Midtown Lunch

Mexican Burrito Cart Fail: In July of 2007 I was pretty excited to report that Calexico, the Mexican cart in Soho famous for their carne asada, would be opening a second cart in Midtown.  Well, it's over a year late- but cart #2 is finally up and running and parked on... 25th St. and Park Avenue.  Wha!?!?!  That's not Midtown.  Totally lame. [Chow via Eater]

Help Send Profiled Lunch’er to SxSw: Cupcakes Take the Cake blogger, and Profiled Midtown Lunch'er, Rachel needs people to vote for "Nom Nom Nom: The Secrets to Sucessful Food Blogging" as a panel for the 2009 SxSw interactive festival.  This year SxSw is letting the public vote on what panels they want, and Rachel's good people so we should help her out.  (And I'm not just saying that because I want to go to SxSw.  Oh wait... yes I am.)

Artichoke Pie and Rice Balls are Back For Now: Bossman checks in to report that Papa Perrone's Truck (on 55th btw. Mad+Park) is back from vacation, but there's "a signed posted saying he won't be there 8/18 and 8/22."  Something about private parties? He also mentioned that even though his artichoke pies have been selling out pretty quick, you can maybe order a whole one in advance, if you want.  It might be time to gather up the co-workers...

Panda Express Rules!: The LA Times has a great article on my favorite fast food place, Panda Express.  What can I say? I love Hing Won and Szechuan Gourmet, but that doesn't make me any less addicted to the Panda Express orange chicken.  The owner talks about how well the company is doing, but makes no mention of whether or not they will expand to NYC.  My open plea to Andrew Cherng: PLEASE BRING PANDA EXPRESS TO MIDTOWN!!!

Cupcake in a Cone Returns to Midtown: Blondie and Brownie have been all over these conecakes at the Treats Truck which will be offered as a special for the rest of the week.  Today is the only chance for Midtown'ers though.  The truck will be parked at 38th and 5th from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Hallo Berlin Brothers Are Not in Beijing: The Babiel Brothers are pranksters that cannot be trusted.  The Hallo Berlin Cart (on 54th & 5th) has returned from its July vacation, and contrary to what Lost City reported (and I confirmed) the brothers were not invited to the Olympics.  I asked Rolf, who was at their 9th Ave. location yesterday, why he wasn't in Beijing?  His response: "I just joking with everybody!"  (It's funnier when you hear him say it.)

“White Sauce” Has What In It?!?!: From the comments of the Street Meat Palooza cart round up post: "This article claims the XPL white sauce is mayonnaise based. Could someone confirm this? I’m a huge fan of the yogurt sauce and the thought of mayo on my lamb makes me shudder."  Uh, if mayo creeps you out, you should probably stay away from most white sauce at carts.  Ditto for spicy tuna rolls.

More Dueling Bentos: From the Inbox on Friday: "I was walking on 50th St. btw. 6+7th today at 12pm and I know you've written about the guy who sells bento boxes out of a plastic tub, but today there were TWO side-by-side bento box sales going on. One was the guy with the plastic tubs, the other was this Asian couple with a big plastic bag with stacked bento boxes inside. I've never seen them before... all I spotted in their bento boxes was purple rice. Random right? I was in a hurry so I didn't stop, but you should check it out on Monday to see if there's some sort of bento rivalry brewing." That sounds interesting...

City Cracks Down on Wafels and Dinges: According to Kim from the Treats Truck, the city has put up no parking signs on 46th btw. 5+6th, the new daily spot for the Wafels and Dinges Truck.  They had to park on 44th on Tuesday and Wednesday, and plan to be on 45th & 6th for today (Friday), but we'll see if this ends up being permanent.  I'll keep an eye out...

Gelato From a Cart Now (Kebabs Coming Soon): It's just out of bounds, but Peter Cherches is reporting that you can get "8-10 flavors of gelati and sorbetti" from a cart in front of Nino's Poisitano (on 2nd Ave. btw. 47+48th).  Other exciting news for Midtown East lucnhers: a second location of Turkish restaurant Ali Baba will be opening on 46th & 2nd Avenue very soon.