This little blogpost is not so much about the bacon swiss burger that you are licking the screen at right
now as it is about our cozy little happy spot called Nostalgia...those memories from your past that when
they are awakened make us warm and fuzzy inside.  We LOL to ourselves, or smile, sometimes cry,
but they always bring back a time that is gone.  Certain people, places and things will be our triggers for
these feelings and I experienced one two nights ago.  I was in NYC on business and on the way back to
the train decided to stop in EATALY on 23d and Fifth, that emporium of all things Italian to get something
to eat.  Well, it's Summer in the city and EATALY was packed, chock full (pun intended) of tourists and
shoppers and there were nothing but long lines.  I snapped a bunch of pictures and left.  Directly next
door to EATALY is a reincarncation of one of New York City's oldest landmark restaurant chains,
a Chock Full O'Nuts luncheonette/coffee shop/diner-esque place with the ubiquitous long counter and
yellow walls.  Those of you who are
not Native New Yorkers or have lived or visited here before this chain closed in the early 80's may
know Chock Full from it's National Coffee brand...better coffee a millionaire's money can't buy...

   This store is the first of what they hope will be a chain of this nostalgic restaurant which keeps
true to the menu of it's famous Whole Wheat Donuts, burgers, Nutted cheese date nut sandwiches,
chicken salad, chicken croquettes, meatloaf, iced tea and of course, coffee.  It was almost closing
time so I ambled in to the near empty place and sat down to the overhead sounds of Evelyn
"Champagne" King's (who has eaten my catered food btw!~) FAME..70's music for a very 70's
moment for me.  I first started going to Chock Full in the 70's while going to college in Manhattan and
working downtown for a now defunct brokerage house called John Muir and Company (yes, the
famoust American naturalist) at 61 Broadway.  Only a few doors down was the closest Chock Full and
I'm not sure in that summer of 1978 I didn't have at least 3 Bacon Swiss and Raw Onion burgers and
a daily Whole Wheat donut.  Still in college, these were great days.


Everything about the new place screams the old place...I highly suggest that in these times of over
the top stress, from natural disasters, to economic fall out and default that you find one of these
nostalgic places, not necessarily a place to eat, but anywhere you can get in contact with that happy
memory that will theraputically give you a boost to get through the stessfest that is 2011. 
And while you are there...put your hand in the bag and grab a donut...