Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Longtime UWS Pizza Joint Big Nick's Might Close Over Rent Hike
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 8, 2013
Modified Jan 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 8, 2013
Modified Jan 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint, the Upper West Side's bastion of post-boozing burgers, subs and slices, is in danger of shuttering over a $200,000 a year rent increase. Owner Nick Imirziades, who got Big Nick's started on 77th and Broadway in 1962, broke the news on the restaurant's Facebook page. "I can pay the $40,000 per month I am paying now," Imirziades wrote. "I just can't pay $60,000. It is only 1000 square feet (and you know how small my place is)!"
We called Big Nick's earlier today, and while we were unable to reach Imirziades, an employee confirmed the rent conflict, if not the closure itself. "We hear there's some kind of rent increase that the business can't handle," he told us. "We might be closing. We're working on some kind of deal, but so far we don't know which way it's going to go." And West Side Rag says the close is all but imminent, with a source telling them, “[Nick's] just letting people know why."
The 24-hour joint is an UWS staple—it celebrated its 50th anniversary last year with 60 cent burgers— and locals say they're sad to see it go. " I lived 3 years in NY and I considered Big Nicks my second home," one commenter posted on Facebook. "I can't believe this is happening." No word yet on if and when they'll close up shop for good, but since the 'hood's closest Chase Bank is a full two blocks away, they're probably due for another one, and buzzed UWS pub-crawlers can expect to spend future after-Gin Mill-hours trying to coax mozzarella sticks out of an ATM.
Tagged
big nicks
closings
manhattan
rent
Upper West Side
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .