Midtown Lunch

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random Midtown worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. Today, it’s Ana- the Geekanerd who was first to the Kwik E Mart scene yesterday.  She’s a little west of the Midtown Lunch boundaries, so hopefully this will be helpful for those of you on the western outskirts of Midtown (or for people who like to take extra long lunch excursions.)

Name: Ana

Age: 23

Occupation: Filmmaker.  And founder/co-writer of Geekanerd.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Brainstorm Inc.  A production house on 35th & 9th

Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi, legit Mexican (I have a Mexican dad), smoothies, BBQ and paradoxically, vegetarian stuff

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything at a diner that’s not breakfast

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Daisy May’s is unbeatable for BBQ sandwiches, particularly the pulled pork. I can only eat there once a month because the experience is so intense that I need 30 days to recover. I go to the mothership location on 11th ave and 46th instead of the cart, since I live near by. Special notice should also go to the Starlite Deli on 44th between 7+8th, which has my favorite sandwich in New York: the Star Lite Vegetarian. I should make it clear that I am not even a vegetarian, and this is my favorite sandwich. That’s saying something. It features breaded eggplant, fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, crunchy salad, in a pita. It was one of the first things I ever ate in New York, on my first trip to the city almost seven years ago.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Burgers and Cupcakes (9th btwn 35+36th). Right down the street from the office, SUPER good and suprisingly cheap. The only downside is the burgers are small, but I am too so it’s not an issue. All their burgers, including the salmon and veggie options, are outstanding. Also 99 Cent Pizza on 42nd & 9th, but that is more an after-work snack than lunch. I eat there several times a week, which means I’m probably going to die in a year.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: A bunch…my girlfriend swears by Midtown Lunch and is always making me break my set routines. Tehuitzingo definitely passed my stringent Mexican food authenticity standard, and Cafe Azuri did a great falafel with cool atmosphere. We also visited the now closed Ressie Mae’s and Mandlers, but my favorite has been Market Cafe, which did the best gnocchi I’ve ever had for just over ten dollars! (Note: I don’t think I ever wrote about Market Cafe, but it is a great place for dinner.)

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Washington Square…I went to college down there, and it’s great to be able to choose between the East and West Village for lunch. I like eateries where you can order at a counter and eat at a table without being waited on – I haven’t found many of these in Midtown, but there are tons in the village: Blue 9 Burger, Chickpea, Dojo’s, BB Sandwich Bar, Mamouns, Velselka, Momofuku Saam Bar…an embarrassment of riches!

 

I’m glad you mentioned the 99 Cent Pizza being an after work snack.  My wife and I have this ongoing argument regarding that very place.  She says, a slice of pizza is a meal for many people, and under no circumstances can it be considered a snack.  Granted, she’s really only arguing for my well being (pizza as snack may be dangerous)- but that shouldn’t be taken into consideration when arguing semantics!

I say, if something costs $1 it is automatically a snack, no matter how big or small it is. In other words, price determines what a snack is, and will simultaneously limit the size of said food item.  The Devil’s Advocate responds- “What if an entire pizza only cost $1?  Would it then be a snack?”.  My response would be- an entire pizza would never cost $1.  The price will limit the size, therefore making anything that costs $1, a snack. 

What do you think?  What determines a snack?  Price or size, and is it relative (5 hamburgers may be a snack for a 600 lb. man) or absolute.  Sound off in the comment section below.

And, as always, if you have news, suggestions, or you want to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er- email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

The 7-11 turned Kwik E Mart on 42nd btw. 8+9th was pandemonium yesterday afternoon around 7pm.  They had already run out of Krusty O’s (a new shipment is coming in today), and there were no pink donuts to be had, but there was plenty of Buzz Cola and the Squishee machine didn’t seem to be having any problems.  I did however notice a big problem with this sign:

What is the wrong with the sign, PLUS some pics of a few friends hanging out at the Kwik E Mart, after the jump Read more »

 

 

I love it when restaurants closed by the Dept. of Health hang signs that pretend being closed was totally planned.  In this case, the Bombay Palace (on 52nd btw. 5+6th) decided to go big.

Don’t know exactly when they were closed, but it may have something to do with the 127 they got on their June 21st inspection (28 is failing).  Renovations indeed.

Photo Courtesy of Geekanerd

Not an actual Kwik E Mart, of course- but the closest thing.  According to ABCNEWS, a dozen 7-11s around the country have been converted to Kwik E Marts to promote the upcoming Simpsons Movie… and one of them is right here in Midtown.  The converted location is on 42nd btw. 8+9th, and comes complete with Squishees, Buzz Cola, Krusty-O’s and Pink Donuts.

It’s sort of funny to see 7-11 embrace the satirical emobdiment of themselves, and hawk products that were essentially created to make fun of the very real products they sell- but hey, I’m not complaining! If it means Krusty Os for breakfast, I’m all for it… 

Gothamist tipped us off to Geekanerd, who has got all the first photos.  And don’t worry too much if you can’t make it over there during your lunch break today…  they’ll be set up that way for the next month.

Two well known cart vendors, Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck (here in Midtown), and Calexico (in Soho) have new carts in production that will be appearing in Midtown in the next month or two.

Jiannetto’s Pizza, which already has two trucks in Midtown (one on Park+52nd, and one on 47+Vanderbilt), has another truck in production that will go somewhere on 6th Ave.  The new location will be perfect for those of you on the West side looking for some Sicilian Grandma style pizza out of a truck (and are too lazy to trek to Park Ave.)

Calexico Cart Photo posted to Flickr by ext212
Read more about it at Writing With my Mouth Full

Even more exciting than that- Calexico, a Vendy Award nominated Mexican cart situated in Soho, are having a new cart manuafactured for them to go in Midtown.  The cart will be burritos only, but will undoutedly feature their famous carne asada.  Should be up and running in the next month. 

More news on both of these new carts as it comes in… Thanks to tipsters Matt & Nancy for passing this info along, and as always, if you have any news, tips or recommendations, email them to zach@midtownlunch.com