Midtown Lunch

Yesterday we introduced you to our newest contributor, Jeremiah. Today, he introduces us to a decent hot beef sandwich from a generic midtown deli.

In many ways, Green Emporium (on 8th Ave. and 48th St.) is just another dime a dozen, sandwich slinging bodega (except for all the flowers out front). They use the same unimpressive ingredients as their counterparts, but I find the sandwiches to be constructed a little better. What really sets them apart though, is the big board of their sandwich creations. There are over 50 of them, hot and cold, with names that range from the obvious and boring (Tuna Melt) to the confounding and intriguing (Matrix – which is unfortunately just turkey and Swiss on whole wheat). The sandwiches are mostly pretty standard (Reuben, Italian Hero, Cheesesteak), but the sheer number of options makes it a pretty reliable place. In addition, a few of the choices stray enough from the ordinary to command my attention… and one of those is the Chicago.

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According to the cover story in today’s AMNY, today (and every Wednesday this summer) is “Take Back Your Lunch Day”, a series of meetups across the country designed to encourage office workers to take their full hour of lunch.  According to the “Energy Project”, the group behind the promotion, the average office worker spends 20 minutes on lunch, and this series of meetups (the NYC one is today in Bryant Madison Square Park) is meant to shine a light on how important it is to take a lunch.  Of course, if you read Midtown Lunch, you already know this…

Last week I noticed Richmond’s Homemade Italian Ice truck parked on the SE corner of 40th St & 6th Ave. near Bryant Park.  I’ve actually seen them parked randomly at different places throughout the city, and I guess now they’re trying to settle into Midtown? Sadly, when I went by Bryant Park around 12:30pm yesterday the truck was nowhere to be found. The guy in the truck had mentioned last week that they had trouble finding good parking, and it’s no surprise they had trouble parking near Bryant Park (bet you $$ that Mister Softee was involved.)  They have all your standard flavors like lemon, cherry, watermelon, and they also do milkshakes. Hopefully they’ll find a spot in Midtown… after all, more trucks = a good thing, right?  (Crazy batshit insane Misguided City Council members, you don’t need to answer that question.)

Anybody seen this truck pop up elsewhere in Midtown?  Let us know in the comments…

• …”Kraft Easy Cheese, stat!”[Midtown Eating]
• … a Mister Softee truck in Midtown East [Midtown Eating]
• … Manhattan Special Espresso Coffee Soda [Midtown Eating]
• … Bubble Tea [Midtown Eating]
• … mostarda [Midtown Eating]
• … a branch of Baoguette in Midtown West [Midtown Eating]

Consumerist has posted a great looking day in the life video of a Mister Softee ice cream truck driver in Brooklyn filmed by CNN. There’s no mention of the Mayor’s crusade to get rid of them, the fighting between trucks, the “mafia” controlled turf wars, or the fact that they can only vend half the year (most Mister Softee permits are seasonal). Plus you have to work from 10am to 11pm every single day. But other than that it seems like a super easy and profitable business!  [via Grub Steet]

Just got word from a tipster that the New Jersey based QBA Cuban Kitchen Truck (which was spotted Downtown a few weeks ago) is parked on 48th and 6th Ave. right now.  Not sure how long their 1st foray in the belly of the Midtown beast will last, but if you’re in the area it might be worth checking out.  Naturally, you can follow them on Twitter.  Early adopters, let us know how it is in the comments.

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 we’re excited to introduce Jeremiah, a media dude who will be officially contributing to Midtown Lunch starting this week. Tomorrow he’s going to tell us all about a gravy topped hot beef sandwich hiding inside a generic deli in Midtown West… today, he’s your profiled Midtown Lunch’er.

Name: Jeremiah

Age: 27

Occupation: Media Professional and Internet Mogul

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Bryant Park

Favorite Kind of Food: I really don’t have one, but I think I could eat Mediterranean food every day of the week without a problem. Also, the Garbage Plate is a hometown favorite that stands above just about every meal out there.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Again, I really don’t have one, there’s not really any food I won’t eat or never enjoy. I guess I’ve never had much luck with cold soups. Then again I haven’t had many cause they kind of seem like an oxymoron.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The shredded pork with garlic sauce (amongst other things) at Szechuan Gourmet (on 39th btw. 5+6th). The chicken quesadilla from El Rey del Sabor (on 43rd and 6th). Chicken over rice from Kwik Meal, on 45th and 6th (that lamb is too expensive and too high quality for its own good). The kofta and rice from Little Morocco (on 39th and 7th)

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