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An Upper East Side eatery has gone from closing up shop to quite literally “winging it” in the span of a week.
International Wings Factory, located at 1762 First Avenue (between 91st and 92nd streets), officially shuttered on March 25, following an announcement earlier this month by owner Deepak Ballaney. The restaurant operated only during dinner hours over its last few weeks.
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However, Ballaney took to Instagram last Thursday to inform customers that he “completely forgot to cancel” an order, and that he’d be opening the store on “Friday evening and Saturday all day or until we sell out.” He added, “If you’re in the neighborhood, come by! I’d love to serve you all again.”
Ballaney told East Side Feed that at this stage, he plans on opening the space on days he already has to handle catering or other large orders, and only serve a very limited menu.
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“We’ll be announcing the timing daily on Instagram,” he told us Monday afternoon. “Additionally, we’re holding out hope that an investor will come forward to help us overcome our financial difficulties and potentially revive the brand, allowing us to reopen on the Upper East Side, where we still have a lease agreement in place.”
In a follow up post on Saturday, Ballaney–who’s also linked a donation page to his restaurant’s profile–had some harsh words for those who have apparently taken issue with his eatery’s shifting status and uncertain hours.
“I just want to clear something up because I’ve been getting messages and comments from some people questioning why I’m opening and closing,” he wrote. In addition to forgetting to cancel the order, Ballaney said he still has team members who need work, and since he still has the space, “why not serve wings while I can?”
“If you think this is ‘bullshit’ or ‘playing games,’ just unfollow me,” Ballaney added. “I’d rather focus on the people who support me, just like I’ve supported my community all these years.”
Following his initial post on Thursday, one user wrote: “I think you’re playing games now bro. Just to boost business. One day you’re closing next you have 3500 wings delivery? LOL.”
Ballaney opened International Wings Factory in 2012 after deciding to focus on a specialty wing spot rather than a fine dining establishment like he originally planned. Serving a large variety of traditional and boneless wings, as well as sides like fries, mac and cheese and more, the place was a hit; Ballaney eventually opened a second location at 765 Eighth Avenue during the pandemic which has since closed.
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