These were responses I’d received to a posting I’d placed on Chowhound.com, a website for the food-obsessed, after a particularly dreary day in the CCNY cafeteria, recommending some good food finds in the CCNY area. As one respondent prefaced his recommendations: “Poor you. I spent twenty years of my life at CCNY, and yes, I sympathize.”

As I’ve had a few requests recently to redistribute the recommendations, I have reconstructed the list. Below you’ll find the Chowhound recommendations I circulated earlier, as well as the results of a more recent posting, and a couple of recommendations from within our own ranks. It occurs to me that the OE would be an ideal place to begin an exchange of culinary wisdom, and so I encourage the food-minded among you to share your own CCNY-area culinary finds and updates. Post them on the comment board at the end of this article. Because, while the majority of us plan to spend far fewer than 20 years at City, tuna wraps get old pretty darn quick.

Floridita
Floridita at 127th and Broadway. Open and sunny, friendly and all kinds of good food, including the range from bacon and eggs to ropa vieja, rice and beans, and great cafe con leche. –Arietta (Oct. 29, 2003)

The Greeks
“The Greeks” at 139th and Amsterdam. It’s no culinary hotspot, but they do have a nice roasted piece of meat daily that makes a good sandwich. I think Tuesday is fresh turkey and Friday corned beef, with various other daily specials. No, it’s not Katz’s, but it is good, for the neighborhood. Say hello to George for me and maybe he'll throw on an extra pickle. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)

“Jamaican place at 144th and Amsterdam”I had very good oxtails at the Jamaican place at 144th and Amsterdam last Thursday. I don’t know the name, but it is on the east side, with tables set up outside. The beef stew is also good, and the jerk chicken is not bad. –Chowhound.com (May 6, 2005)

Java’s Brewin’
Java’s Brewin’ at 141st and Amsterdam serves a nice cup of Joe, as well as muffins, croissants, pastries, salads and sandwiches. The staff is friendly and will gladly let you read your favorite psychoanalytic text for hours on end. –Melissa J. (May 6, 2005)

La Flor de Broadway
At 138th and Broadway. La Flor de Broadway has a nice Caldo Gallego and some pretty good cuban sandwiches. You have to stand, but it’s cheap. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)

La Flor de Broadway has very good Cubanos for $2.50 at 138 and Broadway. Makes a wonderful lunch. –Chowhound.com (May 6, 2005)

La Valle Restaurant
At 135th and Broadway, just north of the northeast corner – on Bway. Hispanic spot, get the quarter chicken - great with some rice. Real authentic, some of the best chicken in the city. Also cold Heinekens. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)

Mexico Dos
On Amsterdam just north of 145th on the west side of the street is a place called Mexico Dos which is pretty good and not too expensive. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)

Miss Maude’s Spoonbread Too
Check out Miss Maude’s Spoonbread Too on 138th & Lenox. Really good food, laid back and unpretentious atmosphere. Another branch called Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too is on 110th across from St. John's the Divine. The one on 138th is supposed to be better. I’ve never been to the 110 St. one, but can vouch for the 138th St. restaurant. The ribs were great, and the black-eyed peas and collard greens were outstanding. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)

Sunshine Jamaican Kitchen
145th and St Nick has Sunshine Jamaican Kitchen and the fish and chips place. Sunshine has good roti, jerk chicken, etc. Both of these options are take-out only, unfortunately. –Chowhound.com (Oct. 28, 2003)