Your out-of-town visitors have arrived. You have a great day of sightseeing planned—the Empire State Building, Lincoln Center, the Statue of Liberty, maybe a ride on the Circle Line or a tourist bus—followed by a relaxing dinner to rest everyone’s tired feet. The answer to your question, “where would you like to eat?” has you hyperventilating. The Olive Garden? Really?? Or maybe the choices you hear include Ruby Tuesdays, Outback, the Red Lobster, or (wait for it) McDonald’s. What are they thinking?
Let’s face it. Most tourists are not that adventurous and, left to their own devices, seek out the tried and true. Applebee’s won’t win any James Beard Awards, but at least the dining experience is predictable. Fast food restaurants know this, one reason why Times Square is filled with every chain restaurant imaginable. But this is your city and you would hardly be a true New Yorker if you took your guests to a restaurant they could find in Peoria. So you need to come up with some acceptable alternatives—fast.
Well, Woman Around Town has done the work for you. We sent our writers a list of fast food and chain restaurants and asked them to recommend substitutes that will, hopefully, score points with your guests.
Instead of Olive Garden, try…
Max Restaurant
“Their linguine and meat sauce is AMAZING and just $12.95 a dish!” Kelley Grover
51 Avenue B, East Village, 212-539-0111
Serafina
“A chain in the city—good, reasonably priced Italian food.” Cara Gargano
1022 Madison Avenue at 79th Street, 212-734-2676
26 East 61st Street, 212-702-9898
210 West 55th Street, 212-315-1700
38 East 58th Street, 212-832-8888
224 West 49th Street, 212-247-1000
Carmine’s
“They serve everything family style so if you order the seafood pasts, it will come to you in a bowl as big as a baby’s bath tub. Huge salads, sides of spinach and broccoli rabe sauteed with garlic and olive oil will ensure you have all your servings of vegetables for the day and the day after. Enjoy complimentary mouth wash in the bathroom to wash away your garlic breath at the end of the meal.” Kate Maloy
200 West 44thStreet, 212-221-3800
2450 Broadway, 212-362-2200
Instead of Red Lobster, try….
Atlantic Grill
“Dishes are more original— seafood with a twist.” Kelley Grover
1341 Third Avenue, at 77th Street, 212-988-9200
49 West 64th Street, at Broadway, 212-787-4663
Instead of Ruby Tuesdays, try…
Bubby’s
“A much better version of American comfort food—organic and much more flavorful.” Kelley Grover
120 Hudson Street, Tribeca, 212-219-0666
1 Main Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn, 718-222-0666
Duke’s
“For big portions and cheap eats, Duke’s is a great place to go to.” Cara Gargano
99 East 19th Street, 212-260-2922
560 Third Avenue, 212-949-5400
Hillstone
“Hillstone’s is pricier than Duke’s and has a bit more ‘sophisticated’ atmosphere but the food is amazing!” Cara Gargana
378 Park Avenue South, 212-689-1090
153 East 53rd Street, 212-888-3828
Instead of Dominos, try…
Adrienne’s Pizza Bar
“Exotic choices for toppings, great vibe, and take in the beauty of historic Stone Street.” Kelley Grover
54 Stone Streeet, 212-248-3838
Patsy’s Pizzeria
“The best pizza in New York, bar none. Venture to Harlem for this delicious pie.” Charlene Giannetti
2287 First Avenue, 212-534-9783
Instead of Taco Bell, try…
Empanada Mama
“At around $2 an empanada, challenge the traditional Mexican food with these delicious Colombia eats.” Kelley Grover
763 Ninth Avenue, 212-698-9008
“The Mexican food truck that parks on the northwest corner of Lexington Avenue. Yes, there are no places to sit, but order a mexican sandwich (cemita) and enjoy your chicken with queso blanco, avocado, cilantro and smokey hot sauce. Don’t forget a big Styrofoam cup of horchata (sweet milk). Eat it as you walk over to the Met to see the Alexander McQueen show or the beautiful Klimts at the Neue Gallery.” Kate Maloy
Instead of McDonald’s, try….
Shake Shack
“Danny Meyer’s organic burger joints. It’s called High End Fast Food, with burgers, fries, frozen custard. There are always lines. Definite New York Treat.” Eleanor Foa Dienstag
“Do you wonder why the line for Shake Shack is almost as long as a city block? Amazingly thick hamburgers that stand taller than two Big Macs. Fresh, thick sliced tomatoes and cheese completes your burger. But, here’s something you won’t get at the fast food chain, frozen custard. Each day there is a different flavor. Try the shakes, you will not forget it.” Kate Maloy
Madison Square Park, Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, 212-889-6600
Upper West Side, 366 Columbus Avenue at 77th Street, 212-646-747-8770
Theater District, 691 Eighth Avenue at 44th Street, 646-435-0135
Upper East Side, 154 East 86th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues, 646-237-5035
Battery Park City, 215 Murray Street, between West Street and North End Avenue, 646-545-4600
Instead of IHOP, try…
Sarabeth’s
“Sarabeth’s reputation for exceptional muffins, scones, and jams, keeps the crowds coming.” Charlene Giannetti
Upper Eastside, 1295 Madison Avenue, between 92nd and 93rd Streets, 212-410-7335
Upper Westside, 423 Amsterdam Avenue at 80th Street, 212-496-6280
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue at 15th Street, 212-989-2424
Instead of Bubba Gump Shrimp, try…
City Crab
“Large raw bar with more than 100 varieties of clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, etc. A fish-lover’s feast.”
235 Park Avenue South, 212-529-3800
Instead of KFC, try…
Amy Ruth’s
“A soul food staple, try the “Al Sharpton” at Amy Ruth’s on 116 and Lenox. Your choice of fried or smothered chicken atop waffles will satisfy the mamma’s boy in you. Try the collards, cooked to perfection or the catfish, light and flaky. This is a perfect lunch spot after a gospel service at Harlem’s famous Abyssinian Baptist Church.” Kate Maloy
113 West 116th Street, Harlem, 212-280-8779
