sublimate those expectations. Nevertheless, for TV nostalgia fans … this is a place to stop.
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Innovative Health- Winter 2017