Icky national chain replacing Bright Food Shop
The national Mexican food chain, qdoba, is replacing neighbor-owned Mexican-fusion Bright Food Shop at 8th and 21st, across the street from my apartment. Today, that location is listed as "coming soon" (click on New York) on qdoba's website. When we were in Florida, one of the owners of Humpy's pizza told us the landlord wanted $25,000 a month for the space. That's a lot of burritos. Chelsea is one step further down the path to becoming the world's largest open-air shopping mall.
Update: qdoba is owned by Jack-in-the-Box.
Jerry woud be disappointed, Qdoba actually has quality FRESH food unlike the local they are replacing.
sometimes having many locations is positive.
Aiko Aiko
Posted by: Milton Cohen | January 08, 2008 at 05:04 PM
I thought Soho had the world's largest open air shopping mall title in the bag (of heavy shiny paper with two twisted satiny string handles to it)...
Happy New Year! How's 2008 for you so far?
Posted by: bonnie | January 11, 2008 at 12:32 AM
The veggie nachos at Qdoba are awesome.
Posted by: Chris | January 12, 2008 at 10:45 AM
It's funny because MOST people were enamored with Bright Food Shop but I never knew what to make of it. It was a diner yet somehow there was always some Asian or Mexican twist to the most basic of grub that just didn't -- uh, work. (French Toast? Great ... oh, but with a caramelized jalapeno syrup!) (Huh?) You say fusion, I say disgusting.
I was pretty horrified when I heard that Qdoba is not only a chain, but a chain now owned by Jack in the Box. Truth be told, I'd rather they just put a Jack in the Box there and call a spade a spade. At least they have two tacos for 99 cents (and they sure are good when you're hammered).
I was willing to give Qdoba a try until everyone started telling me it was similar to Chipotle, only not "as good." Oh, dear ...
Posted by: kenneth | January 15, 2008 at 10:50 PM