Posted: 9/18/15 at 3:01pm
Having been to Ellen's many times (brought tourists there, not of my own free will). It's not that bad, Yes, it is loud. I have always gotten descent food hot and fast. Have been sat in the basement once, and it was fine, we had entertainment the whole time. It was during the holidaze and a weekday. It's not the best food in the city but a far cry from the worst.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 3:13pm
What I tell all my friends to do is go out to a nice restaurant for your dinner, and then go there for the desserts, all of which are delicious.
My one and only experience with Ellen's is going there with a party of 10, some people were ordering food, some were ordering only dessert, and when the first only dessert person placed his order having the waitress yell "you have to order the minimum or else you have to leave!" First of all, the majority of us were ordering food, drinks, etc. vs only dessert, but second of all HIS DESSERT WAS OVER THE MINIMUM! And then we spent the rest of our visit having to ask repeatedly for basics like napkins, and utensils.
I get that you work there and all, but based on my experience I wouldn't advise someone do this.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 4:30pm
"If you've not been in the last 5 years, come back."
Why on earth would I do that? I understand that you work there, but if I had a lame experience 5 years ago, why would I subject myself to possibly having that again? I would say that of ANY restaurant.
brdway411, are you spelling "holidays" that way on purpose?
Updated On: 9/18/15 at 04:30 PM
Posted: 9/18/15 at 5:03pm
Because I also wrote that it has improved in many areas over the years, and every time you come, it's a different experience. So it may be an improvement from the last time.
Trust me, Ellen's doesn't need my help to bring any extra business. They're doing just fine, as is seen in the non-stop lines around the corner on many evenings. I'm just replying to everyone on the board who said they had an awful time, and letting them (and you) know that just because one experience was awful, the next one might not be, especially if they come for more of an entertainment experience and not necessarily a "dining" experience.
You might hear the next Alysha Umphress...she worked there for 5 years until she got her big break, among many others.
Updated On: 9/18/15 at 05:03 PM
Posted: 9/18/15 at 5:48pm
Pippin - Great post and I agree. It is a diner and in Times Square, do we really expect a intimate dining experience. I have been there twice but it has been over 5 yrs ago. The food was ok for a diner and it is NYC so overpriced. That being said, it is a fun place to be and I might take your advice next time in NYC and go there just for dessert after a show. The two times I was there, the singing was real good and they were into 80's music (think Rock Of Ages) which worked for myself and my wife.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 5:49pm
You might, but highly unlikely anyone remembers the names of anyone they see there
The food is not worth the money, I've gotten ill every time I've been there. As recently as this past April.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 6:16pm
"I've gotten ill every time I've been there. As recently as this past April."
Why did you even go the second time after getting ill?
Posted: 9/18/15 at 8:46pm
Oh no. Everyone is so down on this place. I've only been once. I took my little niece before we saw The Lion King a million years ago. Must have been the late 90s. It is one of my fondest memories. It was just the two of us and it was her first Broadway show. I don't remember the food being particularly good or bad. A server sat at our table and sang to her. She turned 10 different shades of red. We still joke about it from time to time. I found it charming. She liked the toy train. I think it's a great place to take kids. I just know she really enjoyed it. I tear up typing this. She's in college now.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 8:49pm
Pippin said - "What I tell all my friends to do is go out to a nice restaurant for your dinner, and then go there for the desserts, all of which are delicious."
I sure hope your boss doesn't read this. oy vey.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:53pm
Jane2 said: ""I've gotten ill every time I've been there. As recently as this past April."
Why did you even go the second time after getting ill?
"
I was chaperoning a large group. Not much of a choice.
Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:11pm
Jane2 - I'm sure he won't. 
Posted: 9/19/15 at 10:56pm
Pippin - I am sure your boss is quite aware of the difference between fine dining and going to a diner so I don't think he/she would be upset - lol. Most people going to a Broadway show usually go to a "fancy" restaurant for dinner and not a diner.
Posted: 9/20/15 at 12:30am
neonlightsxo said: "brdway411, are you spelling "holidays" that way on purpose?"
Yes, I HATE the holidaze. I lost my farther, who played Santa for many, many years, over the holidaze a few years ago. It is also one of my busiest times of the year with my business, so I am in a daze the whole time.
Updated On: 9/20/15 at 12:30 AM
Posted: 9/21/15 at 8:26am
I felt that most of the performers were almost (but not quite) as bad at performing as they were at being waiters and waitresses. And that's saying a lot!
Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:46pm
Skimble, please consider the source - the source of all the negativity - theater snobs. The place is wildly wildly popular so many people are crazy about the place and go repeatedly. I suggest you check it out once and form your own opinion. The food is ok, nothing special, and a little expensive for what you get but so is anything in the theater district. People don't go for the food anyway; they go for the experience. It can be fun. Yes, it gets very crowded but the line often moves rather fast. Personally I preferred it when they used to sing oldies (in keeping with the decor of the restaurant) instead of current showtunes but still there are a few of the waitstaff/singers that usually stand out.
Posted: 9/21/15 at 9:43pm
Yankeefan7 said "Pippin - I am sure your boss is quite aware of the difference between fine dining and going to a diner so I don't think he/she would be upset - lol."
Oh really, you are sure?
Um, any boss who hears his employee sending people away from his establishment to go to a "better" place is more likely to be upset than happy about it. - lol.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 12:09pm
ah, yes..... but I didn't say that.
I said go somewhere for dinner, and then come to Ellen's for dessert or drinks or shakes or whatever. Yes, they are cheaper than the dinners, but they will leave happier, and will be more inclined to come back, so I think I'm doing everyone a favor. Trust me, It's not even going to put a dent in Ellen's bottom line. That place is a cash cow.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 12:34pm
We always went for breakfast and quite enjoyed it. Fun, good food, not too busy.
We tried for lunch during our trip a few weeks ago and walked out after we were seated. It was very loud (and seats are so close), and they didn't even have any kids menu. Very disappointed. Enjoyed a great brunch instead at Blue Fin.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 4:11pm
Pippin said - "ah, yes..... but I didn't say that. "
"I said go somewhere for dinner, and then come to Ellen's for dessert or drinks or shakes or whatever. Yes, they are cheaper than the dinners, but they will leave happier, and will be more inclined to come back, so I think I'm doing everyone a favor. Trust me, It's not even going to put a dent in Ellen's bottom line. That place is a cash cow."
You are a LIAR. You DID say "better place" for dinner. You have gone back and deleted those words from your post. Who do you think you're kidding?
Posted: 9/22/15 at 4:41pm
sweetheart, no I didn't. If I ever edit my posts, it's only for grammar or spelling purposes.
I like you a lot, and I don't appreciate being called a liar. In caps. grow up and please stop arguing about this silly little restaurant on a message board. If you don't like the place, Don't come. Please. Don't come.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 4:44pm
You can see it in my first post.
I said "go out to a nice restaurant", which I think is fair, because Ellen's is certainly not a "nice restaruant.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:30pm
Pippin, I can understand why you wanted to delete "better place." I may have done the same thing.
sorry about the all caps, but I remember reading "better" and that's why I posted that I hope your boss doesn't read it.
I don't wish you harm and I hope no one you work with saw your original post, which you edited.
take care.
Updated On: 9/22/15 at 05:30 PM
Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:32pm
ok.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:42pm
Jane - I think you're a little delusional. You even quoted me as saying "go to a nice restaurant" at 8:49 pm on 9/18. Look at your own post. I know sometimes we believe what we want to believe happened, but that doesn't mean it happened.
You just proved yourself wrong.
Updated On: 9/22/15 at 05:42 PM
Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:56pm
Hmm, I'm sorry. But my meaning still exists - you tell people to go somewhere else for dinner and then come to the diner for dessert. that in a way is saying you're better off somewhere else for the main meal .And then you said this - "there are a few items that actually are edible (I know.....a Ringing endorsement),"
Saying there are a few items that are actually edible is pretty low on the ratings chart. And why did you go on and on telling me to please not come there? I guess that's a warning too.
So - you may not have actually said "better" per se, but you sure said it in spades throughout the rest of your post.
