Archive for June 2013

Lunch Links (The “Vegetarian Ramen” Edition)


Photo courtesy of Serious Eats New York

  • The vegetarian ramen at Menchanko Tei is satisfying [SENY]
  • Gyro Express makes some pretty decent street meat [Food in Mouth]
  • The $19 all you can eat buffet at Ichi Umi is just ok [Tasty Eating]
  • Churrascaria chain Fogo de Chao is coming to Midtown [Grub Street]
  • The original SoupMan is getting a fleet a food trucks [Gothamist]
  • 9th Street Espresso is the only great coffee shop in Midtown!? [Eater]

Qdoba Has Closed All Manhattan Locations!

I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, because I know how much Midtown Lunch readers love Qdoba, but apparently the burrito chain has pulled out of Manhattan entirely. From their Facebook page: “We’re sorry to announce that all of our Qdoba Manhattan locations will close on Thursday, 6/27 at 3 p.m. We’ll still be serving up your favorites at Qdoba locations in Staten Island, Queens and Northern New Jersey. It has been great serving you, and we hope we can share delicious meals with you again in the future. Thank you for your patronage at these restaurants. If you have any questions, please contact Social@Qdoba.com.”

According to The Real Deal, Qdoba had seven locations in Manhattan, four of which were in midtown. Oh well.

Checking Out ‘wichcraft’s Summer Sandwiches

Earlier this week, ‘wichcraft launched their summer menu, bringing back some of last year’s goodies, while still introducing new combinations. The flank steak ($9.87) and the zucchini and mozzarella ($7.35) sandwiches were great last summer, but I was interested in checking out something new from ‘wichcraft.
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Flatiron Lunch: Roastown Coffee Continues its Transformation into Moya Korean

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.

Based on my casual and passing observations (and if you know the chronology better than me please post in the comments), the restaurant on the corner of 6th Avenue and 27th Street previously seemed to be just a coffee shop with coffee, pastries and sandwiches. Then, it was a coffee shop with a sign out front advertising Korean Food. Now, it is a Korean sports bar with fried chicken and coffee. Because coffee and Korean fried chicken go together??

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Tickets Are Still Available for The Vendy Awards: Here's a reminder: If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to purhcase your tickets to the Vendy Awards on September 7. Tickets are still available, but no doubt that will change very soon. Nominations will be announced in the near future, but you can bet on lots of amazing street food from all over the city. Get your tickets here.

5th Avenue Chocolatiere Now Has Ice Cream and Gelato

I think it’s safe to say summer has officially begun, and there are few better ways to beat the summer heat than ice cream. Lunchers in Midtown East now have one more option for that frozen treat: 5th Avenue Chocolatiere (which is ironically located on 3rd Ave. btw 43rd+44th) is serving ice cream and gelato. A small will cost only $1.75 and a large just $3.00, so you won’t have to break the bank for a cold afternoon dessert.

Early adopters, let us know how it is…

A Closer Look At the Rhong-Tiam Supreme Burger Truck

As reported last week, the Rhong-Tiam Supreme Burger Truck has been parking at 47th Street and Vanderbilt along with a whole bunch of other food trucks. I finally got the chance on Tuesday to stop by and check it out myself. Interestingly, the full menu painted on the side of the truck is covered up with a few printed copies of a smaller, limited menu. I’m not sure if they’re in a trial phase or if the full menu has already been scaled back, but there are still plenty of options available, including burritos, rice bowls, empanadas, and salads. Given that the truck is named after their “supreme” burgers, I figured that ordering a burger was the way to go.

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Eat Free Ice Cream, Meet John Franco: Anyone missing their childhood Good Humor Ice Cream Truck should head to Bryant Park right now. We hear there's a GH truck there from now until 1pm with free treats and New York Mets Hall of Fame pitcher John Franco will be on hand. It's all a part of their "Share the Love" campaign. Freeloaders, engage.

Mysttik Masala Brings Momos to Midtown East

Luncher Brad gave us the scoop a couple weeks ago that Mysttik Masala, an Astoria-born Indian franchise, had a cart in Midtown (44th St btw 1+2nd). Brad reported good things about the cart’s food, so I figured it was worth digging a little deeper into its offerings.

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Even Our Ice Cream is More Expensive: File this one under "Tell Us Something We Didn't Know" the NY Post "investigated" Mr. Softee prices in a few different neighborhoods and found that cones clocked in a couple of dollars higher in Midtown. Whether or not the reporters included the cost of sprinkles into their findings is not immediately known. [NY Post]