Midtown Madness
At peak time, the population of Midtown increases 10 times its overnight population to over 680,000 people. Finding a place to eat during that time means waiting in lines out the door, preordering meals, or resorting to the nearest Chipotle. But what if lunch didn’t have to be so stressful and expensive?Believe us when we say it’s possible. We stepped out of our NYC headquarters in Midtown and found all the best lunch deals out there. Bon appetit!
The Public House
140 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017 Lunch Special: $17 for a burger, paired with a draft beer OR a salad, paired with house wineAvailability: Monday to Friday 11:30 am – 3 pmCraving a juicy, cheesy burger or a fresh salad? The Public House is here to save the day, not only with their delicious burgers (and salads) but also with a cold glass of draft beer or house wine. One glass never hurt anybody. Step in during lunchtime and pay only $17 for your choice of a certified Angus prime beef burger, veggie burger with housemade hummus, or a baby arugula salad with herbed chicken paillard (more choices available).
Vida Verde
248 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019 Lunch Special: $20 for a personal appetizer + 1 entreeAvailability: Monday to Friday 11 am – 4 pmTry not to get a food coma at this hidden gem on the west side. For just $20, you can get one appetizer — guacamole and chips, mac n cheese, blistered shishito peppers, elotes — and your choice of a salad, 3 tacos, a burrito, or a bowl. Our favorite is the bowl, where you can choose a base (quinoa, rice, or kale & mushroom) and a protein (chicken, steak, chorizo, shrimp, carnitas, fried egg, or cauliflower), that’s topped with pickled onion, queso, salsa roja, guacamole, and plantains. Bonus: add $5 for churro bites to finish off the meal!
Poulette
304 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017 Lunch Special: $12-14 for a choice of chicken, sandwich, wings, or salad + side + saucesAvailability: Every day 11 am – 4 pmRotisserie chicken is simple, yet filling and nutritious. Poulette, specializing in all-natural, free-roaming chicken, offers several different combinations of rotisserie meals. All under $14, you can get a variation of rotisserie chicken, their signature poulette sandwich, or wings with a side of mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, fries, or caesar salad. Don’t forget to ask for extra sauce!
OBAO
222 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022 Lunch Special: $14 entrees + $4 Small SideAvailability: Monday to Friday 11:30 am – 3 pmHead to Midtown East if you’re looking for a meal with tons of spices and herbs. OBAO has an incredible menu of Thai dishes, ranging from the Basil Fried Rice and Red Curry to Pad Thai and Pho — each for under $15. If you’re feeling a little hungrier than usual, add a small side of fresh shrimp roll, steamed dumpling, crispy spring roll, or crispy vegetable spring roll for $4. We hear OBAO’s Hell’s Kitchen location also has a tempting lunch deal if you’re in the area.
Katsu Hama
11 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017 Lunch Special: $20 for cutlet, sashimi, appetizer, salad, rice + miso soupAvailability: Monday to Friday 11:30 am – 4 pmLove Japanese Bentos? Katsu Hama may become your go-to spot. Their lunch box special includes a choice of cutlet (pork loin, tenderloin & fried chicken, or chicken), salmon and yellowtail sashimi, an eggplant appetizer, and sides of homemade potato salad, fresh tomato and cabbage salad, seaweed salad, and Japanese pickles. All of that comes at a price of $20. Plus, you get a free bowl of white rice (a large bowl of rice doesn’t cost extra!) and miso soup. Talk about a perfect meal!