The Lunch Quadrant: Astor Place
5 photos
<p>In this week's Quadrant we visit Xi'an Famous Foods, Paul's Da Burger Joint, Ippudo and Panya</p>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mesohungry/4891890014/in/photostream/">jasonlam</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Xi'An Famous Foods:</strong> The fourth location of this cult fave offers all of the same delicious, and shockingly affordable, fare as its <a href="http://www.xianfoods.com/">siblings</a> in Queens and under the Manhattan Bridge. Though it can get a little messy, you really can't go wrong on <a href="http://www.xianfoods.com/menu.php">this menu</a>. We're partial to their veggie-friendly cold skin noodles or their lamb burgers. Plus, depending on who serves you, a $5 plate of noodles can be your lunch <em>and</em> dinner! Though the space has seats, we wish you luck securing one.<br/><br/><em>81 St. Mark's Place, off First Ave., 212-786-2068</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/larimdame/28479159/in/photostream/">LarimdaME</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Paul's Da Burger Joint:</strong> This isn't Shake Shack people. The burgers at Paul's, which has been kicking around the neighborhood for ages, are the fat, juicy, fall-apart-as-you-eat-them diner burgers you remember from way back when. Add in some big thick cut fries and you've got a gut-buster lunch for under $10. The burgers can have some travel issues though (all that juice!), so you might want to just eat 'em at the counter.<br/><br/><em>131 2nd Avenue, off St. Mark's, 212-529-3033</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missmeng/5310243990/in/photostream/">missmeng</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Panya:</strong> This Japanese bakery/cafe has a little bit of everything, and though that sometimes can backfire, for the prices it is worth it. Fun fare from sushi to sandwiches, noodles to pastries are on hand. At prime times seating can be a bit tricky though, even after they expanded into the old Around the Clock space awhile back.<br/><br/><em>8 Stuyvesant Street, just off Third Avenue, 212-777-1930</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikey_loves_bcn/4366265097/in/photostream/">mikey loves barcelona</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Ippudo:</strong> The <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/03/19/ramen_king_hold.php">king of ramen</a> around town, this insanely popular Japanese noodle shop often boasts waits of more than an hour at night. Things can get crowded at lunchtime too, but nothing that crazy. And the lunch <a href="http://www.ippudony.com/menu_lunch_ramen.php">menu</a> has a "set" option in which, for a few extra bucks, you can get a small rice dish and a salad with your already very filling ramen. We recommend skipping breakfast and just rolling in for an early lunch at 11 when they open.<br/><br/><em>65 Fourth Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets, 212-388-0088</em>