COURIER L 22 IFE, OCT. 4-10, 2019
Greenwood
Heights eatery
J’eatJet?
closing doors
J’eatJet? owner Justyna Kociubinski plans to close down
her brick-and-mortar storefront in Greenwood Heights, but
wants to continue serving grub out of a food truck.
Photo by Derrick Watterson
BY JESSICA PARKS
Beloved Greenwood
Heights restaurant
‘J’eatjet?’ will soon shut
its doors as the eatery’s
owner looks to take her
Polish-influenced cuisine
on the road.
“I will start a food
truck!” said Justyna
Kociubinski.
The Fifth Avenue
storefront has been a
neighborhood staple
since Kociubinski first
welcomed diners in 2013
— filling a lack of good
grub spots in the area
by serving up homestyle
pierogis, poutine
chicken, and burgers to
her dedicated local patrons.
“When we first
opened, we were serving
until 4 am, seven
days a week,” she said.
“We had a good industry
cloud, full of people
that love food.”
Now, the Kociubinski
is looking to cook
up her unique cuisine
around the country,
she said.
“I am excited to meet
many interesting people
across the country
and connect over wholesome
food — and some
of our grandmother’s
greatest recipes,” said
Kociubinski.
And while Kociubinski
is excited for her
new endeavor, the locals
she leaves behind
were dismayed at the
loss of their neighborhood
hotspot.
“The food has always
been crazy unique and
delicious,” said Kailee
O’Sullivan. “Not at all
typical bar food, but
magically infused with
Justyna’s and the chefs’
gourmet touch.”
The Polish-born
Brooklynite is looking
for someone to
take over the remainder
of the lease for the
dining space between
20th and 21st streets
— which is decked out
with a sprawling backyard
patio space, and a
bar crafted out of African
Mahogany.
Kociubinski first
opened the late-night
hot spot after joining
forces with three
friends in the aftermath
of Hurricane
Sandy to help cook for
hungry families devastated
by the storm.
The charitable chefs
traveled from Staten
Island to Rockaway
Beach, asking hungry
locals “did you eat
yet?” — but the pronunciation
became muffled
in their Brooklyn accents,
giving birth to
the Greenwood eatery’s
name, “J’eatjet?”
MAX