Midtown Lunch

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 Tom, a media consultant with some great street meat recs near Columbus Circle.

Name: Tom

Age: 31

Occupation: Media Consultant

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Frank Magid Associates – Columbus Circle

Favorite Kind of Food: If its good, I like it.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Not a big fan of egg nog.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Honestly, I’m a big fan of the elusive five dollar lunch, so my top choice is the Mexican food cart on the east side of 9th ave between 58th and 59th. I usually go for the Pollo Milanesa torta with salsa verde and jalapenos. Its really awesome. Chicken cutlet, Mexican cheese, refried beans, Mexican pickled carrots, plus the aforementioned condiments. AND ITS ONLY $5! The tacos there are pretty good too. The halal street meet at 8th and 58th is also good. By far the best in the area. And if I’m wandering through k-town, Woorijip is my favorite bet there. Their kimbap is just as good as e-mo but cheaper. If I’m feeling flush and/or wanting to walk further… I like Topaz Thai on 56th between 6th and 7th. I always get the drunken noodles there. Another good noodle spot is MEE on 9th and 53rd. A bit far and pricey, but the sandwich with broccoli rabe, provolone, and steak at Shortys at 42nd and 9th is really mindblowing.

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A few months ago, City Sandwich introduced me to trio of sandwiches which are playfully named after friends and family of the owner, Michael Guerrieri. However, up until now, I failed to familiarize myself with the ‘Nuno’ sandwich ($8.95) which is an inspired concoction of morcella (blood sausage), broccoli rabe, mozzarella, and other fixin’s, scrunched between City Sandwich’s superbly crusty and fresh sandwich rolls. Over at the Village Voice, Robert Sietsema was “knocked out” by this sandwich, and I’m inclined to agree – it’s texturally a perfect sandwich, and brims with flavor from the appealingly pungent morcella, earthy greens and creamy cheese. I would certainly encourage Midtown Lunchers to acquaint themselves with this tasty and deceptively fancy sandwich (even thought it’s technically one avenue out of bounds.)

Do you think Kwik Meal makes the best Street Meat? Is Five Guys better than Shake Shack?  And who has the best coffee?  You have until 2pm today to cast your votes in the 2010 Midtown Lunch Reader’s Poll. And remember, you can’t complain unless you vote!  Check out all categories here>>

For those of you who don’t check the ML Forums regularly (what’s wrong with you, btw!) this big news got posted last week by Lunch’er Kopper:  “After an experiment on the East Side that did not go as well as hoped, Omar, the longtime operator of Little Morocco on 39th and 7th is back. So our neighborhood finally has a quality cart again and in addition, he said he was going to add some new items in January. He was working on a new seasoning for the fish and would also be bringing back Kofte. So feel free to drop by and say hi. Its great to have him back.”   Hard to disagree with that!

It was a sad day when Piece of Chicken closed: The last vestige of the New Orleans style restaurant Jezebel. The small take out window provided west-siders with $1-2 fried chicken, livers, collards, waffles and mac & cheese. It was a godsend after a few pitchers at Rudy’s bar (or many of the 9th Avenue dives) and was also a great inexpensive lunch option in Midtown. However, when one door closes another opens, and Smiler Gourmet Deli (on 9th Ave at 45th) located on the opposite corner of the former POC has begun to promote their “Crunchy Chicken,” taking advantage of the locals need to grab something satisfying that is both fast and easy. The special is four pieces for $2.99. That is even cheaper then POC! I had to check it out.

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Schnitzel & Things isn’t the only big truck news this morning… this year’s Vendy Award rookie winner, the Souvlaki GR Truck, will also be opening a brick and mortar location at 116 Stanton Street in the Lower East Side. Sadly, this is bad news for Flatiron Luncher’s hoping to get their fix of souvlaki in the new year.  According to Fork in the Road the truck will be out of commission for all of January while they plan for the new location. (A bunch of BS if you ask us!)  And if that wasn’t enough, this morning’s hot cup of irony comes from Robert Sietsema- who posted a pretty meh review of the brick and mortar shop that 2008 Vendy Award winner Calexico opened in  Greenpoint.

2011 is only 3 days old… is it too early to say this will be the year that food trucks go stationary?

Related:
Flatiron Lunch: Souvlaki GR Truck Gets Comfortable on 21st