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Been there a few times try to hit it up at least once whenever I'm in the city seen a lot of what people are talking about on here; people being thrown out, sworn at and whatnot but guess what every time they deserved it. The food is always great and off the wall creative; mac-n-cheese pancakes with eggs and bacon and maple syrup keeps me up nights on the west coast wishing I was only a train ride away in the morning and not a plane...All I can say is good luck to potential diners you'll have to go with the flow and remember to be a bunch of little Fonzies in there just BE COOL...

If I could give Shopsins zero stars, I would. A companion and I attempted to dine at Shopsins today for brunch. We each ordered one entree and one half entree (a full bread pudding french toast and a full blisters on my sisters, and a half slutty pancakes and a half mac & cheese pancakes - all things for which they are famous). The waiter informed us that this was too much food and the kitchen would not cook that much for just two people. He rudely challenged that he would only place the order for the entrees, and if we could finish the meal, then he would submit the order for additional food. We attempted to explain that we were aware of what we were ordering and were in fact capable of eating what we ordered. He still refused. Having never been to a restaurant who refused to serve paying customers what they ordered when the order was a standard menu item, we decided to leave. The waiter, as well as the two men working in the kitchen proceeded to yell at us, publicly, in front of other customers, telling us that they didn't want our business. They then challenged my companion to a physical altercation and told him to "get the #$% out of my restaurant," which is located in the Essex Market, a public space with multiple vendors. I have never experienced a restaurant who refused me service because they thought my order was too large, nor have I ever been sworn at and thrown out of a restaurant because I was attempting to order three entrees for two people. Clearly, this is a restaurant to which I will not return. While the "Soup Nazi" idea was funny in Seinfeld, it most certainly is not a good business practice in reality. Beware, though it seems some on yelp have gotten lucky and been served here, if the Shopsins staff doesn't approve of your order, you too may be refused, insulted, and challenged to a fight. We ended up at Stanton Social which was great. As an alternative on the LES, I'd wait for a table at Clinton Street Baking Co any day.

Admittedly, we were terrified to go due to horror stories heard about the gruff staff. But we didn't wait for a table more than 10 seconds, the waiter was cool to us and attentive enough. It probably helped that we had looked at the menu before heading in so we ordered quickly. The chocolate chip pancakes were perfect - generous portion, not too thick, and plenty of mini, sweet, delicious chips. My English muffin was burnt the perfect amount, coffee was refilled because I could even ask. My friend's eggs, noodles, and avocado were fresh and a very large portion. The grits were the perfect texture, but you've got to add butter - which was offered to us without asking. It was almost closing time and nobody made us feel rushed in the least either. Also a reasonable price - you can get a full, hearty brunch for less than $20 per person. No rudeness - just delicious, unique, reasonably priced food. All that fear for nothing!

I think people claim Shopsins to be some great experience because they feel its what they're supposed to say. I've eaten their food and I've watched how they 'serve' customers. The food is fine; it's worth the price. But what the staff does isn't cute, or silly, or 'typical New Yorkers'...it's offensive and and bordering illegal (allowing some customers to stay while turning others away for no reason). If you want to spend your money and support this type of establishment, then you ought never complain when a business treats you like crap again. Instead, you should thank them and ask for more; like Shopsin's regular customers seem to do.

If it is your first time at Shopsin's, look around... Absorb the people and what they are eating. The hardest thing to get past in this place is the "Front." Yah, you know what I'm talking about. The staff (which is pretty much all family) has this "Front" that you'll have to get past but don't be scared. Be cool and accept them for who they are because they are great people (just with a loud bark). Once you got that done, order ANYTHING. The menu looks like they threw everything together randomly but it's sooo good! The Cheese Burger Soup is my dish of choice. The Mac & Cheese pancakes are so yum. The Sneeky Pete will have you wishing you had more stomach space. And the Nutella Mocha Shake is da BOMB!! Fair warning, you must be adventerous to eat here. The Wife stole one of my sliders... please sir, can I have some more?

Been here twice. No more. The food is very good and different, in a mad-scientist sort of way. But even Kobe beef served atop a naked Penelope Cruz, followed by a selection of French farmhouse cheeses arrayed across Anne Hathaway, couldn't make up for the way I've seen customers treated. Don't believe any of the press hype the Shopsin family has gotten. They're all a bunch of soulless miscreants who believe that their restaurant is a stage on which they can take out, on the general public, their many frustrations. Some day, ol' Kenny will say the wrong thing to the wrong diner. So it goes.

I went here for the first time today and was absolutely horrified! I saw the owner turn away two customers (when the place was near empty) because they were asking too many questions. When they left they were called cunts out loud for everyone else to hear. Next customer sits down, orders, gets served food, then when the owner decided he didn't like her he took her plate away. Was resulted was a screaming match and her walking away in a fit. The food was decent, nothing special not worth the drama. See for yourself if you don't believe me.