Midtown Lunch

SVP Collecting Signatures in front of the truck in Lappin’s district on 86th Street

Yesterday we live blogged the City Council hearing dedicated to discussing the anti-food truck legislation being introduced that would revoke a permit of any food truck that received 3 parking tickets in a 12 month period.  Vendors turned out in force, along with food truck advocates like the Street Vendor Project, to plead their case… explaining how this law would effectively put them out of business.  But the biggest moment of the hearing came when the Mayor’s office submitted a letter expressing their opposition to the legislation.  You should read the entire letter, although it mostly says what we’ve been saying for a week… even though food trucks need to be good citizens, and should be held accountable when they break parking laws, the penalties from this particular law are too punitive, and would be very difficult to administer.

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• Summertime and the drinking is easy [Midtown Connections]
• El Camioncito truck’s chicken tamales are a hit [Midtown Eating]
• The victor in the bubble tea midtown search is Fay Da [Midtown Eating]
• Where can you get Korean patbingsu in Midtown? [Midtown Eating]

Last week we told you about the ESPN Match Truck that would be traveling around NYC serving food designed by Kogi, the famous West coast Korean/Mexican food trucks.  The truck has been traveling around the city (including stops in Brooklyn & NJ) serving up food and broadcasting soccer matches on a big screen TV… and today they’re back in Columbus Circle.   They started serving food at 9 AM (they have some breakfast items) and they’ll stay there through lunch (until 5pm) serving up food with Kogi and World Cup influences.  We decided to check out what they have to offer.

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El Camioncito, the truck that popped up on the radar this spring when it added tacos and later tamales to it’s otherwise typical food cart menu, has returned to Midtown South. After weeks of disappointing many a taco hunter, the truck is back at its just out of bounds location on 31st Street and 7th Avenue. I stopped by yesterday to take a look at what’s new.

The menu’s Latin section has continued to expand, adding a number of tasty-looking options. See what’s on it and one of the new snacks after the jump.

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Today The New York Times shared a few spots around town for shaved ice, and one of them just happens to be in Midtown! Many of you who frequent K-town maybe already know about Koryodang Bakery (on 32nd btw. B’way+5th) for their baked goods (and strawberry shortcake?), but did you know they also serve up a good shaved ice? They offer two kinds, one with fruit and ice cream, another without it (although who would get it without!?) For $6.25 you get a large bowl of shaved ice with ice cream (green tea or red bean), and an assortment of fruits and a couple of mochi bits. It comes together really well and it’s definitely a refreshing summertime option for those of you in lower Midtown who want to forgo froyo.  Thanks New York Times!

Koryodang, 31 West 32nd St (btw. B’way+5th), 212-967-9661

My lord.

Yesterday we reported that California chain “The Counter” would be opening in Times Square in the Fall. In the comments Lunch’er “Steve” requested a review of one of the L.A. locations, and today Zach obliged over on the Los Angeles section of Midtown Lunch.