For over ten years, Amy Ruth's on 116th Street made strides in growth and in possibly becoming the next great local restaurant franchise. As a Harlem institution and a bona fide tourist attraction, the always packed restaurant was on its way a year ago to branch out at the landmarked Gage & Tollner space in Brooklyn (last photo). The original store (center photo), which retains a 1980's style interior and lackluster exterior, would have had major competition from the more handsome shopfront in Brooklyn since it seemed to be a perfect match for the traditional Southern menu and the restaurant's signature, sepia-toned photos of Ms. Amy Ruth. Alas, everyone waited and waited for an opening that never happened. The deal collapsed and earlier this year, Amy Ruth's applied for bankruptcy protection.
Nevertheless, Amy Ruth's is still in business and will be serving its specialty foods to locals, students, tourists and new transplants as long as the support is still there. So come on by for the chicken and waffles and help get this granddaddy of Southern revival back on its feet. Love the picture of John Legend chowing down on the website. www.amyruthsharlem.com. The restaurant is on 113 West 116th Street between Lenox Avenue (6th) & Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (7th). Tel. (212) 280-8779. Take the 2,3 or B,C train to 116th Street. Last photo credit by McBrooklyn.
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