How Does Park Slope Fare in the Lunch Department?

As one who often works from home, I’m always on the lookout for places to grub (for cheap) during the weekday workday. In general, people are open to spending a bit more on a big meal at dinner, especially given NY’s expected portion sizes, but it seems many of our more popular places don’t cater to the lunch crowd.  Who is giving us budget-minded folks a break for trying them during slower times? And while Park Slope’s variety of good eateries is appreciated, some things seem missing:

1. Cheaper (and smaller) burgers

Bonnie’s Grill, Dram Shop and others make fantastic burgers – big, tasty eating experiences. But at these places and even at Five Guys, you can’t get a meal for under $10.  For a weekday lunch I’d be happy with a decent, quick burger – even if it’s a smaller portion than the regular dinner menu.    

2. Wallet-friendly Mexican

Foursquare photo via FROactiv S.

We have Fonda, which is pretty much gourmet, some OK sit-down joints and at the bottom of the border food pyramid: the Chexican spots. El Jalapeno is a perfect example of a place that could use a lunch menu. Their $11 chicken burrito with drink, tax and tip becomes a $15+ lunch… a tad high for daily grubbing. If someone offered a good grab-and-go $6 burrito, I’d stop by every week, 52 times a year.  Oaxaca on 4^th Ave. nails it with several under $7 lunch combos. But are there any others?

3. Build Your Own Salad Kinda' Bar

These are everywhere in Manhattan (from good to blah). They're great for offsetting guilt from yesterday’s giant burger and fries. The only one I know of in the slope is in the cafeteria at Methodist Hospital, which is a pretty simple affair (Ed Note: FiPS writers Ninedaves, Erica and Meredith have been ranting about our need for a great salad place for YEARS).

4. Caribbean

Paul Haye of Christie’s Jamaican Patties / Ozier Muhammad, The New York Times

 While we’re chock full of Nannies from the West Indies, I can’t think of a single place similar to corner joints in Flatbush, Crown Heights and neighboring hoods that cook up jerk chicken, curried critters and fiery seafood. In fact, all we seemingly got is Christie’s Jamaican Patties. Oh... wait.

5. Indian Takeout. 

I got a little spoiled working an office job near the Indian-rich section of Lexington near Kip’s Bay. Kati Rolls, cheap buffets and simple steam-table places where you pick a 2-3 item combo without having to sit down with a tablecloth and menu. This is what we need.

On the flip side, there are a number of places cranking out good lunch specials, from Asian eateries to local delis and places like the Chip Shop, with their weekday recession lunch specials.

When it comes to weekday fare, Park Slopers, are there dishes you feel are missing?  Are there places you like with great (under $10) deals?   Please weigh in.