(Gaby Del Valle/Gothamist)
It's been over a year since the massive East Village explosion collapsed three buildings, killed two people, injured dozens more, and shut down businesses. Since then, some of the businesses affected by the explosion have returned to the neighborhood, with one notable exception: Pommes Frites, the beloved French fry spot/peak drunk-food establishment. Last summer, Pommes Frites's co-owners Suzanne Levinson and Omer Shorshi announced they would be opening a new space—not in the East Village, but at 128 MacDougal Street—and the time has finally come.
(Gaby Del Valle/Gothamist)
The new Pommes Frites is nearly twice as large as the old location—800 square-feet compared to 500—and boasts a few upgrades: more fryers in the back, medieval decor, a beer and wine license, more seating space, and a bathroom. Other than those few differences, everything—namely the crispy golden fries and almost overwhelming selection of accompanying sauces—is the same.
From outside, you wouldn't be able to tell today was the shop's grand opening. There was no fanfare, but plenty of customers were drawn in by the European-style storefront and by news of the reopening.
(Gaby Del Valle/Gothamist)
"I've been coming here since I was fifteen," said Zej Moczydlowski, a loyal Pommes Frites patron, while eating his usual order of fries with cheddar and war sauce. "I'm thirty now, and it's still the same good food."
Moczydlowski, a New York native, was one of the 786 backers who contributed to Pommes Frites' IndieGoGo campaign last year. "They were an East Village mainstay," he said of the old location. "After St. Marks lost its roots, they were still there."
(Gaby Del Valle/Gothamist)
Just like the old location, the new spot will be open until 1 a.m. on weekdays, and possibly until 4 a.m. on weekends. "We're still testing that out," said co-owner Suzanne Levinson. Due to community board restrictions, they can only serve beer and wine until 1 a.m., regardless of how late they stay open.
"We're excited to be here on MacDougal," said Levinson. "But I feel like I'm on 2nd Avenue again."
