A Dallas dining mainstay, New York Sub, announced on New Year's Day via a Facebook post that it will be closing its doors at the end of February after over half a century of service. The eatery, well-known for its New York-style sandwiches, is tackling the harsh realities of the booming real estate market that's been proving to be a challenge for local restaurants in the area. The announcement image, stark with the words "That's All Folks" emblazoned over the photograph, signaled the end of an era for the sub shop located at 3411 Asbury Street, across from Southern Methodist University.
According to a recent interview with The Dallas Morning News, owner Andrew Kelley detailed how the new landlords, Pasha and Sina Heidari, have been amiable, but he was "blindsided" by the sale of the property and can't afford the new terms. "It's emotional," Kelley told the publication. "I'm trying to keep everything together for my family, but I'm scared. This is everything; we raised our kids there. ... Our first [child] was in a bassinet next to the cash register." New York Sub has been a setting for life events from first dates to family outings to late-night gastronomic refuge for students and locals alike.
The decision to shutter the establishment follows the high-profile closures of other long-standing sandwich joints in the Dallas area, echoing a trend of local eateries feeling the squeeze in an evolving real estate landscape. Kelley, who reopened New York Sub in 2016 after a brief closure, upgraded the menu and the interior while safeguarding the shop's hallmark: its New York-style sandwich. In 2020, the shop's New York-style hot dog was even named the best in the city by local critics.
In a bid to either to save the establishment or go out with a fanfare, Kelley has implored the community for assistance. Suggestions include helping to locate a more affordable space within the SMU/Park Cities vicinity or finding someone willing to take over the business and keep it at its current spot. Kelley envisions potential for the space, with ideas like adding a bar or refurbishing the patio to attract more business. "We'd love to turn these next two months into a goodbye tour, not just a countdown," Kelley shared via an ode on Dallas Observer. He invites the local community to "come see us, bring your people and have one more sub at 3411 Asbury."
The restaurant is known for its popular No. 11 turkey and cheese sandwich as well as other classics like smoked brisket pastrami and the French dip. With a few weeks remaining until the planned closure, New York Sub is encouraging patrons to share their own stories online to keep the restaurant's narrative alive, while perhaps also contributing to finding a way to preserve its future.
