I'm looking for a splendiforous NYC lunch downtown for Friday before the Marathon!

Eight people and budget under $30 per person including tax and tip.

I'm drawing a blank. The only thing I am coming up with is Katz.

You're thinking of running the marathon AFTER eating at Katz? I'd be lucky to get off my chair and walk to the door.

I'm trying to picture a spendiferous lunch for under $30.

Also - can't imagine Katz as being splendiferous. Colorful, loud, interesting and masses of fatty food come to mind - but definitely not spendiferous.

i'd help you gotravel, but i'm too busy looking up the definition of "splendiforous". ha! i love pauls in the east village, and i've heard good things about "chat and chew" on 16th street. "hop devil grill" is more of a bar, but great food actually. also, not sure if they are open for lunch but "lan" on 3rd avenue is fab. japanese. ;-) good luck at the marathon!

Splendiferous=New York, classic, good food, fun, great atmosphere.

This is for a late Friday lunch around 2PM-3PM.

The marathon is Sunday.

I'm not looking for elegant, chic minimalism, yadda yadda.

Great food, great fun.

I'm so relieved you meant the day before the marathon. I had images of pastrami being upchucked along the marathon route.

What type of cuisine and where downtown?

Try The Tasting Room in Nolita (on Elizabeth St). Excellent food and you might be able to get away with $30 during lunch. Also, you might want to try Barolo on West Broadway in Soho -- could be fun.

carbing up and no wine? lupa can't be beat.

Not sure how far downtown you want to go, but I would suggest Rosa Mexicano in the space previously occupied by America - 18th St by Union Square. Just gorgeous with the divers on the wall like the westside location.

Also, Jane on Houston is fun. Or Dos Caminos on Houston.

One of my very favorites though is Stanton Social. Not sure of pricing for lunch though. Check menupages.com

Forgot to add that Stanton Social is
sharing food, so that will keep the cost down.