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Early Addition
Santa came early and dumped some carnivorous coal down the throats of vegetarians in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood this weekend. The NY Press has reported that the beloved Veggie Castle – so named because it was converted from an old White Castle fast food restaurant – has abruptly closed. The Veggie Castle was as famous for repurposing the White Castle as it was for its vegetarian twist on Caribbean classics, offering such delicacies as jerk tofu, curried tofu and a steaming vegan soul food buffet.
Apparently, someone was shot there last week, but that’s not the reason for the closure.
The end of a 10-year lease is to blame, according to Cindy Bernard, daughter of owner Viburt Bernard. She said the landlord wanted to sell the lot to someone who plans to tear down the building and develop a new commercial space. In the meantime, “distraught” describes the mood among her regulars.Brooklynvegan dubs this the “Worst News Ever”, but Christmas isn’t completely ruined; the Veggie Castle location in Queens (South Richmond Hill) will survive the development siege – for now. We never made it out to the Veggie Castle – did you? How did it compare with the city’s other vegetarian restaurants?
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I live around the corner...
The food is extremely good.
This is TERRIBLE TERRIBLE news. Folks travel all over the city to come here.
F gentrification in the face.
F me.
Wow, there's actually a vegetarian place in of all places Flatbush, that lasted 10 years? Maybe hipster Billyburg would be a more suitable locale with the soy-based menu? Leave Flatbush to the Popeye's, Kennedy Fried Chicken and cheap Chinese takeouts.
My family and I used to live on E 17st just off of Church Ave but moved out in 78. Did they knock down the old Greenpoint Savings Bank as well as the Macys building?
When you live in the 11226 zip code and you have to go to the Church Avenue post office, the fact that you can stop at Veggie Castle on your way back is the one thing that stops it from totally ruining your day. Damn. I'm really going to miss the place - hopefully they can reopen nearby. Take over one of those Kentucky Fried Chicken knockoffs or something.
This is a travesty. When I took a new job this year working right around the corner from Veggie Castle, the proximity to this place was one of the things I was most excited about.
Dude69 - educate yourself and learn a bit about the Ital diet that is common in the Rastafarian population of Flatbush. Veggie Castle was always crowded at lunch, and the crowd it pulled was incredibly diverse. That was one of the great things about it. I really hope they reopen in Brooklyn.
"We never made it out to the Veggie Castle – did you? How did it compare with the city’s other vegetarian restaurants?"
It was entirely different than other veggie spots in NYC, other than maybe Uptown Juice bar in Harlem. Vegetarian Caribbean and soul food, amazingly done and very affordable. A large meal (3 proteins and 3 sides) was $12 and more than my fiance and I could eat in one meal. I'd say pound for pound this was definitely the best sport in the city.
"Wow, there's actually a vegetarian place in of all places Flatbush, that lasted 10 years?"
I think everything on the menu is deep fried.
I have been aware of the Ital diet, Thanks for mentioning it here markedman.
I did make a pilgrimage to Veggie Castle about 5 years ago with a friend. I was pleased with the buffet and selection. It is out of the way for me, but I made the effort to check it out, now I am sorry it to learn about the closing.
"I think everything on the menu is deep fried."
ahhhh ignorance. very little on the menu is deep fried. i can't think of one ting other than french fries.
noooo!!! veggie castle was one of my favorite places on the planet. i live just down the way. aw man, i hadn't been in the last few months, and was planning to go this week with a friend. it's delicious, it's fresh, it's cheap, and was such a neighborhood staple. so sad. i'm going to miss those bbq soy chunks and collard greens.
Did they serve fried chicken and ribs in that place? Just asking!