NYC Theater District restaurants - affordable with decent seating?
April 11, 2018 12:00 PM Subscribe
My boyfriend and I have tickets for Hello Dolly tonight at the Shubert (44th between 7th and 8th). We were just going to get fast food for dinner but I thought it might be nice to get a sit-down meal one step up from fast food. Fast casual would be fine (especially the price range), but I'd like to go somewhere where we can get an actual seat - and a comfortable enough seat, not terrible bar stools or rickety chairs. I can find lists of fast casual in the area but it's hard to tell what the seating is like. Any recommendations that might fit the bill? Any cuisine is fine.
I've generally had decent luck getting a seat at the Junior's in Times Square - they have bar stools, but you can ask for a booth.
Or: do you know about Open Table? It's got the searchability of Yelp, where you can search for restaurants in a specific price range in a given area, but it also ties into those same restaurants' reservations systems, so you can actually use it to book a table for yourself. I just did a search for "theater district restaurants" and "under $30" and came up with some options, and it shows you when there are openings available for seatings.
(Open Table has saved my administrative-assistant-booking-business-lunches-for-the-boss bacon.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:06 PM on April 11, 2018
Or: do you know about Open Table? It's got the searchability of Yelp, where you can search for restaurants in a specific price range in a given area, but it also ties into those same restaurants' reservations systems, so you can actually use it to book a table for yourself. I just did a search for "theater district restaurants" and "under $30" and came up with some options, and it shows you when there are openings available for seatings.
(Open Table has saved my administrative-assistant-booking-business-lunches-for-the-boss bacon.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:06 PM on April 11, 2018
Last weekend we went to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and ate at a great Mexican place called Hell's Kitchen. The food was excellent and I would definitely go back.
posted by ceejaytee at 12:12 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by ceejaytee at 12:12 PM on April 11, 2018
If you don't mind a 15 minute walk, how about The Landmark Tavern?
posted by Sophont at 12:12 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by Sophont at 12:12 PM on April 11, 2018
Havana Central is a pretty solid theater district happy hour option - it gets busy but it is Times Square. Really good prices, fair drinks and bites and the staff are always super nice.
Don Antonio for neopolitan pizzas is a little walk at 50th and 8th but the pizza is real solid (I love the raccheta, a half pizza half calzone).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:13 PM on April 11, 2018
Don Antonio for neopolitan pizzas is a little walk at 50th and 8th but the pizza is real solid (I love the raccheta, a half pizza half calzone).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:13 PM on April 11, 2018
A little bit of a walk, but we like Victor's Cafe (W. 52nd between 7th and 8th).
posted by gudrun at 12:36 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by gudrun at 12:36 PM on April 11, 2018
9th and 10th avenues have a host of good Thai food options in that neighborhood...
posted by slateyness at 12:36 PM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by slateyness at 12:36 PM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
I used to work in the Theater District and would always have lunch at Roast Kitchen on 49th and 7th. I think it’s good food for fast casual (imo on par with Dos Torros, better than Pret). During lunch it always had a long line for them to make your food (one of those stir fried to order bowl places), but there were legitimate, non-rickety, tables and I’m sure it’s not crowded at dinner.
There’s also a Thai Place, Pongsri. Claims to be the oldest in NYC, which makes me like going there despite the fact that it’s an unexceptional Thai place. Not bad or anything, but I only walk in there before or after a play when it’s right there, wouldn’t seek it out. It’s not fast casual, but it’s like ~14 for a curry with one of the inexpensive, non-seafood proteins, which is pretty close to the high end of fast casual in Manhattan.
I also have luck just walking into Junior’s, and I have a soft spot for Junior’s, but it’s quite expensive. The only things that would be around 10-15 bucks are a bowl of soup, or a plain burger or grilled cheese. All the deli sandwiches or entrees are more.
posted by sometamegazelle at 12:39 PM on April 11, 2018
There’s also a Thai Place, Pongsri. Claims to be the oldest in NYC, which makes me like going there despite the fact that it’s an unexceptional Thai place. Not bad or anything, but I only walk in there before or after a play when it’s right there, wouldn’t seek it out. It’s not fast casual, but it’s like ~14 for a curry with one of the inexpensive, non-seafood proteins, which is pretty close to the high end of fast casual in Manhattan.
I also have luck just walking into Junior’s, and I have a soft spot for Junior’s, but it’s quite expensive. The only things that would be around 10-15 bucks are a bowl of soup, or a plain burger or grilled cheese. All the deli sandwiches or entrees are more.
posted by sometamegazelle at 12:39 PM on April 11, 2018
The New Opry City Stage is just across from Junior's and has some delicious food.
Gazelle's Roast suggestion is good, but it can be busy so tables iffy.
posted by TravellingCari at 12:43 PM on April 11, 2018
Gazelle's Roast suggestion is good, but it can be busy so tables iffy.
posted by TravellingCari at 12:43 PM on April 11, 2018
Five Napkin Burger in Hell's Kitchen fits the bill. Make a reservation.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:54 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:54 PM on April 11, 2018
Gazala's on 9th Ave. btwn. 48th & 49th is the only Druze restaurant in NY. Charming little place, great kebabs and dips and bread.
posted by neroli at 1:00 PM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by neroli at 1:00 PM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Seconding Don Antonio; also Ippudo (ramen), 46th between 5th and 6th or 51st between 8th and 9th. (Note: not a New Yorker, these are just places I've eaten and liked when I have been there and seeing shows and trying to avoid "tourists". I probably don't know what I'm talking about.)
posted by madcaptenor at 1:17 PM on April 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by madcaptenor at 1:17 PM on April 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
Thirding Don Antonio.
posted by something_witty at 1:25 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by something_witty at 1:25 PM on April 11, 2018
Spend slightly more, go to Toloache at 50th (?) and 8th, enjoy very delicious and accessible Mexican.
posted by praemunire at 1:38 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by praemunire at 1:38 PM on April 11, 2018
I'm a Don Antonio fan, but I also like Beer Culture and Bareburger for more of a fast food-y feel.
posted by naturalog at 1:45 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by naturalog at 1:45 PM on April 11, 2018
Gazala's is a good choice. I've only been to the UWS location, but it's cozy and has never been crowded.
There's also a Two Boots on 9th avenue in the 40s that has booths if you want something super quick.
posted by snaw at 2:24 PM on April 11, 2018
There's also a Two Boots on 9th avenue in the 40s that has booths if you want something super quick.
posted by snaw at 2:24 PM on April 11, 2018
I love Tulcingo del Valle on 10th ave at 47th but I can't vouch for the seating. Just really good Mexican food that is not at all expensive. (I was coming here to say Balkanika but it appears to have closed. I moved away a couple of years ago.) Also I am amused by your nom de plume.
posted by Smearcase at 2:40 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by Smearcase at 2:40 PM on April 11, 2018
Oh, or John's is really near your theater. It's large, has comfortable seating, isn't particularly expensive, and has really wonderful pizza.
posted by Smearcase at 2:42 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by Smearcase at 2:42 PM on April 11, 2018
For actual fast casual (counter service) try Schnippers in the NY Times building.
posted by cushie at 3:01 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by cushie at 3:01 PM on April 11, 2018
Gazala’s is BYO if you want drinks, get a boureka to share
Guaranteed you’re going to wait awhile at Ippudo
posted by sestaaak at 3:27 PM on April 11, 2018
Guaranteed you’re going to wait awhile at Ippudo
posted by sestaaak at 3:27 PM on April 11, 2018
Yeah, Schnippers >>> Shake Shack if you just want a burger.
posted by praemunire at 8:49 PM on April 11, 2018
posted by praemunire at 8:49 PM on April 11, 2018
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posted by Neely O'Hara at 12:03 PM on April 11, 2018