We took a recent trip to Edgar’s Cafe at 650 Amsterdam Ave (between 91st and 92nd Streets) after the New York Post published a story titled “Customers allegedly turned away by NYC’s new ‘Soup Nazi’ at popular cafe.”
The Post wrote that “Some are even saying ‘Nevermore!’ to the petulant proprietor” who goes by Bennie – stating that he “allegedly chased and banned customers who dare to dine elsewhere.”
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The Post cited multiple alleged claims including one from “Allen Sisk, 72, an Edgar’s regular for six years [who] says he got the heave-ho last week after Bennie found out Sisk recently ate two doors down at the Italian restaurant Scarlatto.”
We discussed the allegations during a sit-down meeting with the team at Edgar’s Cafe on Wednesday.
In regards to Allen Sisk, Ben described him as a “nuisance,” telling us that he had been a difficult customer for a long time, constantly complaining about the food or its preparation. It was always something with Sisk, Ben told us, and they’d had enough of his business, suggesting he could go anywhere else, like Scarlatto next door. Ben didn’t care where – as long as it wasn’t Edgar’s. Allen Sisk had worn out his welcome, according to Ben.
Sisk told the Post that after getting the boot, “The waitress came over and begged me to stay and ignore him. I won’t be going back.”
ILTUWS spoke to the waitress, Pamela Verdesoto, who Sisk is referencing above. She confirmed that she did try to get him to stay at Edgar’s in that exchange, but indeed, Sisk was not a model patron. “All the time he made complaints about the food, drinks, cakes when he knows how it is,” she told us.
Verdesoto, who’s been a waitress at Edgar’s Cafe for three years, went on debunk the claim that DiBenedetto or Ben ever actually “chased” anybody out of Edgar’s Cafe. “Nobody chased anybody out.”
But Sisk is far from alone in his claims.
“Great food but owner with an attitude. G-d forbid he catches you eating nearby. To him it’s all about loyalty. Visit if you dare,” wrote a recent Google reviewer. (It should be noted that this review was posted after the New York Post article came out).
Another former fan wrote that while she used to love Edgar’s – stating that “Bennie the owner was very friendly to us” – things had changed. “In the past I had heard from a number of friends that he went crazy screaming at them if they were on iPods or phones. Recently I too have seen him in action: yelling at customers, waitstaff.”
Due to the pandemic, a lot of people who would typically work in an office were now going to Edgar’s to conduct their business. A lot of these people were coming to Edgar’s and not really buying anything, Ben tells us. This dramatically altered the classic old school aesthetic of Edgar’s Cafe and was ultimately costing them money.
In June 2020, amidst the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Edgar’s Cafe instituted two new rules to address these issues: No laptops and a $5 minimum. There’s a sign on the door but it’s still a constant struggle, the team told ILTUWS, and it’s been a source of tension between patrons and staff.
“Now we have problems with the customers for laptops because they don’t want to order too much and they want to stay the whole day,” Verdosa tells us.
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Pamela says it’s still an ongoing problem. “People don’t understand how this is a business.”
Ben says business has actually increased since the Post article was published – although they did receive threatening phone calls for a few days, they think from the same person. This had thankfully calmed down by the time we spoke on Wednesday.
Edgar’s Cafe opened at 255 West 84th Street in March of 1989. A famous “Sex and the City” scene was filmed at this spot and according to Ben, the team behind You’ve Got Mail wanted to film at Edgar’s – perhaps to be the ‘Shop Around the Corner’ – but they needed the location for a month and weren’t willing to pay, so he declined.
Readers: can you tell us about your recent (and not-so-recent) experiences at Edgar’s?
Edgar’s is great. Leave him alone to conduct his business the way he chooses.
Incidentally, Scarlatta is great too. With a decent wine list. If you need to use your laptop in public so badly, maybe they won’t object.
Had my first meal their recently and will not be going back. Not only was the food mediocre but somehow our breakfast order took 45 minutes to get to us as other tables that sat down after us were served and almost finished. The wait staff did nothing other than continue to tell us that it was just a few more minutes ever 5 minutes they walked by with someone else order.
Gotta say I don’t feel I need to spend money to be insulted and mistreated. I can get enough of that free of charge. I stopped going a long time ago and have no plans to return.
Love Edgar’s! The salads, the desserts! So good. Been going for years, including the old location. As far as the owner goes he’s always been friendly toward me and my dinner companions. Have I seen him less hospitable? Yes, with annoying entitled to do whatever they want people. It’s fair to say he doesn’t suffer fools kindly.
Never had savory food at Edgar’s, but have been coming for after dinner or afternoon dessert for years. The cakes and coffee/tea are great, and I’m glad they have outdoor seating. Stopped by once this summer and was surprised to find the indoor space very dark and completely hot/unairconditioned, I got my cake to go but still wonder what’s going on with the uncomfortable atmosphere at the indoor space.
I love Edgar’s and frequented the original location as a starving Juilliard student. His newer location is a great place to catch up with old friends, and, yes, have a business meeting. I hired a videographer to put an acting reel together for me and we discussed the particulars over a late and delicious lunch. I honestly have not been there since the pandemic, but I have always had good experiences. I think if Ben is having issues then they are legitimate. And, no, Edgar’s is NOT an internet cafe. One can frequent a Starbucks for some mediocre coffee and overpriced food and get all the free wifi and workspace if that is what wants. Edgar’s is more special than that.
Yes, this has been my experience too.
I was walking past Edgar’s and saw a friend sitting at one of their small tables by the curb drinking coffee he had just bought at Edgar’s, so I sat down and we started talking. Most of the tables were empty and the waitress came over and told us we have to move because of the owner even though my friend had just bought coffee there. No desire to go back.
Meanwhile that Post story reads like an ad for Scarlatto. I do intend to go there.
When Edgar’s was on 84th Street, we went all the time. The food was delicious and being there felt like home. Bennie was incredibly kind and welcoming to us. We would chat with him often and he would always inquire about our family. He was a lovely, lovely man who made a concerted effort to make sure we left the restaurant happy. Since it has moved, we haven’t had as many opportunities to go, but whenever we are in the neighborhood, we try and say hello to Bennie.
We stopped going there years ago after a tirade from the owner. He was crazed and nasty way before Covid. Don’t remember the exact details, it was so long ago. But it blew his mind when I joined the table after my husband and colleague had been eating and talking and all I ordered was a coffee. He went berserk, threatening that I had some nerve, etc., etc. Couldn’t wait to get out of there for good, and since then, I even avoid that side of the street when walking home.
Aren’t things difficult enough already for small business owners to survive in this city, especially during Covid? Do they really need diners demonizing a struggling restaurant owner who has managed to stay open and serve the ungrateful public in spite of great risk and cost to him. Let him alone to run his business as he sees fit. Grow up for God’s sake. Just go eat elsewhere! You have plenty of choices among the hard-working restarant owners and staff devoting themselves to feeding you.
Yes, Ive eaten at Edgar’s and the food, the place and the owner were perfectly fine.
I’ve visited Edgar’s from 1991 (30 years) and have not had a bad experience. No restaurant in this city is perfect; perhaps this café is no exception. But problems have always been promptly addressed and Ben has always greeted me with a smile and a handshake. My only complaint is that he has been forced by rental hikes to move farther and farther away from my neighborhood. Now Edgar’s is a longer walk from w72nd. But for me this unique café is worth it.
Allan Torrey
The last time I was there was with my wife 2 years ago. The place was empty. We sat down at a table with two chairs. My wife put her backpack on a chair in front of the table next to us. Benny refused to serve us and screamed at us for putting our personal belongings that chair. It was astonishing because the restaurant was completely empty.
It was featured in You’ve Got Mail as the cafe where they meet up for the first time and in another scene. I’ve only eaten there once but wasn’t impressed by the food really. It was fine but not enough when you have so many other options.
That was Cafe Lalo in You’ve Got Mail, not Edgar’s.
Edgar’s has always been my go to. The owner is one great man. He always ensures everyone leaves happy. Every restaurant / cafe has issues, but the food and warm greetings from the owner and staff is great. I live in the East village and I do my best to go to Edgar’s at least once a week.
Thank you Edgar’s café for being the best at what you do.
It’s a lovely place. I visit for breakfast, lunch or coffee and dessert a few times a week, service and food are both nice. It’s been a life saver being able to enjoy a meal outdoors in all seasons during COVID. Great place to see and catch up with neighbors. They are always happy to see you. As a small business, if you are spending a whole day working over a single cup of coffee, that would be tremendously unfair to them.
“But Sisk is far from alone in his claims.
“Great food but owner with an attitude. G-d forbid he catches you eating nearby. To him it’s all about loyalty. Visit if you dare,” wrote a recent Google reviewer.”
Looks like this review was posted AFTER the Post story came out. Which means this reviewer may not have ever even eaten there, but is just posting a review based on a story he read.
I love Edgars!! We’ve never had an issue there. If you are nice, he’s nice back. Great salads.
I was a long time Edgars customer until one day the owner screamed and ranted that I had only ordered two cappuccinos, which exceeded the minimum, and the place was empty. And he told me to get out and never come back again. Just madness! If you look at Google reviews there are many other customers who have had a similar experience. The owner is a psycho and needs some kind of intervention because he is obviously not well.