Midtown Lunch

The spread of the Korean Taco has slowed a bit since last year, but that doesn’t mean I’m not psyched to hear about any new entry into the field. KalBQ, a cleverly named Korean fast food shop near Baruch opened up last month (on Lex btw. 23+24th) to offer another take on the combination.

I stopped in last month for KalBQ’s pre-opening party to see what it was all about. The menu was still in flux at the time, so I’ve been holding off on a return visit to give them a chance to settle in. That being said, I’m going to be out of town for a bit, so before I leave I wanted to at least give you all a first look at the place.

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It only took a year, but Jamba Juice-heads will be happy to know that yesterday they finally opened their new location in the Rock Center concourse (past the 50th street subway turnstile entrance in the old Cinnabon location). No word yet on when the Baskin Robbins right next door will open.

• How are we supposed to know what your “usual Thursday spot” is!? [Midtown Eating]
• The Trini Pak cart is back [Midtown Eating]
• The Tacos y Quesadillas cart has been parking on 53rd street [Midtown Eating]
• Has anybody heard of 2Go Burger? [Midtown Eating]

Great news from Lunch’er @cherryspoon. Cafe Zaiya is back open after yesterday’s run in with the tax man. Crisis averted… take us back Defcon 5.

We got a tip earlier this week that the Bon Chon on 38th btw. 7+8th had been closed by the Health Department. Upon investigating yesterday, it turns out that the restaurant is open for business with a Grade Pending sign in the window. According to the DOH website, the restaurant was shut down after a failing inspection last week and re-opened on Monday with an A-grade worthy 11 points. But the trip over there wasn’t completely futile! It turns out they’re now serving $2.99 tap beers (including Brooklyn Lager, Stella, and Sam Adams) all day long Monday – Wednesday and at off peak hours the rest of the week. And now we know those tap lines are most likely clean.

Related:
Korean-Fried-Chicken-Palooza: Kyochon vs. Bon Chon vs. Mad For Chicken

Photo courtesy of @rolandopujol

Chicago sandwich chain Potbelly continues its bold march across NYC.  Their first location opened on Maiden Lane back in June, followed by a second location right here in Midtown on 44th btw. Lex+3rd.  Rock Center is presumably opening this month, and now this signage just went up on the NE corner of 37th and 7th. What’s next, a food truck?

Related:
At Potbelly Sandwich Shop Double Meat Might be the Way to Go

Donny ate his way through Rockaway Beach, Brian had the scuttlebutt sandwich at Saltie, Brownie happily broke the $10 rule for The Hippo at Island Burger and Shakes, Blondie is ramping up for some giveaways courtesy of Barilla and I had dim sum at Nom Wah Parlor in Chinatown.

Elsewhere in the ML universe… Andrea is finally a believer in grilled cheese after eating at Centre Melt, Zach continues his quest for Filipino food at Bahay Kubo Natin and Jamie loved the Haitian fried turkey at Mooshine Cuisine