Margon

I know that that you would never *plan* to eat near Times Square— the tourists, crazy Elmos, and Olive Garden are enough to keep most sane people away. But every now and then, you may find yourself in the god forsaken area with an empty stomach and not enough energy to go somewhere else for food.

The area is pretty limited on options, but thankfully there are some gems hidden in the rough. One of those gems is Margon, a little Cuban hole-in-the-wall that I have really come to appreciate.

They have awesome cubanos, and if you’ve never had a cubano, it’s a pressed sandwich comprised pulled pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard. I used to swing by to get cubanos for lunch when I worked in the area, and they have always been on point. That being said, I’m not sure how Margon stacks up to cubans elsewhere, as I haven’t had many good ones outside of NYC. So if you’ve tried Margon and feel like you know a good cubano, shoot me a note to let me know how Margon stacks up to the rest.

In addition to good food, it’s the great people that make Margon special. I’ve been here on multiple occasions and it always feels the same. Upon stepping in, the place feels slightly unwelcoming, but you always end up feeling like you’re pals with the guys behind counter by the time you leave.

Overall, Margon is a fantastic hole-in-the-wall joint, with cheap but tasty food. And a bonus? It’s a welcome escape from all the tourists in the area.