Midtown Lunch

Also included in the earlier email from Lunch’er “Sir-Eats-a-Lot” was this bit of news:

“Having been on a Kwik Meal kick for a while, I made a return to my first ML love, the XPL on 48th and 3rd. While catching up with the guys there, I was surprised to find out they aren’t affiliated with truck on Park anymore, and haven’t been so for a year! Apparently they felt the other guys were slipping and weren’t willing to focus on consistency, so they bought out the cart on 3rd. Having no reason to go to the truck on Park, I can’t speak to that, but I’ve always been all about the guys on 3rd, who are super nice and make some serious street meat. This, plus the report on the other Famous Halal guys cart, got me thinking: Why not do a comparison of the branded carts?”

Let’s do it! Their entries in Street Meat Palooza (they came in 2nd) and SMP 2 (they came in 5th) were purchased from the cart on 48th and Park (but they also have a third card on Broadway btw. 53+54th). Anybody notice a difference since the cart on 3rd Ave. made the switch?

Related:
XPL Quietly Started Charging for Drinks?

Yesterday, Lunch’er Dan sent word about a new Jamaican cart parked on the SE corner of 48th and Park called the Jerk Pan. Not sure how long it has been there, or whether or not it will still be there today. He forwarded along a menu that looks very similar to the Jamaican Dutchy menu- complete with patties, coco bread, small and large portions of jerk chicken, oxtails, curry goat and more. Plus mini-meals, sorrel drinks, and rum cake.

Check out the new cart’s complete menu after the jump…

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I was always hoping the “Connections” section of the Midtown Lunch forums would work this way… Ladies of Midtown Lunch, were any of you at the Tim Hortons on 50th & 7th Ave. yesterday morning?  There’s a guy who might be looking for you in the forums:

I was in Tim Horton’s this morning —the 50th and 7th location — and was surprised by the very long line. Fortunately, I met a really cool girl in line and we had a laugh about how we were both “office designees” picking up donuts and other items for our colleagues. Stupidly, I did not ask for her number, so if she’s reading this…may I have another chance?

Oh, and speaking of Tim Hortons, I finally got my iced cappuccino yesterday afternoon!

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Sad news in the New York Times yesterday: Harry Edelstein, owner of Cafe Edison (on 47th btw. B’way+8th), passed away on Monday at the age of 91.  The ML fave for matzoh ball soup, borscht, blintzes, and potato pancakes was closed yesterday for his funeral (and will be closed during lunch today for a movie shoot.) Today, we’ll pour out a little of our Dr. Brown’s cream soda in his honor…

Related:
Celebrate the New Year at Cafe Edison

Gyro II (on 7th Ave. btw. 33+34th)

You all know that Midtown Lunch has a love affair with the gyro, whether being served chopped up as the “lamb” portion of a halal platter, or patiently cooked and sliced correctly to be served in a real gyro (like they do at the Famous Chicken Place or at Uncle Nick’s on 9th Ave.)  But ever wonder about the origin of this mystery meat on a spit?  If you answered yes, than you have to read the gyro article in this morning’s food section of the New York Times. It traces the first mass produced gyro to a Jewish (?!?) owned business in Chicago, and even has a video of the gyro making process, which “starts with boxes of raw beef and lamb trimmings, and ends with what looks like oversized Popsicles the shade of a Band-Aid.”  I even recognized Gyro II (on 7th Ave. btw. 33+34th) as the footage they used at the very beginning of the video! (Although if you are a little squeamish when it comes to raw meat, I would skip the video.  It’s not the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.)  Check it out>>

Related:
Is Gyro II The Best Gyro Midtown Has to Offer?
Uncle Nick’s and Poseidon Bakery Make 9th Ave the Ultimate Greek Lunch Spot

It turns out the Trini Paki Boys cart (on 43rd and 6th) is not serving their biriyani every single day. This week it’s been a bit more sporadic. Luckily tomorrow is Thursday and you can always count on the biriyani on Thursdays…

Related:
The Hidden Delicious Mysteries of the Trini-Paki Boys Cart
Trini Paki Boys Cart May Serve Biryani Every Day This Week