Comment from Dave Smith
Time: December 10, 2006, 6:29 am

Congratulations!
Your site has been featured on Dave’s Cheap Eats (http://davescheapeats.wordpress.com) because you are one of the best at searching out cheap eats that are good eats.

Happy Eating!
Dave

Comment from Claire Walter
Time: February 4, 2007, 11:24 pm

Congratulations on the NYTimes mention. You NYC restaurant bloggers are great. I wrote about the the article today at http://culinary-colorado.blogspot.com/.

Comment from Larry SooHoo
Time: February 5, 2007, 1:53 pm

Great website and detail regarding the bulgogi cart and others. I see that you are partial to Asian food, and not scared by apparently dirty places, then perhaps you may be interested in a fantastic place at 273 W.38th Street. (212)-575-6978 (sorry, no name on the menu). 3 different (or the same) menu selections plus white rice or fried rice PLUS a cup of the house soup (self serve) for $3.75 including tax from 11am to 3pm. This is perhaps the most authentic Chinese food in the area (there is another one directly across the street, but a face to face encounter with Kenny the Cockeroach while waiting on line turned me away back to the other place). You have your choice of fried pork chops, chicken thigh and leg, Shrimp with Egg and Onions, chinese beef brisket stew, bean thread (rice vermicelli), braised spareribs with blackbean sauce, tofu & vegetables, braised veal with peppers, chicken with garlic sauce, peking pork chop, and for the adventurous, deep fried frog’s legs, braised Ox, tail, tripe with turnip and pig’s knuckles with bean thread and so much more (20 to 25 selections). To me, the quality of the food is just like Chinatown, and so is the price. I see your budget is $10 (mine was under $5 (limited to Daily Specials at Subway’s for $3.99), you can order two platters for $7.50 and still have change for one of the truly authentic Chinese pastries ($0.60 to $0.75 each) plus an Iced Coffee for $1.50.

Also, not included for the $3.75 is the Chinese BBQ, just like Chinatown, hanging in the window, duck, Roast Pork, Spare Ribs, Soy Sauce Chicken and Salt Baked Chicken. If you want these with you selection, there is an upcharge (I think it’s $0.50 to $1), still a bargain. The decor is non existent (usually tables are occupied by men only), the service is very quick and abrupt (i.e. rude), (you just have to know how to point to what you want if you don’t speak the language).

Ordering off of the menu is also a bargain, there is nothing over $4.50 listed. Serving a predominantly Chinese garment worker lunch crowd (W.38th & 8th Avenue) It is probably the best bargain around; the only downside is that I have to walk 11 blocks and 2 Avenues (no delivery) to get there (not good during extremely cold or hot days). Btw, breakfast is a steal also, coffee and a pastry selection or Congee (rice porridge) for under $2. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear your feedback.

Pingback from Nothing more important to a techie than…FOOD « Techno babble from an IT guy named Harry
Time: February 5, 2007, 10:42 pm

[...] 5th, 2007 · No Comments Many people believe that the most important thing to a technologist is technology. In my opinion,that’s incorrect. The most important thing to a techie working in NYC is food. And in NY we’ve got tons of it. From Europa to Street Meat, White Castle to Hallo Berlin, there’s lots to eat. Here’s a blog that feeds the need for food info. Midtown Lunch says that “if you’re looking for a quick Midtown lunch for under $10, the good places require a little more digging.” [...]

Comment from Liza
Time: March 11, 2007, 9:06 am

sorry, zach. it was free for me bc my buddy bob paid for it. you have
to have some kind of id swipe card. and it’s 40 cents an OUNCE. i was
baiting kevin or bob to comment bc they are the research dept. at
esquire, so they fact check everything in the magazine and i bug them
all the time to read my blog. looks like one of them actually did.

speaking of blogs, yours rocks. i read it back when you were trying to
find the korean food cart. can’t wait to try those bulgoki sandwiches,
even if they are lame.

if you ever have to do an errand in the financial district before 3pm,
you gotta try shirley’s cart on State St. . she has terrific carribean
food with the most AMAZING ginger beer i’ve ever had that’s dirt cheap
at 1.50. On Fridays she serves fish and it’s really good homestyle
cooking. i worked a gig down there in 2005 and ate there as much as i
could. http://i_eat_ny.blogspot.com/2005/11/never-fear-ginger-beer.html

anyway, thanks for commenting. and i look forward to your take on the
bulgoki sandwiches.

L

Comment from grace
Time: March 23, 2007, 1:17 pm

Thanks so much for this totally invaluable source–what a find. Thanks for doing the footwork–these heels don’t allow for much midtown meandering….

Comment from Myra
Time: March 29, 2007, 9:17 am

Today’s AMnewyork paper has a $2 COSI coupon on page 14. They run these coupons occasionally, and it is $2 off any sandwich, salad, or pizza.

Comment from Evelyn
Time: June 5, 2007, 1:21 pm

I think we work in the same building because I was just reading your postings about Chipotle and the Korean food cart. I haven’t seen those $1 bulgogi sandwiches yet but next time I do, I am definitely gonna give them a try. Thanks for this site! I’m one of those people who get stuck in a rut in what I eat and have no idea where to go for something new, or where to go to get the foods I love to eat. Even better, you’ve given me insight on a bunch of restaurants I’ve seen, walked by but never had the guts to go into. Thanks!!

For cheap Chinese food that’s not as great as Chinatown but comparable, I go to Hing Won on 48th between 5th & 6th. As for sushi, I like the lunch combos at Kiku on 55th between 5th & 6th. Freshest fish in the area!

Happy eating! =)

Comment from jk
Time: June 7, 2007, 12:54 pm

http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Midtownlunch_com_s_one_year_anniversary_recap

Comment from Angie
Time: June 26, 2007, 12:18 pm

Love this site! Great resource for all the good places to eat.. but you’re missing one– Green Symphony, it’s a great place for Vegans/Vegetarians or people that want to eat healthily. Check it out! W. 43rd, Btwn 7th and 8th.. It’s next to the New York Times Building.

Comment from kate
Time: August 22, 2007, 2:13 pm

has anyone turned your suggestions into a google maps mashup so we can see what is close to our offices? that would be totally awesome. Not that your site is hard to navigate… its not! its great! but a map would really be pretty sweet.

Comment from Joe
Time: October 11, 2007, 8:25 pm

Hope you go try the Pranzo pizza truck on 55th and park
if you like pizza you’ll love this,lunch special two slices and a soda $5.00′ the guy on the truck is Pete nice guy tell him the guy that ordered one of eveything on the menu sent ya.

Comment from Jennifer 8. Lee
Time: October 13, 2007, 7:34 pm

I enjoy your blog. It was helpful in terms of finding banh mi in midtown (who knew?) for a posting I did on cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com

I’m a writer for the NYTimes and I’d like to send you a galley of my
upcoming book on Chinese food in America called The Fortune Cookie
Chronicles ( fortunecookiechronicles.com). Especially excited because you are partial to Asian food.

The galleys just showed up this week on Friday!

I honestly think you would enjoy at least flipping through it. In it,
I discover the true origins of fortune cookies (Japan), find General
Tso’s family in China and try to find the greatest Chinese restaurant
in the world (outside China).

There is a lot of NY stuff, not a lot of midtown stuff though.

I just would like your mailing address?

Jenny

Pingback from Not Eating Out in New York » Blog Archive » The Bodega Challenge
Time: November 9, 2007, 3:26 pm

[...] of Paloma in Brooklyn and Top Chef’s resident looker, Camille Becerra; mastermind blogger of Midtown Lunch (my possible blogging antithesis), Zach Brooks; and the Brooklyn Kitchen’s own Harry [...]

Comment from Judie
Time: January 5, 2008, 11:47 am

Happy New Year! Next time I get to NY (June) I’ll be sure to check the site for cheap (good) eats.

Comment from abbottsys
Time: January 7, 2008, 4:41 pm

Great site. But, response time is really slow. Can you get hosted on some better servers.

Comment from Patricia (chicken recipes)
Time: April 24, 2008, 11:54 pm

I just read 4-5 of your reviews and i have to say that i love how you write! You have great opinions, you are very funny and you love buffets :P
I bookmarked your website, i love buffets too and this is the perfect source of information!
Patricia

Comment from Anonymous
Time: April 28, 2008, 4:15 pm

Thanks for this Blog.

I agree with you that lunch is very sacred & should not be wasted on bad food.

Comment from Janet
Time: July 24, 2008, 4:00 pm

Love your blog–I’m something of a foodie as well, and hate to pay good money for bad stuff. I do think, however, that you gave Dishes short shrift. I’ve never tried the soup, the salads they mix for you, or the sandwiches. I go straight for the ‘by the pound’ market table in the middle. I go to the one on 54th and Park, and while the crowds and lines are a nightmare, the food on the market table is remarkably fresh, interesting and tasty–flavors are bright and distinctive, and even if you get a bit of several things, each one still stands out. There’s a lot of variety each day, (generally including a large number of Asian-themed items) they offer different selections each day of the week, and keep introducing new things, so I don’t get bored if I eat there often. It is, however, on the expensive side, so the way to keep it under $10 is not to get too greedy (better for the waistline anyway).

Comment from fidilunch
Time: August 16, 2008, 3:29 pm

Your blog is our inspiration. We’re your newborn brother holding it down in the financial district. We’ve just gotten started, but slow and steady, right?

Comment from kang
Time: September 17, 2008, 3:36 am

All the way from London, UK. I’m a foodlover myself and read your blog alot. Just want to say I love it and I recently decided to start my own food website called londoneater.com with food reviews in London!
Do come check it out sometime, keep up the great eating man!

Comment from Nikki
Time: November 6, 2008, 11:31 am

How do I sign up? I am a total food critic and I find this site to be very useful.

Can a link be sent to me??