Whenever people come to New York City for the first time, it has been my observation that many of them seem let down; there is a certain expectation from the city which never seems to be met upon first flush. I guess what my mother always told me about expectations (“Don’t have expectations!!”) is pretty true. People expect a certain “zing!” that just isn’t there; they’ve got the Lincoln Tunnel over on one side, they’ve got Applebee’s over to their other side, there are people honking at them for lingering in the street, there are people pushing them from lingering on the sidewalk; people come to New York and expect a certain amount of consideration be had for them: “I’m visiting your city, dontcha know?”
While of course there is a little bit of rudeness (a little bit?) sometimes (sometimes?) form some people (some people?) in the city that never sleeps, there is also a great deal of magic and wonder to be had in unlikely sources from unlikely places that you may just totally miss on the first (or second) go around.
This should not discourage you from having a great time and being able to enjoy New York, New York in the same way that residents and neighbors do, day after day. One of the places that you’ll probably miss (even if you MapQuest directions and I give you the address; it’s THAT small and dwarfed by its neighbors) is the Café Pom Pom.
A tiny gourmet sandwich shop (read: DELI) that’s just around the beaten path from many other well warn paths, the Café Pom Pom is the perfect exception to all the other bad experiences you may have had in New York City and is a great alternative for a McDonalds’ Lunch and Starbucks coffee that you are otherwise going to get involved with if you don’t make other arrangements.
If you’ve come into New York City by the train, either from New Jersey (33rd St PATH station) or Amtrak (everywhere else; PENN Station) then you’ve probably even walked past the Café Pom Pom before. If you’ve been to Madison Square Garden, you’ve almost definitely passed the Café Pom Pom before. Tucked away around a little corner that seems eternally under construction at one building site or another (169 W 32nd St) the Café Pom Pom is your perfect spot for deli sandwiches, specialty hot sandwiches, salads, soups, coffee, tea, soda, juice bar drinks (carrot juice, apple juice, orange juice, ruby red, and other blended drinks and fruit smoothies unlike any you’ve ever had!) as well as breakfast for you to get your day going right.
Café Pom Pom also has burgers available and the hot sandwiches are really more of a dinner than anything else as there portions are quite large and they come on a wide variety of breads; with or without steak fries (if it’s late afternoon and you’re having a dinner early, I’d advise against the steak fries, as you’re likely to appear rude or wasteful if you can’t eat at dinner. Unless, of course, the hot sandwich platter will be being shared by you and your sweetheart)
While many people may be disheartened by the fact that there is not a whole lot of seating inside, if you’re looking for an alternative to the everyday for your lunch in New York City today, why not check out the Café Pom Pom. With generous portions, cheap prices, and a wide selection of items from which to choose, Café Pom Pom can give your New York City breakfast or lunch experience that little “zing!” you’ve been missing.
