When Prince Deli (formerly on 3rd btw 43rd+44th) closed in late 2008, we were pretty upset to lose their cheap and tasty falafel.  (Their 99 Cent pizza?  Not so much.) Well, good news for cheap falafel fans… we just got word that Prince Grill, a new spot set to open on the NW corner of 45th and 2nd, is actually from the owners of the Prince Deli. And the falafel will be back! As for the 99¢ pizza? With all the new places that have opened up in the past two years, they’re going to need to step up their game .

You would think that in this current economic climate, a place that served decent falafel and 99 cent pizza would be thriving… but apparently that is not the case. A tipster just forwarded us this photo from the Prince Deli (on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th), along with this note:

Just went to get a falafel for lunch from the Prince Deli and it is closed. Newspaper over the windows and handwritten sign on the door (see attached photo). Have you heard if it is for good or just temporary? Not the nicest place but the falafel was good and cheap and it was a second 99 cent pizza place in the area. –Andrew

Phone call confirms it: gone for good. I guess its “Best Falafel” nomination came just a little too late. No word on what will be taking over the space, but if the guy who answered the phone is the owner, than the new place is going to be run by a giant dick. (He hung up on me twice after I asked what would be taking over the location.)

I admit it.  This post should have been done a long time ago.  And I don’t have an excuse. I’ve walked by the Prince Deli (on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th) so many times in the past two years, and never once have I pulled the trigger.  Admittedly, I usually hate generic Midtown delis like this, but the Prince has two things going for it. 1) 99 Cent Pizza.  How can you not?  And 2) a falafel sandwich that was touted by the New York Daily News as “the best in the neighborhood.”  The article has proudly hung in the storefront for awhile now (although there is no date on it, so lord knows how long ago this was written.)

Anyway, I finally took the plunge last week, testing out their two signature dishes. 

Prince is one of only three 99 cents pizza places left in Midtown, and it’s probably the worst of the three.  Even more unfortunate is the fact that one of the other ones (99 Cent Fresh Pizza on 43rd btw. Lex+3rd) is right around the corner.  The slice I had was pretty bad, and even though no 99 cent slice is going to be outstanding, the 99 Cent Fresh Pizza slice is fresher and better.  If you are lucky enough to get a fresh slice from Prince, maybe it would be slightly better… but overall I’d skip it. (Btw… Z Deli on 8th Avenue is the only other 99 cent slice in Midtown)

The falafel was a completely different story.  I was kind of skeptical that this place was pumping out one of the better falafels in the neighborhood, but truth be told it was pretty damn good.  The whole wheat pita was kind of dry, and fell apart but the falafels themselves were really delicious.  A really good spice mixture gave the falafel a really interesting sweetness that you don’t get at many other places.  And most importantly it wasn’t dry at all.  Good bread or not, at $4.50 it’s kind of a steal these days. Since the pita left a little bit to be desired, maybe the falafel platter is the way to go. 

Lesson:  Don’t write off generic Midtown delis that have been praised by the New York Daily News?

THE +

• A slice of pizza is only 99 cents
• The falafel has a really good spice mixture, and is not as dry as you would expect
• Great spicy red sauce
• Falafel sandwich is only $4.50

THE -

• The whole wheat pita the sandwich came on was a little stale and kind of fell apart
• The 99 cent pizza is not that good, and not that fresh
• 99 Cent Fresh Pizza (right around the corner) is better

Prince Deli, 690 3rd Ave. (btw. 43+44th) 212) 661-2240‎