Mott Corner

I've walked by this place a million times and have always wanted to check it out but never have for some reason. Finally, after arriving at La Esquina at three in the morning to find it unfortunately closed, I suggested a perfect spot that I knew would not let us down at this great hour of need and led the way over to Mott Corner.

I'm not sure exactly what it was about this place that always drew me to it. In a neighborhood full of bourgeois boutiques and trendy restaurants, Mott Corner stands out amongst the crowd. To me, this place represents the heart and soul of New York City. Where Everyman can get his buttered roll and a cup of joe at the counter. The kind of place you used to find everywhere, but now is part of a dying breed. Where hard working cab drivers sit at the counter and rub elbows with models teeter tottering on sky high heels. The short order cooks behind the counter hold court in their white paper crowns, dishing out satisfyingly greasy Burgers, Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwiches on quintessential New York Hard Rolls, oozy Grilled Cheeses grilled to perfection, all chased by those amazing French Fries with the perfect amount of crunchiness, washed down with a cold Tall Boy from the industrial refrigerators against the back wall.

This is the image I've always had of this place as I've walked by and stared through the windows into the fluorescent lights late at night.

When we finally met, Mott Corner delivered.

We sat down at one of the two four-tops against the windows. Seated next to us were a table of Mexicans who greeted us in Spanish and promptly quizzed us on our knowledge of world languages. Crowded around the counter a group of cab drivers, probably Bangladeshi, drank coffee out of paper cups and gesticulated wildly while discussing the days events. After the Mexicans left (hasta luego), a group of jolly brits took their place and proceeded to fill the tabletop up with empty bottles of negro modelo between the burgers and fries. Before long, nearing four in the morning, want-to-be-scene (pun intended) girls in six inch heels and guys in jeans a size too tight start showing up, probably stumbling over from Kenmare down the block. They displace the cabbies, some who leave to try and hack it on the city streets again, while three remain and hover over our table watching the foreign news show playing on the TV bolted to the wall above our heads. Soon, there's no one left but us and the staff, our table scattered about with empty bottles and cans. Down Kenmare towards the East River the sun is beginning to peak out over the horizon and then you know it's time to say farewell and adieu.

This place is an absolute staple for me. I'm here almost daily. The people are a bit shy but are incredibly nice. It's a hard area to find an affordable bite to eat, and mott corner has great food for a good price at all hours.

Brutal. Really poor service, as in they disregard you and yell over you at other customers. The food from the grill is inedible, even by bodega standards. It's hard to find a decent breakfast sandwich in town but this is the last place I would ever go again.

Don't do it, there are other places with regular service and mediocre food nearby, both of which are vast improvements.

Turkey sandwich. Heated up the turkey (not appetizing). Way too generous with the Mayo. Don't enforce mask policy.

Ordered a 3 ingredient sandwich of turkey, lettuce and, avocado. But into the sandwich and the turkey was old. It tasted bad and it smelled just as bad. Waste of time and money.

After all these years, Mott Corner is still my go-to for late night burgers and fries. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. They may even be open on Christmas and all other "super" holidays. I have never eaten there since my place is about a block away. I call in my order ahead of time so I don't have to wait for my food. The call-in usually happens when I'm leaving a bar after a night out of drinking. By the time the taxi or my leisure walk gets me to Mott Corner, the food is ready and waiting for me. It takes about 15 minutes for the guys to cook up a frozen beef patty, slap on a piece of cheese, and fry the French fries. Get the Cheeseburger Deluxe, which includes the fries. They cut up the lettuce and tomatoes as they prepare the burgers. Nothing is cooked ahead of time. It's that fresh (sans the frozen beef patty and frozen fries, but you get the picture)! Pricing is super affordable and don't expect all smiles from the employees. Just get your food, pay for it, and leave.

This has to be in the top ten worst bodegas in Manhattan. I've been in here and tried a range of food from the bacon, egg, and cheese to the chicken curry special and it's like they go our of their way to make it flavorless.

That would be fine - it's just a bodega and I'm not expecting a gourmet meal, but these guys are also seriously  unpersonable. Not even mean, just no personality, poor customer service, ignore you as long as possible, and the prices are much higher than equal or better places around.

For non-cooked items, there's a Duane Reade literally a block away that sells better options for  cheaper. Don't bother.

I know how to pick em'!

I gave it 3 stars because this was my go to spot for a cheap late snack. I never minded much that they are somewhere between rude - vapid to white non-taxi drivers like myself.

No matter how they treated me I'm always respectful and make sure I clean my table before I leave. I say please and thank you and smile and say good night. You'd think after seeing you night after night they'd "lighten up" .....Nope! Then I make a huge mistake.

The other night I saw they had I phone usb charger cables for sale so I grabbed one and I told the cashier I'm buying this for my i-phone. "Is it compatible" I asked. He responded by saying "high speed charge" yes! I'm still skeptical so I say ok, but if it doesn't work you know I'm coming back to return it. (Since I eat there regularly) and then I bought it.

Of course I get home and plug it in and it doesn't work. (Phone gives a message saying not compatible with this accessory) so I return 2 nights later. I realize this might not go well so I wisely ate my food first then I go to pay and I tell him about the charger I bought does not work and I'm returning it.

He says no refunds! Take another! I said you don't understand, it's not compatible so taking another will not help me. He's not having it. He insists "no returns"! He exclaims. So I just put the wire on the counter and said "nope...Im returning it..just like I said I would if it didn't work." So I tell him "I owe $8 for my food, and you owe me $7 for the charger. Here's a dollar. Now we're even." As I'm walking out and gathering my things he starts repeating I don't like this! I don't like this!

It's 2am and there are a fair amount of people there and it becomes a scene. Now everyone is looking at me like I did something wrong. I replied from across the room "you don't like this? Well I come in here all the time and I'm very friendly and never make trouble and you sell me a charger that doesn't work. I simply came to return it and you make a scene and treat me like I just did something horrible to you. Now you lost a regular customer"

I walk out and I will never go back.

The end.

Those spicy chicken sandwiches are to die for!!!! Try it if you ever stop by this hidden gem!

I was looking for a quick bite on a Saturday morning. Thanks to other Yelpers, I decided to check out Mott Corner and I'm glad I did. I ordered a simple egg and cheese on rye. It was quick and tasty. I'd go again.