OLLIE'S NOODLE SHOP, Service that is Fast, TOO FAST!!
Written: Nov 13 '03 (Updated Jul 07 '04)
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Pros: A dinner that will be served fast. You won't be late for a show.
Cons: The dinner is served too fast.
The Bottom Line: For decent food and definite fast service, this is the place
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Ollie's Noodle Shop |
My wife and I have been to two of the Ollie's Noodle shops in NYC. The one on 44th Street has a better location for itself in that many more people walk by the doors. It is truly in the heart of Times Square. This one is almost like a cafeteria. It certainly makes its money on "gettin' 'em in and gettin' 'em out". I hope to review this one soon. It does have its own home here at Epinions.
The last couple of times we went to the uptown location between 67th and 68th streets just a block or so from Lincoln Center. It is a good place for something simple and quick before a show. This is perfect for my wife and me midweek.
We, at times, will have tickets for a show on a weekday night. We finish work, hop in the LIRR for a 45 minute trip to Manhattan, and then take the subway to Lincoln Center. It lets us our right under the complex. There is also parking at Lincoln Center.
At this time of day we are hungry yet we don't have time for a fine dining experience. Ollie's Noodle Shop is a no problem place to go for quick eats.
The name OLLIE'S is huge. You can't miss it. It is pretty much across the street from a huge Barns and Noble book store. That is always a great place to kill time on a cold night if we happen to be too early for a show. You can also stop there for a cup of coffee and something light to eat.
ENTERING
You first walk into an atrium area with small tables, florescent lighting, and fast food counter. This is not the restaurant. It is part of Ollie's but for take out and paper plate dining. It is attractive and it is busy. Locals and business people alike walk in and out. It is heated in the winter and somewhat air conditioned in the Summer. It makes for a quick break on any extreme temperature days. This is also fairly close to Central Park. A take out and picnic in the park can be wonderful. Sitting in the plaza area of Lincoln Center is also a good place to sit with your take out. Now that the water shortage is over in NY the fountains are working and are pleasant to look at and listen to.
The RESTAURANT
If you continue beyond the glassed area on the left a hostess will greet you and promptly take you to a seat. We have been there a few times and never had to wait. The restaurant is pretty and done in an Asian motif with tapestries and other Chinese works of art. If you are there in daytime the restaurant gets a lot of natural light.
The restaurant is multi leveled. There are no tough stairs to climb. I will warn you if you must use the rest rooms.
They are down stairs and small. Woman must wait on line at times. The other strange thing I noticed was that after walking down the winding stairs and stepping up to the men's room I saw a sign on the door. Wheel Chair Accessible. Huh! I just walked down a flight of stairs and I see no other way of getting here except through a kitchen work area.
The restaurant has a few large tables that can seat six to ten people. For the most part the rest of the tables are for two and very closely placed together. If the table next to you is used you are literally 12 inches away from their table. They do squeeze you in and you have to squeeze sideways to get out from between the tables when finished. All in all though, the place looks fine.
THE FOOD
I saw nothing different on the menu that isn't served in most Chinese restaurants. They do have a dumpling display as you walk into the main part of the eatery. Many people have written about them. I have never tried them.
We order pretty much our usual dishes that we enjoy at our local places. The prices are pretty much the same as home too. It was not out of the ordinary because it is in the city. The Hot and Sour soup is very good. We have had it a few times. Lots of stuff inside. Plenty of mushrooms too. Good flavor!
The Sesame chicken is also good. Not at all greasy and the meat was tender. No pieces with grizzle or fat. Most of the dishes we have had taste good but are nothing out of the ordinary and that is what I think of this place, an ordinary place to get a quick meal. Yes, very quick. As soon as the soup was finished our next dishes were on the table. That's another problem. The tables are so small, there isn't much room for the platters they deliver, the dishware, tea pot, cups, and glasses.
We have never been terribly disappointed in the food or service. Our water glasses are always full and the staff, though they don't speak much English, are friendly enough. I suppose not really friendly but very attentive.
Hot tea is also served with dinner. This adds to the crowded table. The tea is good and they are ready to refill it as soon as the pot is close to empty.
...and in the end,....
As reviewed, this is a mediocre place that serves decent food at good prices and you definitely won't be late for curtain time.
More NYC eats
Tavern on the Green A romantic restaurant in Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub
Ollies, Broadway
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here.
Katz's Deli A NYC landmark
New York City Things to do and see.
Grand Hyatt, NYC
Millenium Hilton
Times Square The heart of New york
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
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