Chinatown Fair
Friday, August 20th, 2010
There was an article in the Times a few weeks ago about Chinatown Fair. The last in a dying breed of video game arcades and my favorite truancy hangout and the only place where I can get a round of Marvel vs. Capcom in at 1 AM (along with some steamed buns down the street). The article focused on how video arcades are dwindling because of online gaming. I really miss these kind of spaces. They have a cavern like atmosphere, sometimes a bit stiffeling, but I always get sucked in by the glow of the screens and the chance to play my favorites. If I discover one my compulsion is to immediately drop 5 bucks in tokens because I think it’s the last time I will ever see Metal Slug or Street Fighter II. Looking for a good website tracking old arcades I found Ebay is the best place to find your favorite machine.
I was surprised the article didn’t mention Chinatown Fair used to employ a chicken. Yes, a chicken. This bit of urban legend is supported by the fact the old sign out front has the faint lettering “World Famous Dancing and Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken”. A good friend introduced me to the place about 14 Years ago when I made my first trip to New York. He knew someone who played the chicken and lost. The machine had a glass cage where the chicken stood in front of the tic-tac-toe board and pecked his next move to the challengers. Every time the chicken won it would the machine would reward it with a treat. I’m not sure what the player won, except maybe their dignity for not losing to a chicken.
I heard rumors that the city shut down the chicken arcade because of pressure from the health department and animal rights groups. However i’d like to believe the chicken led a rather content existence as the tic-tac-toe Bobby Fischer of his species. After Mr. Chicken was retired they sent him to the farm where he lived out the rest of his days. On the manager’s door you can see a photo of the retired chicken on the farm (see below).
Tags: arcade, chicken, chinatown fair, rice paddy art