Midtown Lunch

Now, I have to admit, we don’t tend to go nuts over sandwiches here at ML. Schnitzel? Sure. Grilled cheese with chorizo and bacon? All over that freaking thing. FREE FOOD? OMG! Yes. But getting pumped up for cold cuts on a roll is another thing. So when our boss kept asking, “Has anyone tried Melange (on 39th btw. 3rd+Lex) AKA the new Milant yet?” I knew we were talking about the return of some serious sandwiches. Zach’s old standby – Milant’s #13 – is now Melange’s H5 comprised of breaded chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, pesto sauce and sundried tomato on French bread for 5.99. And on a good day (like when H5 is put up on the dry erase “Specials” board outside) it comes with free soup too! So is Melange offering Milant’s awesome food under its new name? Find out after the jump…

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Papa Perrone is still having truck problems, and won’t be out today… but the cold and rainy weather doesn’t seem to be effecting anybody else. Schnitzel is in the Flatiron and taking phone orders, Cupcake Stop is braving it on 50th, Frites’n’Meats is on 48th and will deliver (5 burger minimum), the Dutchy is on 51st, and Street Sweets is on 52nd. Also, the Steak Truck is back on 47th and Park and for today only you can get their biriyani for $3 a plate, 5 plates for $10.  Keep up to date on your favorite Midtown Lunches via the ML Twitter Tracker.

If you’ve been wondering when Midtown is going to get a shot at the new Go Burger truck, the wait might not be much longer.  According to a twitter post last week they will be transitioning from weekends only to a 7 day a week schedule any day now.  But that’s small potatoes compared to the bigger news printed in this morning’s New York Times.  Unsurprisingly, Go Burger is going to be the name BLT Restaurants uses on a chain of new burger places opening in the next few months in New York, D.C., L.A. Smells to us like their burger truck is just one gigantic marketing write off.  Speaking of which, what ever happened to the La Cense Burger Truck?

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The Schnitzel & Things Truck has always been open to ideas from its customers (hello Schnitzel Down!) but yesterday they kind of took things to another level when they asked via Twitter what their fans would like to Schnitzified (i.e. battered and deep fried.) Naturally the answer they got ranged from normal (tilapia, eggplant, hot dogs) to slightly abnormal (ice cream, gyro meat), to “how the f would that work” (blueberry pie!?) So, what would you like to see schnitzified? Put it in the comments.

Oh, and if you were wondering what happened with their whole fight with the Frites N Meats truck? It looks like they’ve made up. Nothing like a little public shaming to bring two old friends back together again!

There have been some conflicting reports in the comments about Nanoosh’s free lunch giveaway today. Some have said that they were told the event is invite-only. I walked by to check it out and was flagged over by a guy working the door. As far as I saw, he was inviting anyone walking by to come in and try some out. When I left, the guy at the door said they’d be serving until 3pm.

The line was long, but went by fairly quickly, considering. Check out some scenery and food shots after the jump.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Will “The Champ” Millender… the winner of Baja Fresh’s Cinco de Mayo burrito eating contest, and a likely qualifier in Go Go Curry’s eating championship. Customer service dude by day, competitive eater by…uh… night? And clearly a favorite to make the Profiled Midtown Lunch’er hall of fame!

Name: Will “The Champ” Millender

Age: 29

Occupation: Customer Service/Competitive Eater

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 45th St. and Madison Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: Favorite Kind of Food: I have a lot of favorites. Unfortunately they tend to be unhealthy. Go figure. I’d say my favorite food item is Onion Rings. However, for a meal, Pizza is probably my favorite thing. And since I live in a heavily Italian populated neighborhood in Brooklyn (Bay Ridge). I’m a bit spoiled.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t dig Shrimp and Lobster. I’m not a big fan of the fact that they fall in the same species class as the cockroach. Just can’t seem to get the image out of my head. For some reason, I’m able to make an exception for crab once in awhile though.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I enjoy the heck out of the salads at Dishes (on 45th btw. Mad+5th). I can’t tell you why, but their salads, as simple as it sounds, just taste better than anywhere else. Maybe they use magic. They also make a mean Coconut Fried Chicken, but it’s way expensive if you want more than one or two pieces. I like the Meatloaf Sandwich from ‘wichcraft with their cream sandwich cookies for a dessert. Fast food wise, I like that there is a Ranch One nearby (on 46th btw. 5+6th). I haven’t ordered from there as much because I was dissatisfied with my first order, but I’m going to have to give it another go soon. Lastly and most surprisingly, the Duane Reade on 5th and 44th has sandwiches that are made by their Delish brand which are quite tasty if you’re in a rush.

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