PrintMei Li Wah Makes Its Triumphant Return
Cha siu bao enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief today. Mei Lai Wah, which was shuttered in April by the Department of Health, reopened today and all your favorites are back, untouched. The popular bakery has a bright, cleaner, more modern design, but all the old guys behind the counter have returned (albeit with new uniforms), and the pork buns remain as delicious as ever. And don't let the sign scare you; it may be spelled Mai Li Wah now (instead of Lai), but the pronounciation is the same.
Thankfully the prices have remained the same, and they've even added a few new items, like bubble tea. And if you go now, in the first few days of the grand opening, you'll get a 10% discount. We also noticed that, just like the Beijing Olympics and the new location of Hong Kong Supermarket (which also opened today), Mei Li Wah clearly chose to reopen on 8/8/08 for good luck. Let's hope that extra luck keeps the Department of Health away.
A gallery of before and after shots, after the jump.
Before and After
Mei Li Wah
64 Bayard Street, New York NY 10013 (nr. Mott; map)
212-925-5435
Related:
A Guide to Bakeries in Manhattan's Chinatown
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
5 Comments:
that is some good stuff... tried it this morning. awesome pork bun. mmmm...
foodinmouth at 4:15PM on 08/08/08
I love your before and after pics. Especially of the counter guy. It was so funny to see those older gentlemen in their snazzy orange polo shirts.
So happy Mei Lai (or Li) Wah is back!
BTW, I'm really curious what the sign in pink out front said. I wish I had thought to take a picture of it. I'll have to see if it shows up clearly in any of my photos...
BrooklynBrownie at 2:44AM on 08/09/08
@ BrooklynBrownie: Haha! Yeah I thought it was funny (and weird) seeing them in those new uniforms too! Oh, the jist of what the pink sign said is that they were thankful for all customers over the years and that they were opening up on Friday. Also it said that there would be a 10% discount during the this grand opening time.
Gordon Mark at 11:53AM on 08/09/08
Nice! Thanks, Gordon! I ate in the restaurant for the first time ever this weekend, I usually get the buns to go, and I can confirm that I got 10% off. Pretty sweet.
BrooklynBrownie at 12:10AM on 08/11/08
These uniforms are not that bad. It is packed in that restaurant. I do think though that maybe looking for some nice chef coats , could not hurt. Either way, the food was great.
uachef at 11:29AM on 10/22/08