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netphemera t1_j9ujuo6 wrote

I need to watch this. I also miss that place.

32

Elegant_Operation820 t1_j9ujv1r wrote

Saw this about 16 years ago. For some reason or other I think about it almost every day.

54

r00t1 t1_j9unq7o wrote

blisters on my sister!

10

BLT5000 t1_j9unuo8 wrote

I remember this one from back in the day. Good flick

9

glue715 t1_j9unyq5 wrote

This documentary is excellent! I have been working in restaurants for years, and I picked up so many tricks from watching this. For instance- you can drill out the jets in a gas stove to increase the gas flow… Or how about set a spatula over the burner- until it is red hot, then dust a pancake in sugar and use the red hot spatula to caramelize the sugar.

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YolksOnU t1_j9urvd7 wrote

RIP Kenny Shopsin :(

Here's a passage from a New Yorker piece on him. The man was clearly the best kind of a menace and at the same time living the dream of anyone that's ever worked in a restaurant.

>"One evening, when the place was nearly full, I saw a party of four come in the door; a couple of them may have been wearing neckties, which wouldn’t have been a plus in a restaurant whose waitress used to wear a T-shirt that said “Die Yuppie Scum.” Kenny took a quick glance from the kitchen and said, “No, we’re closed.” After a brief try at appealing the decision, the party left, and the waitress pulled the security gate partway down to discourage other latecomers.

>”It’s only eight o’clock,” I said to Kenny.

>”They were nothing but strangers,” he said.

>”I think those are usually called customers,” I said. “They come here, you give them food, they give you money. It’s known as the restaurant business.”

>Kenny shrugged. “Fuck ‘em,” he said."

Fucking legend.

307

andrew190877 t1_j9us7pg wrote

I just tracked down a copy of this DVD last week! Thanks for posting this so I can send it to friends.

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LouQuacious t1_j9ut4kv wrote

Replying to Elegant_Operation820 (#1,969,942)

I had a chance to eat there in mid 2000s, it was a very unique experience. Chatted with the sons and the old man was napping in the entryway, you had to step over his outstretched legs to enter and exit.

I had pancakes with Mac-n-Cheese and bacon and maple syrup and other accoutrements.

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Ass-fault t1_j9uv39z wrote

Sorry to be the grammar police but it's spelled restaurateur. For some weird reason there is no "n".

14

zangor t1_j9uyml5 wrote

So what the fucks the deal? Does a non-choppy version of this documentary just NOT exist?

11

Ass-fault t1_j9uyntl wrote

Replying to maxkmiller (#1,971,987)

Thanks for the kind and polite reply. I'm always afraid of being attacked for pointing something like that out, you know, Reddit. I would want someone to let me know though so I shared with you fine human.

15

fuzzyshorts t1_j9v0ro6 wrote

A buddy took me here a long time ago. I used to work in advertising but my pal was a connoiseur (sic) of all the old New York "jernts". so glad i got to experience it once in my life.

5

louis_etal t1_j9v2n6a wrote

His place was incredible. A tiny kitchen churning out an impossible number of different dishes that, in my experiences, did not have a loser among them.

Once I was eating alone in there and he was casually bullshitting around chatty until a guy and girl came in and started taking pictures of everything. He then fixated on the guy with an honestly scary intensity. After a while he walked over and just said, "maybe this isn't the place for you." The couple thought he was joking and tried to laugh it off. He 100% was not joking. They left all but quaking in their boots.

It was strange because I loved the place and always had a terrific, unique time that WAS Kenny for better or in the case of the couple, for worse. There wasn't a filter. Few places exist like that anymore.

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HUFFRAID t1_j9v4h2e wrote

His cookbook “Eat Me” is worth checking out.

4

Stinkfingr75 t1_j9v5uac wrote

I may be way wrong, but I think this the first piece of original content that Netflix produced.

23

Sla5021 t1_j9v7nou wrote

It's OK to not be so fucking perfect.

I think about that all the time.

6

Rusto_Dusto t1_j9v8c45 wrote

One of my all-time favorite docs. Bought his cookbook. Famous for his pancakes. He uses Aunt Jemima frozen batter! “It’s HOW you cook them, not WHAT you use.” Wow. Highly recommend this doc.

17

BrightThru2014 t1_j9v8ekm wrote

Is there a version with subtitles (sorry I have hearing issues which makes it hard to follow the words)

4

GoodDecision t1_j9v9iq7 wrote

Replying to glue715 (#1,970,677)

This is my all-time favorite documentary. I watch it a few times a year. I have Kenny's book, a Shopsins menu printed on a decorative towel, and this little plastic stencil for "make your own spaghetti and meatballs" art. All were available to buy from them online a year or so ago.

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AbuDhabiBabyBoy t1_j9vca58 wrote

I love this movie so much, I bought his cookbook, and one of his daughter's books

6

itsbacony t1_j9vgeu3 wrote

Replying to LouQuacious (#1,971,598)

I met him around the same time and he was sleeping on a stool in the entrance as well. I ordered an "Auntie" and his son made fun of how I pronounced it. We laughed at that and Kenny woke up. I had seen the documentary at that point and knew a bit about him so I was a little intimidated. We ended up talking for almost an hour about everything and anything. He made me an Orange Julius. What a great guy he was.

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mdonaberger t1_j9vr0c5 wrote

I miss Shopsin's. It was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to, and I am still in disbelief that they could support a menu that large. Superhuman ability.

44

Realsizelady t1_j9vt3eq wrote

I was just trying to think of what this was called about 2 months ago!! And I couldn’t remember it!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

4

avidrhl t1_j9w1pim wrote

Shopsin’s is still around, last I checked, run by Kenny’s kids - in Essex Market. Not quite the same, for sure, but still worth checking out.

19

TheQueefGoblin t1_j9w220e wrote

Replying to glue715 (#1,970,677)

> drill out the jets in a gas stove to increase the gas flow

Except the jets are calibrated to be a specific size for optimum oxygen/gas mixture. By changing them you're potentially causing less gas to combust and therefore literally poisoning the atmosphere of the kitchen.

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Northstar1989 t1_j9w2jpy wrote

Replying to YolksOnU (#1,971,372)

One wonders what could have happened if someone pointed this absolute unit of a man towards Socialism...

Gentrification is obviously a problem of Capitalism- and its unequal distribution of wealth and power. It sounds like this legend had rad levels of Class Consciousness even if he didn't know it or call it that...

If Albert friggin' Einstein could see the impacts of Capitalism on his work in physics and teaching grad students, and write a famous essay "Why Socislism?" (read it here), then surely a restaurateur who's worked to sustain himself by the sweat of his brow his whole life could have seen how it applied to his life as well...

−23

Iheardyoubutsowhat t1_j9w2vsm wrote

There are points in this doc where the ambiance of restaurant at its original location, summer and diners just really takes me to wonderfully nostalgic place that is so difficult to find in America

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burgersareon t1_j9w304t wrote

I've searched the internet many times over the last few years trying to find a place to watch this again, thank you so much!

10

Skrapp_Mettle t1_j9w60z5 wrote

Replying to okgarden (#1,979,394)

The director of this film has an impressive CV, he later directed music videos for tons of famous musicians like U2, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Tom Waits, Sting, Lou Reed, R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, Motley Crue, Marilyn Manson, etc.

10

WorldOwner t1_j9wa0ka wrote

Oh snap I watched this on Netflix back in the day, very good

2

demotivater t1_j9wawh4 wrote

Love this doc, I guess it was over a decade ago I saw it. Kenny was the inspiration for Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi", right? Eat Me cookbook is good as well.

2

BallLikeRalphSamson t1_j9wbmxg wrote

This doc stuck with me pretty hard seeing it as a young cook at the time. I still remember "it's easier to be an asshole and occasionally do nice things, then to always be a nice person" or something like that. Also whenever I make eggs I think about how egg whites feels like a pussy because of this doc

10

Northstar1989 t1_j9wbvc7 wrote

Replying to beedly (#1,981,232)

Fair enough...

He might have been a Socialist though. We don't know. There's a tendency to "sanitize" legends of anything that rubs against the power of elites...

After all, how many people know Albert Einstein was a lifelong Socialist? Here's an essay he wrote in 1949...

17

eenymeenymineyshemp t1_j9wd3g5 wrote

This is the first DVD I got from Netflix way back 2008/9. Probably one of the most entertaining and insightful docs I've ever watched, Kenny's philosophy and outlook on the world in general was refreshing and what a culinary madman.

5

allthewayfucked t1_j9wedit wrote

I saw this forever ago! Small and weird, but cool documentary.

2

ConstanceClaire t1_j9wg29f wrote

Replying to Ass-fault (#1,971,940)

So, I looked it up and both are fine. Without the 'n' is just the original French term, which language we got restaurant from as well, whereas with the 'n' is reasonably common, more-so in the US than the UK, (which is geographically and culturally close to France).

Going by our grammar it amounts to restaurant and eur, which functions the same as er in many English-based words, but gets used for words that we got from French. The suffix er just means 'do-er' or 'one who does'. So it makes sense that folks would lean towards the more English-ified version of the word. We kept the eur because it's a French word, but it's no different than someone who dances being a dancer or someone who owns being an owner.

1

thekillingjoker t1_j9wgzgt wrote

One of if not my time favorite documentary. Made me wanna be a cook even though I’ve never worked in a restaurant in my life.

2

BorisTheMansplainer t1_j9wjj07 wrote

Replying to glue715 (#1,970,677)

I can't tell if you're serious about drilling out gas jets, but for anyone else reading this, do some research into how precisely these holes are drilled for their intended output. And not just the size - the shape of the orifice greatly influences how much gas flows at a given pressure.

21

LBdeuce t1_j9wlf79 wrote

Thats was good. Would have like to seen how successful the move was for them

2

lolabuster t1_j9wn0mk wrote

Awesome documentary glad I never ate there though dude and I’m saying this as a cook I understand how things really go in the kitchen but there has to be more food safety than that lol

8

GoodDecision t1_j9wnjye wrote

Replying to DoubleSpy (#1,982,704)

"The first duty of everybody in life is to realize that they're a piece of shit..."

This whole diatribe fundamentally changed my outlook on things to an extent. And for the best. The man was a philosopher.

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mjc500 t1_j9wnq5y wrote

Will watch tomorrow

1

Throwaway021614 t1_j9woopb wrote

Next time you go to an Italian restaurant in NY, give the balsamic vinaigrette shaker a hard shake and see how many dead flies come out of it.

2

EstebanPossum t1_j9wqbrz wrote

Replying to Northstar1989 (#1,979,736)

The idea that a man who (checks notes) made his wages based on the idea that people with money spent lots of money on fancy food, would be relevant to Socialism is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in several weeks. You spoiled ass children with your Che Guevara tshirts need to look into what actually went down an ANY of the socialist nations before you speak your ignorant ass ideas. I’m fine if you want to suggest that we would be better being farmers than capitalists but the very idea that you can be a Socialist but also be a fancy chef is absolutely ridiculous

−26

xlnyc t1_j9wrkt3 wrote

THANK YOU!!!
Ive been trying to find this in an inexpensive physical copy. I grew up on the Lower East Side and this make me homesick, although gentrification has decimated my childhood neighborhood.
Plus Matt Mahurin is a creative genius.

3

BodePlotHole t1_j9wu7u4 wrote

I highly recommend his book.

It's the only cookbook you'll ever enjoy reading cover to cover.

And the recipes are tip-top.

3

BlackMetal81 t1_j9wvmxo wrote

I'm in my early 40s but found this when I was in my late 20s. Incredible doc indeed!!

1

TheDewd t1_j9x7iie wrote

Replying to itsbacony (#1,975,977)

Had the same experience. I ended up chatting with him for about an hour, and these were his movie recommendations: The horses mouth, Captain from paradise, Brazil, Battle of Algiers

8

SabashChandraBose t1_j9x9eql wrote

Replying to mdonaberger (#1,977,742)

I watched this around 2006 and went to NYC to eat there. But he has closed and only son was there. I stared at where the restaurant was supposed to be and the son asked me to scram. I felt like I got cheated in life.:(

18

Kamelasa t1_j9xe6ac wrote

Replying to CrookedCreek13 (#1,982,701)

I love how his pugnacious (dare I say NYC) attitude lives in the comments. Also I saw this documentary years ago and this is the first I've heard anyone else mention it. Feels good to share the love.

2

Raygunn13 t1_j9xgd56 wrote

At 1:09:55

"...it gets into a subject that really has not much to with me but has to do with humanity. a great lack in America... the great ^(uhh) belief that ^(uhh) was a flaw: once we lost our Christian background or whatever the fuck we had, we never as a country tried to figure out what the meaning of life is. We still don't. All these issues about terrorism, race, [inaudible], school prayer... it'd be a lot simpler if we had a meaning of life going for us. Not that that's easy to achieve but.. nobody seems to be looking! Am I with my busywork seeking to inject meaning into my life? ^(the fuck is the marinara sauce..) The way I choose to function is to pick an arbitrary stupid goal, become totally involved in it, and pursue it with vigor. And what happens to you in that pursuit is your life. Understand that it's stupid but not stupid to pursue because it's the only way you can inject meaning into your life. Otherwise you're left with this great 'why bother?'"
[I did my best to transcribe what I thought he was saying]

I'm getting Myth of Sisyphus vibes from this. The man has some pretty interesting insights for sure, and it's even more interesting to see his philosophies contextualized by the way he lives his life. Watching this doc I get the distinct sense that this is someone who knows himself very well.

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adviceKiwi t1_j9xgiyn wrote

Is this a legitimate hosting of a free to watch?

1

-Vagabond t1_j9xj0i6 wrote

Love this doc, one of my favorites. A lotta great lines, but I always remember (heavily paraphrasing from memory):

"Some guy might start his day with chocolate chips in his pancakes, then he goes to his job on wall street where he slaughters the third world"

and "I always try to remind my kids that they're pieces of shit. It takes the pressure off life. It's like having a new car, there's a lot of pressure not to scratch it, but once you get that first ding the pressure is off and you can actually enjoy it."

7

erbush1988 t1_j9xmrdc wrote

Crazy. I watched this in 2007 ish. I think about it regularly.

1

Northstar1989 t1_j9xnpm2 wrote

Replying to reelznfeelz (#1,989,158)

Because conservatives hate Socialism (even though they don't actually know what it is, having never read a page of Socialist theory in their lives...) and will bury any comment that mentions it, just so others don't get the chance to read it...

I guess I just refuse to be deterred by such people. I have a right to respectfully speak my mind. At least this sub doesn't have abusive moderators who go around censoring anything they disagree with... (and making up bogus reasons for bans)

1

thorneparke t1_j9xsy2y wrote

Replying to Raygunn13 (#1,988,125)

Filmed shortly after 9/11, I thought his insight that (to paraphrase) "after all this, the next enemy is destined to come from within" was really astute. He definitely was a philosopher in his own way.

18

mata_dan t1_j9xyftc wrote

Replying to shadowsurge (#1,980,189)

I wonder how much of that is indeed due to economic changes over time. Trying to make a profit off prepared food is er, a bit of a challenge to say the least. In cities the margins are usually pushed as close to just barely possible as they can be.

1

LordLargo t1_j9yc993 wrote

I watched this film short after its release when it came to Netflix. 2005-6 maybe? Changed my life. I have taken philosophies I have learned in this documentary and used them throughout my life ever since. I think of Kenny like a big brother or a cool uncle I never met, but had the chance to learn about at least. I love Kenny very much and will always regret not being able to try his food.

2

MrLoadin t1_j9yi9v0 wrote

Replying to Northstar1989 (#1,979,736)

Ah yes, a capitalist business owner well known for making his own decisions and not going with the societal standards, whom loved the power of personal ownership.

Totally a great choice for a potential socialist...

3

Real-Ad4878 t1_j9yiu2b wrote

This is a good documentary. Seen it a few years back

1

simply_fantastic t1_j9ywmok wrote

FYI there's a great series by Jamie McDonald called New York Originals that you can find clips of on YouTube. Was originally on PBS or something and I even ordered the DVDs directly from him. Beautifully captures New York gems and best kept secret type places similar to this that are slowly disappearing. They're a great watch and a very satisfying dopamine release of pure nostalgia.

2

TheSlipweasel t1_j9yww5p wrote

Stumbled across this doc by pure chance. Loved it. Went to NYC with my son a few years later and we seek out the new spot. We had Mac n cheese pancakes and a few other items. I asked about the ol man and the guys there said he was at home resting.

2

rexbuttz t1_j9zg7rm wrote

Replying to -Vagabond (#1,988,553)

It's hard to believe, but Netflix actually started in '97. I had already been a customer for years when this came out. Just one year later in 2007, they launched their streaming service in a limited capacity.

1

knackedgary t1_j9zrjuo wrote

I was able to make it to Shopsin's while he was still cooking. He's good friends (at the time there was a picture of them on his menu) with the owners of a restaurant I worked at up in Vermont. Kenny was incredibly sweet and talkative. The head chef I worked for was obsessed with him, and our restaurant carried a lot of his philosophies. It's was one of the best jobs I've ever had. My boss let me borrow his book - Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin. Highly recommend it. The guy was one of a kind.

1

shadowsurge t1_ja064fa wrote

Replying to mata_dan (#1,990,718)

That's part of it, but nowadays it's mostly a counter in an upscale food hall, the neighborhood they're in has rapidly gentrified in the past few decades and little eateries like that have trouble surviving.

1

autumnwontsleep t1_ja0srsu wrote

I watched this when it was on Netflix in 2010. It was so good.

1