When I go to Cafe Cello (on 46th btw. 5+6th) I pretty much always order the roast pork (with an occasional fried chicken detour.)  But if you’re looking for something different they now have a schedule of their specials hung on their front door.  They have roast pork and fried chicken every day, but if you want oxtails you’ll have to go Wednesday, and for tripe (hello!) Thursday is your day.  Might have to stop by today though… it’s fried pork day!

You know who else has started putting a schedule up?  The Trini Paki Boys cart (on 43rd btw. 5+6th).

It’s always been hard to keep track of their daily specials, but thankfully they’ve solved that problem with a sign. Today is chicken biriyani day, and tomorrow I hear they’re going to serve a pelau (but with black eyed peas instead of pigeon peas.)  Enjoy!

Related:
Original Cafe Cello Review (7/10/2006)
The Hidden Delicious Mysteries of the Trini-Paki Boys Cart

This amazing email came into the old ML Inbox the other day about Cafe Cello, my favorite place for roast pork in Midtown (on 46th btw. 5+6th):

“I would never want to hurt a restaurant’s business by accusing them of something I’m not sure of, so I am alerting you rather than posting a comment. I love Café Cello’s food-I work across the street and have eaten there many times-but I wonder about the meat that is not pork or chicken. All beef dishes I have had there have tasted very peculiar. The pieces are cut strangely, and the texture is weird for beef. In short, I don’t think their beef is from a cow.”

“I love their pork, and their fried chicken is acceptable (I grew up in the South and will forever be spoiled) but after three attempts to eat the beef I had to to stay off the restaurant altogether because I doubted the beefiness of their beef. I wonder if it even came from a mammal.

P.s. I’m not squeamish. I’ve eaten things on skewers in tokyo that I still can’t identify. Corn fungus? Bring it on. Chicken knees from a cart in a Bangkok soi? Yes, please. But this beef is WRONG. And for some reason this really bothered me.”

This email was too funny not to post!  Especially the part about not wanting to hurt a restaurant’s business (which I can totally sympathize with.)   But how could I not.  So the beef tastes weird.  Big deal.  I’m sure it’s from a cow… but here’s the easy solution: stick to the roast pork and fried chicken!  Both are great (IMHO), especially the roast pork where you actually get a piece of the crispy skin.

I looked back at some old photos, and I have tried the steak and onions before (there is photo evidence).  I don’t really remember it very well, but I’m guessing if it didn’t taste like beef that is something I would be able to recall.  Has anybody else tried the beef?  What did you think?

I swear, if one more person even jokes about not eating pork anymore because of this swine flu stupidity I’m going to throw up in my own mouth. I’m sick of it. It’s not even fun to joke about. There’s nothing wrong with eating pork people! Which makes this news even more infuriating: Gyu-Kaku (the Japanese BBQ restaurant on 3rd Ave. and 50th) refused to serve a customer any of their pork dishes last night. Way to fan the flames with ignorant business practices.

Thankfully Cafe Cello (on 46th btw. 5+6th) has returned just in the nick of time. Their delicious roast pork is back! And the only thing you have to be scared of is their recent DOH closing… but when meat looks this good, I’m willing overlook a bit of “evidence of roaches”.

Related:
The DOH Has a Purpose Beyond Closing Our Favorite Restaurants (And it Rhymes With Twine Glue)

I was pretty sure that you could only get swine flu from hanging out with live pigs, or going to school in Queens- but now the internets have me worried that you can get it from eating pork! Thinking that maybe this is why Cafe Cello was closed last week (they serve my favorite pork in Midtown), I hopped onto the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website and discovered that they are all about the swine flu. Everything you could ever want to know is on that site… and it says nothing about not eating pork (phew!) So eat your favorite pork with reckless abandon people- unless it is being served by a coughing teenager from St. Francis Prep.

Incidentally, Cafe Cello’s last inspection was a whopping 65 (aka not good.) It’s the usual “evidence of roaches”, “not vermin proof”, blah blah blah. No mention of swine flu though. They have yet to reopen. As of Friday they were still closed, but we’re hearing they may have reopened today. Anybody have any intel?

Related:
Original Cafe Cello post (7/10/2006)

My heart almost exploded on Friday afternoon as I walked towards a shuttered Cafe Cello (on 46th btw. 5+6th.)  It might be the first time in Midtown Lunch history where I was actually *hoping* to see a DOH sticker.  Dealing with the alternative scenario (the place shutting down entirely) would have been too much for me to handle.  After all, it’s the roast pork from Cafe Cello that I’ve been using for two years as the iconic image of ML.  The lunch of all midtown lunches.  Thankfully as I got closer, I saw the gate was only half closed- which usually means one thing…

What a relief.  Their latest inspection has not been posted on the NYC Dept of Health website, so there’s no word on why they were closed- but according to the sign on the gate, they will be back open tomorrow (April 21st.)

What can I say?  I feel like if you are going to sin, you may as well do it up right.  I mean, if I’m going to eat on Yom Kippur- why not EAT on Yom Kippur, right? Two years ago I made a list of pork and shrimp dishes in Midtown that were worth going to hell for, and since that list still applies today- I decided to head over to Cafe Cello (on 46th btw. 5+6th).  Thanks to a lunch’er tip, I discovered that they are now serving a roast pork sandwich, made from their always amazing roast pork.  But don’t get too excited, it’s just pork on a generic looking roll with lettuce and tomato.  And they don’t press it or anything, so it’s not like a legitimate Cuban. I think I’ll just stick with my standard roast pork over rice and beans with plantains (and crispy pork skin of course.)  Like I said… if I’m gonna be bad, might as well be really bad. 

Bacon wrapped lobster for dinner anyone?

It’s been over a year a half since I originally visited Cafe Cello (46th btw. 5+6th), and wrote about their roast pork.  (I loved it so much, the photo of my lunch became the official Midtown Lunch photo.)  From the outside, you’d never guess that this generic looking deli would serve the best roast pork in Midtown, but it’s the truth (you may say the secret ingredient is crispy pork fat).  I returned last week to check out the scene, and I’m pleased to report that pretty much nothing has changed.  They still serve up a delicious plate of pork, and they still top it with the all important hunk of crispy pork skin.  If you are a lover of pork fat, it really can’t be beat.

But as good as the pork is, it may not be Cafe Cello’s best dish.  That title may have to be reserved for their surprisingly delicious fried chicken… 

My two co-workers both ordered the pork, allowing me to branch out, and check out the fried chicken, which always looks amazing.  Served with rice, beans and plantains, $7.60 gets you 2 really well seasoned pieces of white or dark meat, and the crispy crust inexplicably stands up really well to sitting in the steam table all throughout lunch.

They have tables in the back, but with the weather being so nice- it’s much better to go around the corner and sit in the park nestled between 5+6th Ave. & 45+46th St.  Admittedly, there isn’t much competition for Midtown’s Best Fried Chicken crown (the out of bounds Piece of Chicken is good, and I still love me some Popeye’s) but Cafe Cello is making a damn good case…

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Crispy, well seasoned fried chicken that stands up fairly well to sitting in a steam table
• If you like rice, beans and plantains more than biscuits and french fries, this is your fried chicken dream come true
• It’s all from a steam table, so it’s very quick, and for $7.60 it’s a ton of food

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• They used to give you 3 pieces for the same price
• They don’t cook it fresh to order, so depending on when you go, I could see it not being fresh (although both times I’ve gotten it, it was great)
• The breast can be dry (not surprisingly)
• It’s not spicy… for that Popeye’s is still #1.
• If you go too late, sometimes they run out of fried plantains
• They don’t have biscuits. I need biscuits!

Cafe Cello, 48 W. 46th St. (btw. 5th & 6th Ave.), 212-764-8600

Related Posts:  The Original Cafe Cello Write Up

Best Fast Food Indian: Kati Roll

Despite changing locations this year (Kati Roll is now on 39th btw. 5+6th), Indian burritos just barely beat out old steam table standby (and former neighbor) Minar, on 46th btw. 6+7th.  35% to 32%  Editor’s Pick: Man do I miss being 2 blocks away from Kati Roll.  It’s the unanimous winner.

Best Cheap Chinese Food: Hing Won

“Cheap” is code for fast food, take out Chinese, and while Szechuan Gourmet (on 39th btw. 5+6th) may possibly be the best Chinese food in Midtown- Hing Won/Hop Won wins the battle of the steam tables, easily beating out the competition.  Editor’s Pick:  No secret here.  Hing Won was my first Midtown Lunch post, and still remains my favorite Chinese food take out in Midtown.

Best burger, best street carts and a best pizza shocker, after the jump…

Best Japanese Take Out: Cafe Zaiya

The battle of the bento was won pretty handily by Cafe Zaiya (41st btw. Madison+5th), as it beats out both neighbors Chiyoda & Yagura, plus Go Go Curry.  Editor’s Pick: Chiyoda has got the edge on quality, but Zaiya is the best value and selection (plus the most fun).  Zaiya is the unanimous victor.

Best Ramen (Under $10): Sapporo

There’s plenty of amazing ramen in Midtown, but not all of it is in the Midtown Lunch’ing price range.  Among those chosen few, Sapporo (on 48th btw. 6+7th) edges out Menchanko-Tei (undoubtedly helped by the DOH!).  Editor’s Pick: Men Kui Tei.

In the biggest shock, and by the slimmest margin in the entire poll- Two Boots (in the Rock Center Concourse) beats out Little Italy Pizza (on 45th btw. 5+6th) as best slice of Pizza in Midtown.  Editor’s Pick: I enjoy Two Boots as much as the next guy, but Little Italy is my fave.

Best Italian Food: Little Italy Pizza

Little Italy Pizza on 45th btw. 5+6th loses out on best Pizza, but wins Best Italian food in Midtown.  Editor’s Pick: I haven’t been to Lazzarra’s yet, but it’s top of my list to try.  Of places I’ve been to, I’ve got to go with Labeleca/La Bellezza.

Best Falafel & Best Chicken/Lamb & Rice Cart:  Kwik Meal

The Kwik Meal Cart (Main location on 45th & 6th) takes home two victories, winning both the best Falafel category, and the best Chicken/Lamb over Rice.  Editor’s Pick: For chicken/lamb over rice, I still say 53rd & 6th does it best… but I’ve got to agree on the best falafel.  It’s not conventional (yogurt instead of tahini), and it’s small- but man is it tasty.

Best Latin Food: Margon

Old standby Margon (on 46th btw. 6+Bway) takes home best latin food, with over 50% of the vote.  Editor’s Pick:  Growing up in Miami, I’ve got to go with the place that makes me feel like I’m eating lunch on Calle Ocho.  And that is hands down, Margon.  (Although for roast pork, I still think Cafe Cello is tops!  It’s all about the crispy skin.)

Best Indian Buffet (Under $10.99): Spice Fusion

Newcomer Spice Fusion, on 8th Ave. btw. 47+48th wins best Indian buffet in Midtown.  Now let’s see if they keep the price at $9.99!  Editor’s Pick: Spice Fusion

Best Cart (Unique Offering Category): Hallo Berlin

Former Vendy Award Winner, and perennial Midtown lunch’ing favorite Hallo Berlin (on 54th & 5th) beats out the new in 2007 Jamaican Dutchy cart.  Editor’s Pick: A Tie between the Jamaican Dutchy, which I think is the best new cart in Midtown, and the Chapati Roll Cart on 46th- which has gone through the miraculous transformation of standard chicken and rice cart, to worthy replacement for the now displaced Kati Roll.

Best Fast Food Hamburger: Burger Joint at the Parker Meridien Hotel

New to NYC chain Five Guys put up a little bit of a fight, but it was no match for one of the true Midtown destination lunches- The Burger Joint at the Parker Meridien Hotel (on 56th btw. 6+7th).  Editor’s Pick:  I’m a big Burger Joint fan, but the double burger and free grilled onions and mushrooms make Five Guys tops in my book.

Thanks for all your votes!  And thanks for all the support in 2007.  In the end, who really cares what one fat guy thinks about most of these places?  Your suggestions, tips, opinions and comments on the site are what make Midtown Lunch such a valuable resource for all of us working in this food wasteland.  Keep them coming in 2008!

On Friday, with Margon closed (great Cuban food on 46th between 6th & 7th) I headed to Cafe Cello- a similar type of place recommended to me by numerous people… The sign out front was not exactly reassuring. It had clearly been dumbed down to attract a less then adventurous New York food crowd, who would be more likely to go into a place if it sees the words ”cafe”, “deli” and “American”.

But, once inside, my fears disappeared.  The food looked really fresh and delicious (in contrast to Margon, which for all it’s positives, can sometimes not look so great depending on the day.)  All the food is in trays under glass, so ordering is as easy as looking, deciding and pointing.  The day I was there, it wasn’t too crowded- but I’ve heard you want to get there early, because once they run out of something, they don’t make more.  And by something, I mean the maduros (fried ripe plantains) which apparently are the first things to go!

Anyway, once I laid eyes on the roast pork (with the crispiest most perfect skin), ordering was pretty easy.  Along with a nice size portion of pork (pulled with tongs off what appeared to be a shoulder), they give you your choice of white rice w/ black bean soup, or yellow rice with pinto beans already mixed in, and maduros (there was still some left at 1pm)- all for $7.  PLUS, they threw in a piece of the skin on top.  Delicious!!!  And the skin was perfect.  If you love roast pork, then Cafe Cello is your new favorite place.

The rest of the menu, and a +/- you’ll definetely want to read, after the jump…

If you don’t like pork, they have a bunch of other options, which change depending on the day.  The day I was there, they had Fried Chicken (which looked really crispy and great), Steak w/ onions, grilled chicken, chicken with vegetables and pork stew.  The roast pork seems to be the only thing they have every day of the week, with the other items rotating… including Chicken Stew, Beef Stew, Beef Tripe, Oxtails, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Fried Pork, Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, Chicken w/ Crackling, Fried blue fish, and more.  They have a list of specials by day, but I don’t know how accurate it is.  Everything is $7.00, except for a few items which are $7.60.

They have wraps too, but truthfully- if you want a wrap, I’m sure there are other places you should be… leave this place to the people who want real latin american food!

The + (what people who like this place will say)

• If you love pork… you will love this place.  The roast pork is amazing.
• If you want a meal with rice and beans and plantains, this is also a great choice
• Cleaner and fresher then Margon (according to someone who works in my office… although I’m sure some would disagree)

THE – (what people who don’t like it will say)

• They run out of food, and don’t make more… especially the Plantains.  So make sure to get there early if you want the best selection, and insure that you get some maduros!
• They don’t have Cuban Sandwiches (that you’ll have to go to Margon for)
• This is not light eating… it’s greasy and heavy- so be prepared to be a lot less productive at work after eating at this place.

Cafe Cello, 48 W. 46th St. (btw. 5th & 6th Ave.), 212-764-8600