Margon

"More Cubano places should put a slice of salami on their sandwich, like Margon does. This busy counter right off of Times Square is one of the area’s most reliable lunch spots, and they have a few tables where you can wait for your order—which should be that time-tested combo of buttery toasted bread, roast pork, ham and salami, plus pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard.  If it’s your fourth visit to Margon this week, the steam-tray options, like red wine-infused oxtail, roast pork, and rice that’s the color of an orange Fanta are pretty great too. The Order: The Cubano. As a bonus, it’s served with soup or rice and beans." - will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja, bryan kim, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick

"If you want picturesque, subterranean, and inexpensive, Margon is your place: a Latin diner specializing in Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican food that attracts diners from all walks of life — but few tourists. It’s also a great place to grab a pressed Cuban sandwich or codfish salad if you want to have a picnic in Bryant Park. It closes at 5 p.m., because this is a real lunch counter, with a menu that cycles by the week." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff

"We’d travel from another borough and dodge grown men in Batman suits for the Cubano at this busy counter-service spot near Times Square. The bread is crusty, soft, and not too thick, and there’s just the right amount of cheese, and a slice of salami for added saltiness. The sandwich is only available before 4:30pm, which is when Margon closes for the day. The rest of the Cuban dishes are served cafeteria-style. The shrimp ceviche and octopus salad only remind us of better versions out there, so stick to hot items like red wine-infused oxtail and fried chicken chunks. Get in line, point to what you want, and snag one of the dozen orange tables if you’re eating in. Check the specials before you come—the selection changes daily. photo credit: Emily Schindler" - Kenny Yang

"Hidden amid the skyscrapers and white tablecloth restaurants of Midtown, the no-frills, cafeteria-style lunch spot Margon opened in 1970 and remains one of the city’s best places for Cuban food—and what the bustling restaurant lacks in service, it more than makes up for in flavor." - Natalie Beauregard

"If you want a glimpse of the old Times Square — gritty, commercial, and night clubby — walk into Margon and order a plate of chicken fricassee or roast pork, accompanied by white rice and black beans and a wad of sweet fried plantain. Founded in 1970, this amazing Cuban lunch counter has soldiered onward though thick and thin, and now boasts a handful of tables in the street in a curbside enclosure. For those who appreciate its sturdy, garlicky fare, Margon is simply one of the best restaurants in town." - Robert Sietsema