Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Do You Break For Lunch?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 23, 2010
Modified Jun 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 23, 2010
Modified Jun 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Lunch counter in office building, 1957, NYC
You know how in Mad Men people take lunch hours (and smoke in their offices, and have whiskey for breakfast)? Well it's time to reclaim that mid-century mentality! Because currently the average worker only takes 20 minute lunch breaks, and those are taken at their desk (and they aren't even 3-martini lunches). Seriously, Don Draper would never be caught saying nonsense like this.
So now there's some nationwide movement called Take Back Your Lunch, and today it will take over Madison Square Park between noon and 2 p.m. Lunchers should meet at the park area closest to Madison Avenue between 24th and 25th streets to take part—this will happen every Wednesday throughout the summer (but in different locations). Today there will also be a Wildwood BBQ lunchbox special, which includes a pulled pork, beef or chicken sandwich with vinegar chips, coleslaw and pickles, sweet tea or iced tea, and a Fluffernutter S'more—all for $15. (Sounds like this doesn't exactly fit with the campaign to not have a heart attack by age 45).
Tagged
lunch
lunch breaks
lunch hour
Take Back Your Lunch
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .