Restaurant Review: Lexington Candy Shoppe

On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give this place a 10. This place is a rock, a neighborhood fixture in a place where small shops often fall victim to large skyscrapers. It has been in business since 1925.

And if they keep things up, they are staying for a long time.

Located on Lexington Avenue at 85th Street on Manhattan's upper east side, Lexington Candy Shop reminds me a little bit of the Maine Dinner. Good food, reasonably priced. Is that so much to ask for? So few restaurants can do it these days, and just stepping through the doorway into Lexington Candy is like stepping back in time. The decor has not changed much, and neither has the menu.

The folks at this luncheonette are quick to point out where they buy all of their daily bread from; Orwasher's Bakery on 78th street. All their steak is black angus. All of their food is prepared and cooked on site. It's not fast food; it's good food fast. And two people can can each buy a sandwich and walk out without paying more than $20. Not bad for Manhattan. Not bad at all.

Lexington Candy is their name and their deserts do not disappoint. Lexington Candy purchases all of their ice cream from Bassetts, a family-owned business in Philadelphia that has been serving ice cream since before refrigeration. Seriously. These guys started when Lincoln was President. Bottom line: Basset's is good. And they have resisted calls to go national to maintain the purity of their small production line. Lexington Candy uses Bassets for all sorts of malts, milkshakes and sundaes. Nicole made a good point: With so many great deserts to chose from, a repeat trip is guaranteed.

She said she would share--and then she took a sip!

Getting to Lexington Candy Shop is easy: it's just one block from the 4, 5 and 6 train stop at Lexington Avenue and 86th street.