New York Lunch-East Avenue — Restaurant in Erie

I had several pleasant surprises visiting New York Lunch. It was my first visit to the East Ave New York Lunch, and I was greeted so warmly by Lena, like a long lost family member. What a sweet person, I kind of fell in love with the place just meeting her. East Avenue has been run down for awhile, but inside New York Lunch the place is very bright, clean and attractive. I didn't get the name of the young lady on the grill, but she was right. She said I was going to really like my Greek burgers. I make my own Greek sauce at home, but I have no problem admitting theirs is much better. It was a little more peppery than I expected, but that's a good thing. You don't want a bland Greek sauce. I told Lena that I always wanted to try the place. I'm 53 and it was my first visit, and she asked me what took so long. My parents were customers, but I was raised on the West side (Millcreek) and they never took us there. Then I left Erie after graduation. I returned to Erie a few years ago and I'm finally checking out the food institutions that are left. New York Lunch (East Ave) is one of them. All I ordered on this visit was a couple of Greek Burgers. I didn't expect much because I've had other Greek burgers from several places around town. I don't want to disparage anyone so I won't name names, but the East Avenue New York Lunch is the best. As I said the sauce was spicy and not overly greasy (it is a Greek burger), and tasted fantastic. The great thing about a good Greek burger is how it comes together and takes you back to simpler times. It's comfort food. I'll be back for more next time. If you haven't been there, don't wait as...

Love this place been doing business there for almost 45 years... wanted some Greeks on the 12th so I jump online to order because no one answers the phone anymore, " so much for the home town touch and feel", anyway I get there and it's closed they are on vacation.. no big deal I guess except it was all the money I had that day until I got paid the next day... so there went dinner and after a long day of work I went home hungry and made an alternative... fast forward to today I figured they are open ... let me go get my refund, but nope... even tho the owner was there I was told to come back later, so I did and then the boss wouldn't even speak to me I had to communicate with him through his waitress back and forth just to be told he would send the refund through toast instead of just giving me my money , so then I call toast and they tell me it will be another 7 to 10 day before they process the refund. Ugh so this could have all been avoided if someone would have paused they're toast account but because of they're irresponsible business practices I have to wait almost 2 to 3 weeks to get my money, piss poor communication and ridiculous customer service. After 45 years I will no longer eat at this establishment, which sucks cause they are the only good Greeks left in...

This was a great find in Erie, PA. When you walk in, you know you found a place beloved by Erie local.

The food was great, simple solid lunchtime fare with a Greek flare. There are salads and sandwiches, perfectly cooked fries, but the hot dogs and burgers feature a Greek sauce that is similar to hot dog chili with a special blend of spices. They gave us a taste before we ordered.

Here’s the thing. The food sits second to the service. Locals lined up at the cash register to pick up their orders, every booth was full. Every member of the staff — waitresses, cook, owner — circulated through customers to make sure they were satisfied.

We met all of them, and as new faces, they told us about the history of the restaurant, the family that runs it, and the people in the pictures as well.

Is it a five star fine dining restaurant? No, it’s a local five star lunch counter — breakfast served all day — that comes together in that way most rare, and yields an experience...