Cafe Edison Will Serve Its Last Bowl of Matzo Ball Soup on Sunday

Eater dropped by Cafe Edison late last night, and learned from servers that the legendary Times Square lunch counter will officially serve its final meal on Sunday. Doors will probably start closing around 3 p.m., but one server in a well worn black and white uniform said, "The owner doesn't want to waste food," so the restaurant will stay open until every last matzo ball is gone.

Jordan Strohl, who owns the restaurant, and whose grandparents founded it, told Jeremiah Moss:

We lost the fight...but we did not lose the battle. Six weeks ago, we would have just shut down, but the campaign to Save Cafe Edison re-inspired my family. We are committed to reopening in a new space, and to bringing our food and our family warmth back to the city. A thousand thank-yous to everyone. We cannot say thank you enough.

It seemed like everyone — from Mayor De Blasio to Ira Glass to thousands of regulars — joined the fight to save one of the last pieces of real New York anywhere near Times Square, but Gerald Barad who owns the hotel has stopped responding to Strohl. Barad has promised a "name chef" restaurant will move into the space, but there's no word on who that chef might be. For those who want to honor Cafe Edison one last time, there will be a lunch mob this weekend.