Every so often, students waiting in line at Boar’s Head Deli or Cosi come to a painful revelation. They have simply had enough. Their tongues cry out, “NO MORE SANDWICHES, PLEASE GIVE US SOMETHING NEW!” Of course, you want to rise above the monotonous slope you’re forced to choke down, but where do you find those havens of flavor? Last year, I especially struggled to find places worth coming back to.
With so many options all around, it feels overwhelming to try to find something worth your time and money. Before I discuss any of the true gems I’ve found, there’s one simple rule you have to follow: If you’re looking for a sit-down meal after a day of sightseeing, never eat anywhere near a tourist site. Regions to immediately cross out are the areas bordering Broadway and Central Park.
While these places often look delicious, they are also traps. Restaurants in this general area are tourist traps designed to be for a flashy experience, leaving the quality of the food as a tertiary priority. One of the most common traps for tourists is the diners.
These places imitate either the homey feeling of mom-and-pop restaurants or try to imitate the atmosphere that famous diners like The Stardust have. I remember going to a diner in Midtown that had claimed to have been around for 50 years. After eating the most mediocre burger in the world, I did a little digging online and found out that this place had opened in 2016.
Another rule I follow when looking for good places to .