Midtown Lunch

Free Sub Alert (is complete BS… or is it?): I can't stand Quizno's, but you know how I feel about free food, so if you're into it they're giving away free subs on their website. Freeloaders engage! (And thanks to Lunch'er Jesse for the tip.) UPDATE: According to a commenter, NYC Quiznos are not accepting these coupons. What a load of horseshit.  UPDATE #2: Two others have claimed that it works.  One on Wall Street, and another who used it in Grand Central. If you try to use it, let us know what happens.

Traitor Radio: A Passion for Food blogger (and ML correspondent) Kathy YL Chan appeared on WNYC radio today, and the clip has just been posted to their site. It's kind of shameful to have a Midtown Lunch'er go on the radio to talk about bringing bagged lunches to work, but we love Kathy and appreciated the ML shoutout. Now, to find this magical "spam musubi" she talked about. I wonder if Hawaiian Island Grill has it... or maybe we could get Cafe Zaiya or Oms/b on the case! [WYNC]

Slumdog Lunch: If last night's Oscars put you in the mood for some pani poori for lunch today, you can hit up Indus Express (on 48th btw. 5+6th) or Sukhadia's Gokul (on 45th btw. 5+6th)... but if you want the best chaat in Midtown, I'd go to Khodiar Lunch Services/Taj Delhi Chaat on 6th Ave. btw. 37+38th.

Con-Ed is at Five Guys Right Now: via GChat with Lunch'er Jesse: "They said it is possible that they will be open either tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Definitely not today." Oh well... Monday it is then.

Naples 45 Introduces a Polpetini to the Sandwich Challenge:

Posted in the comments, and confirmed by the restaurant: Naples 45 (on 45th btw. Mad+Park) is now serving a "Polpetini: Neapolitan meatballs, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese and basil.  The price at the take out counter is $8.95, and on the sit down menu it’s $9.95." Hmmm.  $9 for what sounds like a standard meatball sub? This better be a damn good sandwich, or we may have our first Midtown Lunch Sandwich Challenge loser. Early adopters, please report back.

More Twitter Fun: From Profiled Midtown Lunch'er and New York Times writer Jennifer 8. Lee's twitter: "did i just pay $14.09 for a burger and fries at schnippers in the nytimes byuilding? yes fancy burger and sweet potato fries, but still (!)"  And the worst part is, you couldn't even order it medium rare.

Fried Calamari Sandwich Returns to Midtown: When Tuscan Square closed a year ago, it took with it their super awesome fried calalmari sandwich. But thankfully it looks like Lazzara's is filling the void with their own version for the ML Sandwich Challenge. From the owner: "My sandwich is a fried calamari and fresh mozzarella and tomatoes sauce with or with out hot red pepper. On a semolina hero." Available starting Monday (2/16) only at the 38th St. location (btw. 7+8th). Oh boy.

ML Has a New Sworn Enemy: From a Midtown Lunch'er: "I just found out some co-workers started a blog dedicated to their love of (sigh) Chipotle. This love is expressed through the ancient art of haiku. I don’t know what else to say about it other than I’m deeply, deeply disappointed and saddened. Thought you might like to see it, if only to be horrified!" Yes. Horrified indeed. [Chipotle Haiku]

Do You Have Fewer Friends Because Of Midtown Lunch?: From Lunch'er Sarah in the comments: "My coworkers are... all hip young ladies who live in Brooklyn, but given a choice where would they eat lunch? Subway, Burger King, Cosi if they’re feeling fancy. About the closest we can come to making each other happy is ordering from Guy and Gallard, and that’s just wrong. Also they have stopped asking me where to eat b/c I’m always like “oh I read about this awesome Peruvian Chicken place that is totally cheap!” and that is not a satisfactory answer."  Related: Quality vs. Company. The Loneliness of Midtown Lunching

Random Thought: Dunkin Donuts new waffle breakfast sandwich sounds like a great idea in theory, but you know what would be even better? Two waffles with a piece of fried chicken in the middle. Are you paying attention Popeye's and/or KFC?