Midtown Lunch

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

The notorious foie gras doughnut at Do or Dine.

In light of the sweltering weather, Brian tracked down the most beautiful cone in the world and Blondie lunched on ice cream sandwiches from The Good Batch; Donny made himself a pretty delicious looking pork chop sandwich, Brownie checked out the new veggie pita on the Souvlaki Truck GR menu, Chris had Tibetan food in Queens and I had all sorts of good stuff at Bed-Stuy’s Do or Dine.

Around the ML Universe, Andrea had some great looking falafel, Jamie had home-style Polish food and Zach talked LA lunch options on KCRW’s Good Food (which you can listen to here).

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the Chicago transplant whose first NYC location opened Downtown last month, opened their second location today on 44th btw. Lex+3rd and as expected the crowds are no joke despite some pretty nasty heat (they were giving out water to people in line, though).  It took me about 25 minutes from getting on line to leaving with sandwich in hand.  Glorified Subway?  Only time will tell.  Were you there?  What did you think?  Let us know in the comments…

Taste of Summer has returned for the next couple of days, giving us another chance to sample some of the best Rock Center has to offer. Last year, Chris stopped by and got an early taste of Bill’s Bar & Burgers. This year, you can get a taste of the new Rock Center concourse pizza place Harry’s, which is scheduled to open in the beginning of August. All of the Rock Center lunch spots are there: ‘wichcraft, Cucina & Co, AJ Maxwell’s, ML favorite Tri Tip, and even Manchu Wok with a $4.99 special. I would have loved if they were offering a nice little buffet, but logistics probably got in the way.

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For some reason Midtown east just isn’t blessed by the abundance of street meat carts like in Midtown west. It may just be where I work but so far I have only seen NY Biryani Express, XPL and this blue Halal cart on 46th & 3rd. Does anyone know the name of this cart? I couldn’t find their name.

One day I decided to check out Jerk Pan after spotting them a week earlier on Park Ave. Though once I got to the spot, they were nowhere to be found (I wonder if they were kicked out by the cops as well?) On my walk back to 3rd Ave, I saw the blue Halal cart and decided to give them a try.

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Just a little reminder for those of you who might have forgotten… today is a big day for sandwich lovers who work in Midtown East.  The Potbelly Sandwich Shop on 44th btw. Lex+3rd opens today at 10:30am.  Early adopters, let us know how it is in the comments!

• Who wants $30 towards Bann Next Door? [Midtown Eating]
• Bongo Bros ropa vieja is kind of bland [Midtown Eating]
• Subway? No thanks. Free Subway? Uh… still no. [Midtown Eating]
• 99 Cent Pizza has made it to Philly [Philadelphia Eating]

Luncher Adam W wrote in the other day with this tip:

I saw a new restaurant called Cafe 45 being built on the south side of 45 St. between 5th and 6th, but much closer to 5th. Construction appears to be progressing quickly, but no word on when it will open. I assume it will be another Cafe Manhattan-type of place (Cafe Manhattan is on the same block).

Could be good!  But probably not… we’ll be sure to keep track.  Got a tip of your own to share?  Email it to editor@midtownlunch, post it in the forums, or twitter @midtownlunch.