El Quijote (restaurant) facts for kids

El Quijote is a famous Spanish restaurant located inside the Hotel Chelsea in New York City. You can find it in the Manhattan area. This restaurant has been in the same spot on West 23rd Street for a very long time, almost 90 years! It was recently bought by Chelsea Hotels and closed for a while to get a fresh new look. The new owners plan to reopen it soon and want to make sure it still feels like a true Spanish restaurant.

A Look Back in Time

El Quijote first opened its doors in 1930. After another Spanish restaurant closed in 2012, El Quijote became the oldest Spanish restaurant in New York City.

The restaurant started out connected to an area once called Little Spain. This was a neighborhood on 14th Street in Manhattan. Many people from Spain lived and worked there. El Quijote was a popular spot for people who had moved from Spain during a difficult time in their home country.

What Makes It Special?

El Quijote is well-known for its unique and fun decorations. The walls have cool murals and statues. These artworks show scenes and characters from the famous Spanish book Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

The restaurant serves big portions of classic Spanish food. Some popular dishes include chorizo (a type of sausage), paella (a rice dish), and garlic shrimp. They also offer Sangria, a fruity drink, and surf and turf (a meal with both seafood and meat). El Quijote even has its own special creations, like lobster in green sauce.

Many famous people have visited El Quijote over the years. The artist Andy Warhol often sat at a table there. He was sometimes joined by the writer William S. Burroughs. The singer Janis Joplin was also known to visit the restaurant.