Good News - they have outdoor dining. I have eaten here quite a few times recently. They’re fabulous. Updated 10 July 2021

Joe Junior is your basic greasy spoon diner style restaurant. They boast that they make the best burgers in town. So far I've only had breakfast there and it was really good. But many people will back up their claim of making the best burger. The decor is traditional old school with a counter, tables and booths. I am unable to determine at this point how long they've been in business. But it's easily been 40 years. They've had to fight to keep their lease in the past and I hope that they stick around. The crowd at Joe Junior's is mostly locals and the atmosphere is cozy. This is a real gem in a city overrun with trendy expensive and chain restaurants. Sorry, no website.

Joe Junior Restaurant, 167 Third Avenue at 16th Street.

Update: I visited Kalustyan’s a few weeks ago and introduced a friend, They are fully operational and they are much larger than I recall. You want hot sauce? They have enough to start a museum. I was very happy to find halvah. They have everything, not just foods and spices from India. Updated 13 July 2021.

Kalustyan’s is a specialty store selling Indian spices as well as imported foods from around the world including much of the Middle East. I first discovered the store many years ago when I made a variety of different garam masala recipes to give as gifts.

This store has been around since 1944 and is in the heart of a neighborhood given the name “curry hill” because it is adjacent to Murray Hill! If you’re looking for hard to find spices or ingredients that you aren’t able to find in the typical grocery store, Kalustyan’s is the place!

It is also surrounded by many Indian restaurants with many taxis parked around there. Perhaps that is an indication of the quality of the food served in them.

Kalustyan’s - 123 Lexington Avenue between 28th & 29th Streets

Housing Works Thrift Shop is a real favorite of mine. I frequent this location in particular to donate goods and to shop. I've bought some fabulous clothing here and not expensive either. Housing Works is a great organization and when you donate or purchase goods from them it goes to their mission. Read below quotes about their mission. They have numerous locations which you can see on their website which I will post about in the future. And they also have a bookstore which I've already posted about.

"Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

"For over 25 years, Housing Works has addressed the needs of over 30,000 individuals that other organizations deem “too challenging” to serve. Based on a harm reduction framework, our programs are both holistic and empowering."

Housing Works Thrift Shop, 157 East 23rd Street at Third Avenue