Midtown Lunch

If you were following Eater’s Burger Week last week, you may recall that Midtown Lunch favorite, Social Eatz, pulled off a fairly shocking if not controversial win as the “Nation’s Best Burger”. As a gesture of gratitude to their customers and fans that helped them achieve the land-slide victory, Social Eatz will pour you a complementary cocktail for every Bibimbap Burger that you order.

The promotion starts today (just in time for Cinco de Mayo!), and will last for the entire month of May, and is only good for the promotional cocktail (no beer/wine) and for dine-in customers only. So for anyone that’s looking for a spot for a liquid lunch (or dinner for that matter), now’s your chance to try the Nation’s Best Burger with a side of free booze.

It seems just like yesterday that the Korilla BBQ truck hit the streets of NYC, serving up Korean tacos to grateful lunchers across the city. Now they’re hitting prime time, as contestants of the upcoming season of “The Great Food Truck Race”, which will premiere August 14. Whether or not you’re a fan of Korilla, these home town heroes from Queens definitely deserve support from New York. Let’s show those Californians how we roll! [via Eater and Grubstreet]

Do you wonder what the ML contributors do when they’re not eating lunch in Midtown? (They’re actually pretty easy to stalk!)

On Chris H.’s mission to explore the food of Flushing, he discovered pork belly cooked on crystal. Blondie went to a lunch with Bobby Flay and is giving away the gift bag, full of goodies. Brownie discovered the wonders of great hot chocolate at Eataly. Brian continued his search for the great New York bagel at Ess-a-Bagel’s original branch. Donny took some amazing photos at chef Nate Smith’s pop up lamb dinner. Meanwhile, I’ve been posting food photos shot on film on Analog UltraClay.

Around the rest of the ML universe… Zach posted about a tasty looking Grilled Cheese at Oaks Gourmet, Jamie tried out the Guapos Taco Truck from Jose Garces and Andrea checked out the new AsiaDog shop in Nolita.

A new month means a new line up of custard flavors at the Shake Shack (on 8th Ave. and 44th). Today’s flavor is Formage Blanc with Raspberry Swirl (I’ll admit I’m intrigued…), tomorrow, Thin Mint, Mud Pie (Fri), with Strawberry Blonde on Monday and Cinnamon Almond Dulce on Tuesday. If you happen to be in the Shack’s vicinity over the weekend they’re doing Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel on Saturdays and Red Velvet on Sundays.

When I first heard that the mini-chain restaurant Crisp was launching a falafel truck, I was dismayed and thoroughly unexcited. First off, I think of food trucks and carts as a great way to start a business when you don’t have the funds and capital to open a restaurant. When chain restaurants get in on the action, this completely defeats the purpose. God help us if we see a Chipotle or McDonald’s truck roaming the streets soon. And secondly, why would I want to eat this generic falafel when I have options like Taim and Kwik Meal on the streets?

In all fairness, I’ve only walked by Crisp and have never actually been inside, partly because I assumed it wasn’t much more innovative or delicious as the likes of Europa Cafe or PAX. Then I discovered Zach’s review from a while back and I truly learned what happens when you assume. It’s not the first time I’ve made an ass of myself.

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If you’re a big fan of Kebab and Grill (on 36th btw. B’way+7th) you may have noticed that it has been closed for the past two weeks… but fear not!  Lunch’er Nora forwarded on some great news yesterday…

For the past two weeks, I’ve been so depressed because my favorite lunch spot, Kebab and Grill, has been shuttered! I thought it was closed forever, but today when walking by (to go to Tio Pio), I spoke to one of the owners who said that they were only renovating and they would be open again next week!! Everyone in my office was really excited to hear the GREAT news, so I thought the Midtown Lunchers might be, too! Can’t wait to have my chicken tikka masala, with sides of chickpeas and saag paneer again soon.

Related:
Don’t Be Scared off by Kabab & Grill’s Funky Goat