“You Can’t Make It In NYC Without The Help of Other New Yorkers” —Jeff Perla shares his West Side Story

Social media influencer and chicken tender enthusiast Jeff Perla has lived in Hell’s Kitchen for the last seven years. He can often be found conducting man-on-the-street interviews around the neighborhood. This is Jeff’s West Side Story.

So what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I am from Upstate New York (Syracuse). When I graduated college, I knew I was going to move to NYC. I moved here with my best friend Julianne the summer after college in 2015, where we shared one bedroom in a three-bedroom apartment until we could get on our feet. Our fathers told us if we didn’t have jobs by the fall, we were coming home.

What was your first job? What do you do now?
With the ultimatum from my family, I took the first job I could get as a job recruiter. It lasted about 3 months before I realized what am I doing here? I can barely pay my bills. I started pursuing social media for others and myself which has brought me to where I am today.

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
My favorite time period was in 2015, when I first moved to New York City. Everything was so new and exciting. I had never even been to a gay bar before. So, to live in Hell’s Kitchen, where I was surrounded by numerous places and people, was like an amusement park for finding myself.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
I love Hell’s Kitchen because it feels like home. I walk down the street and know someone at every block. Even the gays who refuse to say hi when they walk by, I still acknowledge them and say hey. I have lived here for the past 7 years and don’t intend on leaving this apartment until maybe I find a boyfriend who wants to move in with me haha.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I would say my superpower is I can talk to the wall. I think people forget that we all have a commonality of moving from somewhere to make it in NYC and that looks different for everyone, but you can’t make it in NYC without the help of other New Yorkers. So talk to each other!

What else should we know about you?
I would say for all people on social media, we’re much more than the person we’re portraying on the internet, and I think people forget that sometimes!

Jeff’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

Sticky’s Finger Joint — 598 9th Ave (bw W42/43rd St)
My favorite place to eat is Sticky’s. I have always been obsessed with Chicken Tenders and this place is truly the best of the best. Crispy, juicy, nuggs with the best assortment of homemade sauces. I highly recommend it.

Amor Loco — 134 W46th St bw 6/7th Ave
My go to brunch spot! A cute Mexican restaurant that does a weekly drag brunch and great food. It’s a very social environment where everyone mixes and mingles. They have a Don Julio crusted french toast which is fire.

Rise Bar — 859 9th Ave (corner W56th St)
May come off basic to include a gay bar in this list but Rise Bar is always a reliable pit stop for Happy Hour. Their 2-for-1 drinks, music, and crowd is a great way to kick off any night — even if it’s a random Tuesday.

Broad Nosh Bagels 9th Ave — 587 9th Ave bw W42/43rd St
Broad Nosh may be my newest obsession. A classic NY staple is a NY bagel (& no, not all bagels taste the same) As someone who has tried every bagel place in NYC, this is my top choice for an authentic NY bagel. They just opened a new location on 9th Ave and W43rd St which is closer to me than their other location near Columbus Circle.

Crowne Plaza HY36 — 320 W36th St bw 8/9th Ave
Living in NYC for 9 years there are always visitors, family, and friends who want to come down and “stay with me”. Living in a one bedroom apartment and being 31 years old were not cramming 6 people anymore haha. I always recommend the Crowne Plaza Hudson Yards because she’s central to everything a visitor would want to do. The rooms and service are great, and downstairs is Burgerology which has really good chicken tenders too!

The Dickens — 783 8th Ave (bw W47/48th St)
I love the Dickens because it is a restaurant bar like no other in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s a cocktail bar with amazing drinks and great apps which is my favorite. There are four floors and every floor is a different vibe — they even have a roof deck! This is usually my go to spot for a drink before a Broadway show.

Schmackary’s — 362 W45th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
If you are looking for a dessert this is the place you need to go to. An assortment of cookies and baked goods that everyone loves. I always get the cookies and cream or the funfetti. They switch up the cookies based on holidays or current Broadway shows in the area.

Don Giovanni — 358 W44th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
Great Italian food perfect for a date night. Not directly on 9th Avenue which makes it harder to come by. I love their chicken parm and the service always seems to be quick.

Big Apple Meat Market — 577 9th Ave (bw W41/42nd St)
This is my go to grocery store. Big Apple Meat Market has the most affordable groceries I’ve found in NYC. Freshest chicken (preferably thin sliced) and I don’t think many people know of this place.

Carnegie Diner & Cafe W57 — 205 W57th St bw Broadway/7th Ave
Who doesn’t love a diner? Carnegie Diner seems to be open at all hours when I need it. You want to take someone to breakfast, it’s open. You’re drunk at 3am, it’s open. Food always hits and I know I’ll get a table.

You can follow Jeff on Instagram at @jeffperlaa . If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations .

You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App .

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