Local Guide: Best Lunch Spots in New York

For better or worse, I am known as the guy for food recommendations at work. While my mom tells me it is a bad thing as it means I eat too much, I like to believe that people trust my great tastes. Below are my most favorite spots to eat lunch in New York.

Go to Spot

 

1. Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.sophiescuban.com/

 

Without a doubt, Sophie’s is on the top of my list. It is phenomenal Cuban food that hits all the right spots. My personal favorite dishes are the roast pork and baked chicken. I also recommend the croqueta de yucca/ mashed cassava with pork appetizer. The sandwiches are also excellent but I tend to get the entrees so I can get a couple of sides included in my meal. Sophie’s also features an amazing green sauce. Anything tastes good if you put the sauce on it. The only real problem with Sophie’s is the impending food coma that follows.

 

Sandwiches

 

1. Lenny’s (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

Website: http://www.lennysnyc.com/main.asp

 

Lenny’s is my go to place for sandwiches. The sandwiches are also very large. My personal favorite is the Smoked Chicken Deluxe. It is a breaded chicken cutlet and grilled pastrami with melted smoked fresh mozzarella cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato.

 

2. Earl of Sandwich (1290 6^th Avenue New York, NY 10104)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.earlofsandwichusa.com

 

Earl of Sandwich is another great sandwich spot. My favorite sandwich here is the Full Montagu, which includes roast beef, turkey, Swiss, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and mustard sauce. I also enjoy the tuna melt. While the sandwiches are smaller than Lenny’s, they are definitely just as delicious.

 

3. Potbelly Sandwich Shop (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

Website: www.potbelly.com/‎

 

The sandwiches are simpler than Lenny’s or Earl (e.g. Turkey Breast with swiss cheese). Nevertheless,  Potbelly is one of the most popular sandwich spots in the city and definitely a great place to get lunch.

 

4. Cosi (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: www.getcosi.com/‎

 

Cosi is known for its flatbread. They bake it fresh and cut off the ends for you to grab samples as you wait in line. The delicious flatbread is definitely the best parts of the sandwiches. However, my most favorite entrée to order is the sausage pizza, which utilizes the flatbread as the pizza crust. The pizza was even better when they had a three meat pizza that included sausage, meatballs, and pepperoni.

 

Burgers

 

1. Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 Stars

Website: http://www.connollyspubandrestaurant.com/

 

I come here for one thing: Godzilla Kobe Burger. Is it real Kobe beef? Probably not. Until I visit Japan and try the real thing, the burger at Connolly’s will have to do. Unfortunately, they only have the Godzilla Kobe Burger during the weekdays. I was a bit disappointed when it was not served the only time I dined here on the weekend. The Incredible Lamb Burger is also excellent.

 

2. Shake Shack (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 4 Stars

Website: www.shakeshack.com

 

There is always a line for the popular Shake Shack. They are also in the process of opening one in Grand Central. The burgers, fries, and milkshakes are excellent. While it is not the best quality beef, it is very good and a good medium between fast food and a restaurant.

 

3. Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien (119 West 56^th Street New York, NY 10019)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.burgerjointny.com/

 

The Burger Joint has burgers similar to Shake Shack. It is inside Le Parker Meridien hotel. You need to go inside the lobby and the Burger Joint is literally behind a curtain.

 

4. The Counter (1451 Broadway  New York, NY 10036)

Yelp Rating: 3 Stars

Website: www.thecounterburger.com/‎

 

I like The Counter as you build your own burger. You pick the meat (e.g. beef, turkey, etc.), cheese, toppings, sauce, and bun. I made the mistake of choosing a 2/3 pound burger once. 1/3 pound is more than enough. I also recommend the French fries.

 

Soups and Salads

 

1. Hale and Hearty (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.haleandhearty.com/

 

It is a bit overpriced but their soups are definitely great. The menu changes every day and is different at each location.

 

2. Chop’t Creative Salad Company (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://choptsalad.com/

 

Chop’t is my favorite salad place. As its name implies, the salads are chopped which makes everything crunchy. Do not get deterred by a long line. It moves very quickly. The only drawback is that the salads are very expensive.

 

Cafés

 

1. Café O (130 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036)

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.cafeo42.com/T

 

It is a gourmet deli with salads, sandwiches, a grill, a hot buffet, and soups. In my opinion, it has the best lunch deal. For $8 after tax, you can get three items at the hot buffet and a soup or can of soda. The food at the buffet is excellent.

 

2. Café Duke (Multiple Locations)

Yelp Rating: 3 Stars

Website: http://www.icafeduke.com/

 

Café Duke is a very popular lunch spot. It is also a lot bigger than Café O. It has excellent sandwiches and salad bar. I like that avocado is a topping you can choose for salads without additional cost. The café also has a ramen/ udon noodle bar. The buffet is good as well but the price is based on weight. As a result, it can get expensive very quickly.

 

Pizza

1. Angelo’s Pizza

Yelp Rating: 3 ½ Stars

Website: http://www.angelospizzany.com/

 

Angelo’s is great for delivery and pizza Fridays. The margherita pizza is very good and the fried zucchini and eggplant appetizer is amazing. The white sauce that comes with the appetizer really adds to the taste.

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