Archive for August 2008

Expect the Worst From Tad’s Broiled Steaks, and You Won’t be Disappointed

Tad's Steaks

Life is all about expectations. Go into a meal expecting greatness, and 9 times out of 10 you’ll probably leave disappointed.  Go into a meal expecting to die, and you’ve got a good chance of walking out feeling like a winner. In those special cases, leaving without feeling sick is a pleasant accomplishment in and of itself. And that is how I felt walking into Tad’s Steaks on Thursday. I was scared. Real scared.

I would call Tad’s a fast food steak place, but that doesn’t really do it justice. It is a Midtown institution- if by institution you mean place everyone knows about.  If a restaurant has to be eaten in to qualify, than maybe institution isn’t the proper term.  In fact, while most people have a very strong (negative) opinion about Tad’s, few people have actually eaten there. See, there are three kinds of people who lunch in Midtown:

1. Those who have braved a meal at Tad’s, and come away sick or disgusted (a few people I know.)
2. Those who have braved a meal at Tad’s, and thought it was good enough to return (uh, only one person I know, and he accompanied me on this trip.) 
3. And everyone else.  The haters who have never been, but will not hesitate to tell you how terrible Tad’s must be.

I’ve always been a card carrying member of that last group. I didn’t need to eat at Tad’s to know it was terrible. Whether it’s the already poured glasses of wine, stacked on the counter, covered in saran wrap; or the interior that hasn’t been changed (or probably cleaned) since 1974, Tad’s is not very welcoming.  Even the $7 steak lunch special, which should be selling point enough (for its cheapness), ends up doing the opposite. Why is this so cheap? How can they make a steak so cheap?  You know what?  Scratch that. I don’t want to know.

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Who Knew? Alan Colmes Does Read Midtown Lunch

Surprisingly I received this email response to my post on Friday about Fox News correspondent Alan Colmes’ and his choice of go-to lunch in Midtown:

 

 

 

From: Alan Colmes
To: zach@midtownlunch.com

Date: Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 2:18 AM
Subject: From Colmes

Zach,

I already read Midtown lunch….but thanks for the mention. You have to admit, though, Evergreen [Diner] is quite convenient.

Alan

 
I admit nothing Alan. I learned that from the current President.

Midtown Links (Truck Mash Up Edition)

Want to Stalk Alan Colmes? He Eats Lunch in Midtown

Today, “Fair and Balanced” political talk show host Alan Colmes tells Grub Street where he ate all week.  I never thought about it, but with the Fox News building on 6th Ave. btw. 47+48th it’s not a surprise he’s a Midtown Lunch’er.  You’ll recognize a few spots from his list of places, like Goodburger, which is just fine, and Bella Napoli (on 49th btw. 6+7th), which is a great spot for pizza and subs. But his go to lunch is the Evergreen Diner! (On 47th btw. 6+7th)  Come on Alan.  You can do better than that.  (I know we have lunchers in that building.  Will somebody please send him a link to Midtown Lunch!)

Post My Lunch: Azusa of Japan

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.

From Lunch’er Nicholas: “Stumbled on this place…daily lunch specials for $9.75. The pic is of today’s special: chicken teriyaki, fried salmon fillet, miso soup, salad and eight pieces of California roll.  The roll was not great but everything else was very good. Different offerings every day of the week.  Enjoy before they raise the prices. Azusa of Japan, 3 East 44th st (btw. 5+Madison), 212-681-0001.

Seized Again: The Old Bridge Deli Ain’t What She Used To Be

Old Bridge Deli Seized 1
Old Bridge Deli Seized 3From a Lunch’er: “The Old Bridge Deli (on 41st & Lex) got SEIZED (big orange stickers out front, doors closed)…. AGAIN.  That’s twice in like a few months. Same exact thing that happened before basically.  Lights on, people literally walking up to the door and yanking on it, only to then lookup and see the big orange sticker with massive “SEIZED” on it.  Didn’t bother reading the fine print on the sticker this time though.” She bounced back once, let’s see if she can do it again.

Thanks to Lunch’er Howard for the photos.

Sidewalk Bento Guy Arrested!


Bento Guy on 50th btw. 6+7th (on a better day) Photo provided by Lunch’er Shauna

In the ML Inbox: “Just to let you know, I saw the 50th st bento guy sitting in back of a police suv and the cops were wheeling around his cart. I wanted to take a snap for your blog, but i didn’t want to risk gettting tazed.” Please tell me somebody got a photo of this.  Email it to zach@midtownlunch.com  Also, somebody may want to go warn the Ecuadorian lady on 46th St.

I’m Alive: I survived Tad's. Full report coming Monday.

At Lunch Now: I’m A Tad Bit Nervous…

So, I’m about to enter the cauldron of doom. My stomach has been tested and pushed to the limits time and time again… but nothing holds a candle to Tad’s Steaks, the bastard child of Midtown Lunch’ing. The only place that makes you think “some things just shouldn’t be that cheap.” But the challenge was issued, so I must oblige.

If I don’t make it, you’ll know I went out doing what I love best: eating disgusting food in Midtown Manhattan.

Milant Still Makes a Damn Good Sandwich

Newly Re-Opened Milant
Newly Re-Opened MilantAlways up for challenging my stomach, I decided to hit up Milant yesterday (on 39th btw. Lex+3rd) despite the fact that they’ve been closed for most of the past month or two. Since they were shuttered by the DOH, there has been concern about the freshness and cleanliness of what was once considered Midtown’s finest sandwich place.  All the food in the display case looked fine, although there is a creepy-ness that will probably only go away after multiple visits without incident (i.e. sickness). I went with my standby #13.  Chicken cutlet, fresh mozarella, sundried tomatoes, and pesto. 

Check it out, plus more- after the jump…  Read more »