Midtown Lunch

Thanks to Lunch’er Jamie (aka Fressagirl) for pointing this one out… the two New York branches of BonChon chicken (the Flushing one, and the Midtown location on 5th btw. 31+32nd) have changed their name to “Mad For Chicken”.  They claim the food remains exactly the same, and according to an employee the name change is because the boss thought the old name was “too difficult to pronounce for Americans.” 

The owners have already changed the name on their Yelp page, and they have a new website up at www.madforchicken.com. There’s no mention of “BonChon” on the menu, and the two locations have disappeared from the official BonChon website… so I’m guessing they’re just not affiliated with the chain anymore.

You can question the decision, but you’ve got to love the excuse logic.  If BonChon was too tough pronounce, what chance does Kyochon have?

Related:
Bon Chon is So Not a Midtown Lunch… But Damn That is Some Good Chicken

This is possibly the weirdest Midtown promotion I’ve ever been emailed, but just in case it turns out to be true I’m posting it because I know you guys are going to want in on this.  Tomorrow, starting at 11 a.m. Tequilaville (on Vanderbilt btw. 42+43rd) will be giving away free pastami burrito samples to kick off their day long Cinco de Mayo celebration. Apparently some sort of Kosher agave tequila will be introduced for the first time ever in the US, and this is how they are celebrating the launch.  Props to the tequila company for knowing that free food will get the Jews in the door (we love free stuff), but there is no word on whether they’ll be giving away free liquor.   More importantly… do you think they know enough not to put cheese in the burritos?

I was really really into Lunch’er Jamie’s profile last Tuesday… but probably for different reasons than some of you. My interest was particularly piqued by the mention of her choice for “best Midtown Lunch” around: the special noodles with brown sauce at Hyo Dong Gak on 35th btw. 5+6th.

I’m a big fan of the craziness known as Korean/Chinese food, mostly for the jjajangmyeon (or “noodles with brown sauce” as it is called in English.) While usually a restaurant that serves multiple kinds of Asian foods under one roof is a big red flag, Korean Chinese food is a different animal.  It’s a hybrid cuisine with certain dishes you can only find at Korean Chinese food restaurants (like jjajangmyeon.) Most people consider Shanghai Mong (on 32nd btw. 5th+B’way) the go-to Korean Chinese food place in Koreatown. But with this kind of endorsement from Jamie, I knew I had to check out Hyo Dong Gak.

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I hate Sbarro’s just as much as the next guy… but not this much. The NY Post is reporting that 2 people were injured last night when a stunt Ferrari, that was part of a new Nicholas Cage movie, lost control and slammed into the Sbarro on 7th Ave. and 47th Street in Times Square. Don’t worry though… the location is still open.

A video of the crash, is after the jump.

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Last year’s sign still applies

Tomorrow (5/5) is Go Go Curry’s 2nd Anniversary, so if you’re looking to have a Japanese Cinco de Mayo head to 38th btw. 7+8th where all Small, Medium and Large orders of curry (with any topping) are only $5.  (They’re kind of obsessed with the number 5.)  And while we’re on the topic of Go Go Curry, there are still 4 more opportunities to qualify for their big Eating Championship, happening on May 30th.  Retired professional eater Don “Moses” Lerman looked to be unstoppable with his qualifying time of 1:00 (to eat two Small orders of curry.)

But since then, 2 eaters have beat his time… including one who did it so quick you are just not going to believe it.

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My kid at the OTB. What… is that wrong? A lady working there did give
me a big frown and a “No you didn’t” looking head shake

• The SVP is trying to convince the city that expanding the number of street vending licenses would be a good way to help end joblessness [City Room]
• You can try Red Mango’s new flavor for free on Saturday Noon to 4pm [Grub Street]
• A look at the mint whoopie pie from Joe and the Art of Coffee in Grand Central [Blondie and Brownie]
• Kathy YL Chan finds her favorite Korean pastry at Cafe Ele on 32nd Street [Serious Eats: New York]
• The just out of bounds Tulcingo del Valle turns out an amazing version of chiles rellenos [Fork in the Road]
• Cutlets takes up the Benjamin Steakhouse Burger Challenge (I’m sure this will be be a fair competition.) [The Feedbag]
• There a new chef at Ariyoshi, an Izakaya in the East 50s [Word of Mouth]
• The proscuitto pie at Lazzara’s looks pretty damn good [BLD Project]
• If you were interested in stalking Lunch’er Jamie, you should have gone to Tehuitzingo earlier in the week [Fressa Girl]
• Sarah DiGregorio attempts to do Inakaya (in the NYT building) on the cheap [Village Voice]
• The Rafiqi’s on 32nd & Park has corn, cilantro, and olives as toppings [Ultraclay]