Suggestion for Quick Bite in Times Square
 

My husband and I will be arriving in NY next Fri. around 4:30pm. We plan on checking into our hotel on W. 40th St., refreshing up and changing, then going to dinner before seeing "Phantom" at 8pm. I'd appreciate any suggestions to get a good, quick bite to eat in/around Times Square (nothing fancy, no reservations since we're pressed for time, we'll eat anything). Thanks in advance!

I know sometimes there's a wait for a table but I suggest you try John's Pizzeria on West 44th Street which used to be a church. They serve really good pizza and Italian food in a fun setting that's great for people watching.

You'd be much safer with reservations for a Fri night pre-theater. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34392017

That said, I'd suggest Ruby Foos-49th & B'way (chinese/Japanese) just because it's so big. Sam's on 45th betw b'way & 8th good burger etc. John's Pizzeria on 44th betw b'way & 8th

Film Center Cafe would be perfect for you. It's on 9th Avenue between 44 and 45. Convenient location, great burgers, and a real New York City feel. There are several moderately priced restaurants on that particular stretch of Ninth Avenue.

Ken - I just checked out the menu for Film Center Cafe (using Menuepages.com) this looks like a possibility for us as we have one night that allows a very tight window in which to grab a bite to eat. Do you know if the wraps and sandwiches are available at dinnertime to, or are these a lunch only item? Thanks in advance for the info.

All of the suggestions sound great. Thanks so much, everyone!

. . . sorry, that was menupages.com

I just checked out menupages.com. What a great idea. Is there anything like that for Florida: Key West.... Miami...Ft.Lauderdale?

Joe Allen on Restaurant Row (West 46th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues) is a nice casual place. They often serve the pre and post theater crowd, therefore the service is prompt.

But on a Fri night at Joe Allen's pre-theater you REALLY need a reservation. You could maybe sit at the bar & eat though.

IMHO - Joe Allen is way overrated, but to grantop, I'm not certain but I don't think that Film Center Cafe has a separate dinner menu, so the wraps, etc., would be available at dinner time. You might want to call, just to make sure.

I do know that on a couple of occasions I've met people there pre-theatre, some had dinner, some had an appetizer, others just had drinks. There's never been a problem.

It's a very casual place.

I haven't tried this place yet but I'm planning to next time I need a quick, light dinner: Kemia Bar at 9th & 44th. It's a Moroccan themed bar beneath Marseille (same chef). They serve meze, e.g. couscous-crusted shrimp, chicken tagine with olives and potatoes.
http://www.kemiabar.com/

I ate in Film Center Cafe once and they were playing very, very loud music. I couldn't even hold a conversation. I never went back.

We like the Dervish Turkish restaurant on 47th between 6th and 7th, and Zen Palate, Oriental vegetarian.