It appears that things just get better and better for the young chain. Sophie’s Cuban, the popular Cuban eatery founded by Sofia Luna, is continuing their ambitious expansion strategy with a new location in Chelsea. Opening up at 664 Avenue of the Americas, the expansion is welcome news to hungry Chelsea locals.
Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine has been a New York staple for quite some time. Beginning in 1997, the first Sophie’s was opened in the Financial District by Sofia Luna. Luna, who was born in Peru, helped her mother run a food stand in Lima before her parents immigrated to the United States in 1985.
Only 11 at the time, Sofia worked hard with her family to establish a base and make a living. Their stated business philosophy was “the idea that fresh, tasty food in good portions served in a local neighborhood atmosphere by friendly people would help them to realize the American Dream.”
Sofia began selling Peruvian food out of a street cart in New York soccer fields, but began to pivot when she was exposed to and inspired by local Cuban cuisine. Falling in love with the flavor profiles of Cuba, she hired Master Cuban Chef Eduardo Morgado to design the menu and rebrand the restaurant.
Tragically, their first two restaurants were lost in the wake of 9/11. Never discouraged though, Sofia rebounded quickly and now proudly operates 8 different restaurants across the city. Her latest project will see Sophie’s moving into the former location of Ridgeway Diner at 664 Avenue of the Americas. Ridgeway closed in 2017 and the space has remained vacant since.
The new Sophie’s will feature 2,800 square feet of space on the ground and lower levels, and is expected to be open to the public by next March. In the meantime, be sure to follow their website for further updates.
