Midtown Lunch

Another day… another Chipotle knock off.  Oaxaca Grill, whose sign appeared a few weeks ago on 47th btw. Park+Lex, is hoping to open in just a few weeks and their menu is unsurprisingly similar to Chipotle (down to the insane calorie ranges!) There are a few notable differences though.  Clearly Oaxaca is slightly more upscale, with options like filet mignon and beef brisket.  They also have two pork options (grilled and pulled), and offer a mini burrito (10″ tortilla, instead of 12″) for those who find a full size burrito too much.  (Who are these crazy people!?!)

Check out the menu for yourself after the jump…

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So I wanted to let you guys know that the rumors are true. I am moving to Los Angeles at the end of the month. But don’t worry, Midtown Lunch as you know it isn’t going anywhere. Much more on that once everything is finalized… but the more pertinent news is that we’ll be expanding to cover Downtown and Philadelphia full time at the end of this week (with one familiar face.) And, in a move that should surprise nobody, starting next month I’ll begin eating my way through the amazing Los Angeles lunch and street food scene for your viewing pleasure. (Although I will say here and now, even in L.A., the no salad rule still stands!)

More on all of these new developments coming soon…

• Got jury duty in Brooklyn? Here’s where to eat [Eating Outside of Midtown]
• Confirmation that Barros Luco sandwiches are now bigger and better [Midtown Eating]
• Check out this Midtown East pub crawl to benefit cancer research [Miscellaneous]
• Looking for Midtown Lunches in L.A.?  Here’s a good start… [Miscellaneous]

Don’t know if you’ve seen this on any other blogs, but the Wandering Foodie (who ate 24 meals in 24 hours in Boston last year) is spending the entire month of January eating every meal out in NYC and posting about it (kind of like the exact opposite of my friend Cathy’s blog.) In Midtown, he’s already been to Szechuan Gourmet (with Chubby Chinese Girl) and and the Burger Joint (with Behind the Burner), and on Wednesday I’m taking him out for some street meat. You can follow his journey at here.

It has not been a good few days for food establishment using the “Times” moniker.  The New York Times cafeteria was closed last week after a health scare, and now the Times Restaurant (on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th) has been closed by the Department of Health.  This is nothing new for the Indian buffet formerly known as Kashmir, they were closed by the DOH just 15 months ago. There is some positive news in all this, though. It looks like they rolled the price of the buffet back to $9.95 from the $14.95 that was reported last week!

Also as a side note, I’d also like to point out that none of the owners of the surrounding restaurants were seen celebrating this closure in any way.

Related:
Kashmir Becomes the “The Buffet of Record”
Adventure Lunchers Should Flock to Kashmir Buffet

As much I hate Chipotle, there is no denying that their model has proven to be incredibly successful. The chose your protein, carrying method, and toppings, assembly line structure allows for the high volume, quick service that a popular lunch destination in Midtown needs to be profitable. Meze Grill (on 8th Ave. btw. 55th+56th) opened their “Middle Eastern Chipotle” back in August, and it looks like Pump Energy Food is moving in that direction as well. But my favorite new ode to Chipotle has got to be Naya Express- the new quick service Lebanese spot on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th. It’s got the same assembly set up, and customizable menu… but with one noticeable difference. The food is really tasty.

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I’m totally on the fence about whether or not this place is a Midtown Lunch, but Wellerfan posted about it in the forums and it’s certainly worth a mention for those of you who don’t mind a splurge.  The chef from Milos, an upscale Greek restaurant on 55th btw. 6+7th, has opened a small take out market called Marketa on 56th btw. 6+7th selling tons of cheese, Greek spreads, marinated salads, and some fancy take out lunches.  Everything looks amazing, but it’s mostly waaaay out of the ML price range and there is nowhere to sit.  Check out the menu, after the jump.

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