Super Bowl Feast + Underdog Lounge Wings + Giants Win = Happy NYC Food Guy
February 5, 2008
Big Effin Blue. The Giants have done the impossible. Three straight playoff road wins and a NFL record 11 straight road wins overall. It was a total team effort, strong and determined, similar to the display put on by the NYC Food Guy and friends as they feasted, at work, during the game.
Amazing wings, greasy pizza, corn and potato chips, fresh veggies, 2 kinds of dip, salsa, Morton’s steak sandwiches.
I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
A Closer Look After the Break…
First stop were the wings, brought to us by the ever-generous Jim Doherty, from his buddy’s bar Underdog Lounge in Haledon, New Jersey (map).
Jim made two great moves Sunday:
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He ordered the wings naked, keeping them crispy
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He brought us 6 flavors of sauce, pretty amazing considering UNDERDOG LOUNGE OFFERS ELEVEN DIFFERENT SAUCES:
We were privy to Bleu Cheese, Hot, Teriyaki, Drunken Wings (similar to dunking your wing in a sweetened shot of Jack), Thai Chili, and Fire Ranch.
Fire Ranch was my favorite.
- It combined the spice of the hot sauce with the creaminess of the ranch, a perfect harmony of wing-flavored deliciouness.
Jim and Mark Lewis loved the Thai Chili which was sweet and spicy with a strong garlic flavor.
Other flavors offered at Underdog Lounge:
- BBQ
- Hot Garlic
- Rajun Cajun
- Spicy Marinara – Olive oil, spicy marinara/pepper sauce, sprinkled with parmesan
- Bloody Mary – “not only can it cure a hangover, it’s great on chicken”
- Wino Wings – white wine, butter, lemon, crushed red pepper
I’m not one for naked wings but honestly, these wings rocked.
They were a little on the small side, but that’s fine, easier to plow through a couple of dozen and get a full gamut of the awesome flavors.
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Next Stop was this serious spread of snacks provided by the always thoughtful Gerard Musci:
Without even conferring, Gerard made excellent calls all around, stepping up with a variety of snacks that set the bar high for the remainder of the meal.
- Salt and Vinegar Lays, possibly the best Lays there are, if not for…
- Wavy Lays, perfect for dipping and snacking
- Pretzels, delicious when combined with both types of Lays
- Tostitos dippers
- Club Crackers with Monty Jack, Cheddar, and Pepperoni
- Chopped Veggies with Ranch Dipping Sauce
- French Onion Dip
This spread ended up feeding at least 20 people for a good hour. You can’t argue with results. Special shoutout to Alison Orford for her delicious chocolate chip cookies.
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Pizza arrived next from Bella Napoli, quite possibly the best slice joint in Midtown West.
Bella Napoli consistently delivers quality pizza to my office every week.
Their pies are thin and tasty, with more cheese than sauce, and a doughy crust that’s the slice’s biggest weakness. The best way to attack their slices is to take a bite of the front then a bite of the crust and combine. Otherwise you’re stuck with a lot of crust at the end.
My favorite slice at Bella Napoli is a fresh Sicilian. It’s filling and the cheese isn’t like a toupee, sliding off in one piece at first bite. Sorry if I invoked thoughts of Marv Albert.
Want more delicious pizza pics and recommendations? Click here for my New York Pizza Tour.
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Last round belonged to Morton’s Steakhouse which took the liberty of donating a bunch of steak sandwiches to our office, free of cost. Free for everyone except Mark Lewis. Our resident Chicken Club Expert paid an emotional toll when the arrival of the sandwiches was in limbo and a monetary toll when he tipped the delivery guy.
Morton’s, however, explained the generosity as a result of their being a “sports steakhouse” and our office is a sports-related place. Either way, I wasn’t asking questions. I was busy digging into the little flank steak sliders, spread on one side with some horseradish sauce.
I’ve never been to Morton’s but I don’t think these little guys are on the menu and it’s a good thing too because all in all, the sandwiches were cold and unimpressive. The rolls were of the backyard BBQ variety and the steak was stringy. But hey, I’m not complaining, it’s free steak from Morton’s.
Click here for more mouth-watering sandwich pics & reviews.
So the Giants win the Super Bowl on the strength of two amazing 4th quarter plays and I eat myself into a near coma. Sounds like a pretty wonderful way to spend Super Sunday.
Let’s hear a little bit about yours…
Underdog Lounge
4 Church St, Haledon NJ 07508 (map)Email: [email protected] (973) 720-5999
Bella Napoli
150 W. 49th St. nr. 7th Ave. New York, NY 10019(212) 719-2819
Morton’s Steakhouse
551 5th Ave at 45th St New York 10017(212)-972-3315
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February 5th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
the morton’s steakhouse sandwiches were serious…steak was tender…sauce was great..
Lawrence..great review of our super bowl spread…
And for the record..I’m a Jets fan, but i’m giving big blue props for a well derserved win on Sunday.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Mr. Farina-
Thanks for the feedback man. Im glad someone enjoyed the steak. My unenjoyment might have been due to the fact that I had eaten about 20 wings and a lot of snacks. Either way, I’m down with Gang Green as well. Looking forward to seeing them bounce back from a rough 2007.
NYC Food Guy
February 6th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Good call on the pizza – love the Napoli.
Chips/Dip/Salsa table looks weak though.
Knew you were a Jets fan since you work at SNY.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Lauren-
Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear you love the Napoli. Check out the newest review, “Midtown West’s Best Slice Joint”. Whats your beef with the chips, dip, salsa table? It’s not a great photo but it held up under the discerning eye of NYC Food Guy. And, as far as my Jets fandom goes, I’m a lover of all things NY Sports, minus the Yankees of course, a team I don’t root for but also don’t waste energy hating.
NYC Food Guy
February 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lawrence-
I just wanted to let you know how much my co-workers and I enjoyed your website! My friend Gilda actually rated it better than Zagat’s ( and she is a total “foodie.”) Keep up the great work…’Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lawrence-
I just wanted to let you know how much my co-workers and I enjoyed your website! My friend Gilda actually rated it better than Zagat’s ( and she is a total “foodie.”) Keep up the great work…’Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lawrence-
I just wanted to let you know how much my co-workers and I enjoyed your website! My friend Gilda actually rated it better than Zagat’s ( and she is a total “foodie.”) Keep up the great work…’Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lawrence-
I just wanted to let you know how much my co-workers and I enjoyed your website! My friend Gilda actually rated it better than Zagat’s ( and she is a total “foodie.”) Keep up the great work…’Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Laura-
Thanks so much for the kind words. Please tell Gilda the same. It has been a great run thus far and I’m looking forward to keeping the reviews coming.
NYC Food Guy
February 9th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Lays instead of kettle? Tostitos instead of real? And is that Tostitos salsa!? That would be the biggest sin of all.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Lauren-
For a spread that was provided to me without any questions, I think that this stood the test of deliciousness. The thing I indulged in most was the cheese, crackers, and pepperoni combo. It made the table.
I’d be curious to hear about your Super Bowl spread?
NYC Food Guy
February 20th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I understand that free tastes better. But I suggest Frontera salsa and Dirty Potato chips. I know, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth..
February 20th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
L-
I can take or leave Dirty Chips. I’d much sooner go with some Cape Cod Russets or Salt and Vinegar. As far as Frontera salsa goes, I’ve never had it. Is that a gourmet salsa?
Thanks for the comment.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Looking for recommendations for sushi restaurants. Sick of Masa, Nobu, Bond Street (all for tourists), .. looking for good fish, fairly prices (possibly monster sushi).. waiting for your reviews..otherwise, ur recommendations seem to be very informative and accurate. Free information, good for us, not for you.. how do you get paid out of this venture???
January 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
looking for places for me(im a dog). i prefer places which serve steak.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Sophie: try Hatsuhana (50’s off Park). Pricey, but excellent. But if you can afford Masa and Nobu, shouldn’t be a problem.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Sophie,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m not much of a sushi eater myself but I would stand behind Dr. Dyspepsia’s recommendation.
Charlie,
If your owners love you they’ll bring you the leftovers from any reputable steakhouse. If you’re looking for your own meal, however, that offers great bang for your buck, Les Halles and L’Express both offer exemplary steak frites for under $30. Look forward to hearing your reviews.