Pakistan Tea House Closes One Month After Baluchi’s Revamp

One of downtown Manhattan’s inexpensive food destinations, Pakistan Tea House, is down for the count. The restaurant — which always stayed open till very late at night — was purchased by the owners of the Baluchi’s chain last year. They closed Pakistan Tea House in January, and reopened the space with a slightly new layout and menu last month. Tribeca Citizen reports that the restaurant shuttered on June 9 so that the owners could convert the electric-powered kitchen into a facility fueled by gas.

And now, one of the owners explains: "[U]nfortunately due to the violations on the building from the Department of Buildings, it is very highly unlikely for us to get gas to the space and therefore we had to close our doors." They’re leaving the space for now, although the owner notes that the team plans to open "another location in the neighborhood before the end of the year as Baluchi’s."

Robert Sietsema included Pakistan Tea House on his list of Cheap Eats Classics last summer:

For at least 30 years, this downtown miracle that evoked Silk Road teahouses has been dishing up meat, chicken, and vegetable curries and exceptionally good flatbreads made to order in the tandoor oven. Cabbies hang here, as well as Tribecans looking for a bargain (combination meals that include two curries, raita, and rice or bread come in as low as $6.99).

For more on the history of the restaurant, check out the Dining on a Dime episode featuring Pakistan Tea House below, and if you have any remembrances, plus leave them in the comments.