Midtown Lunch

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every Friday afternoon our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

I found myself at Mr. Biggs this week desperately seeking the identity of the filthy no-good bastard that drank my pitcher of beer. Then turning to my friend I realized, to quote Walt Kelly, “We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us!” As the next pitcher of Sam Adams was poured I continued a strange and occasionally incomprehensible conversation with a gray haired Cuban gentleman who apparently bartends in St. Martin. He told me all about his new job making a documentary on Marijuana production in Sacramento and punctuated each new fact by pointing to what he said was his Harvard ring. He also enlightened me on the lack of DUI regulations on the island while my date talked sports with the guy next to him… So the evening progressed and to the relief of my long suffering liver, appetizers were included, thus I’ve survived to tell the tale.

Mets Fans Beware!

Mr. Biggs Bar and Grill (10 Ave & 44th) is outside of the ML boundaries, but for all you Midtown West workers that shouldn’t stop you from imbibing in Hells Kitchen- which is fertile ground for hip dives and classic watering holes. Consider the extra avenue or two a healthy way to burn off all those sinful libations.

Happy hour is from 5 to 7pm with ½ off drinks and appetizers. Weekday specials like $2 margarita Mondays, ½ off nacho Tuesdays and $10 pitcher Wednesdays double the drink deals. The happy hour starts again at 2am to 4am for the locals in need of a nightcap.

It may just be bar quality food, but the portion size at Biggs definitely gives you more bang for your buck. Their seasoned potato wedges ($3.50) came in a hefty sized basket and were more then enough spud to absorb your suds. The chicken fingers ($3.50) proved to be an even better surprise.

These are no chicken ‘fingers,’ these are four boneless breast fillets with a creamy honey mustard sauce that proved to be a satisfying mouthful. The chicken was pounded thin and tender, with a crispy breading. The bowl of homemade chili topped with cheese runs you only $3, perfect to douse over some of those fries.

Our bartenders were all pretty girls and the clientele included local workers, older residents and during karaoke nights I hear the place can be swamped with a younger crowd. ESPN and the games run on the TVs and in contrast to Landsdowne Road across the street, you’ll usually find a seat here.

Despite the name, no, I wouldn’t expect to find any Sex in the City stars scarfing down bacon burgers here. I suggest single ladies should ditch the heels and get loose on some cheap drinks and greasy grub instead.

The + (What someone who likes this place would say)

Unless they started giving away free hot dogs, these bargain appetizers are hard to beat in Hell Kitchen

$10-11 full sized pitchers of beer & ½ priced drinks make this lady one happy lush

Easy going patrons and surprisingly clean and nice bar and grill

The – (What someone who dislikes this place would say)

• You call chatting up the drunks a fun night?
• It’s far out there for most midtowners and bar food and cheap drinks can be found closer
• Sadly, the SITC Mr. Biggs wouldn’t be caught dead here

Mr. Biggs Bar and Grill, 596 10th Ave & 44th St, (212) 246-2030