I am NOT skipping lunch again today

While I've managed to make do the last two days with a tomato brought back from the sweet soil of Western PA, and I stand prepared with a tomato for today, should this prove to be the third such harried day, but I am dedicated to getting something REAL for lunch today. I deserve it, dammit. And, at 10:57, I'm already beginning to plot it.

I know it's early, but what are yinz guys havin' for lunch on this Katrina-rific Wednesday?

Tuesday Treat

I didn't have lunch yesterday so I think I owe myself a treat. I'm thinking about a trip to my favorite Lunch Buffet (sans homeless people) up the street. What do you treat yourself to when you think you are deserving of a special lunch? And of course WFL today?

"Sandwiches That You Will Like"

I saw a show last night that touched my heart, my soul, and my stomach. Don't walk, RUN to the above link and read about this wonderful, informative, hunger inducing PBS program. And of course it once again opens up the question: What is the best Sandwich you've ever had? Or: What is the most unique sandwich you've ever had?

Houston, We Have A Problem

Okay, so this is embarrassing. But, if I can't turn to my fellow What'sForLunchers, who else can I turn to?

Last night, I decided to try to replicate one of my new favorite cocktails. The bar from whence it hails calls it a Moment of Clarity. It's green tea and Stoli O, with muddled lemon. Let's just say that it took a few tries to get it to my liking, especially since I only had normal vodka on hand. So as I was enjoying my Sunday night, assembling my new vacuum cleaner, putting new slipcovers on my sofas, and watching the MTV VMAs and Entourage, I also perfected the Moment of Clarity. Now, while I should be lauded for my multi-tasking, I probably should have gone to bed before 4.

So, my dilemma: I'm still drunk. Not hungover, but still legitimately buzzing. For sure, I shouldn't have been driving to work. I need your help, people. What should I eat? I desperately need to sober up, but I DO NOT want to sober up into a hangover. What's a girl to do? (and, what are y'all havin'?)

The Battle of the Tex-Mexicans

I went for a walk and ended up at one of my favorite fast-food "fresh mex" establishments: Baja Fresh. It was precisely what I was looking for, and though I didn't set out to arrive there, I believe that something greater pulled me in the direction of the steak fajita burrito that awaited inside.

I remember just last Friday though, the craving for Chipotle was such that I got in my car and drove to Virginia for that tasty lunchtime treat.

Does anyone else find that despite these two establishments being similar (and for the purposes of my question, feel free to throw in any joint of this ilk), there are times when only one, or the other will do? In your opinion, what are the differences that matter? Is one truly, overall, better than the other?

(I’ve got almost the entire afternoon free, but I can’t leave the office yet, so I’ll be pondering this for awhile)

Lunch is for wimps

Sorry, Mr. Gekko, but I have to disagree. Lunch is a first meal for those who woke up too late and too hungover to eat before noon. Lunch is for those that know their dinner isn't going to consist of anything more solid than a Guinness - if they're lucky. Lunch is for those who dare to unchain themselves from their particle board desks in their fluorescent lit offices for an hour of culinary delight and the freedom that comes with it. Lunch is for those who know that there is no reason to wait until five for that first cocktail of the weekend.

So, my friends, tell me: What's For Lunch on this glorius August Friday?

Orson Welles once said...

“Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what's for lunch.”

So, to follow in his footsteps, I ask you: WFL?

(I have no ideas today. Maybe a salad? This is the kind of day where I would typically IM Josephus and ask him to point me in the right direction.)

Uh oh...

Josephus out of blog range! These are the lean times, folks...let's pull it together!

I will put my lunch selection up for popular vote.

Vote for either:

1) Medium soup (hopefully chicken noodle) and salad described yesterday from the Gormet Pantry; or
2) Italian oven-toasted sub from Quiznos.

They are about equidistant, weather is not a factor, I'm regular-hungry, I'll be eating at my desk, again.

All votes must be received by 12:00 CDT. Tie-breaker is a coin flip. Heads S&S, Tails Sub.

Grrrrrrr....

Good thing I had two lunches yesterday because I was at the office until 9:30 (I almost missed Laguna Beach!) - so no dinner! And today, I think it's going to be the blackberries that I managed to remember this morning and little else until I get home tonight, assuming that happens at a reasonable hour.

I HATE being busy. Of course, maybe if I weren't throwing a big swanky fundraising dinner honoring the ethics of a company that just got slapped with a $263M judgment and the man who helmed it, I wouldn't be so swamped.

Anyway, make me jealous: What's For Lunch, Y'all?

Monday, Monday...

Yes it's Monday and believe it or not it is my only work day this week. Screw you losers. I think a celebatory lunch is in order. I was thinking about hitting the "gourmet" buffet at Soho. A great selection of different hot cuisines and salads. I'm not sure what I'll pick up yet. How do you guys feel about the Lunch buffet? But more importantly WFL?

TGIF...

...and I'll be lunching at Chicago's O'Hare airport. I have no idea what I'll eat. I'm also extremely hungover. What's a lunchophile to do?

The Last Day of the Week...

or, Thursday for those of you who don't have Friday off (yippee for Summer Hours!).

I'm hungry. Yesterday's lunch was filling, and by the time I got hungry again, around 9pm, I had to scavenge around the freezer for something edible. I went to bed disappointed, and as I'm not a breakfast eater, I'm Starvin' Like Marvin'. Here's the scenario: It's only 11, I'm meeting a friend for Happy Hour & sushi at 5:30. I want something filling, but not too filling because I didn't work out this morning and had meatloaf and mashed potatoes yesterday.

I'm going to wait for an hour or so to eat, but I feel that today's meal warrants some thought.

Inspire me, people. What's for lunch?

Hump Day Lunch?

It's 10:51 and I am fighting my stomach for what to eat for lunch today. One half says a salad and to remain healthy. The other half is screaming for Thai food. Yet a small part is trying to get through to my brain to go for a burger. What to do? WFL?

Gloomy Tuesday

Rain is threatening and yet it remains 139 degrees outside. It's pretty depressing. Any ideas for a mood improving lunch? And what are YOU having?

Afternoon Snack

Today is one of those days where I can see that I'm going to be working well into the evening. I've already had lunch, and, truth be told, all I want right now is a nap. I'm also a little peckish.

Since a nap is 100% out of the question, I'm thinking it's snack time.

Share your thoughts on the Afternoon Snack. Good idea? Bad idea? What's your preferred snack? Advice on the best energy boosters?

First Lunch of the Week

How is everyone starting their week of lunches?

I'm sad to report that I'm marginally busy today, though my sorrow is somewhat mitigated by breadline's having the Heirloom Tomatoes salad today. Convenient AND tasty - really, what more could a girl ask for?

How about the rest of you? What IS for lunch?

TGIF!!! WFL???!!!

Special work lunch for me today. Morton's Steakhouse. I'm thinking I'll start out with the Sliced Beefsteak Tomato or the Chopped Salad and then have the Cajun Ribeye prepared medium rare. It 's good to be the King...

August 11, 2005 - WFL?

The half of a chocolate croissant that I scavenged in the conference room isn't going to get it. I feel hunger setting in, but I'm plagued by indecisiveness. I'm not really craving anything, and my stomach is feeling sensitive after a few margaritas (and some follow-up cocktails when I got home) last night.

What do I want for lunch?

Maybe I'll get some inspiration from your choices - What are you having?

Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - WFL?

WFL? (What's for Lunch?)
What're you having today?
I've got a conference call at noon so I'll be daydreaming about this the whole time.

The best sandwich?

This is an argument that can go on forever and I hope it does. What is the best sandwich? Who makes the best sandwich? Why is it the best sandwich? Piles of meat? Mayo? Mustard? Toasted Bread? A special sauce? The name? In my lifetime I have experienced some great sandwiches. In no particular order here are the best sandwiches places and the sandwiches I have had that make my list of favorites.

The Planet Sub at Planet Sub - Wichita, KS (www.planetsub.com)
One of the best ever.

A Wreck at PotBelly's - Various Locations (www.potbelly.com)
A must have everytime I'm in the midwest. The best toasted sub.

Any Sandwich from Lisa's Italian Deli & More - Hoboken, NJ

Any Sandwich with Fresh Mozzarella from Vito's Deli - Hoboken, NJ

The Jimmy T or Fresh Turkey #3 from Lenny's Gourmet - NY, NY (83rd & Columbus)

Let's share with everyone some of the great sandwiches so that we can all enjoy them when in a certain town, during a certain day, when you just can't decide, WFL!

The First Official OWFL Conference

By democratic process the OWFL had planned the Inaugural OWFL conference to occur the weekend of April 7-9 to be held in Chicago. Unfortunately, all plans went awry [I'm being political here] and I am fairly certain there is no current official plans for a Spring conference. However, I for one still really want a conference, so this will be the official planning post for the First Ever Official The Original What's for Lunch Conference.

This is the place to brainstorm, offer suggestions, recommendations and to plan this momentous occasion. But keep it nice kids. Big Brother is watching.

Favorite Recipes

Considering our avowed affection for all things food and drink, it makes perfect sense that many of us here at The Original What's for Lunch also like to tinker in the kitchen and whip up our own culinary delights.

Therefore, we have dedicated this specific post to sharing our favorite recipes, cooking techniques or our soon-to-be-not-so-secret secrets for creating the perfect sandwich, relish tray, or some other superb concoction. Please share with us the favorites of the OWFL gang.

jo note: make sure to tell us how many servings are in your recipe.

We need your help!

Let us know how we can make this Blog better. All ideas are welcome. Not all will be taken seriously and only a few will be used.

The role of the weather in deciding WFL?

Living in a city that experiences the extreme weather of all 4 seasons I am often forced to make my decision on what to eat for lunch based on the weather outside. For example, in the summer when Manhattan is 90+ degrees and humid, the thoughts of a burger, pizza, or sandwich piled high with meat are outnumbered by the realization that only a salad or a small sandwich will do. Also coming into play is the how far do I walk in this weather to get lunch, or shall I order in? This is especially difficult on days in which I am hungover and the weather is hot. Does anyone else fight this good fight like I do?

Here we go...

I had a Chicken & Ham Club today.
Grilled chopped white meat chicken.
Deli ham. Bacon. letuce, tomato and onion with heavy mayo on a "homemade" pita.
Delicious.