Midtown Lunch

The Chicken Bar on 45th street and 8th avenue is all boarded up, with renovation signs adorning the plywood. I haven’t been to this location since Ranch 1 re-branded themselves as Chicken Bar several years ago, but Zach was a fan of the brand back in the day. We all know how “renovations” can go, and what’s particularly disturbing is that their website is not available either. I guess it could always be another re-branding … suspicious, indeed.

Chicken Bar, 717 8th Avenue (at 45th street)

Today is the first Friday of Lent, which for many practicing Catholics means no meat. For the past few years I’ve rounded up some Lenten faves. Check out a few of my top picks after the jump. Read more »

Every Friday we go south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

As promised last week, I ate at the newly open Wahoo’s Fish Taco (on Park Ave. btw 24+25th, and am pleased to report that it does not disappoint! I even went twice to be sure… uh… you know.  For science.

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• Is there anything more shocking than a MLer who’s never tried falafel? [Midtown Eating]
• Park Ave. has become quite the food truck hot spot [Midtown Eating]
• Still no signs of Little Morocco [Midtown Eating]
• Looking for 99 cent pizza near 37th & 5th [Midtown Eating]
• Does the Royal Grill Cart make a tasty chicken biryani, or is this just a shill [Midtown Eating]

It looks like the massive Midtown burger explosion of 2010 has finally caught up with at least one spot in Midtown.  The Goodburger on 45th street btw. 5+6th has been shuttered.  Apparently their rent got raised, and there’s just “too much food on the block” so they had seen a decrease in customers. I’m sure having Shack Shack two avenues to the West, and Bill’s Bar & Burger 5 blocks to the north didn’t help either.  Goodburger fans shouldn’t worry though.  The rest of the locations are doing just fine, and ready to pick up the slack from the 45h street location.  Thanks to Lunch’er Marissa for the tip.

Ladies and gentlemen, the bulgogi burger is officially having a moment on Midtown Lunch. The concept recently resurfaced in the forums when Bon Chon’s version allegedly got a facelift, so of course I had to try it. However, whenever this Bon Chon burger comes up, there are those who inevitably mention Angelo Sosa’s rendition at Social Eatz. We’ve tried the famous Bibimbap Burger, and we’ve tried the Hanoi Burger. Does the Bulgogi Burger have what it takes? Can it take the title of Best Bulgogi Burger in the East (50’s)?

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When fellow luncher Asafoetida broke the news that Yagura (41st btw. Mad+5th) had a makeover plus a price hike, I said “nooooooooooo” in my head (I was in the office so I couldn’t really yell). Last time I was there I had a pretty darn good oyakodon and for $5.93, it was pretty hard to beat. With the price hike I wondered if it would still be a good deal. Luncher Asafoetida also said Yagura added pastry to the menu. Well, a makeover, price hike and pastry? I had to check this out for myself.

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Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which means Lent is officially here, bring on the Friday fish lunches! Word on the street is that Urban Lobster Shack is now offering a Lent Counter Special exclusively at their Midtown location. Each dish is $8 plus tax and “will be offered throughout the Lent season” though they warn that they sell out quickly each day, especially on Fridays (naturally). So, what does $8 buy you?

Check out the menu after the jump… Read more »

Lengua tacos at Guelaguetza in Hell’s Kitchen. Photo by Donny.

Donny found delicious tacos in the back of a bodega in Hell’s Kitchen, Blondie treated her winter cold with a bowl of pho, Brownie discovered that Colombia also runs on Dunkin,Rachel also warmed up with some soup at Soba Totto, Brian’s beer travels took him to Chelsea for a round at The Half King, and I visited JFK’s Terminal Five.

Elsewhere in the ML universe… Andrea found some decent steam table Thai food in the Financial District, Jamie arranges a Ramen Battle in Philly and Zach offered meat-loving Catholics preparing for Lent a list of places in LA to stuff their faces.