Lunch Break: Ramen, Cheesesteaks Or Breakfast All Day

Ramen fit for sumo wrestlers, cheesesteaks to chomp on, or an eccentric shop where you can get bacon IN your pancakes: it's all in today's New York Lunch Break! By Yvo Sin.

Menchanko-tei

131 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 986-6805

43-45 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-1585
menchankotei.com

See Also: NYC's 9 Best Soup Restaurants

Menchanko roughly translates to 'sumo wrestler's stew' but don't let that alarm you: each bowl is cooked in its individual cast-iron pot and arrives to the table piping hot, and while eating the entire portion will more than fill you up, it will sadly not turn you into a sumo wrestler. The original menchanko (pictured) contains thick ramen noodles in a rich soy broth, with chicken, shrimp, fish ball, tofu, rice cake and assorted veggies. Don't like those items? Not to worry, there are plenty of other ramen dishes on the menu, with enough variety to keep you returning. The 45th Street location also has a lunch menu that includes both ramen and rice dishes, for the carb lovers among you. Try the hakata ramen if you like thin noodles; it comes topped with slices of succulently tender pork.

Carl's Steaks

79 Chambers St
New York, NY 10079
(212) 566-2828

507 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 696-5336
carlsteaks.com

Though Philadelphia cheesesteaks hail from the city of brotherly love, New York has found in Carl's an excellent version - almost, experts say, as good as any you'd find in Philadelphia itself. Just the right type of bread - not too fluffy, not too chewy, just right - spread with Cheez Whiz (scoff if you will, but it's not a cheesesteak unless it's Whiz wit'; that's cheesteak-speak for with onions and Cheez Whiz), layered with chopped up, thin slices of steak, and then topped with grilled onions... Carl's does it right. There is hardly a greater earthly pleasure than these flavors all meeting for a party... on its way to your stomach. Yum!

Shopsin's

120 Essex Street
New York, NY 10002
shopsins.com/

Shopsin's is the stuff from which legends are made: a cranky shopkeeper who can and will decide not to serve you for transgressions (perceived or imaginary both), not unlike the Soup Nazi in a certain popular TV show from the 90's, and food that is nothing short of amazing. Part of the appeal is, of course, the unique offerings you'll find on the menu; take, for example, the Diego (pictured), three poached eggs perched atop poutine (a Canadian dish of fries and cheese curds, all topped with gravy). Break into one of those eggs and allow the yolk to ooze over the entire dish, coalescing everything into one delicious and messy spoonful. Even the pancakes can't simply be blueberry; no, the Swine Blue are bacon and blueberry, a wondrous mix of savory and sweet that brings your palate to new heights. Indulge in all that you desire, but don't dawdle over your order - one of the rumored pet peeves of the shopkeeper which will result in a life ban.

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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of Feisty Foodie.