PROFILE: Midtown (Competitive) Lunch’er “Will ‘The Champ’ Millender”
Every Tuesday we 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 Will “The Champ” Millender… the winner of Baja Fresh’s Cinco de Mayo burrito eating contest, and a likely qualifier in Go Go Curry’s eating championship. Customer service dude by day, competitive eater by…uh… night? And clearly a favorite to make the Profiled Midtown Lunch’er hall of fame!
Name: Will “The Champ” Millender
Age: 29
Occupation: Customer Service/Competitive Eater
Where in Midtown do you Work?: 45th St. and Madison Ave.
Favorite Kind of Food: Favorite Kind of Food: I have a lot of favorites. Unfortunately they tend to be unhealthy. Go figure. I’d say my favorite food item is Onion Rings. However, for a meal, Pizza is probably my favorite thing. And since I live in a heavily Italian populated neighborhood in Brooklyn (Bay Ridge). I’m a bit spoiled.
Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t dig Shrimp and Lobster. I’m not a big fan of the fact that they fall in the same species class as the cockroach. Just can’t seem to get the image out of my head. For some reason, I’m able to make an exception for crab once in awhile though.
Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I enjoy the heck out of the salads at Dishes (on 45th btw. Mad+5th). I can’t tell you why, but their salads, as simple as it sounds, just taste better than anywhere else. Maybe they use magic. They also make a mean Coconut Fried Chicken, but it’s way expensive if you want more than one or two pieces. I like the Meatloaf Sandwich from ‘wichcraft with their cream sandwich cookies for a dessert. Fast food wise, I like that there is a Ranch One nearby (on 46th btw. 5+6th). I haven’t ordered from there as much because I was dissatisfied with my first order, but I’m going to have to give it another go soon. Lastly and most surprisingly, the Duane Reade on 5th and 44th has sandwiches that are made by their Delish brand which are quite tasty if you’re in a rush.
“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? I go far too often to Green Cafe because it’s right downstairs from my office. They have buffet style lunches and it’s way too easy to load up your tray and come up with a $15 – $20 tab.
Place(s) you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? I’ve been a ML fan for awhile, but don’t read every single day. On the Competitive Eating website Eat Feats, I was surprised to find I missed the link to the post for Baja Fresh Cinco De Mayo Eating Contest qualifiers where the winner gets a month of free lunch ($10 a day value). I went the next day and qualified with a finish time of 3 mins and 55 secs. Only two other guys were brave enough to face me (one of them being another eater Don “Moses” Lerman). Myself and Don won the lunch for each of their locations. Additionally, ML posted about last years Go Go Curry Eating contest which I couldn’t do due to work priorities at the time. I’ve posted the 2nd place time so far this year, by less than a second. But the reason it’s so easy is not just because I’m one of the fastest eaters, but because their rice and curry is so damn good. I highly recommend them.
If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’m a simple guy. I know what I like. So I’d probably say Bay Ridge. Bagel Boy makes the best sandwiches. Lonestar Bar and Grill makes the best burger and boneless chicken wings. Rocco’s makes the best pizza. Peppino’s makes the best eggplant parm hero. Who could ask for more?
Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Who’s next?
I don’t know what that means, but it scares me. As always, if you would like to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email editor@midtownlunch.com.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 11:55 am, May 11th, 2010 under PROFILE: Midtown Lunch'er.
70 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
70 Comments
-
-
No shrimp and no lobster? More crustaceans for the rest of us.
-
I’m callin shenanigans on this entire post.
There is no way that some 29 year old guy who dresses like a 12 year old and calls himself The Champ actually exists.
“Who could ask for more?”
Well, The Champ, anyone over the age of 8.-
The X-Men sweatshirt is increasing his badass-itude. Don’t mess with Wolverine unless you want the claws.
-
He’s a competitive eater. It’s a strange but glorious world. He also responded to the Facebook post. All I got to point out is that he needs to get more bang for his buck. 45th and Mad. Couldn’t you try some better places to eat around there?
-
Look at the way he strangles his pizza…choking the life outta it…poor slice.
-
He looks like a good portion of my friends growing up. Not surprising since I grew up in Bay Ridge as well.
-
-
That piece of pizza looks like it’s bigger than his head! And a qualifying time of 3 mins, 55 seconds…..damn.
-
So you didn’t go to Harvard then?
-
FREAK OF THE WEEK
-
I like this guy! A tip on a great eggplant parm AND hates cockroaches-of-the-sea? Yay “the Champ!”
Also @ Steve, I think he’s for real. He replied to Zach calling out for someone to profile on Facebook yesterday…
-
What a douchebag. I’m sick of these Williamsburg hipsters invading the scene with their salads and their single-malt scotch. He doesn’t even have bangs.
-
I think you may have stabbed your eyes out since last week….lol.
-
Good one Masto LOL
-
-
Maybe to establish his bona fides better he could reply to this comment stream as to where he obtained the ginormous slice he is pictured holding
-
its an optical illusion– he’s actually teeny tiny!
-
-
Pugsley, all grown up.
-
@ NOLA Steve – To each their own my friend :OP
@ mghu777 – I’m lazy and not at all fancy :)
@ Rudy McBagel – Nope. But I’m pretty sure you didn’t either :D
@ Sarah – Damn skippy. Call me ;)
@ Fred – It was at Front St pizza in DUMBO. Not a bad slice, if I don’t say so… (No winky for you. Seemed inappropriate)
-
big will – screw those guys. Bay Ridge Repruhzent!
I grew up across the st. from McKinley, and then as an adult moved to 3rd and 68th before settling down in the boogie. I miss Bay Ridge… A bar and a pizzeria on every block, not to mention my favorite indian restaurant in the world…
-
Yeah. NOLA Steve apparently dresses like a prick.
Don’t listen to the haters. Keep on eatin’ friend.
-
Dude, I will meet you at Jerk Pan or the Dutchy. There’s tons of spots along Park and 45th btw Lex and 3rd. Great post though.
-
I’m down for a dutchy meetup. That’s a block from my office.
-
Woot! Dutchy lunch meetup Thurs! I have yet to try their stewed peas.
-
I’d have to make it Friday, but I’d be in…
-
Friday? What time?
-
No longer down. Boss scheduled a lunch meeting….
-
-
-
That guy is awesome! First awesome Profile in a while! And now I have a new site to read! SCORE! MAsto, take lessons…and yeah, burn the F**k out of williamsburg!
-
Agreed. His times are very badass.
I can’t get Eat Feats to load….ARGH!!!
-
-
looks like chucky had sex with phil collins.
-
I thought jacket and a tie was required to go to Dishes.
-
@ Rudy McBagel – And you look like… someone too much of a pussy to post their own picture while commenting about others. Good job. You’re the real champ!
@mghu – Feel free to msg me on FB http://www.facebook.com/bigwillthechamp
-
I see the discourse around here is hovering around 9th grade as usual. Fer chrissakes, grow up.
-
“hovering around 9th grade”…
So in other words, what it usually is?
-
It’s food you ignominious twat. Who the hell cares as long as you like food.
-
-
-
what’s your take on all you can eat buffets?
-
A challenge?
That’s a silly question Mama.
-
-
pizza…my dream man. this may be my new profile pic.
all you can eat buffets blow -
@ Mamacita – I’m actually a great speed eater rather than capacity. I could eat more than the average at a buffet but will get out eaten by most other eaters over a long period of time.
-
when is the next competition. I wanna watch!
-
Go Go Curry on June 5th. Seating is limited though, so I’d go to GoGoCurryUSA.com and send them an email, lol.
SCARY DUDE OF THE WEEK!