Midtown Lunch

The Vendy Cup finalists haven’t been revealed yet (with the exception of Comme Ci Comme Ca spilling the beans), but this morning the New York Daily News announced the nominees for the Vendy Award dessert category, and it includes our very own MISS SOFTEE!!! Also nominated is La Belle Torte cannoli truck, Wooly’s shaved ice truck, the Cupcake Crew Truck, and La NewYorkina Mexican paletas cart. You can read more about each on the nominees on the Vendy Award website. GA Tickets for the September 24th event on Governor’s Island are sold out, but there are early entry tickets and sponsorship packages still available.

It was a joyous day for Midtown Lunchers a few months back when we learned the Hallo Berlin cart had returned to the NW corner of 54th Street and 5th Ave. I stopped by on their second day back and didn’t have time to wait in the line, but the crowd looked healthy, and I vowed to return. But last week, when I wandered over to 54th Street craving some German specialties I saw nothing but construction on the north side of the street. Where was the cart? Before I broke down and started crying gave up all hope, I happened to check the south side and, sure enough, Wolfgang was manning the cart right in front of the back entrance to the MoMA.

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Photo courtesy of Lunch’er Kyle

Yesterday Lunch’er Kate emailed in to let us know that Madeline, the catering company/take out place on 39th btw. 5+6th, has closed and Mars Cafe is now open in its place.  She says it’s more of a generic deli now, with a self serve hot food bar, “sandwiches, salads, burgers wraps, mexican food, apparently korean food (Bibimbap, bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi, and LA Galbi), fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, etc etc.” And the best part is… “they’re having a 50% all hot foods for the rest of the week for their grand opening.” Could be good! Early adopters, let us know how it is in the comments.

Do you wonder what the ML contributors do when they’re not eating lunch in Midtown? (We’re actually pretty easy to stalk!)

First, congratulations to Donny, whose photo exhibition at the James Beard House went up this week, Brian tried the cold-brewed coffee at Kickstand, Blondie went to Queens for a late night food crawl down Roosevelt Avenue, Brownie managed to wait less than 15 minutes to eat at Shake Shack – in Connecticut, Chris wrote up a beginner’s guide to Singapore’s street food and I needed help from the coca leaf to adjust to the altitude in Peru.

Elsewhere in the ML universe… Andrea tried a couple slices at Liberato’s Pizza Downtown, Jamie found what might be her favorite Banh Mi in Philadelphia and Zach has a new go-to ramen spot in Culver City, Los Angeles.

We were pretty excited back in May to hear that Wahoo’s Fish Tacos was coming to NYC, and according to The Feast their first location will be opening on November 15th on Park Ave. btw. 24+25th.  We were hoping that it would be in Midtown proper, but I guess Flatiron isn’t the worst news in the world (especially considering that they plan on opening at least 5 more locations in NYC, so there’s still a chance.) The actual worst news in the world is the tidbit that they are hoping to bring one of their food trucks to the city.  Seriously?  Have they not been reading about all the issues facing food trucks in New York these days?  It’s one thing to open a food truck because it’s your only option, or because food trucks have been in your family for years, or you are passionate about being a part of the fabric of the mobile food vending community.  But using it as a billboard for your 5 to 12 NYC franchises is unconscionable.  We love you Wahoo’s, and NYC should be excited for your fish tacos.  But leave your food trucks at home.

Related:
Beginning of the Vendor Backlash: My Case Against the La Cense Burger Truck

As soon as I clicked on the Grub Street link about the newly opened Cafe China and spotted the wonton floating in spicy goodness, I knew I had to check the place out. Located on East 37th street (btw. Mad+5th) just a few blocks from Szechuan Gourmet and Lan Sheng, my go-to midtown Sichuan spot, Cafe China is entering a distinguished field, but in my book there’s always room in my heart for more good Chinese food. Read more »

You didn’t think we forgot about Street Meat Palooza, did you?  Now that the dust has finally settled on Midtown Lunch’s 5th Anniversary, it’s time to crown Midtown’s best street meat.  Every year we bring together a hand picked group of lunchers to taste 15 different plates of street meat, and crown a winner.  Three years ago the Famous Halal Guys won the inaugural palooza, but the next two years belonged to Kwik Meal and Kwik Gourmet.  All three have been retired from competition, and this year 15 new carts will vie for the chance to be crowned the winner of Street Meat Palooza 4!

Just like previous years, Street Meat Palooza will not be open to the public. It is an invite only, blind tasting of 15 different plates of street meat.  But there is a way for you to win a coveted slot at the “judges” table.

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Apparently September is National Breakfast Month (who knew?), and to celebrate Tri Tip Grill (in the Rock Center concourse) is offering a buy one breakfast get one free special all month long. The deal’s only good from 9-10am, and the free breakfast must we of “equal or lesser value” to the one you pay for. Valid through Sept 30th. The ML crew has given the thumbs up to the Brandy French Toast and the Buck Muffin, so if you’re the breakfast eating sort it might be worth grabbing a co-worker and splitting the bill.

• How are the huaraches and sopes at Great Burrito? [Midtown Eating]
• Has anybody eaten at Qi Thai? [Midtown Eating]
• The chicken w/ salad at Kushi is a decent “healthy lunch” [Midtown Eating]
• Taim’s cous cous: Yay or Nay? [Midtown Eating]