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This Classic NYC Diner Still Makes Coke the Old-Fashioned Way

New York City Restaurants + Bars Food + Drink
by Matador Creators May 30, 2023

The Lexington Candy Shop on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan is a staple of New York City culinary history. Established in 1925, it has stood the test of time and remains a popular site for locals and tourists alike, standing as an excellent example of an old-school American diner.

@foodwtf Check out this diner in #NYC that's almost 100 years old and makes Coca Cola the old fashioned way⭐ 🎥IG: @brandonconnor18 #nyceats #foodietiktok #nycfoodie #nycrestaurants #foodietok #cocacola ♬ Originalton – 🎧

Stepping inside, you’re transported back to a different time with classic 1920s decor. The iconic neon signs, checkerboard floor, and vintage booths will make you feel like you’re on the set of an old Hollywood movie. The candy-colored façade ensures you’ll never miss it, and once inside, the nostalgia hits full force with smells of classic diner fare.

This spot is famous for its sandwiches – everything from classic tuna melt to pastrami, at reasonable prices. The milkshakes and floats are the house specialty, handcrafted to perfection by masterful soda jerks. Besides the usual offerings, you’ll even find more interesting items like Waldorf salads, chili, and pies of every kind.

The diner is perhaps best known, however, for its old-fashioned sodas. They don’t just pour Coke out of a machine like any old McDonald’s, they do it the old-fashioned way, using high-quality syrup and carbonated water to concoct the drink in the traditional manner. The process of making the soda starts with a pint glass filled with ice. The soda jerk then adds the right amount of Coca-Cola syrup, followed by carbonated water that’s added from a nearby tap. The mixture is then stirred gently to create the perfect consistency and flavor.

The result is a Coke remarkably different from what you get in plastic bottles or cans. It has a distinct taste and texture, with just the right balance of sweetness and fizziness. And if you remember those good old fashioned diner days, it’ll give you a hearty doese of nostalgia, too.

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