By Denny Patterson
They say that some of the greatest success stories emanate from the most unlikely of circumstances, and New York Grilled Cheese Co. (NYGC) is one such story. Using the right mix of breads, fine cheeses, and fresh ingredients, this restaurant has transcended America’s classic comfort food into something spectacular.
Founded by Leor Barak in 2012, he initially started the business as a local FroYo shop on Wilton Drive.
“We thought it would make for a great addition to the area, but we didn’t realize that we were entering this market at the tail end of the FroYo fad,” Barak said. “In addition to having several competitors essentially offering the exact same products, we quickly realized that this would not be a lucrative business. Luckily, I decided to fall back on my culinary expertise, as I graduated from a French culinary school in Canada, and came up with a concept that would, hopefully, help us sell more FroYo.”
In 2013, Barak invested the last bit of money to convert the back FroYo lounge into NYGC, which became an instant success.
“As the popularity of NYGC grew, we made a decision to sell off our FroYo equipment and clear the front area for a new dining room space,” Barak said. “Eventually, much of the local South Florida media began showing interest in our brand, and we began to make TV appearances on Deco Drive, 6 in the Mix, and we were written about by all major South Florida newspapers and magazines. We were even voted “Best Of” on Yelp, Trip Advisor, and many local and national Top 10 lists.”
In addition to mouth-watering grilled cheese melts, NYGC is known for other top-selling items including loaded fries dishes, panko-crusted chicken tenders, tomato-basil bisque, and bacon-dog lollipops. Barak says the SoHow Sweet Cheese is his favorite dish.
“I love it because of its Parisian-inspired flair,” he said. “I love brie, especially when it’s paired up with something sweet like the berry sauce that we use, and the carmelized onions. We also add some crispy bacon for that element of crunch, and subtle smokiness, all waffled in between buttery oatmeal-wheat bread slices. My go-to favorite.”
Like several other restaurants in the industry, NYGC continues to follow all local and state COVID-19 guidelines. According to Barak, once the pandemic started and lockdowns were mandated, NYGC had to operate in limited hours and only offered take-out and delivery orders.
“It was a difficult period, as many workers were fearful of coming in, many did not want to wear masks while working in the kitchen, and some folks decided to stop working altogether during this time,” he said. “We did our best to continue serving our communities, and I found myself having to work in the kitchen after many years of not having to do so. Eventually, as restrictions lifted, we were able to welcome back our regulars as dine-in guests again.”
In spring 2021, NYGC closed down for a short period of time due to renovations.
“Our renovations went on for several months, and we worked in stages to be able to remain open and keep our staff employed,” Barak said. “We had to shut down for an entire month for the final stages, which included an overhaul of our kitchen and equipment.”
When the restaurant reopened in May 2021, Barak says he was overwhelmed by the Wilton Manors community’s response.
“I am so grateful to our amazing community,” he said. “They have always shown us support, and it was certainly no different from the time that we shut down to renovate, until the very hour that we reopened. Many were concerned that we would shut down for good, or may not reopen at all. When we made the announcement that we finally reopened, we were slammed within the hour.”
Besides Wilton Manors, there is another NYGC location in downtown Boca Raton. Barak says there are plans to expand the business even more, with eyes currently set on Dade County.
He hopes to begin franchising in the next year or so.
“I would love for our committed and loyal staff members to open a location of their own one day via franchising and create an amazing future for themselves and their families,” Barak said. “I would also love to see our brand expand beyond just Florida and become a house-hold name.”
No matter what the future holds for NYGC, Barak promises the restaurant will always be a safe space for all walks of life. In addition to raising tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and fundraisers, NYGC has even made headlines after standing up against transphobic customers who harassed one of the restaurant’s transgender team members.
“We love our community, and we love giving back,” Barak said. “We hope to continue to be able to do so in the future.”
NYGC is located at 2207 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. For more information, visit NewYorkGrilledCheese.com, or follow NYGC on Facebook and Instagram.
