Bāng Bar — Restaurant in New York

Working at Lincoln Center, there is a serious lack of quick, cheap lunch options. Upon hearing about this place, I ran down to Columbus Circle before noon after reading that they can sell out by then. There was only a short line, and there appeared to be plenty of meat still on the spits, so I think I could've waited for a more normal lunch time. The line grew after I got my food, but not a whole lot. They do indeed give you a snack while you wait. Today's options were kimchi and mushroom ragu - I went with the latter because the man doesn't own me /s. Really, really tasty and great for a freezing day. My order was ready in about 5 minutes. Spicy Pork U and Vietnamese coffee. The U looks a bit snack sized in the wrap, but remember, it's greasy pork, and they pack it in. As a not very large person who ate a granola bar and almonds a couple hours before, it was plenty. Also, something about spicy food makes it feel more filling - maybe because every minute or so you have to sniffle and look to see if the other people at the standing tables are staring at you mowing down your sandwich... Don't worry, they're on the same journey. Most importantly, the bread is stretchy and flavorful, and the pork was tender and just a tad too salty, but honestly my standards for salt are different when I'm holding a foil wrapped shawarma - I know what I'm getting into, and I embrace it. As should you. I spent more time writing this than I did waiting, ordering, and eating my food. It's a quick, cheap lunch option near Lincoln Center - may many more follow...

I’m from out of town and this left a bad impression. Lunch is from 11-3 and by time we got to the front of the line, they inform us they no longer had chicken available. Ok that’s fine, there is still lamb. They then inform us that they didn’t get lamb that day. Why weren’t we informed before hand by way of sign or something. The options left were eggplant and pork. I don’t eat pork that often so I was going with the eggplant. I wanted to know how it was prepared and the woman taking orders didn’t know much about the food. Even when asking one of the other employees, they were confused. Only one person knew. Chicken is a common meat anywhere so I don’t understand how you don’t have enough for the day and lunch doesn’t end until 3 (We got there at 12:40). The eggplant ended up being slimey even after I was told it was fried (I’m assuming pan fried not deep which would have helped with the confusion)....

Thoroughly disappointing. I ordered the Fold Up with spicy pork ($11) and Waffle Fries ($6.50). Brenda took my order asking me how spicy I liked my food? I can eat spicy being from India. I went to the table where I stood to eat. Unpacking the fold up found two buns with thick strips of pork that looked pink and unappetizing. A first bite confirmed it. I managed to eat it while taking the out most of the meat. The fries were fine but I didn’t pay $19 and change to eat fried potatoes. I hate to waste money and this was a complete waste. Then another customer came to the table with a chicken fold up and said that t tasted dismal. How can the Momofuku Group produce this lackluster cuisine when next door the dishes are...