Midtown Lunch

One of the cooler parts of this morning’s New York Times article on feuding street vendors was the amazing cartoon by Elwood Smith.  The battle scene is not meant to depict any actual carts, but most of the Midtown bases are covered.  There’s a “Burgers” truck (La Cense, Carnegie John’s, Steak Truck), “Baked Taters” (Baked Potato King), “Waffles” (Wafels and Dinges), “Spicy Sausage” (Le Gamin), “Shakes & Cones” (Mr. Softee), and the requisite pretzel and hot dog vendors.  But there were a few weird ones- like the “Clam Rolls” cart, which led Lunch’er “Wayne” to ask this question:

“What intrigued me was the inclusion of a cartoon “clam roll” cart. Is there actually a clam roll cart in NY?!?”

I haven’t heard of one, but that would pretty awesome!  The full cartoon is on the front page of today’s dining section, but you can see most it online, here.

Related:
New York Times Turns Giant Eye Towards the Street Vendor Issue

I’ve been wanting somebody to write this article ever since the Treats Truck was first intimidated by the Mister Softee truck on 45th & 6th back in 2007.  It took almost two years, but it was well worth the wait. The New York Times has devoted a huge article in today’s food section to all the craziness happening in the street food scene these days, and it’s all in there- from the threats received by the Treats Truck and the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, to the trials and tribulations of the Street Sweets Truck.  The piece also mentions the NYC Cravings Truck and Wafels and Dinges, and touches on how the bad economy has created a glut of new street vendors (and the problems this could end up causing as more continue to pop up.)  Even the Steak Truck (on 47th & Park) gets mentioned- surprisingly they are not bothered at all by the new La Cense Burger Truck parked just one block away.

But the best part is the shout out that the Midtown Lunchers got!

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In what shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody, the map part of this morning’s New York Times article about Midtown Lunching meant big business for some of our favorite carts today. The famous Halal Cart (on the SE corner of 53rd and 6th) had a longer line than I’ve ever seen (maybe to try their new kofta kebab?), there were reports of longer than normal lines at the Biryani Cart, and the Jamaican Dutchy ran out of jerk chicken before Noon. (Apparently there are a few people in Midtown who read the New York Times?) Anybody go to XPL, or one of the other spots on the list? Reports are welcome in the comments…

I don’t even really know what to say.  I started Midtown Lunch three years ago this week as an excuse to stuff my fat face during lunch.  And somehow that has lead to this? It’s kind of ridiculous.

The Under $25 column in today’s New York Times takes on three newish burger places (Flip, Black Iron Burger, & City Burger), and drops this LaFrieda bombshell about the burger that City Burger (on 39th & Broadway) calls the “Black Label”.

“City Burger’s menu says it uses LaFrieda’s aged Black Label blend in some burgers. But Mr. LaFrieda told me he sells Black Label only to Minetta Tavern and that City Burger’s blend, which he calls City Black mix, isn’t aged quite as long.”

Uh… that’s good to know (I guess?) You could say it’s just a matter of semantics, but to burger aficionados it could be an important distinction.

Related:
Original City Burger Better Than Black Label? Combo Comes Down By $1
AHT Calls City Burger’s Black Label “Best Burger in the City”

via Twitter today:

C’mon boys… this is the Dining Editor of the New York Times we’re talking about. Don’t you think he knows what chicken and rice cart he’s talking about?

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Frank Bruni “awards” Midtown power lunch spot Michael’s zero stars in today’s New York Times. A $35 burger for lunch!  Frank- if you needed a suggestion for places to eat lunch near your office you should have just asked…