This is so upsetting. I started going right when they opened and it became my favorite Thai spot in Brooklyn. I will never forget their spiciest dishes that made me sweat in the best way possible. Hopefully they start a new project… anyone know anything else about this?
by Shoddy_Bridge_2672
27 Comments
NOOOOOOO 🙁
Damn I’m surprised. I feel like this is one of the most revered Thai spots in this sub. Might have to try before it’s gone
Damn I thought they were doing well.
Nooooo
devastated 🙁
Wait what the fuck. I’m assuming this is their choice or a landlord issue, because they’re always packed. This will be a big loss.
This surprises me.
The fact that they’re well-known, well-respected, and well-visited concerns me. Have NYC restaurant economics become so tight that they no longer make sense for small and celebrated restaurants?
If so, then we’re in for an extinction event in the next year.
Deeply sad. Our favorite waiter from there has been working at La Dong recently. Say to hi Bond if you see a familiar face there!
Really surprising
noooooooooooo not another one!!!!
Well, that’s a bummer.
Such a bummer.z so many good, great in this case, independent restaurants are barely surviving, despite being busy. NY will continue to consolidate, and to become more homogenous in their restaurant offerings. I wish I could say this is the tail end of that. But it’s not. It’s just the beginning. In Manhattan, nearly all the good independents are hemoragging money. Scale is the only thing to save, but that risk and capital evade so many of the best operators.
Hope you all like pecora Bianca, and the smith. Those factories are gonna usurp all the real killer restaurants.
Yet another gem to fall in the city. It really sucks to see. I’ve seen the rise (from late 90s ) of ny restaurant scene to global epicenter. And now the fall. All fueled by a business model that can’t make sense for most of the best chefs and operators. Long live ugly baby and all the independents doing it right, and taking chances to push the culture forward.
Man two very different places but this amazing spot closing after Thai Farm Kitchen announced the same a few weeks ago is a big blow for Thai food off the F train in Brooklyn 🙁
This is the worst news. Ugly baby is phenomenal. Every time I eat there it is amazing, I have been going for years and it’s the perfect date spot and worth the wait always…. My partner and I’s favourite restaurant… the staff are amazing too. Fond memories as well of the dessert boxes in the pandemic…
This sucks
Ugly Baby is, BY FAR, the closest food to what I’ve had in Northern Thailand. Everything else is bland. They are the only Thai spot with the balls to serve food Thai spicy, not Farang spice level.
Their Khao Soi is the best I’ve had ANYWHERE and I’ve had it a dozen times in Chaing Mai.
Between this and Floyd’s closing the same day.. devastating
I highly doubt this is a rent issue and probably more burn out, sadly. It’s only the two of them in the kitchen, they’ve been cutting back their open schedule for the last few years.
The toilet paper industry will take a hit on Smith Street.
Love ya Ugly Baby!
To be clear, there’s no indication at this point that they’re closing for financial reasons. It’s just as likely that they’re simply burnt out. The caption seems to hint at that with the line about grinding curry paste every day for seven years.
For those looking for other options within the area, SUKH & Untable are also quite good.
Totally devastating. One of my favorite restaurants in the world
So if Ugly Baby is closed, what’s the recommendation for the next best thing for super spicy authentic Thai food ?
So bummed. This was worth the trip from the city.
I am a chef in NYC areaand there are many small restaurants, not just large ones.
NYC market is really hard on many levels though and it’s true about NYC having people hoard real estate.
If you love a place post about it, visit often. If tariffs happen restaurant prices will go up. Many small places use small farms and have no cushion.
Someone said they fear an extinction event and I always say restaurants are the canary in the gold mine. I am very worried about the next four years. So many places closed during covid.
Not sad, didn’t like it, wayyy overhyped