Midtown Lunch

Photo by Food in Mouth

The Friday scene at El Rey del Sabor, the new Mexican taco cart on 60th and 3rd, is all the proof you need that Midtown is starved for good Mexican food.  According to the comments the line on Friday was “20 gringos deep” at one point, they ran out of pork, and by “2:40 they were out of rice and beans.”  Of course now that they realize the secret is out, I’m guessing this week they’ll be more prepared.  According to one comment yesterday, big changes are already in the works…

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(On right) The new PWCD Roll from the Biryani Cart. Photo by Blondie and Brownie.

• “New Yorkers in the know will tell you that Grand Central boasts one of the best food courts in the whole city” [Gadling]
• Dave Cook agrees that you don’t go to Prime Burger for the burger (it’s more about the setting) [Eating in Translation]
• The Queens of Soho lunch’ing get a friend to bring them take out from Cafe Zaiya [Lunch Studio]
• Boi to Go also serves Vietnamese noodle bowls [Hungry Travels]
• If you are looking for the “sexy feel of downtown nightlife” in Midtown, here’s a place for you! [Down by the Hipster]
• The Murakami is gone, while Obika is getting set to move in [Eater]
• If you’re interested in Hell’s Kitchen recommendations, somebody near and dear to my heart offered this up [Time Out New York]
• One of the most unexpected recommendations Midtown Lunch has ever received [Martha Stewart]

Photo by Kristin Shaw

I haven’t been by any of the Midtown locations to see for myself, but if this post on Gothamist is true the Burritoville chain is no more.  There’s no question that the influx of Chipotle and Qdoba couldn’t have helped, but I think the chain (which was not terrible) probably would have done better if they had called themselves “Wrapville”.  It certainly would have been more honest.

Without sponsors this site would not exist… actually, who am I kidding. Of course it would. Everyone knows Midtown Lunch is just an excuse for me to stuff my fat face. That being said, it is nice to have help paying for my weekly lunch bill.

This month, that funding was graciously provided by GoMobo.com, a service that allows you to text message your lunch order, and skip the line at some of your favorite places in New York City. Midtown Lunch’ing favorites where you can use GoMobo include Spice Fusion, Bread & Olive, Chicken Bar, Goodburger, Hing Won, Indus Express, La Bellezza, and more. To see a complete list go to our Restaurant Index and look for the “Order Now” button, or just visit www.gomobo.com

At the end of this weeks Lunch’er profile I cast a net for a Midtown lush lunch’er who would be interested in starting a Friday afternoon “Midtown Happy Hour” column. We need cheap after work drinks too, right?  Well it looks like I found somebody, and the first column will go up next week (around this time.)  In the meantime, our friend Kayoko over at Umamimart posted about a great secret Russian happy hour spot in Midtown West.  Enjoy!

According to a sign in the window, the 2nd location of Pick a Pita (in the former House of Pita location on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th) will open on October 6th. French fry filled schwarma sandwiches for all! In the meantime, you can still go to their original location on 38th btw. 7+8th.

Back in June we mentioned how long the line for the Treats Truck had become on Wednesdays– the one day a week it’s parked on 45th btw. 6+7th. The owner Kim herself has told me it’s her most popular spot, which may lead one to wonder- “Why don’t you park there more often?”  The people want it.  It would be good for business.  What’s stopping her?  Two words.  Mister.  Softee.  Last spring, when the weather started to warm up, and the Mister Softee truck returned to its regular spot on 45th & 6th, a “conversation” ensued.  Kim was told she couldn’t park on that block, but a “deal” was struck between the two vendors allowing the Treats Truck to park on 45th and 6th one day a week.

And that’s the way things were… until the Wafels and Dinges Truck arrived.   Read more »

Are you kidding me? 4 hours of doing nothing, and then an hour and 45 minute lunch break? Two blocks away from Chinatown. Judicial gods- please oh please pick me for a trial. I have so much left to do here. Although… with the damage I did today for only $5.80, I’d be scared to look in the mirror after a few weeks of lunch’ing down here. Full report coming tomorrow…

(Added Note: I have already seen fellow possible jurors come back to the room with crappy looking pizza, Subway, and one girl with just a starbucks- you know, because that’s lunch. Such suckers!)

Oh, what a glorious day! A new cart has arrived, and is serving the most authentic Mexican food I have seen in Midtown. Pampano Taqueria… be afraid.  Be very afraid. This place does not serve small, over priced tacos, on a single, fancy pants tortilla.  Their tacos cost $2 (the way it should be) and come on *two* corn tortillas, warmed up properly on the griddle.  The two sombrero carts– you should be afraid as well.  I don’t even think this cart knows what nacho cheese is.  Every item on their menu comes topped with queso blanco- the real deal Mexican cheese. Tamale lady in front of the Mexican Embassy–  you don’t have to worry about anything.  Your tamales are cheap, authentic, and delicious.  Nobody will ever replace you.

But everyone else!  Commence your shivering.  The Mexican food savior we have all been waiting for has finally arrived.   Read more »