The new location of Golden Krust on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th. has finally opened.  The Caribbean chain (which has multiple locations in NYC) will be offering a special grand opening lunch special price of $5.99 for fried chicken, stewed chicken or curry chicken served with rice & vegetables.  They have 3 other locations in Midtown…

• 33rd St. btw. 5th+Mad
• 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th
• A kiosk in Grand Central Terminal food court 

Golden Krust too much of a trek from your office?  Or maybe you’re just feeling lazy, but still want some jerk chicken?  The Jamaican Dutchy cart on 51st & 7th now offers delivery.  It’s a $15 minimum order, so you’ll need to get at least one other person in on the plan before calling (646-287-5004 or 347-213-2851).  Actually an afternoon office Jamaican beef patty party doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Cupcake question, and El Sabroso hits the blogs, after the jump…

I’ve never actually had a cupcake from there, but I was surprised that nobody mentioned Crumbs (42nd btw. 5+6th) in the comments of Rachel’s profile on Tuesday.  I can’t imagine that it’s a hidden gem, so maybe it just sucks?  No need to state the obvious?  What’s the deal?  Thoughts?

After winning the Guardian UK’s NYC Blogger Lunch Challenge, El Sabroso, the latin lunch counter hidden inside the freight elevator hallway beneath a building on 37th btw. 7+8th, popped up on a couple of blogs this week.  Midtown Lunch’er Swan  checked it out on her blog “Lifestyle of a Yuppie“, after seeing the post here, while Young over at Cheap Ass Food seems to have stumbled onto it coincidentally. 

Thanks to Jed for posting the Golden Krust info on the Midtown Lunch Facebook Group (yes, one exists- and it’s very exciting!).  Got any bits and pieces to share with Midtown Lunch?  Email them to zach@midtownlunch.com 

Having a lobster roll at a place like McDonald’s for less than $10 can really make you wonder- “What the hell is in this thing?”.  But a real lobster roll is pretty simple.  It’s just lobster meat served in a hot dog roll.  From there, the argument will begin as to what makes the “perfect” lobster roll.  Mayo or no mayo.  Lemon juice or no lemon juice.  Celery is sometimes added, and often a layer of lettuce can be put under the lobster meat or salad.  Grilling the hot dog bun first, and brushing it with melted butter can’t hurt either.  But there is one thing that everybody can agree on- the more lobster (and the bigger the chunks), the better.  Claws always welcome!

Unfortunately, the more meat in the sandwich, the more expensive it’s going to be.  That’s why a good lobster roll will usually run you $14-18 in New England, with many fancy New York restaurants charging upwards of $25+ for their version.  While some purists would never eat a fast food lobster roll, some of us more frugal diners want to be able to experience that taste, without dropping a ton of money.  So when Cosi introduced their limited time only “Lobster Salad Sandwich”, I was pretty excited.

What it looks like, what it tastes like and the mayo filled +/- after the jump…

I hate spending $8 on a sandwich for lunch, but for some reason it doesn’t bother me at Cosi.  I don’t know if it’s the amazing bread, or their knack for introducing amazing limited time only sandwiches… but whatever the reason, it’s one of the few generic sandwich/salad chains I’ll eat at in Midtown. 

A tell-tale sign of a cheap lobster roll is tons of mayo and unfortunately Cosi’s version is no exception.  On the positive side, it tastes a little more like a lemon aoli, then straight up mayo- so it’s very tasty.  But there is no denying it, the lobster “salad” is drenched in it.  There’s no way it’s healthy, and if you are not a fan of mayo you will probably hate this sandwich.

They don’t actually call it a lobster roll, because it’s not served on a hot dog bun- but rather on Cosi’s bread, which is fine with me.  Their bread is wider and longer than a hot dog bun, making the sandwich much larger than a traditional lobster roll.  The $8.99 price tag is a bit higher than the normal Cosi sandwich, but it’s understandable for something that has lobster in it, and there are some larger chunks of meat- which is always a good thing to see.  And people seem to be into it.  The sandwich has been selling out by 1:30pm at most of the locations…

As with everything, you get what you pay for- and this Cosi sandwich falls right into that category.  If you are a lobster roll snob, there is a good chance you won’t be into the Cosi version- but if you are like me, and just want to have something that is lobster roll’ish for less than $10, you can do alot worse than Cosi.  Namely, McDonald’s.

THE + (What people who like this would say)

• It’s the only inexpensive lobster roll option in Midtown
• I love Cosi sandwiches
• I love Lobster
• I love mayo
• It is slightly better than your average cheap lobster roll.  Lots of mayo, but the mayo has very nice lemon flavor.  And there are chunks of lobster scattered in the sandwich.

The – (What people who don’t like this would say)

• I hate mayo
• Too much mayo
• Not enough chunks of lobster meat
• I don’t like to eat seafood that is priced too cheaply, because it makes me wonder what I’m eating.
• Most stores have been running out by 1:30pm, so get there early.

Cosi, Multiple Locations in Midtown

• 61 W. 48th. St. (btw. 5+6th)
• 11 W. 42nd St. btw. 5th & 6th Ave.
• 60 E. 56th St. btw. Madison & Park Ave.
• 38 E. 45th St. btw. Madison & Vanderbilt
• 685 Third Ave. on 44th St.
• 498 7th Ave. btw. 36+37th St.
• 1633 Broadway btw. 50+51st. St.

I think it started back in Junior High when Burger King introduced the first and original Bullseye BBQ Burger.  Man, that thing was awesome.  It seems commonplace now, but doing that cross promotion thing with Bullseye was total genius (I’m pretty sure I forced my mom to buy that sauce for years afterwards).  I remember seeing it on the menu and ordering it for the first time.  Two bacon cheeseburgers, side by side- covered in Bullseye BBQ sauce.  How could it be bad? And then one day it was gone.  Oh boy was I pissed. And yet- even now, all these years later I forget that anger, and get suckered in once again;  falling in love with these crazy menu items that disappear without warning, leaving you wanting just one more taste… (Has anybody had that fried chicken finger wrapped in a tortilla that McDonald’s has?  I really want to try it but I know my wife won’t ever let me live it down)

Enter Cosi.  I was walking by Cosi the other day and noticed a sign in their window for two new sandwiches.  I’ve written about Cosi before.  I know I rail against paying $8 for a sandwich, but for some reason Cosi is the one place I’m willing to do it (I’m pretty sure it’s the bread.  They must put crack in it.)  So when I saw their new Pot Roast Nuevo Sandwich in the window, I was like “I like pot roast!”, and it’s freezing cold.  What better way to enjoy pot roast then in delicious “Only for a Limited Time” sandwich form.

The picture of the sandwich, and the +/- after the jump…

The cool thing about the new Pot Roast sandwich is that it’s not just Pot Roast.  They top it with Jicama, Green Apple, Red Onion, and a chili salsa.  The pot roast was super tender, and the apple & jicama added a crunchy sweetness that took the thing to another level.  The first half went down without a problem, but it started to get a little messy during the second half, as the juices ate through the bread.  All in all it was pretty delicious, and perfect for a super cold day (like today!). 

They also have a five cheese melt that looked pretty good.  Brie, provolone, cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan with an orange marmalade.  I’m a big fan of the cheese with jelly idea, so it sounds pretty awesome to me (I haven’t tried it yet).  Hopefully I’ll make it back before it disappears…

THE +

• Cosi’s bread is awesome, there is no denying it (and they give you free samples while you wait on line)
• The jicama and green apple on the pot roast add that little extra something that made the sandwich worth getting

THE -

• It’s still a fast food chain…
• And it’s $8 for a sandwich (It still stings every time I eat there)
• You don’t like sweetness (the apple and jicama) with your savory (the pot roast)
• You don’t like green onions
• Like all fast food, it doesn’t look as good as the picture that draws you into the place… (but it still tastes damn good)

Cosi, Multiple Locations in Midtown

• 61 W. 48th. St. (btw. 5+6th) 
• 11 W. 42nd St. btw. 5th & 6th Ave.
• 60 E. 56th St. btw. Madison & Park Ave.
• 38 E. 45th St. btw. Madison & Vanderbilt
• 685 Third Ave. on 44th St.
• 498 7th Ave. btw. 36+37th St.
• 1633 Broadway btw. 50+51st. St.

I feel like everyone knows Cosi, and it’s silly to write about it- but the other day, when I returned to my desk with a Cosi sandwich, the guy next to me said “What’s that?” “Cosi” I said.  “What is it, a falafel or something?”.  Yes, people like this do exist.  To top it off this “Hidden” Cosi is on the SE corner of 48th & 6th.  Our office is on the NW corner and he hadn’t ever even *heard* of Cosi.  Pretty unbelievable. 

For those of you who rely on this blog for truly hidden gems, and ethnic delights- I apologize, but every once in awhile I gotta throw the normal eaters a bone.  So, for those who have not been to Cosi, consider this your intro.  It’s not that Cosi is that great… or everybody should know about it- but it’s better then most chain sandwich places, and they owe it all to one thing: the bread.

The bread at Cosi is delicious, and if you go during peak time (i.e. lunch) it’s about as freshly baked as you can get.  After spending some time in a wood brick oven, the bread comes out, is sliced, and passed off to be stuffed with the toppings of your choosing- minutes after coming out of the oven.  The bread is so good, they give out little hot free samples in a bowl that sits in front of the wood brick oven.  It’s a great treat while you wait in line to order- plus there is nothing more fun then watching Midtown suits take two and three pieces of free bread out of the bowl (you know who you are people).  Good times.  Also, if you haven’t been to Cosi in awhile they’ve added a fresh baked wheat bread option- so now you have the choice between standard or wheat.

My special Cosi creation, a list of not so hidden locations, and the +/- after the jump…

Cosi has a pretty wide variety of toppings to go on their freshly baked bread including different kinds of chicken, tuna, roast beef, turkey, and various Italian meats- as well as some fancy cheeses like Brie and fresh mozzarella.  They have a bunch of already designed choices or you can make your own.  I’ve created a simple creation which I have only veered from once (a Meatball sandwich that was pretty good).  I take the Grilled Chicken TBM (tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella) and ask them to use Pesto Chicken instead of the regular grilled chicken.  Then I tell them to leave off the Cosi vinaigrette- because who needs that when the chicken is covered in delicious pesto.  Seems like a pretty standard combo, but for some reason the geniuses at Cosi put their pesto chicken in a sandwich with melted mozarella and sundried tomatoes.  Whatever.

Anyway, it’s not rocket science and for $8 you sort of feel ripped off- but on the flip side you get free chips or carrots and the bread really is delicious.  It’s usually the place I go to when I want something fresh and tasty to counteract my normally greasy lunchtime meals (Hing Won I’m looking at you).

THE +

• The bread. The bread. The bread.  Did I mention the bread?  It’s really the only thing that makes it worth going (and paying $8 for a sandwich)
• Fresh and gourmet ingredients alongside standard sandwich toppings

THE – (What people who don’t like this place would say)

• It’s still a chain sandwich shop.  If you’re looking for something extraordinary, this isn’t going to be it.
• $8 is too much for any sandwich

(The Hidden) Cosi, 61 W. 48th. St. (btw. 5+6th)

Other Locations in Midtown

• 11 W. 42nd St. btw. 5th & 6th Ave.
• 60 E. 56th St. btw. Madison & Park Ave.
• 38 E. 45th St. btw. Madison & Vanderbilt
• 685 Third Ave. on 44th St.
• 498 7th Ave. btw. 36+37th St.
• 1633 Broadway btw. 50+51st. St.

Everyone seems pretty excited about the prospect of burritos being just an elevator ride away- but I can't fall into that trap.  For me, Chipotle is like a bad Chinese Buffet.  I have to go back once every three months, and feel sick, to remind myself why I only go once every three months.  See, I distinctly remember what my brain told me the last time I ate Chiptole… "Never eat here again".  But that was three months ago, and my burrito starved body is wondering, "Maybe this time it will be different…everyone seems pretty excited… maybe I was wrong about Chipotle." 

And of course three months ago was actually a relapse of it's own.  A few months before that, I had just moved here from Los Angeles, and tried Chiptole for the first time.  My thought… "Never eat here again…"  That lasted about two months.  Why can't they make a decent burrito in this city!

I'm not saying Chiptole is a terrible burrito… but compared to the Burritos in L.A., they definetely fall short (no one would dispute that).  But I'm not even talking about the authentic Burrito shacks… I'm talking about the chains too.  Now if a Baja Fresh or Sharky's opened at the bottom of my building, then you'd see some excitement.  But alas, there is no Baja Fresh, and we'll just have to settle for Chipotle.

The +/- after the jump…

THE +

• They wrap the Burrito up properly, no fork and knife needed (a huge plus that many burrito places in NYC have not caught on to yet)
• A lot of different choices (Carnitas, Black or Pinto Beans, etc.)

THE -

• We're not in L.A. anymore pal, why can't you get that through your brain
• Why don't New York Burrito places give you free chips?  It's craziness.
• The "cilantro and lime" has a weird salt and lime flavor that just doesn't taste right.  It doesn't have to be authentic, just make it taste better
• A little expensive for a burrito (especially to add guacamole)… but I guess it's midtown so it's forgiveable.
• I can't pinpoint exactly why I don't like these burritos… there's just something not right.  Maybe that's what happens when McDonald's tries to make Burritos (yes, they are owned by McDonald's).

I have to say, I am a big fan of carnitas burritos (I love pork), and both of my bad trips to Chipotle were at the hands of carnitas burritos… so maybe it's not really a fair review.  Maybe I need to go back and try the chicken burrito, or steak burrito.  Yeah, that's it… I need to go back one more time.  Maybe just one more try…  I'll order the chicken or the steak.  I'm sure it will be good this time… Shut up brain- we're going to give Chipotle one more chance.

Chiptole, Coming in a few weeks (according to one of the workers) to 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 49th btw. 6th & 7th

Already open at these Midtown Locations:

• 9 West 42nd Street (btw. 5th & 6th) 212-354-6760
• 150 E. 44th Street (btw. Lex & 3rd) 212-682-9860
• 150 E. 52nd Street (btw. Lex & 3rd) 212-755-9754

Official Website [Chipotle.com]