It looks like Moshe’s Falafel (on 45th & 6th) is no longer the only Kosher cart on the block. Kosher Oasis popped up on the SW corner of 44th & 6th a few weeks ago selling falafel, schnitzel (fried chicken cutlets), soups, and kosher hot dogs.  The schnitzel hasn’t been selling well so they plan on taking it off the menu, but maybe if enough people go ask for it (hint hint) he’ll keep it around (what can I say?  I love the idea of schnitzel from a cart!)

The kosher hot dogs have been the most popular item so far, but they are still tweaking the menu.  Any early adopters tried this cart yet?  Feel free to comment below.

If you can’t read the writing it says ”We will open next week.  Please call to check before you come.  (Tel. 212-819-0884).  Sorry for this matter.  Thank you.”

That’s right, Popeyes is back baby!  When my wife first started working in Midtown, there was a Popeyes in the 40s btw. 5th & 6th (I think it was on 46th).  But by the time I had started working there, it had disappeared (literally… I think they tore the whole building down).  Very disappointing.  Sure, there are other places for fried chicken in Midtown- but none that are as cheap, spicy, or with biscuits that are so delicious, they leave you wondering whether the main ingredient is biscuit or butter. 

Anyway, if you are sick of your desk job, and looking for a move into the chicken and biscuits field, they are hiring.  Just call 347-534-5478.  A call to that number revealed that they plan on opening within two weeks.  I’ll be there on Day 1 with a bib on (you don’t want to get beans and rice on your work clothes).

There’s other good news in that same area of town.  I’ve gotten a few worried emails and comments about Yum Thai (44th btw. B’way & 6th) being shuttered.  Fear not cheap Thai fans- they were only closed for renovations and plan on re-opening tomorrow (Thursday). Though to be safe, I may wait until Friday or Monday before trekking over there.  

And now for my first installment of “Restaurant Tips from a guy who knows very little about the restaurant industry, but knows this”:

Tip #1:  If you are going to temporarily close down your business (for whatever reason), but plan on re-opening, put a sign up to let your customers know that you are not closed forever.  Even if the sign has poor grammar, and you get made fun of on a blog, you will still get your point across…

For some it’s the curries, or spring rolls, for me, it’s usually the Pad Thai.  Don’t get me wrong, I like a good green curry or Pad Si Ew, just as much as the next guy.  But Pad Thai is what I start with.  The go to guy.  If you can’t do Pad Thai… I’m probably not going back.

When I started this blog, I got a lot of comments urging me to go to Yum Thai, and I have to say I was not disappointed.  A small, hole in the wall place- it’s the kind of place you walk by 100 times, not sure if you want to try it out.  It looks sort of dirty from the outside, and they’ve got pictures of food in the window (never a good sign).  All you need is that one recommendation to get you to try it out.  Well, consider this your recommendation.

You order at a counter, and then can sit down at one of their 10 or so tables or you can take it to go.  They cook the food right behind the counter, just a few feet from the tables, so it can get kind of hot in there- especially during the summer.  So, taking the food to go might be the way to do it.

The +/- and a picture of my Pad Thai, after the jump…

Despite some pretty good looking other options, I went for the Pad Thai on my first visit.  Cooked fresh to order, it came out really quick- and piping hot, with everything I like to see on a good plate of Pad Thai.  Scallions sauteed in it, bean sprouts on top, and a wedge of lime to tie the whole thing together.

Pad Thai can come in various different ways (dry vs wet, sweet vs less sweet, and sometimes spicy).  This Pad Thai was a little on the wet and sticky side (although there was a woman eating a Pad Thai next to me that looked a little dryer then mine- so it might be different every time).  It wasn’t too sweet, but it was defintely on the sweet side- and no spicyness.  But it came with a little cup of Nam Prik Kiga (Thai spicy red chili sauce) if you like your dish spicy.  All in all it was good, and not too expensive for $7.50.

I will definetely be back… and hopefully I’ll be able to bring myself to order something other then the Pad Thai.  Pad Si Ew… I’m looking in your general direction! (If you’ve eaten here, and want to recommend a dish for my second visit- feel free to comment below)

THE +

• Good, cheap and quick Thai Food
• Good Pad Thai.
• You can take out… but it also has tables if you want to eat in.  No waiters, so you don’t have to tip, keeping the price down.
• Made to order, so it’s real fresh.

THE -

• There are tables, but this is not a sit down meal kind of place.  It’s small, and bare bones.  The atmosphere leaves alot to be desired
• Like most places in Midtown- this is not the best Thai food you are ever going to have in NYC… but it’s pretty darn good for the area, price and convenience.

Yum Thai, 129 44th St. (btw. 6th Ave. & B’way), 212-819-0554