Midtown Lunch

Baseball legend Keith Hernandez will be joined by Mr. and Mrs. Met tomorrow at the SNY Plaza on 51st Street between 5th and 6th Avenue to kick off the Good Humor Summer of Joy campaign by giving out free frozen treats. In their mission to bring joy across the neighborhoods of NYC, there will also be chances to win Mets tickets and take Joy Rides in Good Humor Pedicabs.

After today, the Good Humor Joy Squad will roam the city for the next 3 weeks with more free frozen treats and surprises. Check out their twitter @GoodHumor for details, though here is their schedule for the next three days:

Looks like this is the only day this week they’re in Midtown, but… freeloaders, engage!

(PS Hatred and verbal abuse of the Mets will not be tolerated here!)

Attention, cheese ‘n carb fans! The Union Square gem, Croque Monsieur, has a second NYC location in the works at the corner of Lex and 45th St. For those that don’t know the original store, the grilled cheese is king here, and it speaks French. The owners even had the balls to open a sophomore store (and then some more) in Paris, so safe to say their grilled cheese is worlds away from your 3am hangover savior. And with all menu items under $10, you won’t get a financial hangover either.

From the looks of it, the new spot will only have enough room for a takeout counter. Okay, no cute upstairs window seat overlooking trees on the street. No backstory like the original Union Square digs, former apartment of writer Anaïs Nin. But we have damn low expectations of ambiance when stuck in the lunch rush. If the food is anywhere as good as the Union Square location, then Melt Shop has some competition to deal with. Let the comparisons begin!

Some of the best advertisements for food trucks are when they drive around the city – not selling a thing – just driving around. This is how I noticed a truck I had never seen before. It was called the Coney Shack and upon doing my research, I’m eager to find them when they’re actually selling food.

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Joining the likes of Madison Square Eats and Garment District, Broadway Bites has resurfaced for the early part of the summer. Prices here are also frustratingly high and lines can be long, but there are a few gems among the usual crop of vendors, including last year’s Vendy Award for Best Market Vendor.

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It’s hard to believe but 9 Years ago today I posted my very first review on Midtown Lunch.  I know it’s been a tough few years for the site while I’ve tried to figure out exactly what to do with it, and how to keep it going from almost 3000 miles away.  As I’m sure you know, none of us really make any money from this site.  We do it because we know it’s a worthwhile endeavor, and we also love it. And most importantly it’s a great excuse to stuff our faces every day at lunchtime.  Thanks for being so patient, and sticking with us all these years.

I don’t condone making sweets your entire lunch, but don’t waste free food opportunities! Today is National Donut Day, which means you can score a free Krispy Kreme flavor of your choice. Unfortunately, at Dunkin’ you have to first pay for a drink, before receiving a free donut (though if you already run on Dunkin’ coffee, this one’s a no brainer.)
If you’re more for “artisanal” New York-based donuts, head to Dough inside the newish City Kitchen. Dough blows the competition away with amazingly airy texture and unique flavors, including a new matcha flavor launching today. Sorry, it’s not free, but if you buy 6, you’re entered to win a year’s supply of donuts. Now THAT wouldn’t be diabetes-inducing at all. Hope you get your donut fix today!

We’ve been anticipating the first offshoot of rightfully popular Breads Bakery for some weeks now, but I had only seen carpentry happening at the kiosk site on the northwest corner of Bryant Park. No need to hold your breath any longer, because as of last Wednesday, they’re open for business AND looks like we’re getting a reprieve for today from the deluge!

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