Midtown Lunch

It’s starting to seem like all carts all the time these days… Sarah DiGregorio becomes the latest reporter to shine a light on the difficulties facing street vendors these days. Her interesting article in today’s Village Voice focuses on how hard it is to get a license, and the black market that has arisen out of the demand created by a 1979 law restricting the number of licenses available citywide to 3,100. But according to the piece, help might be on the way:

A bill introduced by Council member Charles Barron, which is currently in front of the Committee for Consumer Affairs, would increase the cap on food cart permits to 25,000 and provide for a 5 percent annual increase. Giving all vendors the chance to sell legally would eliminate the black-market system. Bloomberg’s office didn’t respond to a call for comment, but the mayor is thought to be against the bill.

But is the black market for licenses really “the biggest problem in the vending world” today?

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The new, just out of bounds, Two Boots on 9th Ave (btw. 44+45th) is now open, which is great news for all the folks in Midtown West who really miss the now shuttered Rock Center Location. Even though they are already open, the official “Grand Opening” party is tomorrow night (6/18), with music and free pizza from 6-8pm.

Related:
First Look: Lebowski’s Two Boots is 2-3 Weeks Away

We’ve gotten word that come September the now shuttered Golden Krust, on 3rd. Ave. btw. 43+44th, will become NAYA Express- a cheaper version of the fancy Lebanese restaurant NAYA Mezze & Grill on 2nd Ave. From the owner: “It is going to be 80% of NAYA’s Lebanese Menu with some addition and much less expensive. Sandwiches will range from $5 to $8. Appetizers between $4 and $8.” That could be interesting…

As promised, the new Korean cart on 50th btw. 6+7th began serving bulgogi topped hot dogs and Korean short rib tacos this week. I stopped by yesterday, not only to check out the two new items but also to ask if they had been getting the same “treatment” that chased the Happy Well Being House Cart from the same spot a few weeks ago. The Korean guy who runs the cart said that they ran into a bit of trouble earlier but that “everything is ok now.”  I don’t know whether to feel happy for them, or sorry for the Happy Well Being House Cart for not sticking it out in the spot longer.

So for now, it looks like these guys are going to be around.  The question is, how is their new bulgogi dog and short rib tacos!?! (The answer, plus photos of the craziness, is after the jump.)

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It looks like Midtown isn’t the only place where businesses are calling the cops on street vendors.  Eater is reporting that the Wafels and Dinges truck had the cops called on them yesterday morning by “the management at the Saatchi & Saatchi building at 375 Hudson.” It went on to say that “a building insider told the truck’s staff that there had been a concern their presence made the area “look unprofessional”.

No word on the end result, but earlier this week 1350 6th Ave. successfully chased the brand new Street Sweets Truck from their spot on 55th btw. 5+6th (claiming the truck was ruining the al fresco dining area in front of one of the building’s restaurants.) Much like Midtown Lunchers came to the defense of the Street Sweets Truck, waffle fans on Hudson showed their support on the Wafels and Dinges’ blackboard.

Could this be just the beginning of a wave of mobile vendor harassment?

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Before you get all excited about having lunch at the new ‘wichcraft pop up bar thing opening in Bryant Park on Friday, you should probably know this: 1) It’s more a bar than a restaurant. 2) Even though it is open all the time for anybody to lounge, the only time they’re serving food and beverages during lunch will be Fridays and 3) the sandwiches being served are smaller and more expensive ($9) than the regular ‘wichcraft sandwiches (aka snacks, not lunch.) If you have always dreamed of drinking in Bryant Park after work (while enjoying snacks made by ‘wichcraft) well that’s a different story. Drinks and the sandwich snacks will be served Monday through Thursdays from 5-9pm, Fridays from Noon to 4pm through September.  [Grub Street;Blondie and Brownie]

Photo coutesy of Blondie and Brownie

New York Times writer John T. Edge hit up the Waffles and Dinges Truck the other day and was incredibly excited about the kool aid pickle that came with his pulled pork topped waffle lunch special. A few years back he wrote a piece for the Times that is required reading for anybody interested in the bright red kool aid flavored delicacy!