Midtown Lunch

At the beginning of the month we reported the sad news that Fashion Soup (on 41st btw. 6+B’way) had closed. Last week Lunch’er Kay sent in this email detailing the final days of the Midtown soup institution.

“I read your article in the NY Times just today and thought I’d tell you what little I know about Fashion Soup, which was my favorite lunchtime destination (I work at 7 Times Square, just down the block from the place). On a Tuesday at the end of May, I went there for lunch and found a sign outside, and a big truck parked on the street in front, saying they were auctioning off all the fixtures. I went inside and all the tureens, pots, etc., were lined up clean as a whistle and being sold. It was my thought that perhaps they were going out of business because of the economy, because not so many people wanted hot soup as it got to be summer.”

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Things are not looking so good for Chicken Bar, the Ranch 1 “rebranding” project that launched a few years ago. The location on 52nd btw. Lex+3rd has closed, leaving the location on 8th Ave. btw. 45+46th as the only one left in Midtown. (Though there are still Ranch 1 franchises inside 3 different generic Midtown delis.) As fast food chains go, I’m actually a fan of Ranch 1/Chicken Bar. If I’m in the mood for a grilled chicken sandwich they’re my go to spot, and the fries are surprisingly good. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end…

Related:
Ranch 1 Grilled Chicken (…it’s better than you think)
Chicken Bar vs. Ranch1 (The Epic Battle!!!)

Mentioned in the forums, and confirmed by the photo, Panda Restaurant (the Chinese food/Italian food mashup on 46th btw. 5+6th) has closed. It always saddens me to see a Chinese food place of any kind fail, but this isn’t much of a surprise- Panda just wasn’t really that good. And if I’m saying that, you know it’s pretty bad. (I discriminate against no Chinese food!) According to the sign, a pizza place is coming soon.

This was not a good week for Mom and Pop, old school Midtown Lunch spots.  Following the sad report that Fashion Soup (on 41st btw. B’way+5th) is now closed, and unloading all of their equipment- comes this expected, but still hard to take, news.  “This morning there are two for rent signs on the front of Milant with numbers. All over for the place. -Lunch’er Andrew”.  The owner is looking for a new space, but it’s still a terrible blow to lose a place (even temporarily) that was once considered the best sandwich spot in all of Midtown. And right before summer too!  Where are we going to go for gazpacho now? The ML flag will fly at half mast today.

It’s only fitting that with Fashion Week set to leave Bryant Park next year, Fashion Soup (on 41st btw. 6+B’way) would run into some problems of their own. Anybody know what’s going on with this place? They were closed last Friday (the 22nd), and then again yesterday. The last time specials were posted to their website was on Friday the 29th, and nobody is answering their phone. There doesn’t seem to be any problems with the DOH, so what’s the deal? Anybody eat at Fashion Soup recently? Or have some info? Post it in the comments…

Update in the Comments: “It appears they are selling all of there store supplies so… this place is history. On a side note if your in need of a really big pot or spoon you can stop by and probably get a good deal..”

It’s outside the Midtown Lunch boundaries, but the shockwaves from this will be felt through NYC. The Papaya Dog on 42nd Street and 9th Ave. has closed. While this isn’t as upsetting as the Papaya King on 14 St. being put up for sale (or anything happening to one of the beloved Gray’s Papaya locations) it kind of makes you wonder- if a recession friendly, popular hot dog place can’t make money behind Port Authority, where is it going to work?

Ironically enough, Oscar Meyer is handing out free hotdogs in Times Square today. What a world!

(Thanks to Janine from Life With Food and Drink for the tip.)

UPDATE: Just in from commenter “steve123”:

“Zach…you disapoint. Maybe you are tired, the kid keeping you up late at night. Your info is usually accurate. If you took 4 seconds and looked directly across the street, youd see that Papaya didnt close, they just moved to the opposite corner of the street where the dunkin donuts was.”

And that’s why this site would be nothing without tipsters! They send the misinformation… and also correct it! (What can I say, it’s been a long two days.)

If I had to give out a “Strangest Midtown Lunch Place” Award, it would have to go to the Times Pub on 40th btw. 7+8th. And now it’s closed. From former Profiled Lunch’er and current New York Times writer Jennifer 8 Lee via Twitter:

“times pub (formerly korean buffet deli) on 40th has been reposessed by landlord. it was always empty.”

Too bad it didn’t stay a Korean buffet deli! Its current incarnation was a sports bar/Irish Pub looking place on the outside, with a completely Asian menu (teriyaki, Udon, sushi, ramen, etc.)  I always kind of wanted to try it… now it looks like I won’t get the chance.  Oh well.