{"id":2787,"date":"2025-10-15T02:01:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T02:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/2787\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T02:01:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T02:01:19","slug":"waiting-on-line-for-meals-is-latest-nyc-trend-with-eager-diners-starving-in-hourslong-queues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/2787\/","title":{"rendered":"Waiting on line for meals is latest NYC trend \u2014 with eager diners starving in hourslong queues"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a city that prides itself on moving fast, nothing\u2019s slower \u2014 or suddenly trendier \u2014 than waiting on line.<\/p>\n

These days, it seems that New Yorkers will stand around and wait for just about anything \u2014 a bagel, a buzzy bowl of noodles, or the vague promise of \u201cvibes.\u201d<\/p>\n

From hourslong lines for dinner at downtown hot spots to pancake-loving crowds rising early for brunch all over town, one of the world\u2019s quickest-paced places has fallen in love with standing still.<\/p>\n

\"Anya<\/p>\n

Anya Kerr (left) and twins Audrey and Evelyn Gray, all 16, made a special trip into the city from Bergen County, NJ, to wait on line at Breakfast by Salt\u2019s Cure in the West Village. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

Why, exactly? Did a New York minute suddenly get a whole lot longer? Experts say that the slow-moving trend isn\u2019t just about the food.<\/p>\n

\u201cRestaurants are more than just a place to eat right now \u2014 they\u2019re a place to show how high you rank on the status totem pole,\u201d NYC food scene insider Andrea Strong of the Strong Buzz<\/a> told The Post.<\/p>\n

\u201cLines in the restaurant industry have to do with status \u2014 the status that the restaurant holds in the diner\u2019s mind and the status the restaurant gives the diner when they post it on social media,\u201d the long-time local critic said.<\/p>\n

Like it or not, says Queens culinary consultant Joe DiStefano, the \u201cbig, dumb line\u201d has become a fixture of city dining. Like that classic \u201cSeinfeld\u201d episode \u201cThe Chinese Restaurant\u201d \u2014\u00a0where Jerry, George and Elaine spend the night waiting for a table that never opens \u2014\u00a0New Yorkers are turning the agony of waiting into an unexpected badge of honor.<\/p>\n

\u201cLines have been a fact of New York City dining life at old-school places like Katz\u2019s and Emilio\u2019s Ballato, but post-pandemic, they\u2019ve exploded \u2014 bakeries, restaurants, you name it, in almost every borough,\u201d DiStefano said.<\/p>\n

\"Tavitha<\/p>\n

Tavitha Remo and Louise Fong were waiting on line at Ha\u2019s Snack Bar on the Lower East Side even before the restaurant opened, hoping for their chance at a seat. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

The gasoline on the fire, he told The Post, is social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cSocial media and influencer hype have a huge impact on people lining up \u2014\u00a0look at what happened to Ceres Pizza<\/a> after Dave Portnoy gave it a rave review,\u201d he said, recalling one of downtown\u2019s biggest viral hits in recent months.<\/p>\n

The waiting, Strong said, is part of the thrill.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Gen Z, the line is part of the vibe,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt\u2019s another opportunity to post a Reel or something online to show how it feels and what it\u2019s like.\u201d<\/p>\n

At 5 p.m. on a recent Friday, theory met reality on the Lower East Side, in a line of 15 would-be diners hoping for a seat at the award-winning Ha\u2019s Snack Bar (297 Broome St.) \u2014 30 minutes before the doors opened.<\/p>\n

Some clutched tote bags, others sipped iced coffee, all united by one goal: a seat inside the city\u2019s trendiest French-Vietnamese spot serving sweetbread vol au vent, pho-inspired onion soup and p\u00e2t\u00e9 chaud.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s worth waiting in line for,\u201d gushed Gen Zer Tavitha Remo, proudly first on line with pal Louise Fong at 4:35. \u201cThey always change their menu \u2014 it\u2019s always a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York is known for keeping things at a quick pace \u2014 but now, it\u2019s slowing down to wait in line at dive-y but acclaimed restaurants \u2014 like Kiki\u2019s on Division Street in Lower Manhattan. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

Fong wasn\u2019t so sure \u2014\u00a0taking a when-in-Rome attitude toward the affair.<\/p>\n

\u201cNormally, I wouldn\u2019t wait longer than 10 minutes,\u201d she declared. \u201cBut this feels like such a New York thing. Around the corner, people are waiting just to go to a hair salon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Further down the queue, Natalia MacAdams had a more philosophical take. \u201cI refuse to wait in lines generally, but I did want to come here. When I got here at 5:07, there was already a big line, but I\u2019m staying in it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"After<\/p>\n

After waiting on line, Ana Realmuto and Anna Gale share a meal at one of the outdoor tables at Ha\u2019s Snack Bar. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s also something romantic about being crammed elbow-to-elbow in a tiny New York space. We spend so much time isolated<\/a>, so being human-to-human \u2014 especially post-COVID \u2014 is lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

While none of these brave line-waiters had a reservation, Ha\u2019s Snack Bar opens its reservations about 20 days in advance \u2014 and they\u2019re gone faster than a dumpling special at closing time.<\/p>\n

Your best shot? Line up early and pray for a walk-in. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and if you show up by 4:45 or earlier, you might snag a coveted seat.<\/p>\n

\"Remo<\/p>\n

Remo and Fong get their turn at one of the coveted Ha\u2019s Snack Bar tables. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

The thrill of the chair chase is all part of the experience, said Dr. Deborah Vinall<\/a>, chief psychological officer with Recovered \u2014\u00a0and the experience is about feeling good.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong lines outside unique venues give a sense of exclusivity and specialness,\u201d Vinall said. \u201cMany people associate their sense of self-worth with access to more privileged experiences. If something is harder to get, whether through a higher price or a long wait, it signals to many that it is precious, and therefore obtaining it is a positive reflection of your own value.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cSocial media increases our FOMO (fear of missing out) and our desire to demonstrate that we are exciting or interesting people who get to experience special things. For many people, the long wait is a worthy trade-off to take a selfie with the exclusive food or at the trendy restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

On that same Friday night and just a few blocks away, another long line had formed by 6:45 p.m. \u2014 this time for Greek favorite Kiki\u2019s<\/a> (130 Division St.), where the wait for a table can stretch as long as a ferry to Santorini.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 100% worth the wait for Kiki\u2019s,\u201d said Upper West Sider Andrea Engemann, who was the fourth on line of about 25 people.<\/p>\n

\"Upper<\/p>\n

Upper West Sider Andrea Engemann is a big fan of Kiki\u2019s, on the Lower East Side, calling it \u201c100% worth the wait\u201d \u2014 she brought date Filippo Massobrio to dinner. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

\u201cThe prices are great, the cheesecake\u2019s amazing \u2014 it\u2019s walk-in only, so waiting to get your name in is just what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added, \u201cPersonally, I would wait more than an hour for the experience of it all. It can be overwhelming but so exciting. You get to try cool food here in New York, and I think it\u2019s worth it to wait in a long line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her date, Filippo Massobrio, agreed \u2014 up to a point.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s more than an hour, I\u2019m usually not waiting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, if there\u2019s a line outside, it usually means there\u2019s an infatuation about the place, and it\u2019s worth trying when you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Experts<\/p>\n

Experts say it\u2019s not just about the food \u2014 New Yorkers are finding the time to wait on lines because of the perception of elevated status for having experienced a restaurant. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

Engemann and Massobrio even got their family on board to wait in line during the chilly autumn evening.<\/p>\n

Massobrio\u2019s parents, Monica and Max Massobrio, were visiting from Italy and didn\u2019t mind waiting on the \u201cexciting\u201d New York line.<\/p>\n

Andrea\u2019s mom, Amanda Engemann, who traveled from Fairfield, Connecticut, to dine at Kiki\u2019s, was also game. \u201cIf my daughter says a line is worth it, I\u2019m in,\u201d she said with a laugh. \u201cI guess patience is part of the meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kiki\u2019s skips reservations \u2014 it\u2019s walk-in or forget it.<\/p>\n

For this group of five, waiting on line was part of the night\u2019s plan. Andrea said that she knew the wait could stretch \u201cup to two hours,\u201d so she practically \u201cran to the restaurant just to put\u201d her name down.<\/p>\n

\"Engemann<\/p>\n

Engemann and Massobrio keep an eye on the time \u2014 telling The Post that for them, the long wait was part of the evening\u2019s experience. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

The beloved Lower East Side spot dishes out classic Greek comfort food \u2014 like juicy lamb, ocean-fresh seafood and wine \u2014 in a space so rustic-chic it feels straight out of Mykonos.<\/p>\n

However, there\u2019s just enough chaos outside to always remind you \u2014 you\u2019re still in New York.<\/p>\n

The next morning, a soggy line of 20 stretched down Morton Street for Breakfast by Salt\u2019s Cure<\/a> \u2014 even in the pouring rain. The West Village location of the burgeoning bicoastal mini-chain runs on pure chaos: no reservations, walk in, order at the counter, then stake your claim on a seat.<\/p>\n

First come, first served \u2014 and yes, fans say those pancakes are worth the scramble.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The wait for a table at Kiki\u2019s can stretch as long as a summer ferry to Santorini. Stefano Giovannini<\/p>\n

Sisters Evelyn and Audrey Gray and their friend Anya Kerr had hitched a ride from Bergen County, New Jersey, just to try the spot\u2019s internet-famous pancakes. The three 16-year-olds said that standing on line wasn\u2019t a drag \u2014 it was social hour on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, it\u2019s more fun waiting in line for food in New York than at the post office,\u201d Kerr quipped. \u201cIt\u2019s always worth it at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her friend Audrey agreed. \u201cWhen there\u2019s a long line, there\u2019s definitely something worth it inside,\u201d she said. \u201cWe wait no matter what \u2014 it\u2019s part of the fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hottest restaurant lines in NYC right nowGolden Diner<\/p>\n

Global diner menu gone viral \u2014\u00a0with two-hour lines for honey butter pancakes.<\/p>\n

123 Madison St., Lower East Side<\/p>\n

Kisa<\/p>\n

No-frills menu of nostalgic Korean cooking sizzles like Seoul in summer.<\/p>\n

205 Allen St., Lower East Side<\/p>\n

Cocina Consuelo<\/p>\n

Soulful, no-reservations Mexican spot is drawing crowds far uptown.<\/p>\n

130 Hamilton Pl., Hamilton Heights<\/p>\n

Fiaschetteria Pistoia<\/p>\n

Cozy twin Tuscan trattorias with housemade pastas \u2014\u00a0and serious staying power.<\/p>\n

647 E 11th St, East Village; 114 Christopher St., West Village<\/p>\n

L\u2019Industrie<\/p>\n

Pizza with a modern twist \u2014\u00a0some of the most-wanted pies in NYC.<\/p>\n

254 S. 2nd St., Williamsburg; 104 Christopher St., West Village<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a city that prides itself on moving fast, nothing\u2019s slower \u2014 or suddenly trendier \u2014 than waiting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2788,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[3325,3328,3326,3327,9,56,63,65,64,3324,3323],"class_list":["post-2787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-andrea-strong","tag-filippo-massobrio","tag-louise-fong","tag-max-massobrio","tag-new-york","tag-ny","tag-nyc","tag-nyc-headlines","tag-nyc-news","tag-snack-bar","tag-stefano-giovannini"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}