Skinflints — Restaurant in New York

On a VERY COLD night in early 2001, I was 27 and on one of my favorite power walks: from my apartment at the time on Union Ave in Park Slope all the way to 86th St in Bay Ridge. On weekends I would walk along Prospect Park West heading south around past the Winsor Terrace circle by the old movie theatre, then continue south EAST, AROUND Greenwood Cemetery to McDonald Ave, then along further to Ft. Hamilton Pkwy, continuing south straight into Bay Ridge where I would turn right on 86th St, & do some shopping before returning home. But on this cold weeknight, a few months before MOVING from Park Slope to Bay Ridge Brooklyn, I remember walking the entire 3 miles straight down 5th Ave the entire way. When passing 79th St, I distinctly remember looking in the window of Skinflints and feeling sad that I didn't have any friends I could go there to dinner with... It is just adorable inside, old antique-like lanterns on the bar tables and just a very old fashioned feel with a beautiful old wooden bar and extra large antique glass mirror covering the wall behind it. Skinflints is known for it's burgers which used to be served on English Muffins, (not sure if that is still true?) There are bar snacks and a large seating area with long menu to match. In the summer there is backyard seating and of course all three rooms of this restaurant are decorated in the same motif, Irish-American pub/old fashioned antique feel. There are many sandwiches and then a full dinner menu complete with the All American favorites. And because this is Bay Ridge, their pastas and fried calamari are very popular and very good! Bar is very long and comfortable, great for watching games. It's cozy in the winter especially and perfect for going with family or friends or even on a date. If not in the mood for their neighborhood famous burger, go for the chili and rice appetizer. I know it sounds strange, but it's just particularly good! So 21 years later I've been to Skinflints easily more than a hundred x's, accompanied by all different people. Sometimes I realize it's even the littlest thoughts and wishes that we do actualize, without remembering these ideas were once just hopeful "it would be nice's" that one day, somewhere along the way become a regular thing in ur life. I guess that's why we're supposed to be grateful for the little things! I am grateful for Skinflints itself and for all the great times and good meals I've had there. Skinflints is always a nice time and the food is consistently...

WARNING: DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE VERBALLY ASSAULTED AND CHASED DOWN THE SIDEWALK BY THEIR WAITSTAFF.

Came here last night with a couple of friends. Sat at the bar and had some tasty food and great cocktails. Seeing that we had such a good experience, we decided to come back tonight for dinner. We arrive a little before 5pm and the restaurant wasn't very busy. At first, we enjoyed our time; however, things quickly went south when it came time to cash out.

After waiting nearly 20 minutes for the waiter to swing by, a different waiter came to see what we needed. We asked for separate checks, if possible, and he said it wouldn't be a problem. The three of us continued to wait for an additional 30 minutes while every waiter moved about the non-busy restaurant.

Having to get the waiter's attention, he stated that he's working on it. Fast forward 10 more minutes, we finally had our checks. After waiting an additional 10 minutes for the waiter to return to run two of our cards, we were obviously aggravated.

On my ticket, I wrote, "Waiting over 30 minutes for our check sucks" then we left. This is when things get CRAZY.

Our waiter ran out of the restaurant and followed us down the sidewalk all while yelling and screaming at us. Through a stream of expletives, he continued to scream and accosted my friend. He was violent and was preparing to have a physical altercation with our friend. After several minutes of yelling and screaming and acting a fool, he retreated back into the restaurant.

DO NOT COME TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!! The waiter - a man with arm-sleeve tattoos and facial hair - came dangerously close to physically harming my friend while screaming threats to myself and my friend.

I REPEAT - DO NOT COME TO THIS RESTAURANT UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE ASSAULTED. I fully plan on filing...

I've been here so many times, never a bad experience which is why I go back. Tonight was my worst experience here... we waited at the bar for 15 minutes for a table, no big deal, because we got drinks, and it's normal for any place after 7pm on a Friday night. Get seated and our waiter comes over after about 10 minutes and asks if we're ready to order. Say we need a couple more minutes for food, but want an app and some more drinks. App and beer gets brought to the table by someone else. Flash forward 20 minutes, said waiter comes back and says are you ready to order yet? We have a waitlist for tables. Uhhh yeah we've been ready! Place our food orders. 20 minutes later food comes and one of our four orders isn't right. Wait for the waiter to come back, he realizes that he messed it up. We order more drinks. Flash forward another 15 minutes, replacement food comes out but still no drinks. 5 minutes later, drinks arrive after we ask again. Everyone eats and drinks, we're ready to go... really to get out of there.

Not sure what was going on tonight, but another table that sat down a few minutes after us had to ask for a bread basket and was just placing their food orders when our food was being brought to the table. Same waiter. Another table was asked to leave after sitting too long once they were done and paid the bill.

I get it - Friday night busy. But I'm not sure that I would manage it the way it was managed tonight if it were my choice, especially since what was going on was clear to the other guests. Might choose another...