Midtown Lunch » Kati Roll

Let Me See You Kati Roll

Zach Brooks — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:45:26 +0000

Ever wonder what goes on at Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th) at night, once all the Midtown lunchers have gone home from work for the night? Well here’s your answer: Indian comedy troupes film music videos! Eater discovered this video ode to Kati Roll, set to the music of Black Eyed Peas Ne-Yo.

Kati Roll Introduces A New Summer Happy Hour

Mamacita — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:49:27 +0000

The Kati Roll Company (on 39th btw. 5+6th) is now serving two great things that taste great together: Kati rolls and booze! Their new Summer Happy Hour starts today with beer, wine and kati roll deals from 4:30-6:30pm, Monday through Friday. You get $2 off 1 roll and 1 beer when ordered as a combo, and every week they’ll have a special combo for $7. (This week it’s a chicken roll + Kingfisher.)

“Shrimp Have Certainly Befallen Worse Fates” Than Angelo Sosa’s Kati Roll

Zach Brooks — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:30:08 +0000

Yesterday Kati Roll debuted their latest creation, a shrimp masala roll by Top Chef Angelo Sosa, and Fork in the Road was there to test it out. Their verdict? “The shrimp were cooked on a grill, but evidence of their coconut milk and chaat masala marinade was a bit more elusive. That said, the shrimp was definitely flavorful, if a bit overcooked.” Kati Roll… pack up your knives and go. We kid Kati Roll, we kid. The review goes on to say that all in all it was as “delectable” as their other creations. Read the whole review here>>

Checking Out The Chana Masala Roll at Kati Roll (And an Angelo Sosa Reminder!)

Brownie — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:30:44 +0000

Don’t forget… today Kati Roll Co. is debuting Angelo Sosa’s new Shrimp Masala Roll, and the Top Chef will be there himself from Noon to 2pm. I happened to be by Kati Roll earlier this week for lunch with Blondie and had a chance to sample their Chana Masala roll for the first time.

The roll was actually a late addition to my lunch. I had already ordered their Achari Paneer roll (Indian cheese marinated in spicy sauce), but after I sat down I glanced up and happened to notice the poster on the wall advertising this new (?) special roll.

I don’t think the chana masala roll is related to the shrimp masala roll that is debuting today. I didn’t taste any coconut milk or any of the other spices that were in the shrimp roll description. Instead the dominant flavors were chickpeas, red onions and plenty of cilantro sauce. It wasn’t particularly spicy and the chickpeas made this a little more filling than the average kati roll at Kati Roll, (though you’ll still probably want to order 2 rolls to make a meal.)

I’ve been getting my kati rolls mainly from carts these days, so perhaps a Kati Roll regular could tell me if this has been available for a long time or if it’s a relatively new addition to the menu.

Kati Roll, 49 W. 39th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-730-4280

Angelo Sosa Joining Forces With Kati Roll!?

Zach Brooks — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:30:03 +0000

Got some crazy new in the old ML inbox yesterday afternoon… Just 4 months after closing down his Hell’s Kitchen sandwich shop Xie Xie, Top Chef Angelo Sosa is returning to Midtown once again- this time in collaboration with ML fave Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th). On Monday Thursday (2/3) Kati Roll will debut the all new Shrimp Masala Roll, designed by Sosa himself, featuring shrimp, marinated in coconut milk and chaat masala spices, cooked over a open-flame grill and… topped with sweet and sour marinated red onions and birdseye chilis… and finished with a swath of cilantro sauce. But wait, there’s more! Sosa will personally debut the roll on Monday Thursday from Noon to 2pm at the Midtown location.

Get a sneak peak at his creation, after the jump…

Photo by Daniel Kreiger (remember that guy!)

Kati Roll, 49 W. 39th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-730-4280

50% off Kati Roll

Zach Brooks — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:30:14 +0000

If your New Year’s resolution to be healthier and save money today’s Inbundles deal is right up your alley. Get $14 worth of Kati Rolls and drinks for just $7, but the catch is it’s only good at the location on 39th (btw. 5+6th) and only good with the whole wheat wraps they introduced about a year and a half ago.

Kati Roll Launches Diwali Lottery

Zach Brooks — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:45:12 +0000

Totally forgot to mention this one earlier today! This afternoon the original Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th) launched a lottery for free kati rolls in honor of Diwali. Everybody who buys food from Kati Roll this week will receive a lottery ticket, and winning numbers will be announced once an hour via their Twitter account beginning soon.

Original Kati Roll Adds a Whole Wheat Bread Option

Zach Brooks — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:30:22 +0000

As much as I love the Chennai roll at the Biryani Cart, when it comes to spicy, red onion topped kati roll goodness nothing beats the original Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th). And now they’ve added a new option to their menu: whole wheat roti. Starting two weeks ago, Kati Roll started offering this wrapper alternative to their fresh fried paratha. The new bread option is very thin, is whole wheat and is roasted- as opposed to the paratha which is slightly thicker, made from white flour, and pan fried.

The fresh fried bread is one of my favorite parts of the kati roll, but I’m always down with a little bit of change- so I headed to 39th Street on Thursday to check out the new option.

I ordered one chicken tikka (the old standby) and one potato and egg roll. Kati Roll is finally attracting the same size crowds they used to have at their old location (on 46th btw. 6+7th), but they have streamlined the behind the counter operation- so the food seemed to come out much faster (though still not *fast*.) Both rolls were just as good as always, but the roti was a little too thin for me. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but if given the choice- I’ll take the slightly thicker paratha every time.

But that’s just me. If you are into eating whole wheat flour as opposed to white flour, or you’re tying to (gasp) eat healthier, you should be really excited about the new roti option. For me, it was just a great excuse to visit an old friend.

Frankies and Kati Rolls Are Not the Same Thing

Zach Brooks — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:45:54 +0000

Always Hungry has a write up on Tabla’s Indian street food “cart”, which is set up in front of the restaurant located next to Madison Square Park. It’s a little pricey, and way out of the Midtown Lunch boundaries- but the piece distinguishes between the kati roll (which we all know very well) and the “Frankie”, a term you are seeing more and more in NYC.

A Frankie is an Indian wrap best described as a Mumbai burrito. The construction of a frankie sounds very similar to a Kati (Roti) roll, but among the Indian community they could not be more different.

Consider it the Indian version of the New York and Chicago-style pizza debate. A kati roll is an inexpensive street food that was first popular in Kolkata before spreading throughout India. The concept was conceived when street vendors didn’t have enough time to wash their plates, so they started serving their marinated and grilled kebabs wrapped in paratha or roti (Indian flatbread), effectively offering the two items together without the dishware.

Frankies are unique to Mumbai and distinguished through the practice of egg washing the casing. The omelette-like roti wrapping is stuffed with tangy, saucier proteins.

Pretty interesting stuff. So, I guess that means Biryani Cart (on 46th & 6th) and Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th) serve kati rolls, and Indus Express (on 48th btw. 5+6th) actually serves frankies.

To read more about the frankie, or Tabla’s stand go to Always Hungry.

The Best of Midtown Lunch’ing as Voted on By You (Readers Poll Results)

Zach Brooks — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:44:48 +0000

While I was away in Chile, I turned the site over to you for the first ever Midtown Lunch Readers’ Poll. All of the nominees had to have lunch for under $10 (except the buffet category, where a $1 exception was made), and they all had to be within the Midtown boundaries (32nd St. to the South, Central Park to the North, 3rd Ave on the East, and 8th Ave. to the West). Thanks to everyone who participated. Thousands of votes were cast, and here are the results:

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.

Best Pizza: Two Boots

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!