Results tagged “Nathan's Famous”

Sad news to report out of Coney Island: Kenny Rogers Roasters Express inside Nathan's, perhaps the last place on the East Coast to get KRR chicken, is being disassembled. Nathan's Famous had retained the right to sell KRR as a part of its sale of the chain to its  Philippine franchiser in 2008, but ultimately, with very little remaining brand recognition, it probably wasn't worth continuing the operation. Nathan's is already using the counter to sell its own specialties, from hot dogs to chicken and fish sandwiches.

Barring any other Nathan's still selling KRR (I know of none), it now seems the only place you can still savor its chicken in the United States is at the Ontario Mills mall in Ontario, California. Miami Subs, also previously owned by Nathan's Famous, has also removed any mention of KRR from its online menu.

However, in New York City the concept of multi-branded food courts run by restaurant management companies is nothing new. For decades these companies, such as Riese Restaurants have run multi-brand food courts, primarily catering to the corporate lunch crowd, in Midtown and Lower Manhattan, as well as Downtown Brooklyn.

Unlike their modern suburban counterparts, the New York City food courts are generally parent-company independent. Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs may be paired with a Roy Rogers, a KFC may be paired with a Dunkin' Donuts and a Subway.

A gleaming example of diverse fast food experience is offered at the food court on the corner of 44th Street & 8th Avenue, two blocks north of the Port Authority Bus Terminal and a block west of Times Square. Here four chains (Subway, Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, Nathan's Famous, and Church's Chicken), as well as a pizza counter, are all under one roof. It is furthermore of note that this is Church's Chicken's only location in New York City, and one of the very few of Arthur Treacher's*.

The entire food court was overhauled in early 2009 and now boasts a very clean interior.