Nathan's Famous

[James Clark]

From my recent journey to the Coney Island boardwalk in winter (well, late fall).

[Alan Klein]

Nice shot.  I was there about a month ago and it was deserted,  The streets were rolled up except for a few drunks and hookers and homeless.  But they were open and I just had to grab a couple of hotdogs french fries and a Coke.  $17.00!!!!   A few years back when it was warm I went there with my daughter on Father's Day, then to a local ballgame and then the amusement area on the boardwalk in COney Island.   Here's the slide show on Youtube.  The first minute and half is Nathans.  At 1:21 is their bathroom sign which I find amusing.  There's also a night shot of Nathan's at 4:29.   We took the Cyclone Roller coaster and I broke both my regular glasses and my sunglasses when they fell out of my pocket on the first big drop.  4:33-4:42.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EynU-XM3c

[James Clark]

Looks like a fun day, and that drop does look really steep!

When I was there recently everything was closed for the most part, but that's mainly why I went.  Thought it would be fun to check it out without the crowds, and it was.  I knew Brighton Beach was a Russian neighborhood, but it was still fascinating to hear almost all of the passing conversation amongst the locals out walking taking place in Russian, and on the whole it was busier than I expected. 

[Rob C]

Nice shot, James, but the architecture is horrific! Horrific enough to become iconic. At night, it must frighten even the hookers. Who designs (or doesn't?) this stuff?

Rob

[petermfiore]

Nice shot, James, but the architecture is horrific! Horrific enough to become iconic. At night, it must frighten even the hookers. Who designs (or doesn't?) this stuff?

Rob

Designed by Hot Dog heroes!!! Haven't been there since my art school days.

Peter

[Alan Klein]

The doors around the whole building open up when it's warm.  So the store is completely open to passersby and very inviting. 

[Alan Klein]

Nice shot, James, but the architecture is horrific! Horrific enough to become iconic. At night, it must frighten even the hookers. Who designs (or doesn't?) this stuff?

Rob

It is honky tonk.  But the whole Coney Island and amusement park area around there is like that with all the lights, signs etc.  It's a carnival atmosphere and great place to visit for photos if you come to NYC.  The Brighton Beach area (nicknamed Odessa by the Sea) Jim mentions is just a few blocks away.  Its Russian atmosphere and people there with all the Russian language and motifs, stores and signs and flavor, make it another great place to do street photography. The Aquarium is there as well next to Coney Island.  If you visit, take the subway from Manhattan and experience another interesting time.   Take plenty of film.
https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS746US746&biw=1536&bih=846&q=brighton+beach+russian&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=40576938,-73965719,73&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahUKEwi7sISfyvzeAhUJVd8KHQnFC4QQtgN6BAgAEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m1!1e16!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:,40.56753394903372,-73.97396885114136;mv:!1m2!1d40.58591794141572!2d-73.95126663403931!2m2!1d40.563034968911744!2d-73.99916015820924!4m2!1d40.57447743342318!2d-73.97521339612427!5i15

[Ivophoto]

Nice shot.  I was there about a month ago and it was deserted,  The streets were rolled up except for a few drunks and hookers and homeless.  But they were open and I just had to grab a couple of hotdogs french fries and a Coke.  $17.00!!!!   A few years back when it was warm I went there with my daughter on Father's Day, then to a local ballgame and then the amusement area on the boardwalk in COney Island.   Here's the slide show on Youtube.  The first minute and half is Nathans.  At 1:21 is their bathroom sign which I find amusing.  There's also a night shot of Nathan's at 4:29.   We took the Cyclone Roller coaster and I broke both my regular glasses and my sunglasses when they fell out of my pocket on the first big drop.  4:33-4:42.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EynU-XM3c

Man, that first tune is spot on.

[Rob C]

It is honky tonk.  But the whole Coney Island and amusement park area around there is like that with all the lights, signs etc.  It's a carnival atmosphere and great place to visit for photos if you come to NYC.  The Brighton Beach area (nicknamed Odessa by the Sea) Jim mentions is just a few blocks away.  Its Russian atmosphere and people there with all the Russian language and motifs, stores and signs and flavor, make it another great place to do street photography. The Aquarium is there as well next to Coney Island.  If you visit, take the subway from Manhattan and experience another interesting time.   Take plenty of film.
https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS746US746&biw=1536&bih=846&q=brighton+beach+russian&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=40576938,-73965719,73&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahUKEwi7sISfyvzeAhUJVd8KHQnFC4QQtgN6BAgAEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m1!1e16!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:,40.56753394903372,-73.97396885114136;mv:!1m2!1d40.58591794141572!2d-73.95126663403931!2m2!1d40.563034968911744!2d-73.99916015820924!4m2!1d40.57447743342318!2d-73.97521339612427!5i15

I like honky tonk music, but not this version of architecture. If you push me to like any of it, it has to be this kind:

http://www.ultraswank.net/film/american-graffiti-and-mels-drive-in-restaurant/

I suspect it's far too teeny - Mel's - for honky tonk which I see more as spit 'n' sawdust, to match the music, broken hearts and all. Faux (sorry, no accents yet!) honky tonk must be pasteurised for tourism, I guess. All those Russians... any Trump Tower nearby?

:-)

[Alan Klein]

I like honky tonk music, but not this version of architecture. If you push me to like any of it, it has to be this kind:

http://www.ultraswank.net/film/american-graffiti-and-mels-drive-in-restaurant/

I suspect it's far too teeny - Mel's - for honky tonk which I see more as spit 'n' sawdust, to match the music, broken hearts and all. Faux (sorry, no accents yet!) honky tonk must be pasteurised for tourism, I guess. All those Russians... any Trump Tower nearby?

:-)

Honky tonk was the wrong choice of words.  How about New York grunge? 

As far as Trump, yep there is a tower nearby, sort of.   Trump Village high rise condo apartment buildings between COney Island and Brighton Beach was built by his father Fred Trump.  The Trumps sold it long ago I believe.  It's now occupied by Russian immigrants for the main part.  Just like TRump Tower in Manhattan.  Maybe that's the reason Trump likes the Russians so much.    They've been good customers for his real estate business. 
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS746US746&q=trump+village+brooklyn&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=40577880,-73975690,198&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahUKEwixk-GehP3eAhWRZd8KHUNYB38QtgN6BAgBEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m1!1e16!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m2!1d40.5881326!2d-73.9590769!2m2!1d40.5769872!2d-73.9790783;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m1!1e16!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2

[PeterAit]

From my recent journey to the Coney Island boardwalk in winter (well, late fall).

I visited there many times as a kid.

[Alan Klein]

I visited there many times as a kid.

Visit again and feel like a kid once more.

[Telecaster]

Two dogs with mustard & (grilled or steamed) onions. I've all but lived on that meal during various NYC visits, though usually via Sabrett hot dogs from one of the many Papaya places.

-Dave-

[James Clark]

I visited there many times as a kid.

I go to NYC at least once a year - usually 2-3x, but this was the first time I've made it all the way out to Coney . I ended up with some fun images from the day.  Here's the aquarium Alan mentioned above.

[Alan Klein]

Nice shot.  I haven't been to the aquarium in 25 years.  Did you see the insides? 

[James Clark]

Nice shot.  I haven't been to the aquarium in 25 years.  Did you see the insides?

Thanks - unfortunately no.  I only had a couple of hours. Next time