Big Age, Bigger Bites: The Ceremony of Eating at Bubby's Tribeca

Now, let’s talk about what we came here for—the looks and the food. Ever since I was a child, I have found extreme comfort and pleasure in the ceremony of enjoying my meals. Aside from the simple necessity of having the dish itself, everything around me had to be perfect—the lighting, my favorite Tweety outfit, the right cartoon playing in the background, even the room’s temperature. My mother would always watch me with adoring eyes as I enjoyed her meals, cooked with love. It wasn’t until years later that she confessed her favorite part of preparing food was watching me eat it.

Even though my two sisters cleaned their plates just as quickly, my mother always found something different in the way I ate. She described my expressions as if I were studying each bite, my face curling up with joy without me saying a single word. To this day, she still makes the same observation, which always makes me feel like Anton Ego—the food critic from Ratatouille.

That deep connection to food never faded. Instead, it evolved into a ritualistic habit of dining out in my big age. The excitement begins the moment I start planning an outing with my significant others. I carefully go through my archives of restaurants I’ve saved from social media, excitedly sharing my picks—though no one ever seems as invested in choosing the perfect spot as I am.

Once the place is set, the real fun begins. I study the menu like it’s an exam, calculating the perfect balance of textures and flavors—crispy to chewy, sweet to salty, spicy to savory—down to the ideal glass of wine. And, of course, I always ask for the dessert menu before the appetizers have even hit the table.

This Morning's Destination and Atmosphere

One of my serial repeats in Tribeca that meets all my basic requirements is Bubby’s. The homey décor, laid-back atmosphere, and the aroma of freshly fried bacon feel like a warm hug after a gnarly hangover. Dressed in my favorite pair of baggy jeans, a knit sweater, and a headache, I scan the crowd and take in the scene—exchange students from NYU flaunting their latest Rolex, nurses still in last night’s uniform discussing their graveyard shift, and chic ladies with their designer dogs and ATM boyfriends. And somehow, I feel right at home.

What to Order

Bubby’s has become a ritual for my sister and me every time she visits from Miami. Yes, waitress, we have been here before. We’ll have the Pancake Flight with extra Nutella, Spicy Chicken Sandwich with truffle fries, a side of fried chicken, two sides of bacon, and bottomless glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. No, waitress, we are not expecting more people to join us at the table.

As expected, not even eight minutes go by before the dishes start rolling in. The busboy frantically plays Tetris, trying to make everything fit on our tiny two-seater. The restaurant is packed, so there’s no way they’re giving us a bigger table to accommodate the 15,000 calories we’re about to delicately inhale.

I eagerly reach for my fork and knife, but before I can take my first bite, I’m met with a playful slap and a familiar “The phone eats first.” from my sister. As if it weren’t for her, I’d have no memories to attach to these blog entries—because once the plate hits the table, it's time for me to enjoy the feast!

Keep in Mind

Next time you’re on the hunt for a fast, savory brunch with a welcoming atmosphere, give Bubby’s Tribeca a try. The place is always packed, so if you’re walking in, I recommend keeping your party small. If you’re coming with a bigger group, plan accordingly to avoid a long wait. But trust me—it’s worth it.

That is it for today, my RunwayBite, RunwayNibbles! Save this recommendation for your next comfort food outing as the weekend is near!