Midtown Lunch

Right now, the City Council is holding a hearing to discuss the proposed Anti-vendor law.  Miss Softee (follow her on Twitter) is there, and will be sending us live reports from the scene…  you can read about the proposed law here.

9:45am – I’m in. security is prepping for a massive influx… they will close the doors once the room meets capacity, and it may fit 50-60 people.

10:07am – As people assemble, the few council members currently present shuffle a stack of papers for those that wish to testify. Lappin has yet to arrive.

10:08am – Based on what I can see, Eddie’s Pizza, Wafels and Dinges, Van Leeuwen, Frites and Meats, Cupcake Stop, NYC Cravings, as well as many lesser known vendors are here.

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Back in January we told you that STK would be building a new steakhouse (complete with takeout kiosk) in the Grace Building on 43rd and 6th. That sounded like it might be pretty great, until we found out that it’s displaced one of our favorite street carts! Construction on the whole courtyard has started, and as a result they forced the Trini Paki Boys Cart from their usual location on the SE corner of 43rd and 6th. They’ve been parking on the opposite side of 43rd street (on the NE corner) but are worried that their regular customers don’t realize they’ve moved. If you’re a fan, make sure you get out and support the Trini Paki Cart (Clay is a big fan of their doubles). They’ve been having a tough time making ends meet recently, and this is kind of the last straw.

Their cart is much harder to spot because they’re coming up after a fruit stand and a couple of hot dog carts. If you don’t see them right away, it’s ok. Just walk down past the 99 cent hot dogs and you’ll get to the good stuff.

• Is there any good bubble tea in Midtown? [Midtown Eating]
• Rickshaw’s dumplings are literally sickening [Midtown Eating]
• Where to take picky out of towners around Penn Station [Midtown Eating]
• Why all the hating on our valued 99 cent slice? [Midtown Eating]
• Yummy Yummy falafel bar is opening on Lexington (btw 55+56th) [Midtown Eating]

Want to support the food trucks in person against the proposed City Council law that will effectively put all food trucks out of business? The hearing is tomorrow (Wednesday, June 16th) in the 16th floor hearing room at 250 Broadway at 10am. Can’t be there in person? Please contact your city council member and let them know that food truck lovers will campaign against any city council member who votes for this unfair law that unfairly singles out food trucks for harsher punishments.

If you were wondering what was going to take over the now shuttered Juan Valdez on 41st and Broadway, we finally have an answer, and it’s more burgers! Thanks to Lunch’er Douglas for sending along this article in the WSJ (gated, requires subscription) which tipped us off to the news… apparently The Counter, a 7 year old Los Angeles based burger chain with locations all over California (and a few other states) is taking over the space. Combine that with the new Shake Shack coming to 8th Ave., 4Food opening on Madison, the new Bill’s Bar and Burger coming to Rock Center, BLT’s Go Burger Truck and planned brick and mortar franchises, plus-according to the same WSJ article- a new Goodburger opening in Columbus Circle, and what we’ve got is a full fledged burger onslaught.

What makes “The Counter” different? It’s a “build your own burger” situation, featuring 4 kinds of burgers in 3 sizes, 4 different buns, 12 different kinds of cheese, 30 toppings, and 21 different sauces (they boast over 300,000 different combinations you could make.) Construction hasn’t started on the location, but they’re hoping to open “Fall of 2010”.

Now that all of her vending paperwork is in order, Profiled Midtown Lunch’er “Chrissy” (aka Miss Softee) is officially back on the streets and parked right now (in a brand new truck) on 45th and 5th (UPDATE: She is moving to 39th and Broadway.) Today’s specials are “gimme s’more” and potato chip chocolate dip cone (if you like sweet and salty combo, this one is for you!).  Plus if you tell Miss Softee the name of her old truck from last year, she’ll give you a free cone until 4pm today (hint: it’s posted somewhere on this page).  Homemade baked goods and baby cones are promised for later this week. Keep tabs on Miss Softee via twitter or the ML Twitter Tracker.

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 Sammy, a social media grunt who is looking for some breakfast.

Name: Sammy

Age: 29

Occupation: Media and Communications Specialist (Social Media Grunt)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Bryant Park

Favorite Kind of Food: Changes with my mood. I suppose I could eat like the French daily.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Steam tables. Midtown hero/grinder/subs with a few exceptions.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Lan Sheng (on 39th btw. 5+6th): shrimp w/ tofu (ask for it spicy). Trini Paki Cart (on 43rd and 6th): Lamb over rice with everything. I am thrilled that 2 Bros. opened up right in midtown. Clearly not the best pizza, but better than Little Italy and the like and so very cheap.

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