FreeFoods Duck Pastrami Sandwich is a Triumph. A Freakin’ Expensive Triumph.

We could go back and forth about whether or not FreeFoods NYC is a true Midtown Lunch (it’s not), or whether or not I should even be eating at a place like this (I shouldn’t).  But the simple fact is this.  They made a new sandwich, put it on their menu, called it “The Midtown Lunch Special”, and charged under $10 for it (if you don’t include the tax).  So, according to the rules set forth in my Midtown Lunch sandwich challenge, I am obligated to go and eat the sandwich and post about it.  I never said I had to like it… just eat it, and post about it. 

Standing in FreeFoods, I could feel my anger rising.  I mean, this place is really expensive.  Sure, most of it is organic, they use the best ingredients, and it is one of the few places in Midtown where a vegetarian, vegan, or raw foods enthusiast can get a decent lunch.  But I don’t fall into any of those categories, and my category (cheap fatso) is clearly not intended audience.  The sandwiches are all $11 and up (except for the ML special), the by the lb. buffet is $395 a pound (or so it seems), and their non coffee drinks are $3 at their cheapest and $8 at their most expensive.  In other words, if you want more than just a sandwich, you’re not getting out of here for less than $15. 

There is only one problem.  The “Midtown Lunch Special Sandwich”, a duck pastrami reuben, is really freakin’ good.

I am a cheapo, but to pretend like I never spend a lot of money on food would be disingenuous.  I’ve done the $100 price fixe at Ko, and the $115 omakase at Soto (both amazing.)  I enjoyed the $32 crab in chili sauce at Fatty Crab (even though you can get cheaper versions in Chinatown) and I’ve spent more on a steak than I spend on two weeks worth of lunches.  But lunch?  Sandwiches?  There is something in my brain that snaps about spending more than $10 on lunch.  (Especially if it’s just a sandwich.  All you can eat buffets?  That’s a different story.) I’m sure their profit margin on one of these sandwiches is significantly less than what, say, the Biryani Cart makes on their food.  But this site isn’t about profit margin. It’s about what it costs to me.

DSC00737

So there I was, eating the duck pastrami sandwich at FreeFoods.  Spending the big bucks, and doing what I said I would never do.  But putting my cheapness aside, and my staunch Midtown Lunch views, I have to admit, this sandwich is not only good… it’s completely worth the money.  Why?  The duck.  It’s not a big sandwich (it comes on 2 slightly smaller than normal slices of rye bread) but they do not skimp on the duck.  You probably get a whole duck breast (something that would easily cost $20+ at a nice restaurant), and it’s perfectly cured, and sliced thick, with a really nice layer of fat (as it should be.) To give you an idea of its size, it’s about the same size as all of the “fat guy” sandwiches at ‘wichcraft.

DSC00740

The whole thing was perfectly complemented by the slaw, emmentaler swiss, and russian dressing.  The fat from the duck and the cheese greases up the bread real good while it’s being pressed in the sandwich machine, giving you that authentic reuben feel.  What can I say?  It was really awesome, filling in that “fat fills me up” kind of way, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Do I love FreeFoods now? Let’s not get crazy.  I was pretty angry every single minute I sat in that place, wondering how people could spend so much money on lunch at a place that doesn’t even have waiters. It also didn’t help that the other two sandwiches my friends ordered (the meatball sandwich and the chicken/lime sandwich with avocado ad mango), were pretty meh for $11… or maybe it just seemed that way after eating the duck pastrami special.  Truthfully, if I’m in the mood for a meatball sub- I don’t need to spend $11 on this just ok version (with dry bread.) 

The duck pastrami sandwich, on the other hand… I may have to return for another.  Or better yet, maybe I’ll just order delivery.

Free Foods NYC (Two Locations)

  • 150 E. 52nd St. (btw. Lex+3rd),  212-371-1945 
  • 18 W. 45th St. (btw. 5+6th),  212-302-7195 

58 Comments

  • @Niko – I just ordered the sandwich as if I was a customer. They don’t know who I am there…

    @Goats – Actually, I think their profit margin on this one is pretty low. I really doubt they’re are “cleaning up” … but like I said in the post- our concern isn’t with profit margins, it’s with finding cheap lunch. If profit margins were the only concern, you could argue that a place like Del Frisco’s is a good deal… they pay a ton for rent, and serve expensive meat and seafood, so their prices reflect that.

  • To Mamacita: Yes, I’ll definitely look out for your report!

    To Anonymous: The peking duck sliders used to be 75 cents and was raised to $1 recently. But the best thing to have in Flushing is the Taiwanese burger at Temple Snack. $4 for a HUGE piece of braised fatty pork belly, pickled mustard greens and chopped peanuts in a steamed bun. Too bad that this place isn’t in Midtown.

  • I just had the duck special at the 52nd St. location too, for $9.75. It is truly amazing. Not everyone behind the counter seemed to know about the special Midtown Lunch sandwich, but they have a sign about it near the front cash register.

    It wasn’t very crowded when I went but it seemed to take forever to make this sandwich (not sure why). At one point it looked like four people were involved in the process. I don’t think I would go there regularly. Some of the egg sandwich choices (only available for breakfast) looked like they would be interesting without the egg.

    I was actually looking for the F&B that used to be around there. Did FreshFoods take over that space?

  • @ Boo—-10 bucks a drink??? ARE YOU FING OUT OF YOUR MIND?? It better be Johnny Walker Blue for 10 bucks a drink!!!!!! This Goat pays $6 for a double Captain and coke!!!! Max!@!!!

  • To Goats:

    I’ve been to many, many bars that charge $10 AND UP for a drink. Very common in Manhattan. Even 15 years ago I was paying $5-6 for a drink at not so chi-chi venues.

  • The secret ingredient in the duck is children!

  • bastards charged me $13 today for the duck pastrami rueben on seamless web.

  • Find me a place with cheap Jack on the rocks and I’m there.

  • @Wined and Dined: Apparently not so “seamless” eh?

  • Goats, a double captain and coke? what are you, 17?

  • FreeFoods is way too expensive; their delivery is hit and miss. If you do order delivery use their website, it’s more accurate.

    Recently, I’ve hit more cons than pros (besides the prices) at FF, so I’m going to stay away for awhile.

    I’m glad you got a rocking duck sandwich, that’s about the biggest sandwich I’ve seen FF offer.

  • Zach that looks great.. nice work!

    You think I can get a downtown spot to name a sandwich The Krieger? :) HA!

  • Holy crap, live a little friends. With the crap we eat for $6 off the street, you need a little duck from time to time. Eat, drink and be merry :)

  • Hold on Guys…this is duck sausage..it’ll be “mechanically recovered from the carcass” After all the good bits are cut off.

  • It’s not mechanically separated duck meat, it’s duck PASTRAMI – a smoking/salting/curing method of meat making.
    Want!

  • Sometimes I like to eat more, sometimes I like to eat better. High quality ingredients cost more, so save FreeFoods for when you want to eat better. I am generally a soup-a-phobe except for their soups.

    BTW, tell the cashier at Zeytin’s that you have a discount card, and you get a superb chicken (lamb on Thurs) doner sandwich on large wrap with chopped cucumber and tomato, yogurt and spicy sauce for about $8.25 (good and plenty).

  • Eating one right now. Rudy, get your ass to Heathrow. This thing rocks.

  • Am also eating one now. Holy duckorama. WOW

  • I thought it was crazy to splurge $10 on a sandwich, but it was amazing. I don’t like duck nor pastrami by themselves, but this was just a delicacy.

    I definitely recommend trying it once. I know we’re in touch economic times, but it’s worth it!

  • I got there a little after 1 today but they were out. Is the special only specific days?

Leave a Reply

You must log in or register to post a comment.