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Goodbye Chop Chop Grub Shop on Nostrand, near St. Marks and Dean — Brooklynian

Goodbye Chop Chop Grub Shop on Nostrand, near St. Marks and Dean

whynot_31
whynot_31
edited December 2014 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Photo: Yelp

You know that French Fish place at 638 Nostrand, near St. Marks? ...The one that was never open, when you walked by? Well, it is officially closed. A place called Chop Chop Grub Shop has just opened up. And a poster from Yelp states:
Chop Chop opened 5 days ago after a renovation. It has been busy the few times I have walked by since the opening. It's a small space with 6 counter seats facing the street which is great for people watching. There is a nice display of pastries by the register but the kitchen is visible in the rear and the dish washing sink on the side (docking half a star for appearance). Friendly cashier who recommended the lobster roll and said a customer has ordered it the last 4 days. The menu offers breakfast, sandwiches, salads, dinner and sides. I ordered the Lobster Roll and the Duck Torta for my boyfriend to go.Although the food did get a little cold from my walk home of one block, the food was delicious. The Lobster Roll had great flavor and nice chunks of lobsters but not quality or quantity for the $12 price IMO (another half star). Not sure what kind of bread it was, but it was nicely toasted with a slight amount of butter. Dish came with side salad and fries which had a nice crunch. The Duck Torta consisted of duck confit with a fried egg on I think a brioche bun. Egg was cooked perfectly with the yolk running all over with the first bite. The duck was very tasty and tender. It also came with the same side salad and fries. Friends also got the Sausage Roll and the Cajun Club which were also delicious according to them.We were very satisfied with the food and not overly stuffed. Everything tasted fresh, was delicious and well cooked. I would highly recommend this place and hope it stays open longer than the restaurant previously located here. It's a great addition to the neighborhood. I definitely want to go back and try the breakfast and dinner.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chop-chop-grub-shop-brooklyn
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Comments

  • tsarina
    tsarina
    Had the skirt steak with potato and parsnip mash and brussel sprouts. Good. and had the special banana walnut pancakes for breakfast. Love them. Open early - open late. Good food. whats not to like? It is a tiny space so get over seeing the sink and kitchen. Geez!
  • basketballfan
    basketballfan
    I had a tasty sandwich (cujan club)  excellent flavors   the shop is on Nostrand Av & St Marks Ave.   Not expensive ,  staff friendly And they deliver  I will go back.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited February 2014


    Yelp readers seem to continue to like it too. http://m.yelp.com/biz/chop-chop-grub-shop-brooklyn
  • tsarina
    tsarina
    tHE location is NOSTRAND between DEAN and BERGEN.
  • the invisible lines
    the invisible lines
    I finally stopped in to try this place out last night.  I got the sausage sandwich, and it was awesome; however, the menu listed the type of sausage as weisswurst.  I was born in Bavaria and we had weisswurst for breakfast every day . . . it wasn't weisswurst.  It tasted like an Italian sausage, and not a German one.  And definitely not a weisswurst which has a very distinct flavor and color.  While disappointed to not suddenly fall upon a childhood favorite in my 'hood, the sandwich was delicious regardless and I'll definitely be going back. 
  • tsarina
    tsarina
    Ask him what it was.  I had the buttermilk fried sweetbreads with brussel slaw and sprouts. WOW!  It was on special today.  I liked it better than the lobster roll.  So creamy delicate and delicious.  worth every penny.
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Mr. Crownheightser and I tried Chop Chop Grub Shop on Friday for dinner, and it was fantastic. We got the duck torta sandwich and cajun catfish club to go. The sandwiches were delicious. The duck torta was filled with tender duck confit and fresh greens and the cajun catfish club was nicely cooked and balanced with pan-friend catfish, crispy bacon, and juicy tomato. Both sandwiches came with well-seasoned french fries and a mesclun salad. Guess how much it cost? A cool $20! Fantastic quality at a great value. If this is the future of Nostrand Ave, sign me up now. All they need is a cool awning or signage, and the proprietors of Chop Chop should develop into a really successful business.
  • prospectnostrand
    prospectnostrand
    I went to Chop Chop a few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon. I found all of the employees very friendly and I ordered a Catfish club just like crownheightster. I ordered mine to go and took it the few blocks home. Unfortunately when I got home, the sandwich's grease had gotten all over the sandwich and the bacon was overcooked (I believe). I ate what I could and enjoyed the fries, but will not be buying fried sandwiches like this to go from now on. I will still definitely try this place, especially looking forward to breakfast here sometime, but the first try did let me down a bit.
  • epiclylaterd
    epiclylaterd
    The misses and I just ordered from here tonight based on the forum talk and Yelp reviews. The Cuban sandwich, spicy salmon and spinach salad with beets/fried green tomatoes was delicious!! So tasty.
  • nothinlikeabklyngirl
    nothinlikeabklyngirl
    chop chop
    (Photo from a post to their Facebook page)



  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Although probably not intentional, this has earned them a lot of press.

  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Although the sign show a pretty bad lapse in judgement, I hope their business is not killed by this controversy. I love their food and would be sad to see them go....
  • bklyndroobeki
    bklyndroobeki
    Not intentional?
    right...
  • bklyndroobeki
    bklyndroobeki
    chop chop
    (Photo from a post to their Facebook page)

    What were they thinking?!!


    Besides the fact that I've heard their food is disgusting.
    Now I'll never find out if it's true. Deplorable.
  • mugofmead111
    mugofmead111
    edited August 2014
    Although the sign show a pretty bad lapse in judgement
    To say the least. No one paid any attention to the headlines about the debate and the court cases over Stop and Frisk? Way to alienate a portion of your potential customers!
  • newguy88
    newguy88
    Am I the only person who thinks that these controversies surrounding restaurant signs are often blown out of proportion? Poor judgment? Yes. Deserving of a various news stories? No. *ducks under desk*
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2014
    When businesses are controversial on purpose, they tend to gain other customers: The Chick-Fil-A stance re: gay marriage comes to mind.

    In that instance, it seems as if they knew they would lose customers who support gay marriage, but gain those who did not.

    It is hard for me to believe that such a calculation was made re: the local customer base re: Stop and Frisk.

    ....Quinn's support of Bloomberg's use of Stop and Frisk likely caused her to lose the election. It isn't something a restaurant should haphazardly joke about.

    Only Storage companies can get away with joking about politics on their ads!
    http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/tag/manhattan-mini-storage/


  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2014
    Newguy-
    Brokelyn, Gothamist, and Brooklynian are for entertainment only. News no longer exists.

  • tsarina
    tsarina
    chop chop
    (Photo from a post to their Facebook page)

    What were they thinking?!!


    Besides the fact that I've heard their food is disgusting.
    Now I'll never find out if it's true. Deplorable.
    well whoever told you the food is disgusting doesnt know what they are talking about. There are plenty of restaurants on Nostrand Avenue you can say that about, but this isn't one of them. and just because you heard it doesn't make it a fact.  But your statement says more about you than the nice people at Chop Chop.
  • nothinlikeabklyngirl
    nothinlikeabklyngirl
    I've had their food and enjoyed it. And I thought the people working there when I went were lovely. I also love word play more than the next girl. I even have a Facebook photo album dedicated to fun food signs -- like Bottlerocket wine shop's "Game of Rhones" sign and Sur La Table's "Peas on Earth" holiday gift cards. 

    But this sign is offensive. At the very least, it's totally tone deaf for a new business to put this up in a neighborhood that's made news for its history of stop and frisk (http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130205/crown-heights/one-brooklyn-neighborhood-two-very-different-faces-of-stop-and-frisk). 


  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2014
    The thing about something being offensive is that it isn't always consciously done. And, even when consciously done, it can have a different effect than desired.    

    Of course, everyone gets to opine on whether we think they knew (or should have known) the impact of their actions.

    When such actions reach the level of bigotry, we get to assign the speaker a type using this handy 1-7 guide. Not sure that guide is applicable here, but I thought I'd link it:

    http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/01/the-7-types-of-modern-american-bigots.html
  • booklaw
    booklaw
    I would guess (in the total absence of actual facts) that the shopkeepers at Chop Shop may have overestimated the degree of gentrification of their neighborhood... i.e. they might be so focused on their preferred gentrified demographic that they are blissfully unaware of the feelings of those neighbors who do not fit within that demographic. In which case they may be shamefully insensitive, without being at all evil.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2014
    Do you think # 6 will make an appearance on Brokelyn, Gothamist, or on Brooklynian in response to this sign?

    I've think I've seen # 6 around these parts, and am pretty sure that s/he has good intentions.
  • tsarina
    tsarina
    I've had their food and enjoyed it. And I thought the people working there when I went were lovely. I also love word play more than the next girl. I even have a Facebook photo album dedicated to fun food signs -- like Bottlerocket wine shop's "Game of Rhones" sign and Sur La Table's "Peas on Earth" holiday gift cards. 

    But this sign is offensive. At the very least, it's totally tone deaf for a new business to put this up in a neighborhood that's made news for its history of stop and frisk (http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130205/crown-heights/one-brooklyn-neighborhood-two-very-different-faces-of-stop-and-frisk). 

    And anyone who doesn't understand why it's a big deal should read this: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/guest-stop-and-frisk-abuses-feel-powerless-neighborhoods-article-1.1303990#utoce6oBlCZySyRP.97


    And this: http://www.bkreader.com/2014/02/bloggers-corner-coming-from-where-im-from-gun-violence-prison-trauma-and-gentrification-pt-ii/
    When I passed by the sign, I thought " not the greatest line", But I know these people and know that no offense was meant.  
     Thanks for sharing the articles, (the brooklyn ink link didnt work)  
    At least it has given us an opportunity to share views and gain insight and perspective on our lovely neighborhood.  Gotta go out and check the shooting on the corner of st. marks and bedford.
  • mugofmead111
    mugofmead111
    I would guess (in the total absence of actual facts) that the shopkeepers at Chop Shop may have overestimated the degree of gentrification of their neighborhood... i.e. they might be so focused on their preferred gentrified demographic that they are blissfully unaware of the feelings of those neighbors who do not fit within that demographic. In which case they may be shamefully insensitive, without being at all evil.
    That illustrates one of the complaints that some long-time residents may have about gentrifiers- i.e. gentrifiers coming in and trying to mold the neighborhood to their likes/dislikes without giving much thought of long-time residents who are of a different demographic.  (Spike Lee alluded to this in his infamous rant.) 

    If Chop Chop Grub Shop wants to try to attract a certain demographic, that's within their rights, but this sign was a tone-deaf way of doing so (at the very least). Not good. 
  • nothinlikeabklyngirl
    nothinlikeabklyngirl
    Here's the working Brooklyn Ink link @tsarina: http://thebrooklynink.com/2013/02/08/51362-brooklyn-fares-worst-in-stop-and-frisk-incidents-says-new-police-report/

    I do think the discussion around it, here at least (the comments on other sites are pretty crazy), was a positive opportunity to learn about some of the different perspectives/experiences in the neighborhood. 

    And I agree that no offense was meant, but also feel they should have known better. FYI, they shared their side in this DNA Info story: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140807/crown-heights/sign-urges-diners-stop-frisk-your-appetite-at-crown-heights-eatery.  

    And issued an apology -- one I think is a really good one -- on their Facebook page:

    "Last week, in an effort to showcase our specials, we used a messaging topic around the controversial policy of 'Stop and Frisk'. While the signage has since been replaced, we would like to acknowledge the feelings and concerns of our patrons and neighbors and apologize to those whom we have offended. It was never our intention to promote or condone any policy or make light of any social issue. From our delivery drivers to business owners, we are a diverse team that works hard to provide a great customer experience while offering fresh and seasonal selections to a diverse community and when we fall short, we'll always do our best to make it right." 

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    That works for me.
  • clayfilms
    clayfilms
    chop chop
    (Photo from a post to their Facebook page)

    What were they thinking?!!


    Wow. How culturally insensitive can you be? I'd be willing to be a tooth that Malcolm & Otis have never been profiled, stopped and frisked. Dudes were probably trying to be funny but they just lost a customer. 
  • tsarina
    tsarina
    Oh come on!  Have you never said anything stupid your entire life?  They did and they apologized, and their entire multicultural staff wants to get back to business providing flavorful food to the community.  Have a little christian charity and find it in your heart to forgive.

  • goldemi1
    goldemi1
    At worst it was just a bad attempt at humor, and more likely much ado about nothing.  Sadly there are people who read a blog and want to rush to ruin a business, as you can see from some new yelp reviews and the person above saying they have horrible food.  

    I'd hope that those who support their business, go put positive reviews on yelp to counter the a.holes. These folks opened a nice spot in the community, serve it, and hire from within it.  
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