The Lunch Quadrant: Union Square
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<p>Your Union Square options, clockwise from top left: Dos Toros, Num Pang, Aldea, Stand4.</p>
<strong>Dos Toros:</strong> This little California-style taqueria that could has been popping out affordable tacos, burritos and quesadillas to long-but-quick lines of hungry folks since it opened a little over a year ago. And with good reason! Not only is the food cheap (tacos start are $3.67, burritos are $7.35 and the quesadillas are $5.97) but it is also delicious and fast. And do make sure you add the $.92 guac to your order. You can see the whole menu <a href="http://dostoros.com/menu">here</a>. Plus! If the meeting went badly? Hey, they've got beer for $3.67. Just don't expect to get one of the very few seats. <br/><br/><em>137 4th Avenue, between 13th and 14th Streets; (212) 677-7300</em><br/>
<strong>Num Pang:</strong> With <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/03/24/new_restaurants_on_the_radar_num_pa.php">less than two years</a> under its belt this tight bi-level Cambodian sandwich spot has already become something of a staple in the neighborhood. For what you get, <a href="http://www.numpangnyc.com/menu.html">the menu</a> is a not-too-expensive, with sandwiches ranging from $6.75-$8.75 (the $7.50 five-spiced pork belly is great). But then you'll also want to get corn on the cob with chili mayo, coconut flakes, chili powder ($2.25) and a beverage and suddenly your lunch isn't quite as cheap. But you really won't regret it. There is a bit of seating upstairs, but it can be tight.<br/><br/><em>21 East 12th Street, between University Place and Fifth Avenue; (212) 529-3901</em><br/>
<strong>Stand4:</strong> This burger joint across from Num Pang serves a solid patty with pretty much any <a href="http://www.standburger.com/tostay.html">standard burger accompaniment</a> you could want. While the burgers normally run $10-$15 there is a good lunch special between noonâ3 p.m. that features a basic burger, small fries and a soda for $10. Better than McDonalds, and being a block off of Union Square the lunch crowds aren't often that bad. Also, $5 gets you a mini toasted marshmallow milkshake, which hard to top when it comes to lunchtime dessert.<br/><br/><em>24 East 12th Street, between University Place and Fifth Avenue; (212) 488-5900</em><br/>
<strong>Aldea:</strong> Lunch is one of the many secrets at <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/05/13/george_mendes_opens_aldea.php">this Portuguese hotspot</a> from chef <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/07/13/chef_george_mendes_aldea_1.php">George Mendes</a>. In addition to offering you a chance to taste a bit of the chef's much lauded fareâthink apps like mussel soup ($12) and sandwiches like sea urchin with shiso and sea lettuce ($17) and a ham "bikini" with truffle butter, Casera cheese, arugula-pear salad ($15)âthere is also a three-course prix fixe available (currently priced for restaurant week at $24.07 but previously cheaper). If you haven't been able to snag a dinner reservation, or are tired of doing business at the Union Square Cafe, lunch is an easy bet here.<br/><br/><em>31 West 17th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; (212) 675-7223</em><br/>