Fast & Casual Bites in Times Square, NYC
Times Square has known the world over for its grand New Year's Eve celebration.
Millions upon millions of revelers watch on TV as the glittering bejeweled ball drops as the crowd below counts down the seconds to the advent of a, hopefully, happy and healthy new year.
Set in the midst of Manhattan, Times Square is, without exaggeration, the heartbeat of the Big Apple. Attractions to see include Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum as well as Madame Tussaud's; where you can get up close and personal with your favorite pop culture celebrities and historical figures alike.
And, of course, no mention of the Great White Way would be complete without a nod to the magnificent Theater District. No matter what your tastes are; musicals, dramas, or comedies, you'll find the exact kind of entertainment you are looking for onstage beneath the bright lights of Broadway!
When talking about Times Square, we would be remiss if we were to leave out the diverse and mouth-watering selection of restaurants and cafes. It is truly an International smorgasbord.
You'll have no trouble finding a cozy restaurant or even a pizzeria in which to sit, relax and dine at your leisure, or just grab something to go and enjoy while you walk around taking in the sights. There are also designated areas scattered around the Times Square - Theater District, where the city has set up tables and chairs for tourists and native New Yorkers alike to take a load off their feet and refuel with a snack and beverage.
So, let's do a little exploring and see which eateries whet YOUR appetite.
The Brooklyn Diner - Times Square
This place is as retro as it gets. From the decor and classic NYC Fifties diner dishes to the neon signage above the entrance, you will feel as though you've taken a trip back in time. But, in a very good way. There's nothing cheesy about Brooklyn Diner at all.
As their motto says; " It's like going home... a place where everybody's welcome."
The service here is very friendly as befits a neighborhood diner; even if THIS diner is located at the crossroads of the world, Times Square!
Now, let's be clear about one thing. While many of the dishes that come out of the kitchen possess a certain nostalgia; the food you will eat is prepared with a contemporary flair.
What's a Brooklyn-style diner without pastrami on the menu? Not authentic, that's for sure! Well, at Brooklyn Diner you don't have to worry. They not only serve a delectable pastrami Reuben sandwich with all the fixings, but the chefs also cure the pastrami for seven days and finish by smoking the succulent meat with white hickory for four hours.
Other old-school dishes include Noodle Kugel, a divine chicken pot pie that just oozes gravy and juicy chunks of chicken and their famous 15-bite all-beef hot dog served with
housemade juniper sauerkraut and golden fries. The frankfurter is almost one pound. You have got to see it and taste it to believe it.
Don't miss out on the grilled cheese and bacon sandwich on a waffle or the incredible matzo ball soup that is filled with chicken and seasoned with dill.
If you're a self-respecting diner of any note then breakfast all day is the standard operating procedure. At Brooklyn Diner they do NOT disappoint. The eggs of any style come with your choice of an everything bagel or challah bread. And instead of the usual home fries, you get crispy corn polenta; a very creative touch. The kitchen also turns out a tasty and light avocado toast that is topped with fried eggs and feta cheese.
Location and Hours :
155 West 43rd street
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 265-5400
Hours :
Sunday - Thursday 8 AM to 10 PM
Friday and Saturday 8 AM to 11 PM
Greek Xpress - Times Square
This small but smartly decorated eatery is fast becoming a favorite of workers in the neighborhood, particularly The New York Times crowd, whose offices are just across the street.
Greek Xpress offers a menu that is far different from the dollar-slice pizza joints and fast-food franchises that dot the landscape. You'll make excellent use of your lunchtime here as you feast on better-for-you Mediterranean ingredients like veggies, herbs and olive oil as well as tender, juicy grilled meats.
Founded in 2014 by a group of friends who grew up together, Greek Xpress is a homage of sorts to their Hellenic roots. Every Summer, these friends would travel to Greece with their parents and visit the villages and farms of their ancestors while also discovering Greek food. They want to share that experience with you.
All of Greek Xpresses' dishes are based on family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Everything is carefully sourced....just like mom and grandma would do before cooking up Sunday supper.
The veggies that you will enjoy have all been brought daily from New York's Hunts Point Market and small, family-owned farms out on Long Island. Many ingredients such as figs, yogurt, feta cheese, olives and EVOO have been imported from Greece. In fact, the extra virgin olive oil comes from a farm in Sparta that the cousins of one of Greek Xpresses' founders own.
Get this: professional souvlaki machines from Greece are used here to give you the perfect souvlaki bite each and every time.
Dine in or get your order to go. Nosh on a pita wrap as you take in the sights and sounds of Times Square. Or walk over to nearby Bryant Park and enjoy your food al fresco
amidst the trees and chirping birds.
The bountiful wraps are stuffed with tomatoes, onions and creamy, tangy tzatziki sauce. Choose from chicken or pork souvlaki, beef and lamb gyro, and zucchini fritters. Also available is a Greek salad wrap and one that is filled with grilled veggies.
But, don't worry; if you prefer, you can get your beautifully marinated souvlaki to go, old school, on a stick.
On weekdays, the folks at Greek Xpress feature several lunch specials priced at $13.95, which is very fair considering the neighborhood. You can get two souvlaki sticks together with toasted pita bread and either fries or rice pilaf. Or dig into a slice of, just like your Yia-Yia made it, spinach pie paired with a generous portion of Greek salad.
As great as the souvlaki is; Greek Xpress is about so much more than just that. Warm up this Winter with a cup or bowl of traditional chicken lemon rice soup or indulge in oven-roasted lemon potatoes, stuffed grape leaves, or feta fries dressed with sea salt and wild oregano.
Wash everything down with a lovely, refreshing Greek iced frappe. It's the best frappe that you'll get outside of Athens and, of course, Astoria, Queens!
Location and Hours :
264 West 40th Street
New York, N.Y. 10018
(917) 639-3441
Hours :
Monday to Saturday 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sunday Closed
Schnipper's - Times Square
Family-owned and operated since 2009, Schipper's is about quality, home-style food. Many of their dishes are, in fact, based on founders ( and brothers ) Andrew and Jonathan Schnipper's family recipes including their Mom's outrageous sloppy joes. That was the Schnipper family's go-to meal every Saturday.
Housed in an ultra-modern, eye-catching glass structure, this restaurant offers a spacious indoor seating area. But, you can get everything on the menu to go.
Andrew and Jon may have very different tastes in music, (Andrew adores Hamilton while Jon is a HUGE Metallica fan), but they DO share a similar philosophy when it comes to food. Their mission is to offer customers delicious choices that will " leave your mind and body in good spirits", as the brothers say on their website.
The brothers are far from newcomers to the hospitality industry, having founded and run the famous Hale and hearty soup chain from 1995 to 2006.
After the Hale and hearty chapter in their life closed, Andy and Jon embarked on a trip around America, sampling the food in different regions with an emphasis on burgers. They wanted to discover how various cultures made their version of a hamburger. What, exactly, is the secret to a burger that you will keep coming back for, again and again?
Upon returning to NYC, the duo knew that they had the concept in hand for their next venture!
At Schnipper's, all burgers are cooked medium. But, if you want it different, just ask. Currently, they have a Schnipper Burger Special going which includes a cheeseburger with all the trimmings, fries and a soda for $ 16.00.
One of their most popular burgers is The Classic, topped with thick-cut Applewood-smoked bacon, a proprietary cheese blend, caramelized onions, a mound of baby arugula and Schnipper sauce.
With The Schnipp you can double your pleasure with two slices of American cheese, crisp lettuce, plum tomatoes and their secret " this is WAY better than BIG MAC
sauce."
Believe it or not, the menu even has a turkey burger that most traditional burger fans will heartily embrace. A patty of freshly ground turkey meat is crowned with smashed avocado, pickled red onions, plum tomatoes and creamy brown mustard relish.
Side up your burger with temptations like Schnipper's slaw, made with kale and cabbage, onion rings, charred broccoli dressed with a squeeze of lemon and chiles and grilled, fresh corn, which is Mexican street corn off the cob.
Just as popular as their hamburgers are the brothers can't get enough of this mac and cheese as well as the aforementioned sloppy joe sandwich. if you can't decide which item to get then order the half and half which is a plate of macaroni and cheese with a mound of sloppy Joe meat and sauce in the middle.
On the lighter side is a fresh from-the-market salad bowl that consists of mixed greens, beets, radish, avocado, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and ciabatta croutons accompanied by a tasty house vinaigrette.
The selection of thick shakes ranges from chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to salted caramel. You can also sip a cool ice cream float. Choose from root beer and vanilla ice cream or the orange creamsicle, made with orange soda and a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Location and Hours :
620 8th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10018
(212) 921-2400
Hours :
Monday - Thursday 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Friday and Saturday 10:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM
Carve Unique Sandwiches - Times Square
The name says it all! The folks at Carve are devoted to the fine art of sandwich-making. You'll find all sorts of delectable deli meats carved and sliced fresh just for you as well as a wide variety of toppings and sandwich combinations.
And, appropriately enough for the city that never sleeps, Carve is open from seven in the morning until three AM. So, whenever that sandwich craving hits, they are there for you.
Carve takes a great deal of pride in sourcing only the finest ingredients to fill their fresh-baked bread. Everything is made to order. And, really, what's better than a nice sandwich on white, whole wheat, rye, pumpernickel, or a roll to fill you up as you walk around Times Square or kick back and take a break from doing the " tourist" thing?
Should you happen to be on your lunch hour or simply desire a quick bite before a show, Carve has got you covered. Their service is fast, polite and efficient.
So many sandwich options; so little time! What to choose? How about the steakhouse? A mound of herb-roasted beef is piled high on ciabatta bread along with crispy onions, sliced potatoes, Roma tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing and Eban's steak sauce. Now that is a mouthful of goodness!
The grilled portabella mushroom offering consists of grilled 'shrooms, pesto sauce, spinach, tomatoes, roasted peppers mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinaigrette on a roll. Another great choice is the Fourth of July picnic sandwich made with 15-spice crispy fried chicken, grilled corn, cole slaw, bourbon and BBQ mayo, all on a Tom Cat bakery baguette.
Thanksgiving on a roll gives you a nice helping of rotisserie turkey, apple stuffing and carve's special cranberry mayo. It will give you a real holiday feeling any time of the year. They do a wonderful chicken club sandwich here which is made with a whole chicken cutlet, bacon, lettuce, tomato, your choice of cheese, crispy onions and chipotle mayo on a roll.
Heck, you can even get a creative sandwich for breakfast. After all, it IS the most important meal of the day.
The garden breakfast offering places fresh spinach, scallions, Alpine lace swiss cheese, charred tomatoes and a mushroom frittata between two pieces of ciabatta bread.
The Times Square Bagel sandwich contains smoked salmon, red onions, tomatoes, scallion cream cheese and capers on an H & H bagel. Who could ask for more /
On-the-go workers in the vicinity LOVE Carve's morning specials. You can get two eggs on a roll with American cheese and a small coffee for just $ 4.50. A New York nosh of a bagel with a shmear of cream cheese and a small cup of joe can be had for only $ 3.50!
Location and Hours :
760 8th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 730-4949
Hours :
Monday through Sunday 7 AM to 3 AM
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