Lexington Candy Shop Since 1925 Winter 2017 Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Owner of Lexington Candy Shop (his grandfather was the founder), John Philis, one of our FAVORITES!!!!
AND HE LOVES HOCKEY!!! Are you reading NHL Peachy?!
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What should you be doing on a balmy summer day in Manhattan in February?
You should go see our friend John and have an ice cream soda, a cheeseburger and a nice Greek salad to balance it all out. When you have those three goals, it will be a hat trick in your stomach. It would only be a Gordie Howe hat trick if you also got in a fight and an assist, but no fighting here! No reason either. Lexington Candy Shop is one of the happiest places in New York and if you have the mean reds, there are more places to go than only Tiffany's (also great!). By the way, it's not a candy shop: it's a luncheonette.
"92 years and better than ever!" John Philis tells Whom You Know readers. "My grandfather would probably be shaking his head over things like the fact that we sell bottled water in the middle of New York City, the prices of different things, and what the rent is now. The fact that we have seven people on staff would make him happy because of business being good or he'd say we're inefficient compared to his skills! They never had this many people. My grandfather would be blown away by the importance of social media today and that restaurants have sole positions for social media professionals."
John and Lexington Candy Ship exemplify quintessential New York, Americana and the world you want to live in. Some of his competitors have monster egos about how great their business is, but John is super down-to-earth and is a pillar of the Upper East Side and it's clear when you're in his presence that people are lining up to talk to him. They want to because he's a nice guy and his food and atmosphere are fabulous.
Any time we see a wonderful old business of New York close, we cry. It breaks our heart when one-of-a-kind institutions close (RIP Mimi's which was a block away), but it makes our heart sing when we see great places like the Lexington Candy Shop, established by current owner John Philis's grandfather in 1925 thrive.
Lexington Candy Shop is loved by the world, and most recently it appeared in CBS's series Elementary. It has been in innumerable television shows, movies and commercials over the years and if you have never been, you must go see our friend John.
He and Lexington Candy Shop are so important to New York.
And their ice cream sodas are so important to your stomach and ultimately, your personal happiness! We ordered a coffee milk shake and we loved it. John uses Bassett's Ice Cream and his own bespoke private blend of coffee syrup using Vassilaros coffee. If you had Peachy's email inbox you would be making fast friends with this cool little number quite quickly. It is simply the best ice cream soda you can have anywhere. You know he's got the special blenders and this is a real life soda fountain that will transport you back in time. John tells us they pick and choose quality products for each of their creations and nothing generic is ever used.
We expect our favorite places to update their menu seasonally, except for this one. If your grandfather created your restaurant and you've got something as special as this, you should never change it either. However, the newest creation is still the wonderfully fresh Greek salad which boasts halved cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, chopped romaine, feta from Greece and kalamata olives. It's dressed the nines in olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Lexington Candy Shop was first featured in 2012:
and it was most recently featured last summer:
Of course it lives high in the ranks of Peachy's Picks, which only the best from Terrific Takeout graduate to. If we talk about a place once only, you should wonder. If we can't stop talking about it like this, you should not be able to stop going there because they are the best of the best.
We love cheeseburgers and they are amazing at Lexington Candy Shop. John uses certified Angus Beef from Schweid and Sons and sesame seed buns from Orwashers. This is a cheeseburger dream with mozzarella, onion, lettuce and tomato and after the milkshake, had a very short life.
Not only is the food and atmosphere fabulous, but you can also talk hockey with John which gets anyone huge, huge bonus points. Good luck to his son and his shoulder surgery. We only body check verbally here....Hockey matters.
And so does the best ice cream soda in Manhattan made by one of our favorites!
WE LOVE LEXINGTON CANDY SHOP!!!
