| Lexington Candy Shop | |
|---|---|
 The restaurant's exterior in 2025 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1925 |
| Owner(s) | John Philis, Bob Karcher |
| Food type | American luncheonette |
| Street address | 1226 Lexington Ave. |
| City | New York City |
| State | New York |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 10028 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°46′39″N 73°57′26″W / 40.77750°N 73.95722°W |
| Website | lexingtoncandyshop.com |
Lexington Candy Shop is a historic luncheonette and former candy shop at 1226 Lexington Avenue on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1925.[1]
History
[edit]Soterios Philis came to New York in 1921 from Northern Epirus and saved up to open Lexington Candy Shop in a brick building designed by Thomas Paterson, Jr.[2][3] It opened as a lunch spot in 1925; the candy counter debuted in 1930.[3] The business served breakfast and lunch all day and also manufactured sweets.[2] In 1948, the enterprise got an overhaul, and the shop stopped making sweets--like its chocolates and ice cream--in favor of emphasizing its lunch counter.[1][3] John Philis, Soterios's grandson, began working at the luncheonette as soon as he was old enough to take the subway.[1] At present, Philis runs Lexington Candy Shop with business partner Bob Karcher,[1] who has been part of the shop since 1990.[2]
Menu
[edit]Lexington Candy Shop serves American fare and is known for its milkshakes.[3] They partner with other companies for certain foods they offer, such as Orwashers Bakery (established in 1916) for bread and muffins, Bassetts (established in 1861) for ice cream, and Vassilaros & Sons (established in 1919) for coffee.[2] Items on the menu include blueberry pancakes, pecan pancakes, strawberry and whipped cream pancakes, cinnamon raisin French toast, banana nut French toast, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers, club sandwiches, tuna melts, homemade soups, sundaes, banana splits, and fountain drinks.[4][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Pujol, Rolando; Winderman, Brittany (30 August 2022). "Historic NYC luncheonette's sweet recipe for success". ABC7 New York. Yorkville, Manhattan. Archived from the original on 25 Jul 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Nadelson, Reggie (21 November 2023). "The Luncheonette Serving New York's Best Egg Creams". The New York Times Style Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 Jul 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d Levy, Rachel (15 November 2022). "Lexington Candy Shop – 1226 Lexington Avenue". Friends of the Upper East Side. Archived from the original on 20 Jan 2025.
- ^ "Lexington Candy shop - Menu" (PDF). vacatis.com. 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2025.