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Editorial Review
With eight locations in Midtown, one in Gramercy, and one in the Financial District (see links below), it seems like a new Pax Wholesome Foods springs up every few months. And why not? They’ve created a terrific balance of convenience without sacrificing quality. Their combination of ready-made sandwiches, wraps, and pressatas (Pax’s version of the panini), and a made to order sandwich bar allow you to grab something tasty on the run, or fine-tune your meal to exactly to your liking. There’s enough of a turnover so that the already-prepared food is fresh enough—especially at midday. With a quick little blast in the oven, you get a warm sandwich, and you’re ready to run in about two minutes.
My personal pick is the Chicken Vera Cruz Pressata ($5.95)—grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Swiss, all on flat bread and served European panini style. Warmed up just enough to melt the Swiss and served with a chipotle aeoli dipping sauce—the whole thing just melts in your mouth. But there are plenty of options for vegetarians and carnivores worth working into your lunch rotation. The Fire-Roasted Vegetable Paesano Sandwich ($5.95) is not to be overlooked. Roasted vegetables, topped with mozzarella, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, and a roasted garlic-artichoke pesto combine to make a flavorful and light, but filling baguette.
And I fell in love with their salad bar. Start with your choice of romaine, mixed greens, or spinach, and go buck-wild with over 50 items to toss in. But be conscious of going too buck-wild. While reasonably priced, the add-ons certainly add on the bucks quickly. For the most part, veggies are an additional 50 cents, dried fruits and cheese ring in at 75 cents, but more substantial items like avocado, Tandoori chicken, and baked salmon will cost you anywhere from $1.50 to $2. They’ve got a good variety of about 20 dressings—mostly what you’d expect, with a few interesting options like roasted garlic-pesto, and four fat-free alternatives for the calorie counters. If you’re jonesing for a large salad with a good mix of veggies and a protein, you’re looking at about $10, but if you’re sticking to just the veggies on a smaller salad, you can squeak through under $7.
On an interesting side note, the term “jonesing” is 1960s slang originating from New York’s own Jones Alley—next to Great Jones Street in Lower Manhattan—where the alley was associated with the addicts in the area. Totally unrelated, but interesting nonetheless. Although, I have sort of been jonesing for a pressata since my last visit.
With soups, fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, assorted baked goods, and a breakfast menu, Pax has got everything you could want early to midday. Plus they have a terrific website where you can preorder for pickup and delivery. It’s easy to use, has descriptions of each item, and offers some discounts. So if you’re forced to eat in the office, don’t hesitate to jump on the site (paxfood.com), and build yourself a salad, sandwich, or go with their classics. Or dine in—most locations have ample seating, a clean, well-lit, open feel, and plenty of windows for people watching. But do yourself a favor—it’s the summer—grab lunch to go and find a place to eat outside. Then again, it’s not like Manhattan is full of too many rolling green pastures. You might be better off having your picnic in Pax. Just wishful thinking, I guess.
MIDTOWN EAST LOCATIONS:
Madison Ave (b/w 48th & 49th)
East 42nd St. (b/w 2nd & 3rd Ave.)
3rd Ave. (@ 55th Street)
Madison Ave. (@ 52nd Street)
MIDTOWN WEST LOCATIONS:
Broadway (b/w 35th & 36th St.)
Broadway (@ 57th St.)
7th Ave. (@ 49th St.)
GRAMERCY LOCATION:
Park Ave. South (@ 23rd Street)
DOWNTOWN LOCATION:
Broad St (@ Stone St.) |
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Restaurant Information
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Vegetarian Friendly
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American Grill
Global Fusion
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$ (under $15)
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M-F: 6:30am-6:30pm, Sa: 7am-3pm, Su: Closed
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Pax Wholesome Food
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