Midtown Lunch

The Teriyaki Boy location on 46th btw. Lex+3rd has closed, and the owners are converting it into a Japanese restaurant and noodle shop. Not sure if it will be more Cafe Zaiya or Menchanko Tei, but either way it will be at least 3-4 months before it reopens. Teriyaki Boy super fans can still get their fill of cheap (in every sense of the word) teriyaki chicken over rice at the West side location (on 7th Ave. btw. 48+49th), but a quick warning… if you’re used to the much cleaner 46th street location, you may not be so down with the 7th Avenue spot.

Because of the craziness at the UN this week, there are a ton of street closures wreaking havoc on Midtown East today. According to the comments, the Mexican Cart on 60th and 3rd was super late setting up, and I got word in an email that the Dessert Truck couldn’t park at their normal spot on Park Ave. and 52nd Street. Any other problems? Feel free to post in the comments. I’m guessing there will be similar issues on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jamaican Olympic hero Usain Bolt will be making the Midtown talk show rounds this week, and if admiration is worth anything, he should totally visit the Jamaican Dutchy Cart (on 51st and 7th.)  Not only are there articles hanging on the side of the cart, but the Bob Marley videos that normally play on the flat screen tv have been replaced for the past month with a loop of Usain Bolt’s Olympic triumphs.  O’Neill, the owner of the Dutchy is hoping to meet the man by stalking one of this appearances- but I think Bolt should come to him! (Perhaps for a plate of jerk chicken and stewed peas?)  He’ll be on The Late Show w/ David Letterman on Wednesday (which films right around the corner from the Dutchy!), The Daily Show on Thursday (which is on 54th & 11th), and Regis and Kelly on Friday. 

How awesome would it be if one of the shows worked the Dutchy into their Usain Bolt appearance?  They do that kind of crap all the time on Letterman, right?  Anybody work for CBS (or Comedy Central or ABC) that could make this a reality? I’m sure if you made it happen, O’Neill would give you free jerk chicken for life! Plus, I want a photo of Usain Bolt standing in front of Midtown Lunch’s favorite Jamaican cart. It’s a no brainer people! Let’s make this happen…

Photo by Food in Mouth

The Friday scene at El Rey del Sabor, the new Mexican taco cart on 60th and 3rd, is all the proof you need that Midtown is starved for good Mexican food.  According to the comments the line on Friday was “20 gringos deep” at one point, they ran out of pork, and by “2:40 they were out of rice and beans.”  Of course now that they realize the secret is out, I’m guessing this week they’ll be more prepared.  According to one comment yesterday, big changes are already in the works…

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(On right) The new PWCD Roll from the Biryani Cart. Photo by Blondie and Brownie.

• “New Yorkers in the know will tell you that Grand Central boasts one of the best food courts in the whole city” [Gadling]
• Dave Cook agrees that you don’t go to Prime Burger for the burger (it’s more about the setting) [Eating in Translation]
• The Queens of Soho lunch’ing get a friend to bring them take out from Cafe Zaiya [Lunch Studio]
• Boi to Go also serves Vietnamese noodle bowls [Hungry Travels]
• If you are looking for the “sexy feel of downtown nightlife” in Midtown, here’s a place for you! [Down by the Hipster]
• The Murakami is gone, while Obika is getting set to move in [Eater]
• If you’re interested in Hell’s Kitchen recommendations, somebody near and dear to my heart offered this up [Time Out New York]
• One of the most unexpected recommendations Midtown Lunch has ever received [Martha Stewart]

Photo by Kristin Shaw

I haven’t been by any of the Midtown locations to see for myself, but if this post on Gothamist is true the Burritoville chain is no more.  There’s no question that the influx of Chipotle and Qdoba couldn’t have helped, but I think the chain (which was not terrible) probably would have done better if they had called themselves “Wrapville”.  It certainly would have been more honest.

Without sponsors this site would not exist… actually, who am I kidding. Of course it would. Everyone knows Midtown Lunch is just an excuse for me to stuff my fat face. That being said, it is nice to have help paying for my weekly lunch bill.

This month, that funding was graciously provided by GoMobo.com, a service that allows you to text message your lunch order, and skip the line at some of your favorite places in New York City. Midtown Lunch’ing favorites where you can use GoMobo include Spice Fusion, Bread & Olive, Chicken Bar, Goodburger, Hing Won, Indus Express, La Bellezza, and more. To see a complete list go to our Restaurant Index and look for the “Order Now” button, or just visit www.gomobo.com

At the end of this weeks Lunch’er profile I cast a net for a Midtown lush lunch’er who would be interested in starting a Friday afternoon “Midtown Happy Hour” column. We need cheap after work drinks too, right?  Well it looks like I found somebody, and the first column will go up next week (around this time.)  In the meantime, our friend Kayoko over at Umamimart posted about a great secret Russian happy hour spot in Midtown West.  Enjoy!

According to a sign in the window, the 2nd location of Pick a Pita (in the former House of Pita location on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th) will open on October 6th. French fry filled schwarma sandwiches for all! In the meantime, you can still go to their original location on 38th btw. 7+8th.

Back in June we mentioned how long the line for the Treats Truck had become on Wednesdays– the one day a week it’s parked on 45th btw. 6+7th. The owner Kim herself has told me it’s her most popular spot, which may lead one to wonder- “Why don’t you park there more often?”  The people want it.  It would be good for business.  What’s stopping her?  Two words.  Mister.  Softee.  Last spring, when the weather started to warm up, and the Mister Softee truck returned to its regular spot on 45th & 6th, a “conversation” ensued.  Kim was told she couldn’t park on that block, but a “deal” was struck between the two vendors allowing the Treats Truck to park on 45th and 6th one day a week.

And that’s the way things were… until the Wafels and Dinges Truck arrived.   Read more »