Ever since it opened in 2013, Uncle Ted’s has been one of the most popular Chinese restaurants on Bleecker street. Occupying a building that had housed Chinese restaurants for over 40 years, the long tradition was broken last year when tragedy struck the building.
On May 21st, 2021, a five-alarm fire broke out in the location that ended up completely terminating Uncle Ted’s operation. While two of the 200 firefighters assembled to battle the blaze sadly suffered injuries, there were thankfully no deaths or further severe injuries. For Uncle Ted’s though, the fire meant that the business could no longer operate in its usual capacity and was forced to shutter its doors for an indeterminate amount of time.
Thankfully, Uncle Ted’s resilient owner Ted Chang has managed to keep his business afloat during these challenging times and is tentatively planning on reopening his restaurant at a brand new location at 36 East 8th Street. Expected to replace Kiin Thai, which previously operated at the space, Ted will be retaining as much of his original staff and design as possible, desiring to perfectly recreate the iconic Uncle Ted’s experience that so many people have come to love over the years.
Fusing authentic Chinese cuisine with a contemporary aesthetic, Uncle Ted’s Modern Chinese offers a modern approach to the rich traditions of Chinese cooking. Using only the freshest ingredients they can source, Uncle Ted’s is known for allowing guests to create their own healthy bowl assembled from all the fine foods the restaurant has to offer. Meeting American nutritional and culinary demands, Uncle Ted’s fuses the old and the new together to create a truly special taste and unique experience.
Designed by the well known Alvarez + Brock Design Company, the original Uncle Ted’s earned acclaim for its clean and streamlined aesthetic. Compared to other Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood, Uncle Ted’s was known for having a more pared-down, contemporary design. It is not clear whether or not Ted will returning to Alvarez + Brock to design the new restaurant, though he has gone on record stating his desire to preserve as much of the original concept as he can.
With 1,200 square feet of space, the new Uncle Ted’s will have plenty of room to serve its hungry guests. Open daily from 11AM – 12AM, the new restaurant will be well-suited to serve locals and students at all hours of the day.
If you’re interested in helping Ted and his team bring the restaurant back to life, then you should consider contributing to their Go Fund Me, which is still ongoing. Rebuilding is a slow process, and the money is desperately needed to help support the many staff members who made their livelihood working at the restaurant. To show their gratitude, Uncle Ted’s will even send you a gift voucher equal to the amount of your donation, so if you’ve ever wanted to try some of the best Chinese food in the neighborhood, now’s your chance to donate.
