Today's Lunch Break: Fish For Friday Or Warm Soup

Van Horn

231 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 596-9707
vanhornbrooklyn.com
photo credit: Donny

Remember when you were a kid, and fish sandwiches were squares of some unidentified fried whitefish, with a perfectly even crunchy breading - sometimes with a slice of cheese right inside it - along with a plop of tartar sauce, some lettuce, all on a squishy bun?  You can still get those sandwiches of your childhood of course, but your grownup tastebuds will thank you for giving Van Horn's version a go: cornmeal-breaded fried catfish, pickle, slaw and tartar sauce, all on a soft hero.  Other treats on the menu included variations of pimento cheese sandwiches (bacon, smoked sweet potato, or just pimento cheese), a North Carolina pulled pork sandwich, or a fried chicken sandwich, but you know what you really want.  Add on a side of roasted beets or hush puppies with honey butter, because that's what adults do.  Indulge... reasonably.

Taqueria Downtown

236 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 333-3220

See Also: NYC's Best Tacos

The brusque service and the 'commandments' may put some people off going here, but if you look past the rules as simply eccentricities of a staff tired of answering "Why don't you have guacamole or fajitas?" you will be rewarded with some delicious and authentic Mexican food.  Don't even think of comparing the tacos here to those you might find the chains; these will put those to shame handily without breaking a sweat.  Fish tacos feature fresh, fried fish topped with crunchy slaw; if you like it spicy, ask for the hot sauce on the side and try before you cry!  With plenty of options like salted beef, cactus, carnitas, your lunch certainly won't be boring.  Don't forget to wash it all down with horchata, a slightly sweet rice milk drink.

Pho Bang

82-90 Broadway
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 205-1500

See Also: NYC's Best Soup Spots

This is not a place for the squeamish.  Their "B" grade from the DOH hangs proudly in the window, and when you walk in, the decor does nothing to persuade you that it was simply an off day for them to receive that grade.  Pho Bang is not known for its cleanliness.  It is, however, known for its pho broth, and that is what will get you in the door: you want pho.  On rainy days like today, one of the most satisfying things to consume is a big bowl of steaming hot soup with noodles in it; all the better if that soup is topped with slices of beef so thin that they cook right before your eyes in the hot broth, onion, cilantro, and, if you choose, other bits of the cow.  A plate on the side has raw bean sprouts and lemon wedges for you to doctor the broth as you like, and sauces in a caddy on the table are available as well: hoisin, Sriracha, hot chili paste, and more.  The more important question is which pho to order: pho tai is the simplest you'll find, topped with thin slices of eye of round.  Pho tai nam gam sach will give you a bit of everything: eye of round, along with brisket, omosa, and tendons.  Regardless of what meat you get with your pho, pay close attention to the broth itself; complex, deep flavors that will have you scraping the bottom of the bowl with your spoon in no time, you'll wonder when you can get your next fix.