Archive for August 2008

Midtown Links (The “It’s Labor Day Weekend and I’m Taking Off Early” Edition)

Popeye’s is a Madhouse; Bonus Fried Chicken Reveal

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Popeye’s is freaking good. Anybody who has ever lived in New Orleans will tell you that, and it appears as if New Yorkers are privvy as well. I stopped by the Popeye’s on 40th btw. 7+8th (the only one in Midtown Lunch’ing range) and couldn’t believe the madhouse (despite other fried chicken options in pretty close proximity.) People love Popeye’s.

Bonus Reveal:  Why was I at Popeye’s?  All will be revealed in a post next week that Midtown fried chicken lovers won’t want to miss…

Labor Day is Price Hike Day at Cafe Zaiya

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As understandable as it is, it never gets any easier to take. Cafe Zaiya (on 41st btw. Madison+5th) is still one of my favorite Midtown Lunches. Price hike or no price hike.

Reasons Not To Steal Food From the Company Fridge

Reason #1 to Eat Lunch Out

Wow… where to start on this one.

1. Posted in a law firm kitchen.  Don’t those people make enough money?

2. Points for clever use of DNA. Bonus points for not making it clear exactly what he would be using as “seasoning”. Not knowing is always scarier.

3. Was this salad homemade or from a chain? I’m guessing it was homemade- because if you’re adding “DNA seasoning” to your lunchtime leftovers while at work, that is gross. And who steals homemade food out of the fridge anyway? You don’t know where that stuff came from, or how good a cook your co-worker is. If you are going to steal, stick to lunchtime leftovers from actual restaurants.

4. Finally, a tip for people with leftovers. Finish your damn food! Leftovers is never an issue with me…

Pick A Pita Opening Second Location in Old House of Pita Spot

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Well that answers that question.  Pick A Pita, a tiny but righteous falafel and shawarma spot on 38th btw. 7+8th, will be opening a second outpost in the now closed House of Pita space on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th.  The tiny closet they currently operate will remain open, meaning you will now have two Pick-a-Pita options right around the corner from each other.  HOP fans could do a lot worse; I have a special place in my heart for Pick-a-Pita since it was where I discovered the beauty of french fries in a shawarma sandwich.  They say the new location will be open on October 1st.

Midtown Falafel Institution ‘House of Pita’ Says Goodbye (For Now)

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Word has come in from an email tipster that House of Pita on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th is now closed:

Looks like another one bites the dust in that spot. First Mandler’s, now House of Pita. I think that location is jinxed. I walked by quickly and I didn’t see any signs (like the yellow DOH), but there’s paper over all the windows. Doesn’t look too promising.

I got the confirmation from the owner shortly after:

Someone came in and loved the location, service and the food. They made us an offer that was just too hard to refuse. Lots of $$$$, so we sold. The name is not part of the sale. We will take a long vacation and think about our next step.

The recent history of House of Pita has been a long and kind of sad one. 2 year ago they were at the center of the Midtown falafel universe. Their window on 48th btw. 5+6th, nestled inside a hallway filled with jewelers, had become pretty popular- with office workers lining up every day for their Israeli style falafel.

  Read more »

Free White Castle Alert

Thanks to a lunch’er for spotting the White Castle Truck parked on 44th and Broadway giving out free burgers. The truck is only going to be here until 10a.m., and then they’re heading over to the Letterman studios (which is on Bway btw 53+54th) But they’ll only be there until burgers run out- which at this rate should only last until 10:45. Good luck freeloaders.

Great New Out of Bounds Sandwich Introduced at Sullivan St. Bakery

New Sullivan St. Bakery SandwichI know I’ve mentioned it before, and it’s way out of bounds (47th btw. 10+11th) but if you really love bread, Sullivan St. Bakery makes the best in New York City. They also have great (albiet slightly expensive for the size) sandwiches, and I just wrote about their latest creation-the panino de tortilla espanola-on Serious Eats: New York.

Wafels & Dinges Forced Out By Movie; Imposter Waffle Truck Giving Out Free Samples

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This just into the Midtown Lunch Inbox: The “imposter waffle truck” is parked on “Lexington between 58th and 59th” right now “handing out bite sized free samples.”  This is the truck that will eventually be serving pomme frites (they don’t have them today) and different from the Wafels and Dinges Truck, which was planning on parking at 51st & Park today, but was forced to move to 23rd St. & 5th Ave. because there is a movie being filmed on Park Ave.  The Dessert Truck lucked out and got their normal space near Park & 52nd St.  The Treats Truck is closed this week, so conecakes fans are SOL.

Post My Lunch: 55th St. & 3rd Ave. Gyro

People like sending me photos of lunches they’ve had, and some of them are from places I’ve never been. So as part of a new feature, I’m going to start posting some of these lunches. After all, as much as I try, I can’t eat everything. Been to this place? Feel free to post a comment below. Want to share one of your own lunches? Email your photo(s) to zach@midtownlunch.com or post them to the Midtown Lunch Flickr Photo Pool with a description.

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I switched jobs, putting me at the edge of the midtown food lunch range… Anyways, found a new (new to me anyways) cart on the corner of 55th and 3rd… Very very happy and this one you need to try. I am feasting on a great Gyro with a huge side of fries. ($6.00) They had a chicken finger and fries combo $6.00 and a burger deluxe, iirc, like 5.25… Also, a good looking fish fillet sandwich, same price range.

The grainy camera phone gyro (and some pretty tasty looking fries), after the jump…  Read more »