Midtown Lunch

Back in June we relayed the news that popular California based burger chain The Counter “Custom Built Burgers” was going to be taking over the old Juan Valdez space in Times Square (on Broadway and 41st).  Well, the sign is up and it looks like they’re getting ready to open.  We’re not sure the official opening date (Grub Street is saying Monday) but they’ve agreed to give 25 Midtown Lunch’ers and their guests a little sneak preview. The first 25 people to RSVP will have the chance to try a starter and a burger at The Counter for free this Friday, December 17 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. To RSVP email your first and last name along with what time (has to be between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) you wish to book your exclusive preview reservation to timessquare@thecounterburger.com. Winners will be contacted via email.

Keep in mind The Counter is a build your own burger situation (they boast 66 different toppings, and over 300,000 possible burger combinations) so you might want to study the menu before heading over. And if you need more guidance, Zach tried one of the Los Angeles locations back in June. (Spoiler: topping your burger with pineapple, cole slaw, brie, *and* onion rings might be going a bit overboard.)

When Lunch’er Steve informed us that the Trini Paki Boys Cart (43rd btw. 5+6th) was now serving jerk chicken, I quickly headed over to try it out. I was treated to a delicious mess of a plate, a huge piece of bone-in chicken, covered in gravy served on a bed of rice with a healthy serving of chickpeas and vegetables next to it. When I went back for more jerk chicken, they practically forced me to try some of their new chicken tikka as well (they didn’t have to force hard). Check out the ridiculous plate of food I got for $7 after the jump.
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Last week saw the opening of yet another cupcake place in the Grand Central vicinity, Baked by Melissa (on 42nd between Lex+Park.) I’ve had the opportunity to try some of their mini cupcakes in the past, and they’re definitely above average: not cloying, good moistness, nice cake flavor, and tiny enough that you can have a few without feeling gross. With that in mind, I headed over to check out the new spot. The spot itself is primed for tourists as it’s next to the entrance to the Hyatt, and methinks the tourists will be their main customers.

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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 Jeanine, a project manager who needs a good Chinese food recommendation.

Name: Jeanine

Age: 38

Occupation: Project Manager for a Magazine/Online Publishing Company

Where in Midtown do you Work?: The Hippodrome Building 6th between 42/43

Favorite Kind of Food: Thin Crust Pizza, Burgers, Mexican Food

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Indian Food, Most Soups, Sandwhiches with Avocodo in them.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Cafe Manhattan on 45th (btw 5+6th) has great pre-made sandwhiches and decent sushi. BXL Belgian Cafe on 43rd (btw 6+B’way) has an amazing Croque Monsiour with fries. Figaro on 44th (btw 5+6th) for their personal pizzas. Baja Fresh over on Broadway (btw 40+41st) for Soft Chicken Tacos (so much better than Chipotle, not sure what the big fuss is!) I also like the Treats Truck when I can catch it on Wednesdays/Fridays.

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