Food Depot

YUCK… I went to this spot as I read a few reviews and wanted to try it OMG the worst place ever! The food in the food bar was warm the chicken was like leather and tough as shit I know it would have kicked my ass in an alley! Never Again!

This is a great NYC deli. Run by Koreans who keep the place spotless. I live three blocks from it, and my office is 2 blocks from it… so I see what they do on the weekends. They rip the place apart, pulling things off the shelves and clean, clean, clean. They also do something I’ve never seen in ANY NYC deli, they use hoses on the banks where the salad and hot bar trays go, with big buckets of bleach. Wow. It’s amazing.
Not only is the place kept very clean, the food is excellent, and the variety is wonderful, too. And, you can tell the manager/​owner if they are low on something, or you want them to order something, and she will oblige you.
I am a huge fan of the MONGOLIAN station, but their salad bar is one of the best in the City, as well.

good stuff, great variety. I like going here for their hot buffet, everything is very good. I used to get sandwiches here, but I’ve noticed that the chubby spanish guy in a red hat likes touching his face/​nose/​ears before he makes sandwiches, which grosses me out. I started going elsewhere when I want a sandwhich but will continue going here for the buffets.

Admittedly, I’ve only come here for the udon noodle soups, but why try anything else when you know that you’ll have a satisfyingly hearty meal for ~$ 8 – 9 without fail?
Sure, they have a buffet bar, a soup bar, pre-​made sushi, a deli counter (or two), and a hibachi station at the back. When it comes to variety of freshly prepared ready-​to-​go takeaway products, Food Depot doesn’t skimp. Generally, prices are very reasonable for Flatiron, too.
All that said, I’ll keep on coming back for the spicy veggie udon. It’s not exactly Café 28, but it’s as good as it gets in quick walking distance of the office. And there’s nothing more delightful on a crappy winter day than a bowl full of blissful brothy starch.

A solid go-​to staple for the workweek lunch. Follows the «food station» set-​up floorplan. Sandwiches, salads, hot and cold buffet and my personal favorite the Mongolian station. You pick the raw ingredients and sauces and they Mongolian it up for you on the spot. Such Mongolian. I cant stop writing Mongolian. Mongoooolian.
For lunch it never gets too crowded and the cashiers MONGOLIAN, darn it! The cashiers are quick and efficient.
Also has an upstairs eating area complete with a bathroom.

My default breakfast place pre-​work. It’s right around the corner from the office, it’s fast and relatively cheap and healthy. Healthy as in the breakfasts are made fresh and not pre-​made and heated like fast food places.
I love getting the omelets here — the French and the California are my favorites. Add a little bit of ketchup and maybe some turkey bacon or a hash brown and you have an awesome and filling breakfast. I’m normally full until dinner after eating one of these omelettes — unless I’m running around like a headless chicken in the office (and let’s face it, I normally am.)
I also come here a lot for their udon noodles during the winter. You get so much food (noodles and your choice of veg) for under $ 8 (including tax). It’s filling, it’s warm and it’s delicious. Plus, it’s relatively cheap for the neighborhood! I also really like their salads — closer to the office and cheaper than Hale & Hearty.
People who only like «healthy junk food» or «healthy soft drinks,» you’ll be happy to know that they sell beet chips, kale chips, that «real ginger ale» brand, various brands of coconut water (including Harmless Harvest, although it’s really pricey here) and more.
So in short, yeah I guess I’m a fan of this place.

My workplace default location mainly for breakfast of muffins and breakfast sandwiches at moderate prices. Lunch by the pound can financially take a hefty toll to my budget which I seek elsewhere. Staff is friendly and always working very quickly at the grill for the morning and afternoon peak hours. Checkout line moves very quickly. Ceiling by the registers/​entrance depicts drawings of Cherubims.
Food Depot carries one of my favorite cookies: Lara’s Bake Shop for chocolate chip cookies at the average retail price of $ 6.50. Coffee and hot/​cold tea are self-​serve as one desire.