Midtown Lunch

New Yorkers, our long nightmare is over – it seems like we’re getting our own version of the Kogi BBQ truck. At this point, there’s little that Mr. Zach Brooks can hold sacred to LA, now that we’re about to encroach on the Korean taco truck phenomenon. A phenomenon that already seems to have pervaded our local Midtown lunch venues, like Bann Next Door, Café Duke and Pro Hot Korean, though we have yet to see a legit Korean taco truck operating in Manhattan for weekday lunches.

After first hearing about the Korilla truck a few months ago on Eater and doing some preliminary investigation on their website and Facebook page, I excitedly reached out to the owner to get a little more information on the Korilla truck.

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My usual Wednesday lunch time ritual of stopping by the Dag Hammarskjold market (on 47th+2nd) was interrupted there for a few weeks partly due to the fact that I wasn’t cooking at home too often. Evidently I was missing out not only on seeing the first incoming pumpkins (summer is officially done), but also on some new lunch-like offerings from the vendors.

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• Two Vendy Tix for sale below face value [Connections]
• Let’s drink to Rudy at Rudy’s [Connections]
• Looking for a “Dessert Lounge” [Eating Outside of Midtown]
• Free whisky?  Wha the wha!? [Downtown Eating]
• Best splurge lunches in Midtown? [Midtown Eating]

I know that everyone has been sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to see how their favorite lunch spot scores with the DOH. For me, that meant waiting for Blarney Stone’s C or even D, but no! Blarney Stone has gone and proven it’s cleaner than a seemingly higher-end deli, and an upscale burger chain by scoring an A.  I’m so proud. Burgers for everyone… unless this convinces you that there are some greasy palms walking around town!

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 Leslie, an office admin looking for some good side dishes.

Name: Leslie

Age: 25

Occupation: Office Admin

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 43rd and Lex

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m from Southern California originally so I’m a big fan of pretty much anything Mexican; lamb, avocado, roasted chicken w/ garlic, salami – actually pretty much any pork product, grilled eggplant, lots of cheeses, watermelon, chicken lo mein, falafel, all indian food, korean barbecue, arugula, and cheerios.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Vegemite and kiwi

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Cafe Zaiya (on 41st btw. Mad+5th), Crisp (on 43rd and 3rd), Biryani Cart (on 46th and 6th) for the kathi rolls, Previti Pizza (on 41st btw. Lex+Park) for the spinach artichoke slice and the carmelized onion one, 48th and 3rd cart for chicken over rice and the eggplant, Kwik Gourmet (on 47th and Park) for lamb over rice, biryani from 44 Curry House (on 44th btw. Lex+3rd), Cafe Cello (on 46th btw. 5+6th) for the roast pork.

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As I left work yesterday I noticed that the new 99¢ Fresh Pizza (on Lex btw. 45+46th) is now open- (let the 99¢ pizza war begin!) It’s owned by the same people as the location on 43rd btw. Lex+3rd, but this one is significantly larger and includes an actual counter to eat your slices at. When I visited they only had plain slices available, but with a good amount of counter space, one can assume they may offer more than that. These additions may give it the advantage it needs going to battle on Lex (and it could be seen as a preemptive move against a possible 2 Bros future onslaught.)

I’ve always enjoyed Katz’s deli, and I’ve recently become a Shake Shack convert. So I was instantly sold when I heard about Shake Shack’s “Deli Dog” offering ($5.25), the progeny of a holy union of two iconic New York culinary staples – Katz’s world famous pastrami and a classic all beef New York hotdog. In keeping with the classic NY deli theme, Shake Shack is also offering an egg cream ($3.50).  Both specials are available for this week only.

I’ll admit, I had my doubts – is this creation simply a Danny Meyer gimmick? Or would this juxtaposition of smoked brisket and hot dog bring honor to both Midtown and classic New York flavors? And why is this egg cream so darn expensive? I case the encased meat offerings after the jump.

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Can I just take a quick minute to get nostalgic about El Rey del Sabor? It was actually two years ago this week that I first tried the original cart on 60th and 3rd.  They had been open for just a month, parked behind Bloomingdales (on 60th and 3rd), and needless to say I was excited.  Back then it was just one cart, run by Vilio (who cooked the food) and his sister Rosa (who made the tortillas by hand.)  This was back before their Mexican cheesesteak, their second cart on 49th and Park, their run in with Rafiqi, the fight their third cart on 43rd had with that halal vendor, and of course plantergate. Rosa no longer makes the tortillas by hand (the 3 carts are way too busy), but they now serve al pastor, and chalupas.  Of course last month they were nominated for the 2010 Vendy Awards, and yesterday they got a full spread in Serious Eats: New York. They’re facing some stiff competition at the Vendy’s this weekend, and I don’t know if they can pull it off (Patacon Pisao and Schnitzel & Things are some fierce competition). But no matter what happens it won’t make us feel any less proud.