Midtown Lunch

The third time was a charm for Freddie the Falafel King of Astoria, who took home the Vendy Cup and the People’s Choice Award at the Vendy Awards on Saturday at Governor’s Island.  Freddie left empty handed in 2007 and 2009, but made up for it on Saturday by taking both of the two top awards, a first for any Vendy nominee.  What made this year different than the other two years Freddie was nominated?  Simple… he brought his A-Game, especially for the judges- who were served a plate of food that left no doubt The Falafel King was in it to win it.

The judges’ plates, the dessert and rookie winners, plus tons more Vendy porn is after the jump…

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Will Oleg be raising his arms in triumph tomorrow? We shall see!

• Going to the Vendys? Here is the ferry schedule [Governor’s Island]
• And a look at some of the finalists, like Schnitzel & Things, Freddie The Falafel King, Yao’s Dragon Beard Candy, and the Bistro Truck [SENY]
• Take photos of the Kelvin Slush Truck, win a prize! [Kelvin Slush]
• The new Szechuan Gourmet on 55th is better than the old!? [FitR]
• The Subway on 50th is the new soup nazi [Ramen & Friends]
• First look at Paris Baguette [SENY;Elaine Perlov]

f you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week 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’ve often passed Hibernia Bar and Grill and noticed the bustling of people and the hum of conversations that seem to lend to a comfortable friendly atmosphere. With the end of warm summer days upon us, I felt it was time I took advantage of their sidewalk patio while I still could to sample their daily food and drink specials. That’s right people, hit up those roof decks, patios and beer gardens while you still can!

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Amazingly, there’s even more food news in the land of Flatiron Lunch. This weekend the Madison Square Park Conservancy is launching its annual Mad. Sq. Mark’t, a fall collection of shops and vendors set up in and around the park. I never really managed to check it out in years past, but having looked at the food vendors that’ll be on hand, I’m not sure I’ll be eating anywhere else for the next few weeks.

Check out the full list from the organizers after the jump.
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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!

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After yesterday’s incident on 55th Street, the owner of Uncle Gussy’s (an old school Greek vendor on Park and 51st) felt compelled to send us this email:

My name is Nick and I operate Uncle Gussy’s.

I just read your article on what is happening with the food trucks and their issues with other food trucks. I know both Papa and Eddies Pizza (both have excellent pizza) [but yesterday] there was a chaotic scene in Midtown. They both worked things out, for which I am glad they did (Papa has been there for quite a while.) But if trucks start making a circuit out of this area you better believe they will close that street to all vendors, mobile or not.

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It seems like there’s a new, big-deal opening in Flatiron-bounds every week these days. If Eataly and Hill Country Chicken weren’t enough to occupy lunchers for the next several weeks, FoodParc brings another huge selection into our midst. The Jeffrey Chodorow-owned venture in the Eventi Hotel was timed perfectly for the high-end food court trend (something I’ve been hoping for since my trip to San Francisco a few months ago).

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Photo Thanks to Ambitious Delicious

I guess twittering street trucks aren’t the only ones being affected by the UN street closures today… according to Ambitious Delicious the secret service just forced the famous 53rd & 6th halal cart to move so that the Obama motorcade could come down 53rd Street. Official proof that Obama *isn’t* a Muslim? We say yes!

Of course this isn’t the first time a street vendor has been upended by the President. Remember this?