Former Vermin-Filled Congee Bowery Space Reborn as ‘Funny BBQ’
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The Department of Health came for Congee on the Bowery last September (not to be confused with Congee Village). Inspectors literally discovered a shitshow on premises and subsequently shut down the popular Chinese restaurant. Their tally of sixty-five violation points included evidence of live roaches, rats, and filth flies. The closure ultimately proved permanent.
Now, after many months of renovations, 98 Bowery boasts a new identity. Behold, Funny BBQ, a Chinese barbecue and hot-pot joint. A teaser banner out front promises an opening “soon.” It seems to be a second outpost for the brand behind Brooklyn. Otherwise, not much else on menu or launch date.
Congee Bowery had been on the scene – bewteen Grand and Hester – since 2002. It received several press accolades through the years, and was voted Best New Chinese Restaurant by the Village Voice. So it goes.
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