Blue Rose Deli

Great bAcon egg and sneeze on a bagel, cheese melted perfectly. Bacon was crispy. Bagel was soft and warm. Everything worked well.

I strolled in here on a weekday around 12:30 PM when other places had lines out the door. Admittedly, I was very skeptical due to seeing no more than five customers in the place during the lunch rush. As it turns out, my skepticism was entirely unfounded.
Indeed, this establishment can be considered a «miniature version» of its larger competitors in the area, in particular Village 38, located a half-​block away, and Hestia, which is a leap across from it on 7^th Avenue. There are options for wraps, paninis, burgers, tossed salad, stir fry, noodles, and a pay-​per-​pound buffet with approximately ¹⁄₅ of the selections its competitors offer.
Prices are slightly but noticeably lower than its competitors, including the buffet, which at $ 6.79 per pound is a bargain for this area.
My usual is the $ 6 Blue Rose grilled chicken wrap, which offers just the right amount of food for me. One time, I paired it with three chicken wings from the buffet and was actually impressed with them. They are fried with the classic East Asian preparation using corn starch rather than batter, and the end result is that they are not greasy at all yet still maintain their taste.
Casual observers, including my coworkers, would notice the «U-​Dong» sign outside the restaurant and shun this place due to the text seemingly being a misspelling of «udon» gone wrong; however, a quick Google search indicates that U-​Dong is actually a variety of udon-​flavored ramen. Do not let this text fool you into thinking this establishment is one of those lazily run ones that do not care about spelling errors on their signage and menus. Give it a try.

This place is absolutely fantastic. They have a great variety of food items and choices on the menu; the culture in this tiny deli expands into many cultures as one walks into the door. The food prices aren’t bad for a store in Manhattan, which is saying something. I love their chicken fajita paninis! Definitely a place to check out.

The little stop in deli that started our day
We were on the fly, and not quite sure where would stop in for a warm bite but Blue Rose Deli presented itself. We just wanted coffee and a bite, maybe with a New York spin on it, and we sure got it. We definitely missed the breakfast rush, as were the only ones to make an order. It was one of those moments where you realize there is 3 times as many people working the store and kitchen as customers.
So we got our coffee and hot cocoa, and they made up some great breakfast sandwiches. It was during the wait that we noticed we were in a Korean grocery/​restaurant/​deli/​hang out. I had been to a Korean grocery store with a good friend in Miami and recognized some products out of the corner of my eye. I got a little kick out of it as it was a combination of different types of Korean service. In my history of different places and reference by others it was that Korean restaurants, not that helpful; Korean groceries and marts, helpful.
This was a combination of the two and we agreed everyone was very helpful and gave a positive energy to start the day. Feel free to pop in for breakfast, lunch or to get a few things, and you will get service with a smile

I love this little deli, it’s got most of everything for a good lunch plus some Asian food since it’s run by a Korean– udon, bibimbap, instant ramen, etc. Haven’t tried the prepared foods, but go for their salads, sandwiches and wraps! Obviously not the best I’ve tried but salad bowls are only $ 5-​$ 6 and they serve the money’s worth. Everyone seems really friendly there, and it pays to be friendly to them.

This is the best value for your buck for breakfast sandwiches and lunch in the area. I usually get a sausage egg and cheese on a roll and small coffee for 3.50 (3.81 after tax). The other places, cough, EZ CAFE, cough, charge you different prices every day when you add cheese. Shady bastards at EZ CAFE, I tell ya. But, enough about them. For lunch, at Blue Rose, you can get a pretty good stir fry and a coke for 6.50. I usually do chicken with rice, but beef and udon noodle stir fry is pretty good too. Get it spicy. The other great deal is the 3 tacos for 5.95. You can get any meat they have up front in a taco. Mix and match 3 different meats. If they have roast beef, I’d get three of those, especially if it’s red in the middle. They make a mean cuban if they have the pork, too. Friendly staff is a major plus, ’cause there are a lot of butt-​heads in this area. A lot of butt-​heads.

Lower prices than the competition, but also less choices. Not crowded at all if you’re tired of lunch crowds at the competing lunch places. Has some seating at the front, and apparently in the back now as well. They have sandwiches, salads, and also a hot buffet in the back with lower prices per pound than the competition if you’re into that kind of food.
If you’re tired of being overcharged for a salad, do come here. I’m not a salad person but it looks like they have a lot of choices.
Really, really wish their tacos came with more options.
Service is quick as there is rarely a line. Try this place for your lunch break if you need to save a few bucks or if you’re in a rush.

NO WAY! I can’t believe this hasn’t been reviewed yet. I’ve long kind of treasured it as my little secret lunch spot, but I had no idea it really was one.
Maybe it’s the name… Blue Rose? Does it evoke memories of high-​school English homework assignments in anyone else? I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they didn’t name this joint after pleurosis.*
Maybe it’s the location. It’s caddy-​corner from a 7 – 11 that’s next to a White Castle, a Taco Bell, and not one, but two Dunkin Donuts. With so much culinary greatness to choose from in this charming corridor in Midtown West, it’s no wonder this place isn’t packed all the time.
Ha! Anyways, step inside, and you’ve got yourself a pretty chill place and A LOT. better than Village 38 (mind you, I can’t compare them for their nightlife, which appears to be poppin’ at the latter). Price-​wise, there’s no comparison. A (good, fresh, no complaints, even from my prude boyfriend) mix-​your-​own salad here comes with 1 choice of meat and 4 toppings, for $ 5.49 (i.e. half the price of Café Metro). Among the delish toppings they provide: tortellini, feta cheese, pesto chicken, really quality broccoli, cukes, etc. They also have a pretty fine selection of dressings, including a perfect little fat-​free (I know – but it’s good) balsamic vinaigrette.
Sandwich prices are legit, but I’ve never had one. People are really nice.
* so in fact I just wikipedia-​ed it, and Tennessee Williams is unlikely to have been the inspiration for my Blue Rose Deli. Could be named after the romantic fantasy novel role-​playing game, though (I certainly hope so).