Broadway, between West 90th and 91st streets, without the sidewalk shed. Photo by Gus Saltonstall.

By Gus Saltonstall

An imposing sidewalk shed came down in recent days that had covered multiple popular Upper West Side restaurants, but it unfortunately appears to be only short-term relief.

Also significantly, the shed’s removal revealed a surprise from bygone times.

The sidewalk shed came down on Broadway, between West 90th and 91st streets. The block is home to the Mediterranean restaurant Dagon, which was named the best new restaurant in New York City by the New York Post in 2021, and the longtime popular spot, Carmine’s. Tal’s Bagels is also on the block directly next to Carmine’s.

A sidewalk shed has covered all three restaurants since at least 2019, according to Google Maps imagery.

The previous sidewalk shed on the block. Google Maps.

The removal of the sidewalk shed on the Upper West Side block led to an unexpected discovery. The old sign for Big Daddy’s, a once-popular burger spot, never came down.

The old Big Daddy’s sign never came down. Photo by Gus Saltonstall.

Big Daddy’s closed at the Upper West Side storefront seven years ago in 2019. But the signage for the burger joint never was fully removed, possibly due to the long-term sidewalk shed.

Here’s what the front of Dagon now looks like.

The front of Dagon. Photo by Gus Saltonstall.

Dagon does not sell burgers, shakes, or tots.

The removal of the sidewalk shed also means unobstructed views of Carmine’s.

The front of Carmine’s. Photo by Gus Saltonstall.

Unfortunately, it appears that the removal of the sidewalk shed is only temporary.

Permits were filed on July 31, 2026, at both 2450 Broadway (Carmine’s) and 2454 Broadway (Dagon) for the “proposed installation of a heavy-duty sidewalk shed.” Then, on August 11, permits were filed at the addresses for the “installation of temporary wiring and lighting for sidewalk shed.”

This means a sidewalk shed will most likely return to the block in the near future.

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