Midtown Lunch

I have never been a fan of Five Guys. There I said it. I have had their burgers 4 times now and all 4 times I found their burgers to be flavorless. I do appreciate them giving me tons of fries and extra toppings for free.

A few weeks ago I noticed that Serious Eats New York had written about their grilled cheese sandwich. I had no idea they served grilled cheese sandwiches, and thought this would be a good reason for me to try Five Guys one last time.

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New York Comic Con began yesterday, which means tens of thousands of big-time comic fans are descending upon the Javits Center to walk the convention floor and check out panels. Although we have little experience eating in Midtown in costume, we do want your lunching experience to match the fun you have at the convention.

Now, admittedly, the Javits Center is out of bounds, and the immediate area around there can be a wasteland for food … which is where we come in: Super Midtown Lunch! (Who’s imagining Zach in a cape right now? Sorry.)

Here are five spots that are a few blocks walking distance from NYCC.

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When does this ever happen!?! A few weeks ago we reported that the new Five Guys on 34th St. btw. 8+9th would be opening on October 2nd, and what do you know… it’s open. Thanks to Lunch’er Vivien for the heads up.

Related:
I Still Think Five Guys is Awesome, But I’ll Try Not to Compare it to In N Out Burger

Thanks to Lunch’er “David” who forwarded along this photo of the Five Guys opening on 34th btw. 8+9th.  Originally it was supposed to open in June or July (clearly that didn’t happen), but now we’re hearing October 2nd.  Seems like a lot to do in 2 weeks, but those who work in the area can hope- right?  And for those of you who think Five Guys is overrated garbage?  You have a friend in Josh Ozersky (who apparently, also doesn’t like In N Out Burger.)

Yesterday, a new Five Guys opened on 48th btw. 5+6th and despite it being a mobscene the reports were pretty positive service wise. Today, not so much. From Lunch’er “Masto”: I’ve never seen a place go downhill so fast. Because I wasn’t very hungry yesterday and only had a hot dog, I decided to go back for the proper burger and fries today. The lines were ridiculous and they somehow managed to lose my order in the assembly line. While I waited and waited and then waited for them to re-make it, it seemed like half the people there were in the same boat. They kept grabbing the customers’ receipts to go back and start over. Occasionally they even screwed that up and had to try a third time. I guess everybody who went yesterday told their coworkers and they just pushed it over a critical limit of competence today. Or everyone just quit. It’s stressful enough to stand in the midst of that chaos and screaming while waiting for food, I can’t imagine what it’s like to work there.” Give it time. I’m sure they’ll settle in to a fairly standard 15 minute wait time.

The blog Law & Food took it upon themselves to try every burger in Midtown East recently and came to these tough to argue with (?) conclusions:  Black Shack (on Lex btw. 37+38th) is meh, Sarge’s (on 3rd btw. 36+37th) is better for deli food, Five Guys (on 3rd btw. 43+44th) does its job but isn’t as good as Blarney Stone (on 3rd btw. 45+46th).  And the winner is… Rare Bar & Grill (on 38th and Lex), even though admittedly it’s a splurge, and Blarney would be their choice for a day to day burger.  Noticeably absent is the burger at P.J. Clarke’s (on 55th and 3rd), but according to AHT (our Mayor of all things hamburger) it’s not that good anymore.

Related:
2009 Readers’ Poll: Best Fast Food Hamburger

The signs have gone up for the new Five Guys (on 48th btw. 5+6th) that we told you about back in December. It will be their biggest location in NYC to date, and will hopefully open in June. (Just in time for a gigantic Five Guys vs. Bill’s Bar & Burger face off!) There are also plans for two more Five Guys Midtown Lunch locations this year. One on 34th and 8th (next to the movie theater) which will open in June/July and one for our Downtown lunchers on Fulton Street (nr. Dutch St.) with a July/August opening date.

Related:
I Still Think Five Guys is Awesome, But I’ll Try Not to Compare it to In N Out Burger