Looks like Five Guys will be sandwiched between Chevy’s and Starbucks on 42nd Street, taking over the old Yoshinoya spot in Times Square. By my count that makes it the fifth Midtown location and ninth in the city (11th if you count Brooklyn!). Also, it’ll be the zillionth burger place in the area, not that that makes its spring opening any less exciting. Thanks to Lunch’er Brian for the tip!

Five Guys, 253 W. 42nd Street

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.

The best part about the grilled cheese is that just like the burgers, all the toppings are free and included.  For my grilled cheese sandwich I added mayo, grilled onions, grilled mushroom and tomato. For $4.29 I thought this was a decent sandwich but the problem I had with this sandwich was the same problem I had with their burgers, it was a little bland. The slices of cheese had some saltiness in them but the toppings needed more seasoning. Though for a quick cheap lunch this did the job plus the buns were greasy enough and the cheese had melted nicely.

Five Guys, Three Locations

• 43 W 55th St (btw. 5+6th), 212-459-9600
• 690 3rd Avenue (btw. 43+44th), 646-783-5060
• 36 W 48th St (btw. 5+6th), 212-997-1270

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.

El Ranchito del Agave

One of the closest spots to the Javtiz Center is El Ranchito Del Agave (on 9th Ave. btw. 36+37th.)  I don’t think that the all you can eat lunch buffet that Zach wrote about a few years ago still exists, but they have a nice list of $6.95 lunch specials.

Aura Thai

So maybe, eh, Mexican isn’t your thing, and you’re craving something Asian. Lucky for you, ML loves, loves Asian food. (*Cough* AllYouCanEatChineseBuffet *Cough*) We’ve always been big fans of the duck broth at Aura Thai (on 9th Ave. btw. 35+36th), which comes with roasted duck, noodles and wontons. It is “one freaking good soup.”

If duck’s not your thing, the menu also includes all your favorite Thai restaurant mainstays, plus some other Asian additions.

Five Guys

Burgers. If that’s all you want right now, Five Guys is for you. Midtown Lunch has written plenty about the chain, and in December, it won ML’s Best Hamburger: 2010 Reader’s Poll, so you have the ML community backing you up for your burger craving. About a year ago, they opened an outpost opened up on 34th St. between 8th and 9th Aves.

Go Go Curry

If you’re looking for something a little different, Go Go Curry is one of the one of the few spots in the city that specializes in Japanese curry- and they’re getting into the Comic-Con spirit by holding a costume contest this weekend. On 38th Street, just east of 8th Avenue, it’s slightly further than our other recommendations, but absolutely worth the trek. Plus, the 5th, 15th and 25th of every month is “Go Go Day,” which gets you a free topping, so maybe consider this spot for Saturday’s lunch.

2 Bros. Pizza

At $1 a slice, you definitely won’t find a better deal in Midtown. The most wallet-friendly option has several locations, and the closest to you is on 38th Street and 8th Avenue.

100 extra hit points if you lunch still wearing your mask and cape. And, tweet us the pics @MidtownLunch — we’d love to see ‘em!

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.)

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