Original Frank and Eddie’s cut from Third Avenue

As of Monday, July 28, Third Avenue foodies needed to take their lunch breaks somewhere else.

The line at Frank and Eddie’s at 276 Bay Ridge Parkway, once out the door and around the corner, is no more. A Bay Ridge staple since 1963, the family-run business, managed by Dennis Mannarino, has officially closed up shop.

“The meat business is getting hard,” explained Joseph Tafuri, manager of Frank and Eddie’s Butcher Bar, the rustic, brick-lined restaurant-bar that, just last year, opened in the prep room of the market. While the corner butcher shop, at home on Bay Ridge Parkway for more than 50 years, has shut its doors, the Butcher Bar will remain open for business, as will Frank and Eddie’s sister shop at 302 86^th Street.

“It was really hard on him,” explained Mannarino’s brother of Dennis’ difficult decision. According to lifelong customers, Dennis poured his heart into his work. His brother followed suit in 1989, opening a second location with the same name, on the corner of Third and 86^th. “But we’re still here, and we want to thank everyone for sticking by us.”

Frank and Eddie’s, famous for its fresh meats but also known for its cold cuts, salads, fresh bread and mozzarella, at one time even delivered door to door.

“It was difficult to keep up with these big [wholesale] shops like Costco’s and BJs,” Tafuri said, sad to see his neighbor go. Still, he said, the eatery will serve up the same Grade A quality meats, this time, from 86^th Street.

Remembered for its pristine butchered meats like lamb, pork, veal and poultry, the original Frank and Eddie’s – and its signature sandwiches like the Italian Stallion, chock full of ham, salami, capicola, and pepperoni – will be missed.

“It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t last longer,” said local resident Robert Minondo, a fan of Frank and Eddie’s for as long as he can remember. “Both the shop and the Butcher Bar were good solid spots and now that the market is going to be gone, it seems like the corner of Bay Ridge Parkway and Third Avenue is going to be missing one of those local gems from the neighborhood.”

“It’s a shame,” said one shopper, as she approached the doors of the shop only to find them locked. A sign now hangs in the window, reminding buyers that, just 11 blocks up, Frank and Eddie’s lives on.

“Either way, it’s going to feel naked on that corner without them,” said Minondo.