It’s time for our monthly post about obscure and unusual national holidays! In addition to our official national holidays like Thanksgiving, there are hundreds of unofficial “holidays” celebrating everything from cleaning out your refrigerator to merry-go-rounds to pickles. Following are some of November’s unofficial national holidays and the best ways to celebrate them right here in Brooklyn.
November 1 — National Authors’ Day
Carson McCullers. W. H. Auden. Paul and Jane Bowles. From 1940 to 1941, these literary giants lived together in a funny little mock-Tudor brownstone at 7 Middagh Street in Brooklyn Heights. And that’s not all: their roommates included Lotte Lenya and Kurt Weill, Benjamin Britten, two adult children of Thomas Mann, and (wait for it) Gypsy Rose Lee. For more on 7 Middagh Street aka February House, check out this post.
7 Middagh Street photo courtesy of Ephemeral New York.
Taqueria De Los Muertos | Reana K. via Yelp
November 6 — National Nachos Day
Taqueria De Los Muertos serves flavorful Mexican cuisine to the Prospect Heights set. It’s colorful, unpretentious, and a must-visit for any nacho lover. Their meal-sized Super Nachos come smothered in lime-lavished guacamole and layers of cheese. You can choose from four types of beans and a host of carnivore-friendly toppings, including tongue, chicken, and pork. For more on nachos in Brooklyn, check out this post.
Chicken noodle soup and sandwich | Mariel P. via Yelp
November 12 — National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
In addition to the Hale & Hearty location on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights, there is another location for the famous soup purveyor in Metrotech Center. They all sell the same wide array of delicious soups in a range of sizes, as well as sandwiches and salads. For more on soup in Brooklyn, check out this post.
Angel Face photo from Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition via Facebook
November 19 — National Adoption Day
The mission of the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC), is to provide a safe haven for abandoned animals and to find safe, loving homes for them. While with BARC, animals receive quality food, shelter, medical attention, and love. Dogs and cats are available for adoption from BARC, and volunteers to walk and play with the animals are always welcome. For more on animal adoption in Brooklyn, check out this post.
Inside Bergen St’s Gorilla Coffee | via Google maps
November 23 — National Espresso Day
Going strong since 2002, Gorilla Coffee (Park Slope) is known both for its ubiquitous red-and-black gorilla logo and its expertly roasted Fair Trade beans. This is a spot for coffee purists, home to one of the borough’s best-prepped espressos and a rotating selection of pour-over and French press offerings. A second location recently opened near the Barclays Center—perfect for a pre–Nets game caffeine fix. For more on espresso in Brooklyn, check out this post.