Only Katz's Deli Remains on Stretch of East Houston Once Filled With Restaurants

Empanada Mama cooled its fryers and ovens on East Houston this week and closed its front doors for good, notes EV Grieve. It was the last remaining business (other than Katz's) left on a block of East Houston that will soon have a giant fancy residential development from Ben "sledgehammer" Shaoul. Let us take a moment to remember those who have gone: there was longtime LES resident Bereket, seafood shack Lobster Joint, and late-night spot Ray's Pizza, sushi house AAA Ichiban, and more. The Lobster Joint was reincarnated in truck form and Empanada Mama will reopen at 95 Allen Street in a larger space, but for most of these places, this was the end of the road. There's no official word on when construction on the new building will start, but a wrecking ball is probably not far off.