[UPDATE] After 25 Years, ACME Bar & Grill Closes

[UPDATE BELOW] Earlier today, EV Grieve reported that Cajun-food haven ACME Bar & Grill has closed, which shocked at least one reader. "I just ate there last night! Seriously - had catfish, green beans, corn bread and a pitcher of lemonade. Nothing seemed amiss and my dining partner and I were talking about how great the food is and that we should go there more often," wrote commenter Googla. An employee (who hung up before giving his name) told us, "We're already done. We just couldn't afford it anymore. Thanks for your patronage. Thanks for your thoughts."

ACME was known for their Louisiana-inspired menu, filled with oysters, po-boys and seafood gumbo. They were also extremely kind to refugees from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and held fundraisers to support the devastated city. General manager Tony told Fork In The Road that the space is "probably going to be a restaurant again." For the love of god, no Olive Gardens.

[UPDATE] They might just be renovating.

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By Jaya Saxena in Food on March 15, 2011 4:44 PM

Comments [rss]

Spahn

Bob sold out. Don't let the "renovations" crap fool you.

Della

So sad. Acme is closed and not for renovations. Another New York landmark is gone with the wind. Big mistake. Why don't we cherish these places more? Soon it will be a one year restaurant on every corner in NYC. We're losing our soul. Suddenly Great Jones isn't that great anymore.

dollarmenu

Man I haven't seen this much solidarity around an event since 9/11. But seriously, count me in as well; I actually felt my stomach drop reading that headline. Not so much for the food, but for the nostalgia of the friends I used to go there with years ago. Sorry to see you go ACME!

woffles wu

edit: according to that site it's actually only going to be closed for renovations.

http://evgrieve.com/2011/03/on...

spiv

Wow - this really sucks. One of my all time favorite joints, and as fate would have it I walked by last weekend, saw the sign and thought maybe I should stop in for a bite...

Thanks for the memories!

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

This place started the Blackened anything craze in the city. They had brunch, they had bands.

drew_o

Saw GBV there at UnderAcme back in the day!

No, I have not eaten there in years.

Phil Davis

I haven't been there in years, but I had many a satisfying meal there in my misspent youth. Most of my friends from that era are gone, and now so long Acme. Makes me sad.

FU Boy

Huh, I've heard this before, successful and popular restaurant closes because of soaring operating costs.

Soon, it will be true that the only good restaurants in the city will be the ones that charge $75 for a hot dog and only the rich can eat at them.

The rest of us will be stuck eating at McDonald's or the greasy spoon Chinese places that can't pass inspection.

tijuanatornado

Yup, agree with both..... what a shame and why not go out with a bang??

My girlfriend will sure miss this place...

Rocknrope

Not only a shame, but a poor way to handle a closing of such a well established restaurant. Why not let people know that this is the end and go out with a bang? If they were serving food as of last night, clearly they had inventory on hand that they could clear out before the closing.

Spahn

They didn't even give the staff, manager or club downstairs notice. Told the club to pack up and leave in two days. Bob owns the building and the restaurant and decided to lease it to someone else. He's looking to cash in with a another high end, yuppie magnet.