Who Needed Starbucks? The Great Chock Full o' Nuts

Before a $4.00 cup of coffee was a status symbol there was Chock Full o' Nuts.

Chock ran a series of coffee shops throughout the city well into the 1980s. Like fast food restaurants, all had the same decor and products. You could sit at the U-shaped counter, or get your coffee to go in one of two sized containers. This wasn't the gourmet stuff that they sold in Zabar's or the Leaf and Bean, but it was damn good- definitely a step up from diner or deli Java. It also packed a pretty solid kick. The food menu was limited, but many of us recall fondly the cream cheese and nut sandwich, served on delicious dark bread. There were also those fantastic small, crusty donuts.

Everyody ate at the Chock. There were no coffee shops at the time catering to yuppies, or kids, or the self-employed needing access to Wi-Fi, so we all had our caffeine together.