Gotham Bagel Cafe, 1508 Main Street: 14 Sept 2010 15 comments
I have to admit I never made it to Gotham Bagel Cafe. Originally, Manhatten Bagel / Holey Dough was much closer than what was then Rising High on Main. After Holey Dough closed, Brueggers was still closer, and has a worthwhile bottomless coffee card deal. Then, even if I happened to be downtown, parking would have figured into the equation. All that's to say I kinda, sorta, figured I would get around to it some day, but -- too late!
I remember two interesting stories about this place from The State. The first was interesting and quirky: It seemed that the owner had no experience with bagels at all, and was opening a bagel shop almost on a lark, and learning as she went along. Apparently she was a good learner, as the comments people have left here so far about the place have been positive.
The second story was interesting and scary. It seems that someone (I believe it was the owner, but I could be wrong) had gotten his or her clothes hooked on an industrial kneader and was in danger of being pulled into the machine and being chopped and kneaded to death, but was in the event saved by someone who had no idea how to work the machine, but found the cut-off in time.
The closing sign implies that something is in the works for this space. I certainly hope so, as the old Kress building is a downtown treasure. As of 17 September 2010, the Gotham web site is still up, but it gives no indication that the store is closed, or what might happen next.
(Hat tips to commenter KC, and Eva in The Free Times)
15 Responses to 'Gotham Bagel Cafe, 1508 Main Street: 14 Sept 2010'
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E.
17 Sep 10 at 5:04 am
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We would stop here after "free" days at the Columbia Art Museum. Never had a bagel, but the sandwiches were really good. My husband loved the Tv's and I loved the people watching, hope they do re-invent themselves.
cheryl
17 Sep 10 at 6:46 am
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I thought the bagels were fantastic! The coffee was always fresh and hot. Lunch foods were good too! Gotham had a quirky little atmosphere that people liked. I hope they manage to reopen. I'm really going to miss it and the people who worked there.
Juli
17 Sep 10 at 12:18 pm
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Dang, just walked past it last week on my way to Drake's Duck Inn and Gotham was pretty full with the lunch crowd.
ChiefDanGeorge
18 Sep 10 at 5:45 am
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Anybody who says Gotham's bagels "stunk" obviously has never eaten authentic bagels!! Very sorry to see this great, funky, rive gauche food emporium closed!!! The workers (as the food) were REAL people (no artificial glitz or glam). Somebody told me they just couldn't compete with "Zoe's" right up the street in the (supposedly) up-scale Meridian building. Of course not! Gotham was real; the other, cute and artificially chic ... the epitome of pseudo-sophistication, which I guess is the preferred "house specialty" in our cosmopolitan city!! I wish the good folks at Gotham all the best, and I THANK THEM immensely!
lucky lou
21 Oct 10 at 12:15 pm
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Heard they were reopening on Thursday for a COR meeting. Any word?
Kc
1 Nov 10 at 3:03 pm
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The space opens some evenings for meetings and gatherings, but not for foodservice.
Steve
1 Nov 10 at 10:48 pm
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Lou, I don't where you ate your bagels, but I grew up in NYC. Go to Ess-A-Bagel - that is what a bagel should be. As for the service and the coffee....pathetic.
The space is amazing. Unfortunately Gotham never lived up to it. You seem like a plant, anyway...the comment you wrote was ridiculous.
E.
5 Nov 10 at 1:50 pm
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I walked by Gotham everyday on my way to work. Does anyone know if they will ever open up again? There is a lease sign on the front window and it's still filled with their stuff. I would love to buy one of their TV's thats hanging from the ceiling if they are listening. :)
Paul
1 Dec 10 at 3:41 pm
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There is an article on The State's website that this is going to become a Brazilian steakhouse to open this summer.
Matt
19 May 11 at 2:08 pm
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This place to be a 5 and dime store named kress and It was there much longer then this place here.
Leti d
19 Jul 12 at 3:08 pm
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ted
19 Jul 12 at 4:09 pm
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I meant to say this place use to be lool opps
Leti d
19 Jul 12 at 4:47 pm
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You guys know this is now the Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse, right?
Dennis
20 Jul 12 at 5:10 am
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Yeah, I've got some pictures I should eventually put up.
ted
20 Jul 12 at 11:41 am
The bagels stunk. Nothing but a roll with a hole. The coffee was not much better. I'm told that the sandwiches were pretty good, but if you call yourself a bagel shop ...
I do think they were trying to figure out how to capitalize on the new nightlife, and for that I commend them. Hopefully they will reinvent themselves in a positive direction.