The SmithCHAIN

3.6/10American

AI-generated summary

People go here because it is big, takes reservations and has a menu that covers every diet, not because the food is great. The common line is Applebee’s with a trust fund, average and overpriced. The and the are what regulars actually defend. It is also extremely loud.

1150 Broadway, New YorkGramercy / Flatiron, Manhattan4 NYC locations mappedGoogle Maps

What Reddit says533

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  • replying to u/Interesting-Fall-577: Awful food. Whenever I have a formal biz lunch invite, it's The Smith at least half the time and I don't get it. Does anyone actually think this place is any good? I

    It’s business lunch Applebee’s, their menu is diner-style all-over-the-place so there’s something for everyone without having to ask or worry about dietary preferences, but it looks reasonably nice inside

    H3

  • replying to u/ReliabilityTalkinGuy: The Smith is the perfect business lunch location. Bit too busy, but busy enough. Has something on the menu for literally anyone. No one will remember what they ate there in a few months, but they won’t have a bad time. It’s an extremely safe choice, especially for a business-related meal. 

    Is it exquisite cuisine? No. It's diner food for people with expense accounts. But it's also so consistently *acceptable* that it's unlikely to piss anyone off.

    H3

  • replying to u/mulleargian: I have some NYC restaurants that I really dislike, but they bring others joy so I wouldn’t want to yuck yums. Hillstone is a good example. I’d be supportive of closing The Smith because: fuck the Sackler family. And I struggle to imagine The Smith bringing true joy to anybody/being anything other than a convienient spot for out of towners (although I’m sure these people do exist.) Aside from that, maybe Salts Cure? The line list it de blocks the footpath all weekend long and their health inspection history is... colorful, to put it politely.

    The Smith brought my wife food poisoning with their mussels and then tried to tell us she drank too much (she had one glass of white wine) when they caused her to puke. I was having a hard time thinking of a place to close until you said this. It is objectively the correct answer for so many reasons.

    H3

  • replying to u/herseyhawkins33: There's nothing awful about the Smith. It's plainly average.

    It gave my wife food poisoning. Their mussels were tainted. They accused her of being too wasted in the toilet. She’d had half a glass of white wine. Fuck the Smith.

    H3

  • replying to u/pickledplumber: I always thought that was a very popular and good restaurant

    It was all just so flavorless and rubbery— just lame overall. I wouldn’t try any others because of that one experience.

    H3

  • replying to u/QuietCelery7850: We ate at The Smith last year and it was lovely. https://thesmithrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TS-NYC-Thanksgiving-2023.pdf

    Tons of food and it was all very good!

    H3

  • replying to u/AreYouHighClairee: The Smith still slaps. I hate myself for this opinion.

    They are consistent and great for a group. They're the place for a warm, cozy burger or something you want that sticks to your ribs. It's way better diner food, and for the prices diners charge now, it's basically a bargain.

    H3

  • replying to u/Tasty-Economics2889: I know I’m gonna get hate for this but the smith Mac and cheese is so good

    the occaisonal times that I have the quality of the Mac and cheese was very inconsistent.

    H3

  • replying to u/Tasty-Economics2889: I know I’m gonna get hate for this but the smith Mac and cheese is so good

    from the first bite of the mac and cheese I knew it was far from excellent.

    H3