PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Michael”

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Michael, a PR guy who loves Sinatra but hates generic delis…

Name: Michael

Age: 24

Occupation: Public Relations – Food Blogger – Eating Enthusiast

Where in Midtown do you Work?: The Daily News Building (42nd between 2nd and 3rd Ave)

Favorite Kind of Food: I could spend hours writing my favorites, but some that come to mind are: Italian, Japanese, Kosher/Jewish Deli, and standard American fare (who doesn’t love burgers/fries/dogs/cheese steaks/etc)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t do Indian… I’ve tried, and just can’t handle it

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: – The Old Bridge Deli (on Lex btw. 40+41st) is my go-to place. I share a similar sentiment as everyone else… I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options. Boi to Go (on 2nd btw. 42+43rd) is a great quick/healthy option. I go for the Chicken/Soft Rice Noodle/Veggie combo. At Carl’s Steaks (on 3rd Ave. btw. 34+35th). I get the Chicken Steak with all the toppings you could imagine. As close as you can come to Philly in NYC. And Oms/B (on 45th btw. Lex+3rd) for Japanese Rice Balls. I will typically dive into anything with tuna or shrimp.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Pret-a-Manger. It’s good and being located right across the street makes it super-convenient. However, how many chicken/avocado somethings can one person have?

Place(s) you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? Appreciated the help in sorting through the mess that is the Midtown pizza selection… and knowing that a 5 Guys is in the vicinity will eventually come in handy

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I know people often dream up extremely unique locations from every corner of the map, but seriously, is there a better option than an open table at Katz Deli on W. Houston? I wouldn’t need much more than that.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Nothing in particular… just keep the info coming. It’s reassuring to know that there are other people in the area obsessed with sharing information about the best spots to chow.

Us, obsessed? C’mon on now. Us? How do you figure? Oh yeah… right. There’s that. Ok, maybe a little obsessed. As always, if you want to be the next obsessed person Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office email me at zach@midtownlunch.com.

62 Comments

  • I don’t know what the problem is with some of you people. I would KILL for a hunk like Michael. He looks like a REAL man to me and my buddy chiffonade in HOTlanta.

  • I’m just keeping it real Mamacita—there are several foods which I abhor, including indian food, ethiopian food, carroway seeds, and cilantro. Just thinking about them makes me want to wretch! These are foods that make me cringe just thinking about them…sh*t, I just yaked on my Keyboard again….

  • ” I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”

    I am usually not mean or harsh…but anyone else think he is a douche? I mean his profile was GENERIC to say the least.

    I am not sure why people think this was a good profile.

  • Apparently Bill Cosby, er Michael, loves Katz’s so much he created a second one on W. Houston. Amazing, no more trekking to the Lower East Side to get me some pastrami.

  • dude mike is the man and im sure he wouldnt turn down some fine indian cuisine served to him on a 80’s tuned viola via Boyd Tinsley. ease off on the sweater comments. if you only knew..

  • I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”

    Anyone notice yet the contradiction with the douche bag’s statements??? Anyone????

  • Not liking Indian food = not okay. Next!

  • those chicken/avocado sandwiches at pret are good!

  • hmmm. i do notice the error. yes, let us correct the W. and make it an E…. obv Katz is on E. Houston… apologies for that…

    as for me being a douche, Abrain, thanks… i appreciate that…

    as for me being generic, well, i work in midtown, it doesn’t get much more generic than that… Old bridge has some quality product… not your standard ‘generic’ nyc corner deli… i find it to be a good/cost effective option near my office. I didn’t know you would take such offense. ha!

  • I just love how Abrian has to call this guy Mike a douche just because Mike doesn’t like Indian food. haha I mean, really? Everybody knows its Psychology 101 that you get defensive when somebody else indirectly puts down you, your culture, and everything else you believe in. No go eat some Curry on 6th st you smelly cow!

  • Michael is hot and Abrain is jealous, so Abrain starts acting like a 12 year old. Yawn.

  • I just love how Abrian has to call this guy Mike a douche just because Mike doesn’t like Indian food. haha I mean, really? Everybody knows its Psychology 101 that you get defensive when somebody else indirectly puts down you, your culture, and everything else you believe in. No go eat some Curry on 6th st you smelly cow!”

    If you noticed…I put his statement about generic delis and the apparent contradiction about them having Original offerings. I never mentioned his dislike of indian food. I personally don’t like fillipino food…but i figure where i ate was not up to standard. So i would not mind giving it another shot. It is nice to know that you seem to think you know my origins and background.

    So what do you think of my Jewish heritage.??????

    I stand by the fact THAT Douche is not a food blogger but just another sheep…who seems to think the generic delis are some culinary innovation.

  • Abrain. Why does liking delis make one a douche? Sure, the person may be misguided or inward in terms of their scope of food but that’s pretty small in the worldwide scope of things.

    Of all 4,999,993,403 ways there are to be a douche in this world, liking delis isn’t high up on that list.

  • I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”

    My last reply on this issue. Mike, do you see the inherent contradiction in “generic”/”original”.

  • Mikey, his million co-workers, generic delis and Abrain –

    douche, douches, douches, and douche

    Agreed that this profile is douchey at best

    mainly because of the SWEATER

  • Mike, good profile buddy. Short. To the point. Kudos to enduring the obnoxiousness from certain individuals. It is ok for some people not to like certain cuisines, or in your case, to enjoy deli style sandwiches that some consider “generic.” I applaud your honesty. I have only one contention. I, NOT Carl’s Cheesesteaks,make the best philly cheesesteak in NYC…Unforuntately, i don’t have a food license, so
    I can only say trust me when I say this. Otherwise, good job!

  • Goats, I like you. But did you just say Carl’s Steaks aren’t the closest thing to Pats or Jim’s in NYC? Sheeee-it.

  • Frankly, I find “Michael” and his affected hairstyle, garish sweater set and pedestrian taste in food to be entirely forgettable.

    You can do better, Zach.

  • My friend Wags: I slaved over cheesesteaks during the Super Bowl, and went against Carl’s… Mine won. hands Down. Not even close. My friend ate 3….That is 3 feet of cheesesteak (each sandwich was about a foot). Of course, I used prime rib eye, sliced on my own deli slicer, went to an italian bakery to get the bread, b/c that’s how I roll…but I swear on the life of Abrain mine are even closer to PAtt’s.Tony luc’s than Carl’s are….

  • Anonymous above is me…

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