NYC Restaurants: A Feast Of Food News For Memorial Day

NEW YORK CITY — The founder of a beloved hot dog joint died, Trader Joe's looked to expand in the city and big gooey cookies were all food news served up to hungry New Yorkers this past week.

As the city geared up for the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day, the food news didn't let up. And once again Patch's small local newsroom tried to keep up with the hefty portions.

Here's Patch's weekly roundup, and come back next week for more.

The founder of Gray's Papaya died.

Nicholas Gray, an immigrant from Chile, passed away at the age of 86 — a sad moment for lovers of his hot dog institution.

"It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of a New York icon and our founder, Nicholas Gray," Gray's Papaya wrote on its Instagram account.

Gray's Papaya was renowned among New Yorkers who, as the shop promised, are "hungry, or broke, or just in a hurry!"

But other restaurants got accolades last week.

An Eater list named the best pastrami sandwiches in the city. Beyond iconic spots such as Katz's Delicatessen and Frankel's, a Bed-Stuy spot called David's Brisket House Deli landed on the list.

• Nicholas Gray, Founder Of Iconic UWS Gray's Papaya, Dead At 86
• Bed-Stuy Deli Serves Some Of NYC's Best Pastrami: Eater

A group of Brooklyn pizzeria workers want to slice off some union protections.

Barboncino's workers in Crown Heights voted to become the city's first unionized pizza joint.

• Barboncino In Crown Heights Could Be NYC's First Unionized Pizza Joint

Not all food news this past week related to restaurants.

Trader Joe's announced plans to open a new grocery store location in Forest Hills.

The announcement is somewhat of a punchline to a long-running local joke that every closing store in the neighborhood will be taken over by the beloved grocer.

Likewise, Lidl — another popular grocery chain — announced it would open in Queens during 2024.

On the restaurant side of openings, Chip City plans to bring its big, gooey cookies to the Upper East Side in June.

And fans of Irish cuisine and Creole food, rejoice! The Avenue: Bar & Grill brought both to the Upper West Side when it opened last week.

The last bit of restaurant news isn't an opening, but it's still pretty sweet.

Butterfield Market asked fans of its Upper East Side frozen yogurt to take a side: mango or strawberry?

The fro-yo vote's outcome will determine what seasonal summer flavor will be added to its walk-up window.

• Trader Joe's Is (Finally) Coming To Forest Hills
• Lidl Discount Grocery To Open In Glen Oaks
• Chip City Set To Open New Carnegie Hill Location In Cookie Mania
• Irish Bar Opens On UWS With Creole American Dining Options
• Butterfield Market Wants You To Vote On Their New Frozen Yogurt Flavor

And some restaurants had a bad week.

Health inspectors ordered several spots in Brooklyn and Queens closed over violations.

• NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed May 19 - 26