Lunch in Midtown

So the holidays are over, and here you are, right back at your desk again like none of it ever happened. It’s January, it’s cold, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter panic) should be setting in soon. What’s the best way to combat that darkness induced dread? By starting things off with a new routine, and better food to get you through these long work days.

What you will find in this post is a list of our go-to lunch spots in Midtown, where our desks reside. Over the years, we’ve found a few diamonds in the rough where we can get food to bring back to our desk that doesn’t make us sad. Many of these discoveries came courtesy of Midtown Lunch, a great site that’s 100% dedicated to this noble cause.

Now, if you work downtown and can step out of your office for a bite in Nolita, you probably can’t relate to this, and we hate you. We dream of one day setting up Infatuation HQ above Café Habana. But, if your definition of lunchtime excitement is splurging for Craisins in your salad, this is for you. Make sure to check back all week as we add to this list. We’ll be putting up a few places per day, each in different cuisine categories.

Sandwiches and Entrees

Between The Bread
145 W. 55th St. (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.)

Between The Bread is an All-Time Infatuation Favorite lunch destination. It’s basically a high level catering operation with a takeout counter, and this place is all about lunch entrees with excellent sides. They always have at least two fish options, usually a salmon filet glazed in some kind of amazing tequila lime whatever, and a white fish of some type. Stuffed chicken breasts, chicken cutlets, and soups are also standard. Everything is high quality and tasty, though pricey. It’s pretty easy drop $14 here.

What to order: fish and chicken entrees, any kind of roasted vegetable side, pasta salad, chicken quesadillas (when available), Cuban sandwich, any tuna sandwich.

Cer té
20 W. 55th St. (between 5th Ave. & 6th Ave.)

Cer té is another catering company with a take out counter, but they also have a dining room in the back and free brownie bites at the door (genius). They’ve got a huge menu with all kinds of salads, entrees, pizzas and sandwiches. They will also make pretty much anything you want to order, and the staff is cool, which helps since you can end up waiting a while, especially if you ask them to make something. Watch their Twitter feed for great deals on lobster rolls and specialty sandwiches.

What to order: Chicken Riggies, Chubby Chinese Girl sandwich, Lobster Roll, Soft Shell Crab Roll (when available), pizza slices.

Pizza

Bella Napoli
150 W. 49th St # 1 (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.)

If your office is ordering disgusting pies from Pronto Pizza or (in)Famous Rays to celebrate co-worker Jane’s birthday, it’s time to grab the decision making reins and switch it up for the greater good of your people. There is only one place we go for pizza in Midtown, and it’s Bella Napoli. The plain slice is solid, as is their grandma square, but the sleeper pick of them all is the buffalo chicken – just prepare yourself for an obscene price point. That buffalo chicken slice costs you five bucks a pop…but it’s worth it.

What to order: plain, pepperoni, grandma (sicilian) or buffalo chicken slices/pies. Stay away from everything other than pizza.

Tacos

Pampano Taqueria
209 E. 49th St. (At 3rd Ave.)

No, tacos for lunch probably aren’t going to help with your New Years resolution of slimming down, but guess what, neither is that Shake Weight you secretly bought. Plus, a couple of tacos can really brighten up the work day. If you’re anywhere close to Midtown East or don’t mind a brisk walk, Pampano is your move. It’s a tiny taco and burrito takeout window located in an office building atrium. You can’t see it from the street, but now you know it’s there. You’re welcome.

What to order: chicken, fish and pork tacos (in that order). Skip the steak taco and make sure you request corn tortillas instead of the standard flour.

Tehuitzingo Deli Grocery
695 10th Ave. (between 47th St. & 48th St.)

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once through the storefront bodega, an oasis of tacos and hot sauce is revealed. There are nearly twenty different taco options ranging from goat to beef tongue to pork to potatoes with jalapenos; a little something for everyone.

What to order: guacamole tacos (spicy and delicious), al pastor tacos (roast pork over a bed of pineapple), barbacoa tacos (goat), lengua tacos (beef tongue).

Burgers

This one is kind of a layup, mostly because there are some amazing places in Midtown that are no secret to even casual burger eaters. Nonetheless, here’s our list.

Burger Joint
119 W.56th St. (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.)

Our undisputed number one burger. We’re happy to stand in line for it when we can, because it’s always worth it.

What to order: A burger. Fries.

Bill’s Bar & Burger
45 Rockefeller Plaza (51st St. between 5th Ave. & 6th Ave)

Not only is this a good burger, but there are also some other gems on the menu (see, corndogs). Unfortunately it’s a complete sh*tshow at lunch, and we’re avoiding it before 3:00pm at all costs. Proceed at your own risk.

What to order: Bobcat burger, Sunset & Vine burger, corndogs.

Prime Burger
5 E. 51st St. (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave.)

Old school and about as simple as a burger can get, Prime Burger is a great standby if you want to avoid a crowd. Just don’t expect any frills. If you want onion on your burger, you’re gonna get handed a sliced onion in some cellophane. It’s a simple place that’s been open since the Sixties, and the pies on the counter have probably been there since then.

What to order: A burger, curly fries, onion rings.

Thai

Topaz
127 W. 56th St. (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.)

This place is small, crowded and uncomfortable, which is why delivery is your best bet. The only problem with delivery is that it takes forever, and half the time they don’t answer the phone. Sounds awesome right? Well, it is. We love to order from Topaz when the weather sucks, which these days is pretty much always. If you’re a fan of drunken noodles, these are some of the best around.

What to order: Drunken Noodles, Panang Curry

Ramen

With the exception of Infatuation favorite Totto Ramen, which is eat-in opposed to take-out, none of the ramen in Midtown compares to the stuff you’ll find downtown. That being said, when we get a cravings for noodles at work, these are the two joints we order desk-side tubs of comfort from.

Menchanko-Tei
43 W.55th St. (between 5th Ave. & 6th Ave.)

If you need a Midtown ramen spot to get in rotation, Menchanko-Tei is definitely the one. Call ahead – 212-247-1585 – and run out to pick it up, that’s the move here. They serve both thick and thin noodles and have a nice variety of different broths to choose from. The thick noodles wind up being really hard to eat with chopsticks and make a mess of your desk, so stick with the skinny ones.

What to order: Ramen – Chige Miso Menchanko (spicy), Menchanko, Assari.

Sapporo
152 W 49th St. (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.)

This place is quite the operation. You can roll into Sapporo, place a to-go order, and be out of there with your piping hot soup in five minutes. At Chopt, you’d still be waiting in the hallway. Is this the best ramen in the world? Nope. But it’ll do for lunch. Their Miso broth is quite good and has a nice sinus clearing kick to it.

What to order: Miso Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Sapporo Special Ramen