Midtown Lunch

See… there is money in the stand!!! The line at Bluth’s Frozen Banana Stand, which is parked across from Radio City, goes from the middle of 50th and 49th halfway down to 7th on 49th- which is kind of crazy since the chocolate dipped frozen bananas are FREE.  I didn’t spot any cast members, just a bunch of typical PR people who may or may not be sick of listening to people throw out Arrested Development references as they snag their frozen banana.

Can’t make it out there today?  Fear not!  The stand will be parked in Columbus Circle tomorrow (Tuesday) handing out more frozen bananas from Noon to 7pm

A close up of the stand is after the jump…

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Over the past few months I know we’ve been a little heavy in our coverage of Treehaus, the upscale deli on 51st and 3rd with fun sandwiches, a bibimbap bar, a monster burger, and bone marrow and pork belly on their by the pound buffet.  But sometimes it feels like these guys just get us.  And quite frankly, how could we not post this? Your eyes are not playing tricks on you.  That’s veal testicles, on a Midtown buffet, for $11/lb.   Over the years we’ve spotted some pretty fun and exciting things on Midtown pay what it weighs buffets (soft shelled crabs anybody?) but I think it’s safe to say that this kind of takes the cake, right?  Anybody get a chance to put these balls in their mouth today?  Let us know how they were in the comments.  And big thanks to Lunch’er Jon for sending along the photo.

 UPDATE: The owner of Treehaus checked in to let us know that due to the holiday there will not be Rocky Mountain oysters on the buffet today… but they will have lamb testicles on Wednesday! (4/3)

So, this just happened.  Thanks to everyone who nominated their favorite vendors!  Results will be posted in the next week or two…

We’ve seen the line long… but never this long!  Holy wow.

Related:
Vendy Award Finalists Announced- Plus Hang Out Early w/ Zach, Brian H, Blondie & Brownie

If you work anywhere near 45th Street and 6th Ave this is likely the talk of your office right now… around 12:30pm today a Mercedes plowed onto the sidewalk, hitting Mister Khan’s halal cart. Thankfully a fire hydrant stopped the car before it could hit the fruit vendor.

Check that out, after the jump.

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While rushing back to the office from lunch, I stopped dead in my tracks (to take a photo, naturally) when I spotted the Treats Truck in their old Midtown spot on 45th & 6th. You’ll have to hurry, though — according to their twitter, the truck will be there only until 3 p.m.

Huzzah! After a 1-day delay, the new location of Kati Roll is officially open on E. 53rd Street. When I first got there, there were a few people waiting for food but there was barely a line to order. I got my food in about 20 minutes, but currently there is a line out the door, so expect at least a 25-30 minute wait from when you get there until you receive your food. Early adopters, feel free to post updates in the comments…

The Kati Roll Company, 229 E. 53rd St (btw 3+2nd)

Steak ‘n Shake is finally open, and the line is out the door, although not quite as out the door as Shake Shack on their first day in Midtown Does that mean Steak N Shake wins or loses their first head to head competition with the Shack?  An employee outside claimed the wait is about 10 minutes to the front of the line, plus 10 minutes to get your food-  so it looks like an infographic to determine your wait time will be unnecessary for this super-hyped new Midtown burger destination.  Did you brave the madness?  Let us know what you think in the comments.

Steak ‘n Shake, 1695 Broadway btw 53+54, 212-247-6584

They were hiring two months ago, and now it looks like Steak ‘n Shake will open this week on Broadway btw. 53+54rd. There’s countdown signage in the window indicating they plan to open their doors in just three days, and a sign below announces that the first 150 customers will win 52 weekly coupons for any steakburger, fry and shake combo. That’s a lot of Steak ‘n Shake, but the franchse has a surprising amount of internet buzz for a burger chain, so it might be worth your time (and wallet) to be there early! (Thanks to Lunch’er Mike for the tip.)

Steak ‘n Shake, 1695 Broadway btw 53+54, 212-247-6584

Rocco DiSpirito’s new Eat This Now Truck is parked on Broadway between 51+52 streets today offering healthy versions of classic dishes all for $7.  There are Mama’s Meatballs with Penne Marinara (345 cal.), Turkey & Black Bean Enchillada (319 cal.), Chicken Noodle Soup (248 cal.) and General Tso’s Chicken & Broccoli (199 cal.) And if you’re interested in meeting him, the man, himself, is there, too! (You can see him texting inside the window.)  According to Facebook, the truck will be there until 3pm.