Blockheads Aims to Spice Up Neighborhood

Chipotle has some spicy new competition in Morningside Heights.

The Mexican eatery chain Blockheads found a new niche on Amsterdam Avenue between 106th and 107th streets this past December.

“The Upper West Side is one of the areas we did not have a location in. We had been looking for a spot up there for some years,” Blockheads co-owner Ken Sofer explained. He said that this new space is the perfect fit—the restaurant stands in a lot left long empty after the closing of Amsterdam Air Cooling and Appliance.

Sofer is enthusiastic about targeting the college crowd. “The location’s proximity to Columbia University was definitely a plus,” he said. “Our food, our prices—they’re definitely geared towards the student population.”

Serving “hefty portions of healthy San Francisco-style Mexican food at great prices in a casual, comfortable atmosphere” and their popular $3 margaritas, the Blockheads owners anticipate a positive transition into the area.

“We have a very chill atmosphere—exactly the kind of thing that college crowds like to have,” Blockheads co-manager Karla Garcia said. “And our place is new, organized, and pretty. It’s also easy to accommodate to people’s needs in this spot—we can have everything from a party of 15 to a dinner for two.”

But the old kids on the block—like Chipotle on Broadway and 110th Street—have already amassed devoted followings of Columbians.

Chipotle manager Luis Flores isn’t worried about losing business. “I hadn’t heard of Blockheads,” he said. “We haven’t had, and I don’t think we’ll have, any problems.”
Some students are equally skeptical about Blockheads’ future, and intend to stay loyal to the burrito they know.

“I don’t feel like we need another Mexican food place in the neighborhood. Chipotle does it for me ... 106th Street is too far,” Anders Wallace, CC ’08, said.

Yet Javier Hernandez, an employee at the 955 D’Auris Grocery and Meat Market business next door, says that Blockheads seems to have a lot of satisfied customers.
“If a restaurant has good service, whether it is a chain or not, that’s the only thing that matters,” Hernandez said in Spanish. “I think it’s working out well for them.”

And like any chain, Blockheads already boasts a few built-in fans. Drew Fishback, CC’ 10, has frequented the restaurant since the age of 13 and is excited about the new uptown location.

“It makes me happy I won’t have to travel as far for their guacamole,” he said.
stephanie.shih@columbiaspectator.com