Midtown Lunch

For those of you keeping track, today’s free noon time giveaway at Social Eatz (on 53rd btw. 2+3rd) is a kung pow wow sandwich. But make sure you get there early. Only the first 100 people score one. Also on the ML Twitter Tracker… Feed Your Hole is on 29th and Park, Mexicue is on 45th and 6th, Papa Perrone is on 55th btw. Park+Mad, Comme Ci Comme Ca is on 38th and B’way, Big D’s Grub Truck is on 40th and Lex, Eddie’s Pizza is on 52nd and 6th, Schnitzel & Things is on 46th btw. 5+6th, and Frites N Meats and Rickshaw are on 52nd and Lex,

The question of ‘Who makes the best phở?’ is a hotly debated topic – NoVa versus Seattle versus NorCal versus SoCal – it’s a showdown with an impossible conclusion. But I doubt that I’d get too many dissenting opinions if I proclaimed New York’s pho joints to be generally mediocre, with even lousier options in Midtown Manhattan. But we should work with what we have. After multiple visits to the newly opened Cha Pa’s Noodles and Grill (on 52nd btw. 8+9th), I’ve found that the quality of the food and maturity of the service has markedly improved. And they serve, in my humble opinion, one of the best bowls of phở that I’ve tasted in Midtown.

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Back in November, a new cupcake truck, Cupcake Crew, was spotted on the streets of Midtown and most of us just though “Ugh, another cupcake truck. Can’t pies or doughnuts or whatever kill the cupcake already?!” I too was cupcake’d out for a while, but now that Cupcake Stop is possibly maybe gone (?) it’s a different story.  Well that, and I saw the flavors that Cupcake Crew was coming out with. Cupcakes with cannoli filling and shells! Ones inspired by my favorite Girl Scout cookie, the Samoa! Add considering that they tend to park next to savory trucks where I can score lunch, I had now choice but to be on it!

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How do you go about making a place that is already pretty awesome, thanks to baked goods and 5 items for $5, even better? By making some really damn good noodle soups. We got a tip from Lunch’er “William” that Lunch Box Buffet (on 34th btw 7+8th) had hired a well-known chef from Flushing to make some of the most popular Chinese noodle soups. If it’s from Flushing it must be good right? I hope so! See what’s on the new menu after the jump.

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Thanks to Lunch’er “Moonji” for sending along this tip last week… “Just saw the attached sign this afternoon, on 45th between 3rd and Lex (where the old Tasti-D used to be). Hope it’s something reasonable and delicious! Their website is up but no menu/information up yet. I did see someone inside working on stuff.” Nice… could be good. We don’t really have a shortage of Latin food in Midtown, and Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th) is actually run by Dominicans (despite calling themselves a Cuban restaurant.) But it will be cool to see a place that takes ownership of their Dominican heritage. More info as soon as we get it…

Have a tip of your own to share? Don’t be selfish. Send it to editor@midtownlunch.com

It’s been just over two years since Cer Te (on 56th btw. 5+6th) began pumping up crazy ass sandwiches for our ML Sandwich Challenge, many of which had made it on to their menu as permanent fixtures or weekly specials.  Last year they put a twist on things by turning over the sandwich creating duties to you, the reader, and it was so successful (Chubby Chinese Girl, anybody?) they’ve decided to do it again.  Starting today, Cer Te will begin taking suggestions for sandwich specials.  Got some crazy ass idea you’d like to see Chef Edward tackle?  Just email it to MyDreamSandwich@certenyc.com, and who knows… maybe you’ll be the next Chubby Chinese Girl. According to the email they sent last week, the prize for having your sandwich selected is bragging rights (plus having a sandwich named after you for a month), but I’m sure we can pressure them into giving out a prize too. Maybe a gift certificate? It’s the least they can do for such kick ass sandwich ideas.  UPDATE: They’ve agreed to award a $100 Cer Te gift certificate to the winner!

Margon’s Cuban. Photo by Food in Mouth.

• Margon has one of the best Cuban sandwiches in NYC [Food in Mouth]
• The Le Languedoc at Financier Patisserie is a flavor-packed sandwich [SENY]
• Tofu edamame balls are the best thing about the Kimchi Taco Truck [Fork in the Road]
• Schnitzel & Things makes it to the Food Truck Challenge semis [BusinessWeek]
• Did you know that the mayo at Oms/b is blended in house? [SENY]
• Manganaro’s might not be going away after all! [NYO via Gothamist]
• Your first look at the newly open Bierhaus [Grub Street]
• An ode to Le Rivage from Josh Ozersky [Eater]
• El Rey del Sabor is better than Mexicue [Tasty Eating]
• The Stage Deli makes a super juicy pastrami sandwich [Feisty Foodie]
• Frances Lam says Chipotle is better than Qdoba [Salon]
• Korilla BBQ is opening two more trucks [Eater]