Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Zack (not me, as you can tell by the spelling), a 27 year old software developer who has discovered the holy grail, just outside the boudaries of Midtown Lunch’ing. A Chinese/Cuban combo restaurant on 60th btw. Lex & Park…
Name: Zack
Age: 27
Occupation: Software Developer
Where in Midtown do you Work?: 59th & Lexington, the Siberia of Midtown
Favorite Kind of Food: Cheeseburgers and beer. Particularly those from Paul’s on 2nd Ave (in the East Village) or Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien.
Least Favorite Kind of Food: Sun-dried tomatoes. There is no limit to my loathing for their nastiness.
Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Gotta go with the “C4” Shrimp and lobster sauce lunch special at Sabroso Cuban+Chinese on 60th btw. Lex and Park. For $6.95 you get Chinese and Cuban cuisine coming out of the same kitchen. Some of the best egg rolls I’ve ever had. All lunch combos automatically come with a distinctly Cuban version of fried rice. Nice little pork chunks in there. If you’re not feeling the Chinese, go for the half of a fried chicken or the pork cracklin. Most lunch specials under 10 bucks.
The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Go Noodle! on 1st ave btw. 58th and 59th. The soup is awesome. Especially when it’s cold out. I get excited just thinking about this place. Fresh noodles and veggies make the ramen and other noodle soups the best on the menu. They are slow as balls to deliver, but well worth it. I can’t wait for winter so I can get me some of this good good hot soup.
Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Rafiqi’s cart. Booya. Lamb & Chicken combo please. (I actually still haven’t written about Rafiqi’s. I know… it’s shameful. But I know other people have mentioned it on the site, so I’m happy to take credit for it! -zach)
If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’d have to go with Tribeca for many reasons.
1) Cookies from Columbine.
2) Shrimp baguette and coffee from Franklin Station Cafe
3) All drumstick hot chicken box from Bon Bon Chicken
4) Fried Dumpling on Mosco St. (6/$1)
5) Peking Duck house on Mott
6) Coconut rice and Pad See Mao at Pongsri on Bayard.
7) Bacon & Beer Mussels or the burger @ Le Petite Abeille
8) Beef-short-rib-and-kimchi Sandwich served on mantou @ Province – Church St.
Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? I’d like to know what your theories are on why there are so many crappy-ass delis in midtown. Do people really like paying $8 for a turkey sandwich on stale flimsy bread? The once exception to this is Madeline’s Cafe on 56th between Lex & 3rd. Good sandwiches here. Fresh ingredients, good bread, place is clean, good baked goods too.
Um… isn’t it pretty obvious? Because people are lazy! Well, that- and because the majority of the people who work in Midtown suck. If you haven’t noticed, just look around your office (if you are reading this, you know you’re not one of them.) But either way you look at it, it’s our fault. We are the reason these lame places are still open. Stop eating at crappy Midtown delis, and they will start closing (or at least add better and more interesting options.) The revolution starts here!
Actually… wait. I take that back. We need crappy Midtown delis to distract the others from the good places. Imagine what the crowds would be like at our favorite lunch spots if there weren’t places like Chipotle to keep the herds occupied. Yes. We need these places. Keep doing what you are doing Cafe Metro! You are my heroes after all…
Next week, I will be in the UK- so I’m handing over the site to you! Every day next week, a different Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er will take over Midtown Lunch (and be rewarded with a prize for their efforts). Want that person to be you? Email me at zach@midtownlunch.com
Posted by Zach Brooks at 9:12 am, September 18th, 2007 under PROFILE: Midtown Lunch'er.
20 Comments