UN Watch 2009 - food stands are back, required to show support of US.

Back in New York, oh the lifestyle of a traveling salesman. The good news is that all of the food trucks around my building in midtown are back to their normal locations. The strange news is that many are showing otherwise unseen signs of patriotism. Maybe it's the warmer-than-fall-should-be weather. Maybe there was a sale on flags. Maybe it's because the Man said so. Whatever the reason may be, it's no secret that seeds of patriotism have been planted, watered and nurtured into wonderful little flags. All over town. We've got a while to go until Flag Day, people.

UN Watch 2009 - who stole the gyro?!

I was working overtime today as usual and needed a hearty meal to make it through the day. No, not steak and potatoes. Ma, hold the meatloaf. I'm talking street meat. No problem, right? Wrong.

Apparently street vendors are threats to national security, as EVERY FREAKIN' ONE AROUND MY BUILDING WAS MISSING. Not cool, Uncle Sam/U.N./NYPD. Not cool at all.

Completely unrelated - this was dinner. Bangin'.

Just follow the neon.

I thought August was supposed to be a slow month for work.

Growing up in the woodlands of Jersey not much was open after 8 or 9pm, save the Budd Lake Diner (clearly the post-prom destination of HS'ers everywhere). That's just the way it was and is, nothing wrong with that. I'm looking forward to that again someday.

But in the meantime I'm here eating late night dinners that, if time was rounded, would lend themselves to be more appropriately considered breakfasts. Like a fly to light, I often times follow the neon open signs as I walk home. Need paper towels? Check out the bodega on 1st and 12th. Need dinner? I don't even know where to start. Odessa, 7A, St. Marks Market, hell, street meat from 11th Street. Well, today tonight was one of those nights.

I think it's safe to say that street meat has become my new comfort food. Covered here multiple freakin' times, I apologize if you find my pathetic attempts at culinary reviews a repetitive bore. If you know of something better than street meat - please - enlighten me.

Tonight's balance of meat, starch, and veggies (debatable) came from the 24/7 cart at 11th Street and 1st Avenue. A favorite among cab drivers and drunk NYU'ers alike, these guys have a pretty consistent following. $4.50 and 4 minutes later I was on my way home with a nicely cooked meal. Mmmm gyro.

What doesn't kill you only tastes delicious.

Today's lunch break provided much relief to what has otherwise been a hectic week. What went from time off to, well, working my tail off, the mad dash for mid-day nourishment succumbed to the craving for fast food for convenience purposes. I was craving something from the world of street meat, but I couldn't shake the idea of a filet-of-fish sandwich. Why? I don't know, but my theory is this is my body fighting my recent health kick. Regardless, I soon remembered Midtown Lunch's review of neighborhood fish sandwiches around the Lenten time. Fish from a cart? Do I dare?

I dared. Off to Kim's Aunt cart I trekked. Little to no line greeted me upon my arrival. I quickly ordered the white on white - fried white fish on white bread. Bread options include white, wheat, and hoagie and the meat choices are chicken, shrimp, beef, whitefish and flounder. Incredible.

Five minutes and $3.50 later (flounder is a buck more) and I was on my way back to the office. The walk was the perfect length of time for my sammy to to cool down, because the heavens know I have a serious temperature problem. What I tasted was incredible. Sweet tarter sauce mixed well with the perfectly fried fish; not too dry but cooked well enough. The white bread was a solid choice considering it most resembles the buns normally associated with chain fish sandwiches. I am a new believer in three hard working guys frying fish to order inside a sweltering cart on a sweltering August day.

Beware of oncoming gyro eaters.

How can one not love street fairs in NYC? Yes, I know it's the same 12 booths looped continuously back to back for blocks and blocks, but it's not every day that I can walk up 3rd Avenue in semi-peace. Throw in 500 thread count Egyptian sheets, $1 lemonades, and an international variety of street meats anddddddd I'm sold. I'll devote an afternoon and fully charged batteries to documenting a fair later this summer.


Walked up and over to Madison Square Park. Here the Flatiron Building can be seen poking its top corner through the park's trees.

No animals were harmed in the making of this blog. Mother Earth? Not so lucky.

Last week I received a chain email about ways to help out Mother Earth. One of the suggestions included in this made-for-TV special list was turn off your computer when you take lunch at work. Either this list was written in the 1950's or the author works for Uncle Sam (not you, Mrs. Murphy) where I believe the last eight hour, full benefits and kickin' pension exists. When I read this I thought but how will I get my work done? I couldn't tell you the last time I sat down, ate lunch, and talked to a human face to face. And no, Gchat does not count. Maybe elsewhere, but my office doesn't promote the wash-your-sandwich-down-with-a-cold-glass-of-mental-stability. But maybe that's just New York. After all, the only 9 to 5 in Manhattan nowadays will cost you a pretty penny.

Okay, buddy. Back to the picture.

The point of this post is talk about the fact that lunch was a positive part of my day. Granted, it was more like an early bird special since I didn't leave my desk until 4:00pm to search the Ugly streets of midtown for lunch. But what I did find might just be the my next big thing.

In search of falafel, I followed the suggestion of steadfast Midtown Lunch and checked out the street vendor at 54th and Park (one short block away from the Ugliness). Mind you, the lunch rush was over by now and I was scraping for the literal leftovers. Still at 4pm there I was third in line to order. I went with the falafel platter and I was excited with what I received. Foodie note - this was unreal.

Eight - count them - eight falafel balls. A little dry due to them sitting around for hours but otherwise delicious.

Spicy rice that lived up to its name.

Lettuce and tomato salad.

Some kind of spicy pickle and pepper concoction. Really nice.

Two grape leaves.

A dab of homemade hummus.

Warmed and chopped pita bread on top. ($0.50 extra)

If this was Price is Right, what would you guess? Try $5. Five bucks! Subway, please pack up your virtually meatless subs and scram.

So there you have it. After surviving most of the day on breakfast and probably artificial free coffee I ended the work day on a delicious note. I'll return to 54th/Park again soon with every intention of considering it round two of my "best of" review.