I think Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th) does this every summer, but I’m not positive. Either way, if you’re in the mood for Cuban this week, you’ll have to make due with one of the other Latin places in Midtown.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:06 pm, June 30th, 2008 under Margon.
Margon, the Cuban lunch “counter” on 46th btw. 6+7th has always transported me back to my hometown of Miami. Readers’ Choice for Best Cuban 2008, you can always count on their delicious roast pork, roast chicken, their famous octopus salad, the fried chicken wing version of “chicharones” (a word also used to describe crispy fried pork skin), rice, beans, plantains and of course the cuban sandwich. Their version is made with salami, a preparation favored by many Dominicans, as well as the Cubans who live in Tampa, who added it to the sandwich to appeal to the large Italian population they lived side by side with.
There was only one thing missing at Margon… until now. The Media Noche, a very popular pressed sandwich with pretty much the same ingredients as a cuban (pork, ham, mustard, pickles and cheese) but instead of French style cuban bread, it’s pressed inside a slightly sweet egg bread. Delicious!
For $4, I couldn’t resist, and picked one up the other day. Check it out after the jump… Read more »
Posted by Zach Brooks at 8:29 am, April 17th, 2008 under 46th btw 6+7th, Latin, Margon.
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… Read more »
Posted by Zach Brooks at 8:44 am, January 9th, 2008 under 2007 Midtown Lunch Readers Poll, Burger Joint, Cafe Cello, Cafe Zaiya, Five Guys, Hallo Berlin, Hing Won, Jamaican Dutchy, Kati Roll, Kwik Meal, Margon, Sapporo, Spice Fusion.
What can I say about this place that hasn’t already been said… Margon is a Midtown institution. When I started this blog (and wrote about Margon neighbors Minar & Kati Roll) I got tons of emails from people telling me I should go to Margon. For those who have been there- you know the deal. For those who haven’t… here’s your introduction.
Margon is a “Cuban” “Restaurant”. I put ”restaurant” in quotes because it’s not really a restaurant. It’s more of a diner with cafeteria style ordering. On the left is where you point to the food you want, on the right are a few cramped tables that at peak lunch hours, are always packed. Moving from left to right along the counter… the first third is where you order the sandwiches. If you don’t want a sandwich, ignore the crowd that gathers at the door. Bypass the line and head inside. The second third of the counter is for people who are ordering food to stay, and if you want to take your food to go, go to the line that forms all the way in the back- after the final third of the counter.
I put the “Cuban” in quotes because even though the sign outside says “Cuban”, it’s actually more Dominican. The first giveaway is the poster of the Juan Pablo Duarte in the back (one of the founders of the Dominican Republic)… but the real proof is in the Cuban Sandwich. A delicious pressed sandwich of pork, ham, cheese, mustard and pickles- the Margon version also has salami, a strictly Dominican preparation. While some complain that it’s not authentic, it is no less delicious!
I could write on and on… but Margon is better enjoyed by the eyes:
The sandwich press
The finished product
More food porn… and the +/- after the jump:
Posted by Zach at 9:20 am, November 15th, 2006 under 46th btw 6+7th, Latin, Margon.
