Midtown Lunch

Passed by the Treats Truck yesterday (on 45th btw. 6+7th) and owner Kim had two helpers, so the line was moving much quicker than normal.  One helper took orders, one packaged the orders up, and Kim took the money. Very nice.  Unfortunately it’s not a permanent thing, because one of the helpers was Kenny Lao, founder and co-owner of the Rickshaw Dumpling Bar, who told me that their planned cart should be ready to go in just a few weeks. Kenny has been shadowing Kim to learn more about what it takes to run a food truck in New York City.  He’s hoping to have a “soft” opening with his cart (i.e. not publicized, so he can ease into things) but I told him Midtown Lunch’ers wouldn’t let that happen. Keep your eye out for the new dumpling cart starting in September.

Photos by Blondie and Brownie

The Treats Truck July contest to name a new cookie has come to an end, and the winner is: The Nutty Co-worker (left), an oatmeal cookie with nuts.  Future versions may even contain toffee (don’t get too excited.) Congrats are also in order to Blondie and Brownie. Their cookie, “The Peanut Butter Jamwich” was the runner up (on the right).  Two peanut butter cookies with peanut butter and jelly sandwiched in the middle. Both cookies are now on sale at the truck, which will be at 38th and 5th Ave. today from 1 to 3:30pm.  Both winners got gift certificates, and the grand prize winner got a t-shirt. (Update: The Jamwich may be the only one of the two available at the truck today.)

The newest member of the Treats Truck family made her debut in Midtown today when Kim Ima brought “Dot” out for a little test run on 38th & 5th Ave.  I love treats, but my inner cynic really wants to hate this whole naming of the trucks thing.  That being said, there is something strangely adorable about this new truck.  Old, rundown, chipped paint, smaller than the normal Treats Truck, and no fancy glass display case, there is a clear Herbie-the-Love-Bug-vibe coming from this vehicle.  It doesn’t hurt that it’s filled with cookies and brownies either.  Today was just a test run, and Kim is probably a ways off from having both trucks up and running at the same time- but “Dot” may enable her to park in Midotwn spots that Sugar can’t fit into… so there may be some immediate benefits.

A closer look, after the jump…  Read more »

I decided to stop by the Treats Truck yesterday after hearing rumors that the Wednesday lines have gotten crazy on 45th & 6th. Sure enough the line was down the block, and that was at 2:30!  I don’t even want to know what it’s like during peak lunch time.  That corner is easily owner Kim Ima’s most popular spot, and she used to park there twice a week, but now that it’s summertime, and the ice cream trucks are back she is only “allowed” to park in that spot once a week (competition among carts in Midtown is fierce, and there is a lot of politics and jockeying for position between the carts.)

You may remember the Treats Truck only started parking in that space regularly last winter, when the ice cream truck that has occupied that spot for years went into “hibernation.”  Clearly he’s back (it’s freakin hot out), which is why Sugar is only there once a week now- but I have a great idea to get the Treats Truck more days on 45th & 6th, and hopefully make the lines shorter…  Read more »

Cookie fans on 45th & 6th will have to wait until tomorrow to get their Treats Truck fix.  Due to a private event in the afternoon, the Treats Truck will be parking at a location to be announced from Noon to 2pm (check the website for details), before returning to their typical Wednesday spot (45th & 6th) on Thursday from Noon to 4pm.

For those who feel like the Treats Truck doesn’t come to your office nearly enough, you’ll be happy to hear that Time Out New York reported earlier in the week that a second Treats Truck is close to being unleashed on the city, and treats maker Kim has assured me that the second truck will be spending some time in Midtown.  As soon as that truck is out and about, we’ll let you know, or you can check for updates on their website, http://www.treatstruck.com/

Due to its non-Midtown location, I haven’t been able to use this blog as an excuse to sample the much written about Dessert Truck. (In case you thought this site was started to help you people find lunch, its true purpose was to allow me to eat gross and fattening lunches, and be able to say “It’s for work!”). Well, that is about to change this summer. Right now, the Dessert Truck spends Tuesday-Sunday nights on University Place & 8th St., but once the weather gets warmer, Co-owner Chris Chen told me they are hoping to park the truck during the day in… wait for it… wait for it… Midtown!

They haven’t decided on a location yet (and from the struggle the Treats Truck had, I’m guessing it won’t be easy), but I assured them that no matter where the truck was parked, they would be welcomed with open mouths by the Midtown Lunch’ing faithful. I also used this bit of news as an excuse to sample four of their creations (Gianduja Pot de Creme, Vanilla Creme Brulee, Chocolate Bread Pudding, and the Milk Chocolate w/ Peanut Butter). All were outstanding, and for just $5 a pop, a pretty amazing bargain for desserts that would normally cost $10 in a restaurant. For a really great round-up of the truck’s offerings, check out this post by Robyn Lee on Ed Levine Eats.

The sad thing is, I didn’t have to wait this long for the Midtown Lunch-Dessert Truck connection. The truck rents kitchen space right above Daisy May’s BBQ on 11th Ave. & 46th St., home base of the Daisy May’s BBQ Cart on 50th btw. 6+7th- a bonafied Midtown Lunch!

For those of you keeping score at home:

• Treats Truck – Midtown Lunch’ing favorite! Here at least 3 days a week
• Waffles Truck – Coming soon!
• Dessert Truck – Coming soon as well!

Stay tuned for more details… and if you have any news to report, email it to zach@midtownlunch.com

It’s easy to forget about the TONY Eat Out Awards when you’re being featured on NYC TV!  Besides showing off all of the amazing treats they have to offer, the owner Kim reveals that the Treats Truck peanut butter sandwich cookie is actually gluten free.  This is amazing news for anybody who has celiac disease, an allergy to a certain gluten protein found in anything made with wheat.   She also told me today that not only does she plan on introducing more gluten free treats very soon, but she will also have flourless treats, for Passover, starting on Friday.  The Treats Truck will be on 38th & 5th tomorrow (Thursday) from Noon to 4pm.  For more details go to www.treatstruck.com or call 212-691-5226.