Midtown Lunch

Got a really interesting comment about Empanada Joe’s (on 8th Ave. btw. 43+44th) recently that I wanted to share. I just want to say up front, I have absolutely no evidence that this comment is a shill. The person who made the comment has never commented before, but there is nothing that would indicate they are not telling the truth- except for the actual words that they typed. Enjoy:

“TO be honest… I really do not understand what people don’t like about this place. I work IN Times Square, and for the past several months, each time I have to go on break for lunch, I’ve found myself at an impasse trying to figure out what to do, and when I found Empanada Joe’s early last week and I had a meal there, I was so happy, and for one whole week… I have literally gone NO WHERE but there for break every single time. In the space of one week, I think I’ve gone there 6 times. I’m only paying $8.11 now, where before, I was paying anywhere from $15 to $25 for lunch.”

So far so good (kind of)… but wait, there’s more.

“I think that the empanada’s EJ’s sells are soooo YUMMY! They have good spice and good flavor, and the Chipotle Mayo goes well with most of the flavors. I love the corn, rice, and potato salad a LOT, but the bean salad could definitely use a lot more tweaking, not to mention the simple thing called SALT.

If you see a girl sitting at Empanada Joe’s by herself and thoroughly enjoying herself, chances are, it’s me! Hope to see you there!”

So you may ask, why do you think this is a shill? Let’s count the ways:

1. Use of “to be honest” to start off the comment. Why would we think you are being anything but?
2. Claiming that $8 is some super-deal. Why were you paying $15-$25 for lunch? Are you saying Empanada Joe’s is only good to people who have been paying waaaay to much for mediocre Times Square food?
3. Adding a criticism of the bean salad. Often, shillers will add a benign negative comment to throw you off the scent.

and the best one…

4. The “if you see a girl” line. This is a new one even for me… trying to appeal to single guys by making them think there is a girl eating alone at Empanada Joe’s who wants to be noticed by the type of people who would be reading Midtown Lunch comments. Is there a girl like that who exists?

Awesome. Shill or honest comment? You decide…

In defense of Empanada Joe’s though, they have made some positive changes since they first opened. For example, the $8 2 empanada combo now includes 2 side dishes (instead of 1) and a fountain soda. And the 3 empanada combo is now $10, instead of $11, making it within the Midtown Lunch price range (and it also comes with 2 side dishes, and a fountain soda.)  That’s a lot of food for $10. Alright… maybe I’ll go back one more time.

Related: Empanada Joe’s Disproves Positive Comments With Their Food