PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Dan”

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown.  Today it’s Dan, a nurse (what the hell is a Pharmaceutical Triage Associate???) who loves nose cups, and was hoping to meet his future wife in Bryant Park two weeks ago.

Name: Dan

Age:
25

Occupation:
Pharmaceutical Triage Associate

Where in Midtown do you Work?:
42nd & 3rd

Favorite Kind of Food:
Anything. Cheese. Literally, anything.

Least Favorite Kind of Food:
I’m not sure if I understand that combination of words.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I’ve got a regular regimen of of eating at Papano Taqueria (tortas=amazing), Oms/b, Grand Central Market, the trifecta of Japanese restaurants on 41st between Madison and 5th, and, when it’s warm, walking over to KwikMeal.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: I often meet people at any of the places above, especially if we can eat in Bryant Park on a nice day or if Fashion Week’s in town, so that I might meet my future wife.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Milant Goumet Deli, which is a pretty great straight up soup and sandwich combo. Then there’s both Sophie’s Cuban and the “Famous” Chicken Place which, like Zach, remind me of my South Floridian roots.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Probably down by Washington Square Park, with access to NYU area food (Mamoun’s PressToast) then a quick jaunt to the East Village (S’Mac, Pomme Frites, and various ramen joints) or the West Village (Corner Bistro, Gray’s Papaya). Or, frankly, any place by a Gray’s Papaya.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Anyone know where I can find some cheap, good mac & cheese in east midtown? A much happier, heavier me will thank you.

Ah yes… the age old Mac & Cheese question.  On the West side, I’ve mentioned the mac & cheese at the by the pound buffet at Cafe Duke, which is not bad.  There’s also the version at Piece of Chicken, which is not only out of bounds to far west but is also now $3 for a pretty small portion.  A couple of co-workers of mine ordered delivery from Supermac, although they said it was pretty expensive for the amount of food you get.  That place is located on 7th Ave. btw. 29+30th, but they will deliver pretty far depending on how much you order.

Anybody have a mac n cheese recommendation for the west east side (or west side for that matter)?  Post it as a comment below.  And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

23 Comments

  • I often get mac n cheese with my chicken at Tio Pio West. It’s not earth shattering, but it’s good.

  • don’t you mean to ask where can one get mac n cheese on the EAST side?

    anywho – it’s not the best but it definitely satisfies the craving – Dukes (fka Earl’s) on 3rd @ 37th has mac n cheese. you can get a small portion (which i wouldn’t really consider small) for around $8. i like it because it always has a nice crusty top.

  • Good call on Duke’s, fedthefish! I’ve had the mac at their location downtown, and it’s really pretty good.

    Of course, I got to have S’mac yesterday, and that’s even better. I wish they would open a midtown branch!

  • Just don’t go Best Wingers (2nd Ave. and 38th St.), their mac and cheese is awful.

  • Gray’s Papaya rules. Not the other, similar papaya-and-dog places.

  • This isn’t helping, but I had a great fried mac and cheese at the Chip Shop last night.

  • I know it is west side, but “Soul Fixins” on 34th and 9th Avenue has quality mac and cheese, as well as all the other southern goodies like stewed okra, yams, collard greens, etc. Their fried chicken, meatloaf and smothered chicken all make the side dishes that much better.

  • By the way, I’m not actually a nurse…. that’s just my official title. What it means– i couldn’t really say.
    But i can tell you that it is fairly boring.

  • Try the mac n cheese at Eatery on 53rd and 9th. It’s serious!

  • Good & Plenty To Go (43rd between 9th & 10th) makes a wicked mack & cheese. Clearly made by hand & not out of some box with dehydrated cheese. It’s been a while since I had it so I’m not sure if they’re within ML prices (I think it was below $10 for a big ol’ brick o’ cheesy goodness, but don’t hold me to it). And, further down the block, is Little Pie Company for dessert. yummmmm….

  • every Friday, Dishes has awesome m&c. and some pretty good fried chicken too.

  • Taking things completely out of midtown, Mama’s on 3rd b/w A&B has outstanding mac and cheese. Man, I miss living downtown…

  • Any resume that has the words “Pharmaceutical Triage Associate” on it should be burned, and the hands that held it should be disinfected immediately.

  • Agree wholeheartedly with flatrock on Soul Fixins and would Chat n Chew on 16th between 5th Ave and Union Sq West for all around comfort food and great mac and cheese even if it is out of bounds…

  • Pharmaceutical Triage Associate, does that mean you hand out pills in ER?

  • Yes, Chat n’ Chew has a great mac n’ cheese. Agreed.

  • Pharmaceutical Triage Associate: I think this means he covers up deaths caused by good drugs gone bad.

  • SuperMac has a $20 delivery minimum on Seamless Web. $20!!!

  • Believe it or not, Burger Heaven (multiple locations, but I used to eat at the one on 49th and Madison) has a decent mac & cheese. My favorite in the city though is the one at Blue Smoke. The BBQ could be better but the sides, especially the mac & cheese can’t be beat. It’s baked so it’s crunchy on top, but the bottom is creamy and though it’s predominantly cheedar, it has that proper american cheese twang…nothin’ like it!

  • Forgot that Virgil’s has a very good mac n cheese. Nearly every appetizer and side dish they offer is delicious, and nearly every main course that they offer is medicore (at best).

Leave a Reply

You must log in or register to post a comment.