No Matter What Location, XPL Never Disappoints
Midtown Lunch has never been entirely sure if all the Express Power Lunch (XPL) trucks are owned by the same guys, but what we do know is that they’ve been a potent force in the Midtown street meat pantheon. Not only are they a two time winner for Best Tasting Rice in Street Meat Palooza, but XPL is continually praised for their distinct Indian spices. Everyone knows about the location on the SW Corner of 48th & Park and the truck on 48th & 3rd that serves up the loving with a bean-y spoonful of chickpeas. I thought it was about time I investigated the truck on the corner of 33rd and 6th Ave. Is it the same? I meant to find out.
Meat porn after the jump!
I ordered the mandatory chicken and lamb over rice with white sauce and extra hot sauce. It was a big steaming portion and fragrant with your typical mix of Halal spices like cumin, saffron, turmeric and curry (as far as I can taste, I’m no expert).
I always yearn to have the lamb cooked till crispy on the spit, but with the heavy lunch traffic and food turn around that just never happens.
Using dark meat chicken is always the way to go when it comes to a moist and flavorful chicken plate. XPL’s meat satisfies. But what about the famous Basmati rice?
Not bland or mushy, the long grains share top billing with the meat. Mixed in are translucent skillet onions and wilted, sleepy green bell peppers that become a tasty vehicle for the dark red pepper sauce and white sauce. The iceberg lettuce and beefsteak tomato are only there for show and maybe to make you think you are getting some semblance of vegetables, but whatever- just muddle it up with the rest to add some crunch. Is it like the other XPLs? Pretty much, and that’s a good thing: Consistency and deliciousness every time.
Express Power Lunch (XPL) Halal Food, 33rd and 6th Ave
Posted by Mamacita at 11:45 am, September 24th, 2010 under XPL.
7 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
I pass this beyotch every day on my way back to the PATH…sometimes I walk past it to go to Jim Hanley’s…perhaps I will stop soon.
Also, Mama said meat porn. LOLZ.