Archive for January 2012

PSA: Avoid the at Lemon Potatoes at Chirping Chicken

Chirping Chicken

While checking out the new Apple store in Grand Central a few days back, I decided to get lunch at the food court downstairs. I’ve managed to mostly avoid the Grand Central Terminal Food Court, seeing as it’s mostly overpriced, mediocre foods catering to tourists and people on their way out of NYC but needing to grab a quick bite. But now that Tri Tip Grill is opening today (I can finally get a Toasty!) and Shake Shack is on the way, Grand Central might turn into a pretty exciting lunch spot. Of course lines at those two places are likely going to be pretty epic… so I figured it might be good to have a contingency plan.

After walking around for a bit, I settled on Chirping Chicken. The chicken on the rotisserie looked promising and I do love eating chicken. For $6.89 I got a quarter chicken and it came with a side plus pita bread- though when I got back to my office and opened the box I was shocked to see what I got for lunch.

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Morris Truck Sells More Fancy Grilled Cheese From the Street

Last week, we got an email from reader Edward letting us know that the Morris Grilled Cheese Truck (which has been quietly roaming the streets for the last few months) made their first Midtown appearance on Thursday. They grew out of a stand at the New Amsterdam Market and are certainly not the only ones selling artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches from a fancy truck. I got to try two of their sandwiches this week and was impressed by their innovative menu. Ultimately, it’s still just cheese and fillings between bread, but so far I think these guys give you the most bang for your buck.

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Tri Tip Grill Grand Central Soft Opens Today: Just a friendly little reminder for Tri Tip Grill fans in Midtown East. The new location in the Grand Central Terminal food court is having their soft opening today. That probably means a limited menu, but they promised there will be tri tip.

Contributor Stalking (The “BBQ-Topped Hot Dog” Edition)

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

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Barbecue beef . . . on a hot dog at Little Brother in Clinton Hill. Photo by Clay.

Brian’s search for the best beer bars in town took him to Chelsea Brewing Company, Donny roasted a pork shoulder, Rachel had a cupcake from Magnolia, Blondie found a Mac n cheese on a pizza, Brownie and Lawman were in Montreal and enjoyed Schwartz’s famous smoked meat sandwich and I took my Food/Work project into the kitchen of Little Brother, Brooklyn’s new BBQ spot.

Elsewhere in the ML universe… Out in LA, Zach checks out this brand new fast food neapolitan pizza joint opened by the owners of Umami Burger. In Philly, Jamie loves a Taiwanese meatball that may be best enjoyed with your eyes closed and Downtown, Andrea scouts out Prince Street Pizza in the old Ray’s Pizza space.

Korilla Now Offering Late Lunch/Dinner Delivery


Imagine it’s “one of those days” at the office. You look up and it’s way past lunchtime, and suddenly you realize that sound you keep hearing is your own tummy grumbling. Now what? Now you can order Korilla delivery. Details are thin at this point, but according to this you can email them after lunchtime rush to order delivery. They did clarify that deliveries are available only in midtown and lower, and that orders should be placed an hour in advance.

Crisp on Wheels has also been tweeting lately about delivery in Midtown, usually around where their truck is parked. Could this be the new model for food trucks in 2012? Only time will tell …

Indian Lunch Special Battle: 44 Curry House vs. Joy

44 Curry House With the wonderful lunch I ate at Joy Curry and Tandoor last week still fresh in my mind, I wanted to try 44 Curry House (on 44th btw. Lex+3rd) as well for a little compare contrast. I walk by this place every morning on my way to work and always notice during lunch time a good number of people eating there. Just like the lunch I got at Joy Curry and Tandoor, I went for the 2 veggie combo platter with rice and naan ($8.25). So, how did it compare?

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Nuchas Special Offers 2 For $5, Sometimes


When they opened in November, Nuchas was offering empanadas for $3.00 each. So, in order to stay in the Midtown Lunch budget, you could get only three. Lately, you can get four! Nuchas has started offering two empanadas, two breakfast pastries or one of each for $5.00 as a daily special. Since the promotion seems to be working for them, it’s been making a somewhat regular appearance. While we can’t guarantee it’ll always be there, I did see it Monday and they were offering it again yesterday. But wait, there’s more.

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An Early Look at NYC’s First Steak ‘N Shake

Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., New York’s first Steak ‘n Shake will open its doors on Broadway between 53rd and 54th streets, right next to the Ed Sullivan Theater. The exact time is important, of course, because, as we mentioned earlier this week, the Midwestern chain will give their first 150 customers free Steak ‘n Shake meals for a year! (Public service announcement: Weather Channel currently predicts rain, so be prepared.) So what exactly can Midtown Lunchers expect?

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ML Forums: Street Food Price Hikes

Tri Tip Grand Central Soft Opening on Thursday

Awwww yeah.