NOW

The 1950’s style eatery churns out perfectly toasted bagels, pancakes, and homefries, as well as greasy hamburgers and milkshakes. The restaurant’s name is a combination of Eric J. Levine and business partner Jay Silver. Eric followed in his father's footsteps in the restaurant business. Growing up, he worked in various restaurants, then tested out a series of different career paths before turning back to the restaurants. Similarly, his father fell in love with the business during adulthood and ran a successful seafood grill. The original EJ’s opened on the UWS in 1990, and became one of the pioneers in resurrecting Amsterdam Avenue. Likewise, their location on the East Side has become a staple within the community. Eric is proud to run an independent business, despite how difficult it is. EJ’s is open every single day of the year. “There’s a lot of love and attention put into it… We make food to make people happy.” When questioned about his continued passion for running the restaurant, Eric reigned in emotion like a true New Yorker and quipped, “It’s better than being in a dentist’s office!”

THEN

Built in 1870 as a group of four five-story brownstones, 1271 Third Avenue has been home to many businesses in its 150 years. In the late 19th century, John Kinsella’s laundry was damaged by a fire here; a liquor store owned by John Hennessey participated in a Red Cross WWI fundraising drive in 1918, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (which became A&P) sported large ads for Ritz Crackers in the 1940s; Café 201 opened again in 1971 after closure by the city’s Department of Health; Rusty’s Restaurant was listed in the Stars’ Restaurant Guide of Daily News in 1989 ; and EJ’s Luncheonette has been a local favorite since the early 1990s. Rarely seen on the UES avenues, the four 19th-century brownstones still stand on their prominent corner of East 73rd Street. While window enframements have been removed, three of them, including 1271 still sport a detailed sheet metal cornice.