There’s no free lunch at the Javits Convention Center, but you can get good, fairly inexpensive food while attending BEA (or any trade show at the Javits, for that matter). The secret? Get it delivered.
The beauty of getting food delivered to the Javits is that you can get a much better meal than at the cafeteria, for about half the price, and in a fraction of the time. All you have to do is plan ahead. You just call 30 minutes to an hour before lunch, and plan to meet the delivery person at the concierge desk (it’s on the lower level, near the shuttle bus dropoff). The restaurant will take your cell phone number and call when they arrive. Most places take credit cards, too- you give your info over the phone, and sign for the food when it arrives.
Here’s a list of places that deliver to the Javits (download pdf of their menus here):
Manganaro’s: A ‘Manganaro Special’ will feed two. According to the menu it’s “mix meats, cheese and peppers”. If you’r from Philly, you’ll call it a hoagie, but it’s a little different and very, very good. Closed Sunday. (488 9th Ave, 212-563-5331)
Manganaro’s Hero Boy: Similar to Manganaro’s and just next door. Some say they’ve been fighting for the name for a half century. At least they’re open on Sunday. (494 9th Ave, 212-947-7325)
Kam Wei Chinese Restaurant: If you’re manning the booth Sunday, you’ll miss out on your weekly dim sum pilgrimage. Golden City will take care of those Chinese food cravings. (630 10th Ave, 212-459-9859)
Sandwich Planet: Just about any kind of sandwich, plus salads and soups. Closed Sunday. (534 9th Ave.; 212-273-9768)
Stage Door Delicatessen: Famous diner/deli across from Penn Station. The menu runs to nine pages-if you can’t find what you want here, you’ll just have to leave the convention center for lunch. (461 8th Ave at 33rd St, 212-868-9655)