You’d never know it from the pics I’m about to show you, but I actually bring my lunch to work every day. Remember when you were a kid and mom would buy you a new lunchbox at the start of the school year (I was always partial to a Star Wars theme), and then she’d pack it with a sandwich, drink, piece of fruit, and if you were really lucky, one of those cheese and crackers packages with the bright orange “cheese” and the red plastic stick? Well, my life has come full circle because I’m back to having a lunchbox again.
I had to buy one so I could tote my tupperware to work on the train. The model’s been updated for adult sensibilities, but it’s still a lunchbox. The only thing missing are Scratch ‘n Sniff stickers.
It’s been a little over a month since I started working in the city. To ease the culture shock of the first few days, my transplanted co-workers and I wandered around together at lunchtime, like dazed college freshman going to frat parties in a traveling herd. They bought; I mostly just looked and stayed faithful to what I’d brought. I did pick up the occasional lunch or small snack. Here’s a peek at my moments of weakness:
There’s a great farmers market every Wednesday at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 47th St. between 1st and 2nd Aves.
This cheese vendor reminded me of the ones I used to visit when I lived in Lancaster, PA.
I tried the roast pork bun and chicken empanada. Perfect grab-and-go snacks that won’t break the bank.
Not the same as eating a Wilkens or Outhouse cider donut on location, but it’ll do.
Pampano Taqueria, a surprisingly authentic taqueria oddly located in an office building food court.
Fairly decent prices, although the street vendors are cheaper.
My delicious carne asada taco. A snack, really — I polished it off in just a few bites. The fresh salsa and hot sauce were a great touch.
Pooket offers $7.95 lunch specials, which include an entree, soup and salad.
Loved the salad and Thai wonton soup, but the Kee Mao noodle had absolutely no heat (doesn’t compare to Kit’s Thai Kitchen). I was feeling dissatisfied until my co-worker Sean gave me his habanero hot sauce from Belize. Damn near burned my mouth off, but it was worth it.
Lemme tell you, it’s not easy staying faithful to my lunch every day when there’s enticing food all around. What I’ve found works is letting myself buy lunch once a week, and grazing a bit here and there. An occasional $1 roast pork bun never killed anyone, right?
I just need to make sure whatever I bring for lunch is REALLY good, so I’m not tempted to stray. Maybe I’ll throw a Fruit Roll-up into the lunchbox tomorrow.
Crystal Pavilion Food Court
805 3rd Ave. btw 49th and 50th St.
New York, NY 10022
212-751-5257
Pooket
945 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10022
212-759-6339
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Tags: mexican, midtown, pampano taqueria, pooket, thai
September 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
If you ever forget your lunch, try the falafel place in your new neighborhood. I think it’s called Jerusalem?