I got this email a few weeks ago from Lunch’er “Carolyn” and forgot to post it:

My colleagues and I are big fans of Shendy’s on 6th and 52nd (even before the hit it big in Street-Meat-Palooza 2009). We’re concerned about changes we’ve seen of Shendy’s as of late and is wondering whether Midtown Lunch can get to the bottom of it. I’d say this has been going on for about a month now, I’ve noticed the following:

1. New guys at the cart at lunch time– who are not as fast or streamlined.
2. The worst offense– their chicken taste has changed. I believe that they now use red bell pepper that I don’t remember seeing before and it really throws off the taste.
3. I’ve also gotten other reports about Shendy’s, including: switched from rectangular to circular containers, serving bread with the meal, new yellow rice recipe, different white sauce, and slow SLOW service

SOMETHING IS UP!

Anybody else noticed anything out of the ordinary?

Hi Zach,

I have an unusual request. I returned from New York City a few weeks back. I was there from July 23 – Aug 1. While there I dined at a street vendor I believe was on 50th Street and 7th Avenue. It was just down the street from the Sheraton NY on 53rd. I think that it is one street down from the Jamaican Dutchy but I am not positive. It is just off to the left from the corner of 7th Avenue. I had the chicken served over rice with salad on July 31st. The food was amazing, however, this is not the reason for my email. A few nights prior to that I had a sausage on a bun and that is when I first met the gentleman that was working for the vendor.

The cost of it was $5 but he was kind enough to give it to us for $4 since that is all the money that we brought with us. He said that he is a science teacher and he works for the vendor only for the summer months. He talked about the museums and many spectacular sites New York City has to offer. I believe he was in his mid 40s, dark complexion, about 5′7″, and very handsome. My dilemna is that since I have returned to Canada I have found myself thinking about this man I met from time to time. However brief our meeting was, he has caught me by his presence. I am wondering if you can help me out by going to this place to find out the name and possible contact information for this man? I would be so grateful to you.

Signed,
Sleepless in Canada

Ahhhhh… charmed by a summertime hot dog vendor. I love it. We must help this lady out. Anybody know which vendor she’s talking about?

Hi,

I’ve been visiting NYC for several years now and have always wanted to try some of the food carts. Big reason why I never tried is I’m scared if the food is clean or not. I go to NYC for vacation and don’t want to end up in the hospital for food poisoning or something worse. So my question is how safe is it to eat cart food?

Thanks,
Daphnie

My dear sweet Daphnie. Daphnie Daphnie Daphnie. Have you read a single word on this website? Are you seriously asking me this question, as if the answer would be anything other than “of course it’s safe!”  We do an annual event called “Street Meat Palooza” for god’s sake.  It’s like asking Joey Chestnut if it’s safe to eat hot dogs, or Amy Winehouse if it’s safe to shoot up heroin.  Of course it’s safe… well, for most people.

Listen, when you go on vacation or eat foods you’re not used to eating there is always a danger your body is going to react poorly.  I rarely get sick from eating food off of a cart but, then again, my body is a well oiled street meat eating machine.  A machine that, believe or not considering all the gross things I eat, would be put out of commission by a single Big Mac.  (I try my best to never step foot inside a McDonald’s.)  Does that mean McDonald’s is dirty or unsafe?  (Ok, maybe that’s a bad example.)

Every vacation I’ve ever taken out of this country was accompanied by some kind of gastrointestinal distress. It’s part of being a hungry traveler.  It’s not because the food is dirty… it’s because your stomach isn’t accustomed to the deliciousness.  Sweet, dirty, unsafe deliciousness.

I can’t guarantee you won’t get…uh… let’s say “problems” from eating at a street cart in New York City. But if you do, just think of it as your stomach having an “It’s Fun to Try New Things!” party.  It’s a chance I think you should take. After all, who doesn’t like a good potty… sorry, I meant party.

via Twitter: “What does this sign MEAN? Seen at Pergola above Salad Station on 40th near 5th”  Huh.  Uh… anybody care to hazard a guess?

Update via the Comments: Nevermind

Remember that amazing vegetarian Indian sandwich with doritos being sold out of the now shuttered Blimpie on 46th btw. 5+6th?  Lunch’er “Bikewobble” claims that it was supposed to return:

“Before they closed the owner mentioned they were going to try to get the sandwich into another local shop, maybe have a little corner in another establishment, just making the nacho sandwich. Anyone know if they ever succeeded in setting up somewhere? i want them back so bad!”

Yes, does anybody know?  Please comment below, or email me at zach@midtownlunch.  Be sure cc Sarah DiGregorio from Fork in the Road.  She’s the one who originally found it.

Related:
The “Special Vegetarian” at Blimpie is the Spiciest Sandwich in Midtown

If you thought the whole “law student couldn’t get a job so opens a cupcake truck” story was crazy… what about this one?  Got this email in the old ML inbox the other day:

Hi Zach,

I’ve hatched an idea due to extended unemployment, and I thought you’d be the best qualified to tell me if it is feasible or not. During my days of working in Midtown your site was a bible.

It’s pretty simple: set up a small table on a busy corner and sell peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from a cooler for a few bucks. That’s more than the cost of making them, so I’d pull a profit. And it’s cheaper than other lunch options, and who doesn’t like PB&J?

But what about a vendor’s license?

Part of me thinks that there’s probably some vendor’s license required, and Health Department etc. But another part of me thinks that it’s just like a kid setting up a lemonade stand, and that’s perfectly legal. I’ve asked several friends for their thoughts but they have no idea, and I don’t want to be shooed away/ ticketed by the cops and end up with 20 extra sandwiches on my hands.

Do you have any thoughts as to the legality/feasibility of this endeavor? I’d really appreciate it. If it gets off the ground, the first sandwich is yours, complementary of course.

Many thanks,
Dan M.

Sounds like a foolproof scheme to me! Are times really that tough? You’d probably have to sell a lot of sandwiches to make a living. Perhaps you should consider knock of scarves and handbags as well? I suppose if this lady can sell homemade Ecuadorian food out of a grocery cart on 46th Street, I guess you could get by selling PB&J.

Lunchers, what do you think of the “feasibility of this endeavor?”