Midtown Lunch

Today’s Washington Post has an incredibly interesting article on how difficult it’s been for new street vendors are having in places like Virginia, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It’s refreshing to see an article this balanced and well researched, a stark contrast to most of the recent puff pieces that make street vending out to be the next cash cow for restaurant entrepreneurs. It talks about the different rules vendors face in different cities, and also reports on some solutions that are being suggested in places like San Francisco.  Even though the article doesn’t really cover New York City, the issues (and the final line of the article) are relevant to us.  “Right now it’s mayhem. If this food truck thing blows up even more, it could get really messy.” [via @biggayicecream]

Related:
News Flash: New Street Vendors Are Finding It Difficult to Make Money
Prediction: New Carts & Trucks Are About to See Some Serious Backlash

If you work anywhere near Rock Center you might want to leave work now, or consider sleeping under your desk tonight. Not surprisingly tonight’s tree lighting ceremony has turned the entire area into a zoo. But what really sucks is the cops have kicked all the street vendors off 6th Ave from 46th to 52nd. Some of the sidewalk carts have managed to find spots off the corners (like the Biriyani Cart, which moved 50 yards West) but trucks are being kicked off the streets entirely. Street Sweets has moved to 43rd St and 6th for now, but the Treats Truck fled to the Flatiron. Kwik Meal seems to be ok, as do the carts on 53rd and 6th (for now). Got any updates? Feel free to put them in the comments…

It would be virtually impossible for me to try every single dish at every single spot in all of Midtown (although I’ve clearly spent the past 3 1/2 years trying).  So that’s why I love getting crazy recommendations… and not just places, but specific dishes as well.  Normally I go for Asian food on the Monday after Thanksgiving (four days of turkey and stuffing makes me crave something sweet and sour) but for some insane reason I decided to get my lunch based on this email from Lunch’er Robert:

I know it is just outside the boundaries and it is just outside the price range… the location is 34th and 2nd and the place is called Rosa’s pizza. Order either chicken or veal parmesan platter with pasta. The servings are absurdly large and the meal tastes delicious – for chicken parm it is only $10.50 and veal is like a $1 more. Trust me when I tell you this is the best deal for chicken/veal parm in the city.

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It’s time for the 2009 Midtown Lunch Reader’s Poll! This year we’re switching things up a bit by soliciting for nominees in the forums. So, if you have a favorite that you want to make sure gets included, be sure to nominate them. Nominations close on December 11th, and then nominees will be announced and voting will begin on December 16th.

Nominate your favorite Midtown Lunch now>>

Related:
Best Midtown Lunches As Voted By You: 2008 Edition
Best Midtown Lunches As Voted By You: 2007 Edition

Got this note from the folks at OBAO (on 53rd btw. 2+3rd) yesterday regarding the whole Bun Bo Hue confusion from two weeks ago:  “As there’s been much discussion regarding the authenticity of OBAO’s Bun Bo Hue, Michael Huynh would like to try and set the record straight. He’s inviting people to come back and try the soup again now that he and his kitchen staff have gotten things working more smoothly. And as an added bonus, everyone who comes in and orders the Bun Bo Hue will get a free order of spring rolls.”  It doesn’t really clarify if they were accidentally serving the pho in place of the bun bo hue, but who cares?  Free spring rolls!  I’m there… (Offer good through 12/16/09)

Related:
Does OBAO Have a Bun Bo Hue Controversy on Their Hands?
A Very Early Look at OBAO’s Lunch

It looks like that arrow needs to be reversed

Lunch’er Jeremy checks in with some interesting news.  Less than six months after changing owners, Baraca (on 38th btw. 5+6th) has reverted back to Olympic Pita. Not a huge deal considering I always thought the take out lunch food tasted the same (even under the new owners), but Jeremy goes on to drop this bombshell:  “They also told me starting next week they will be will having lunch specials (if I heard her correctly, $9.95 for schwarma pita and a soup.)”  Now that’s a deal!  We’ll keep an eye on this one as it develops.

Related:
Thank You Baraca For Not Changing Too Much About Olympic Pita
Olympic Pita Wins Me Over With Laffa & French Fries

• Looking for some late night eats suggestions [Miscellaneous]
• The Schnitzel burger is still good [Midtown Eating]
• Huzzah!  There’s a new Hale & Hearty coming to 40th [Midtown Eating]
• Who wants to talk about roaches?!? [Miscellaneous]
• My duck pate came out great, thanks for asking [Miscellaneous]