Travel video guide
Where to Eat in New York, NY: Sbarro Baked Ziti
This guide turns I Tried Bankrupt NYC Restaurant Chains from Jon Barr into a practical restaurant map with 9 saved spots around New York, Brooklyn, and Bronx. The mapped places include a restaurant stop, a cafe stop, and a deli. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Jon Barr explored the decline of iconic New York chains, finding that while nostalgia made the Sbarro and Planet Hollywood experiences tolerable, the food quality often struggled to compete with modern standards. He was most pleasantly surprised by the Blimpie Best sandwich, which he felt deserved a comeback despite the staff's hostility toward his filming. Ultimately, he concluded that while some chains like Blimpie still hold value, others like Sbarro are better left in the past.
What this map is good for
- Planning a pizza restaurant stop or short itinerary in New York.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 9 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- H&H Bagels
Store in 1551 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075, USA, New York, NY, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Chock Full O'Nuts
Coffee Shop in 1701 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230, USA, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Price level: Cheap - Macario
Mexican Restaurant in 463 4th Ave Store 1, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Planet Hollywood New York
Restaurant in 136 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA, New York, NY, United States
Price level: High - Famous Famiglia Pizza
Pizza Restaurant in 686 8th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA, New York, NY, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Gray's Papaya
Fast Food Restaurant in 2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA, Manhattan, New York, United States
Price level: Cheap
Hours: Hours available - Blimpie
Deli in 2200 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10462, USA, Bronx, NY, United States
Price level: Medium - Sbarro
Pizza Restaurant in 2509 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234, USA, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Price level: Medium - Tasti D-Lite
Ice Cream Shop in 416 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016, New York, NY 10016
Price level: Cheap
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Sbarro baked ziti
- Sbarro cheese pizza
- Blimpie Best sandwich
- Planet Hollywood nachos grande
- Planet Hollywood LA lasagna
Experiences captured
- Visited a mall food court in Brooklyn
- Sat in decades-old Sbarro booths with springy seats
- Noticed shakers chained to the walls at Sbarro
- Encountered a 15-minute time limit to eat
- Got confronted for filming inside a Blimpie
- Ate a sandwich on the streets of the Bronx
- Explored a nearly empty Planet Hollywood in Times Square
- Discussed Knicks basketball with a restaurant greeter
Planning notes for New York
Midtown Manhattan, situated between 34th and 59th Streets in New York City, serves as a primary commercial and cultural district. Originally composed of farmland and country estates in the 18th century, the area underwent systematic development following the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which established the borough's grid system. By the mid-19th century, residential expansion and the introduction of railroads, such as the New York Central Railroad.
Must-try foods nearby
- Mutton Chop at Keens Steakhouse
A legendary Midtown staple since 1885. This massive, 26-ounce saddle of lamb is thick-cut and succulent. - Chicken and Rice Platter at The Halal Guys
What started as a single cart at 53rd and 6th has become a global icon. The classic platter features yellow rice, gyro meat or chicken, and the famous, top-secret 'white sauce. - Oyster Pan Roast at Grand Central Oyster Bar
Located in the majestic vaulted cellars of Grand Central Terminal, this dish is a piece of New York history. - Everything Bagel with Lox at Ess-a-Bagel
A Midtown East institution known for some of the biggest and fluffiest hand-rolled bagels in the city. - The Burger at Burger Joint
Hidden behind a velvet curtain in the lobby of the Thompson Central Park hotel, this 'speakeasy' burger spot is a cult favorite.
When to go: The best time to visit Midtown is during the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October.
Local tips
- Step to the side of the sidewalk and away from building entrances before stopping to check your phone or a map to avoid blocking the flow of pedestrian traffic.
- Stand on the right side of escalators and let passengers exit the subway car completely before you attempt to board.
- Budget for a standard gratuity of 20% at sit-down restaurants, as tipping is a critical part of the local service economy.
- Stay alert for fast-moving delivery e-bikes and cyclists when crossing streets, even if you have the right-of-way signal.
What travelers are noticing
- CityPickle Flagship: A massive 37,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility that recently opened at 1501 Broadway in the historic Paramount Building.
- Pick & Cheese: The world’s first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, a viral London import, making its NYC debut at Shaver Hall on Fifth Avenue.
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Midtown is the central hub for fans and events as the region prepares to host the World Cup Final and multiple matches in June and July.
Extra place context
- Gray’s Papaya
Known for: The 'Recession Special' at Gray’s Papaya. Mentioned as a must-try spot in top foods.
food
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from I Tried Bankrupt NYC Restaurant Chains, with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.