This is a spacious food place with different stations. They have hot and cold food. Pre-packaged and non pre-packaged food too. They make wraps, sushi, pasta, sandwiches and more. They have a-lot of hot food choices as well that you can serve yourself for take out or eat there. I think upstairs they have some tables. I could be wrong though. I do not remember. I do not come here often. When I do I usually get the same thing a bagel with butter and something to drink. read more

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They have the best udon noodle soup here. Shrimp shumai with all the toppings is amazing. Reasonable price for a huge portion that keeps me Fialk all day. They love fast during lunch hours. read more

This place is one of the worst. The guys who take your order are so rude and then your order is wrong. The checkout ladies are always rude no matter which cashier you get. This is my company's catering company and I will no longer use them. read more

Everything You Could Possibly Want This place is very impressive. They have all sorts of meal options from cook to order to self serve breakfast that include an oatmeal bar, yogurt and fruit bar, hot breakfast bar and pre packaged items like yogurt parfait and cut up fresh fruit. We did not go there for lunch but I am sure they have great selections as well. In addition to meal options there is a juice bar and a huge selection of snack and other items. read more

I had a blueberry bagel with blueberry cream cheese here. Years later I still dream about it. Great place to grab a quick meal.

I was told about Essen from a coworker. Apparently, it is the place to get their unlimited toppings salads and other items. The store is located on 53rd street on the side of 515 Madison. $11.50 for a small and $12.95 for a large before tax for an unlimited topping salad. The shady situation about their salad bar is that not all the toppings are actually available at the time even though their toppings are of a good quality. I have worked food and retail for quite a while so I know how things go. What ended up being even more shady is that anytime I asked for a "high cost" ingredient to be put in my salad, I was immediately met with a "we don't have this" reply: example involve roasted zucchini and avocado. From my second visit, they ran out of kale as a base. I said thank you and immediately walked out of Essen and headed to Sweetgreen where I got a custom Super Green Goddess with kale for $9.95 + tax. read more

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The $12 large unlimited topping salad is insane. Get yourself tons of protein and this thing can get up to 2 or 3lbs. Buffet is decent at $10 per lb. read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - a salad in a bowl - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a good spot for a quick affordable meal. Personally love coming here for breakfast. I am obsessed with their rolls they are so fresh and pairs really well with my sausage egg and cheese! Their lunch menu is also really convenient and always has a big option of choices. I have never been disappointed here read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - Sausage egg and cheese - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

Slow to check out Fast to grab at the salad bar At an utter shocking extreme high price of $7.99 per pound for either hot or cold food at the salad bar, I dare not to touch!! The minimum starts at $5.95 for any sushi Spicy Tuna Roll and goes up to infinity. Seating is very limited if any, which one must be fast to grab before it goes to the nothingness. I was near starvation even after this measly $5.95 where it has gone to the misery of high price, little quantity. I agree with previous Yelpers as the setup is not economical efficient where patrons will stand on one line to pickup or order food and a second line for payment of checking out. Yet Essen has become the food version spin-off of DMV where the staff is more user friendly, but in Midtown fashion of sky high prices. read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

They've gone waaaaaay downhill. Grabbed a bacon, egg, and cheese this morning that was dry and flavorless. How can anything with bacon and American cheese be dry??? I had to choke it down. The lack of any sort of line should have been a warning - they used to be packed, even after the post-pandemic reopening. And, of course, the price of a BEC has gone up a buck since the last time I was there. Not worth it - sorry. read more

You wouldn't think a salad would make a person sick. After all, the purpose of eating a salad is to be healthy. For some reason, and this has happened three times, I feel like I've gotten food poisoning every time I eat here. Honestly-McDonald's may not be healthy, but at least you won't feel sick after you eat there. Price is irrelevant-you're in Midtown for lunch hour. However, the sheer lack of quality makes me hate the fact that I wasted a meal here...and I feel absolutely terrible. Thanks for ruining the rest of my day, Essen! if you're in the area, go to Blake & Todd, Europa, or anywhere else but here. read more

FINALLY!!!! i've been waiting for Essen- Slow Fast Food to open up for MONTHS! beautifully designed- with shiny white furnishings, brightly lit hot/cold buffet, breakfast station, sandwich/grill station, salad station, sushi & udon station AND... coffee station! i love that they provide every means of breakfast/lunch and even dinner items. i'm talking about healthy/organic juices and yogurts, the typical soda/juice brands and even something for the mighty mighty hearty eaters... CUBANOS and PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS! Korean mandoos, quesadillas and paninis... oh my! the great thing about this place is that- you can tell they really trained their staff. whether it be: making sure nothing has run out and stations are constantly replenished, sweeping/mopping up messes from clumsy customers, stocking the shelves and refilling the buffet station. what's the big seller for me? well- the fact that this is a Korean-owned establishment makes me very happy. i know this doesn't mean much to just anyone. however, to me... this is very important. stereotypically, Koreans provide the BEST customer service to their clients. they take the time and sympathy to make sure that their customers are 110% satisfied. if you've ever dined at a Korean restaurant or cafe... you totally know what i'm projecting here. the minute you walk in- you are greeted by a few ah-jeum-ma's (middle aged woman) and makes you feel welcomed... like your Korean friend's mom welcoming you into her home. it kind of warms up my heart. the COFFEE was free today! i think they're extending the promotion for their Grand Opening week. i liked the many options of coffee you could choose room and it's all do it yourself. i LOVE it. i bought a bunch of items for lunch- chips, juice & fruit... i have yet to try their Korean Mandoos. breakfast was freshly made and delicious. i cannot give this place 5 stars yet... i haven't been able to sample all of their offerings. but... for now, i am one happy camper. read more

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Disclaimer: I only like the salad bar and this review is mainly for the salad bar.. I think everything else is overpriced and would not recommend. I love the salad bar. It's precisely $9.74 after tax for a small salad with unlimited toppings. UNLIMITED toppings. So yeah, it becomes a healthy large salad after I have my way with it. Here's how it usually goes: Me: Small spring mix and baby spinach please Him: What toppings? Me: Broccoli, onions, grape tomatoes, ummm... carrots and umm.. spicy chicken Him: *gives me a LOT of chicken* Me: Spicy shrimp, hard boiled egg, turkey, ham Him: Chopped? Me: Mozzarella, corn..... Him: Chopped? Me: Roasted red peppers, chickpeas.. and cauliflower please!! Sorry yes, chopped! Oh can I also have avocado??? Him: *starts chopping* What kinda dressing? Me: Spicy sesame please, and can I have some bacon and walnuts too? Him: *finishes chopping and has to push my salad down in order to fit inside the small container* Every time I come here I feel like a little kid again. The thrill of choosing everything as part of the unlimited deal is so incredibly enticing. They change up some of their toppings so there's sometimes steak! I love steak in my meat salad. Also, avocado is included as part of the unlimited at no additional cost? Marry me!!!! I hate crowds and love having fresh and plentiful selections so I make it my mission to either come here at 11:30am or not at all. Okay.. a slight update a couple months later: it's not the freshest and they kinda skimp on the greens, but definitely still bang for your buck for all the protein you can add on. read more

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Found a cockroach in my drink this Monday. Shame on me because my friends warned me about Essen. Some of them had cockroaches in their sandwiches in the past, but I didn't listen. The best is that the manager pretended not to be the manager and called a cook out to speak to me. Good one! I used to go there almost daily, I see you looking over the sushi like everyone is a thief. I know you. #neveragain. Disgusting. read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - DO NOT GO THERE!!!!! COCKROACH IN MY ICED TEA. Fiends have had cockroaches in their sandwiches before but I didn't listen. - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

Brought these fries today 11/10/2021. When I saw the cook trying to fix these fries as to cover the good ones over these oily ones. I asked to see it and he looked a bit nervous because he felt I was going to complain. I was going too but decided not to because I work in the area and didn't want anyone I knew saw me react. I will not be coming back to this place. They are not friendly. I've been going to Essen on E 40 street and Madison for 5yrs and they are very customer oriented and much better selection and cooks. I did call this location when I got back to my office and complained. This is just unacceptable! I picked out the good pieces and threw the other 70% of fries away. Their food it not that good. Eat at your own health risk! read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - a container of french fries - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

I do not have much to write here. 1. Customer Service was great. The cashier was polite and quick. 2. Food was okay, nothing amazing. I was basically in and out without any attitudes or problems. Couldn't give a 4 because food was okay. read more

Please do yourself a favor and stay away from this place. I had udon soup with shimp shumai there for lunch yesterday and 2 hours later started feeling very nauseous. I spent the entire evening throwing up and there was no question it was the soup what made me sick. Never again. read more

CONS: Overpriced. Not really a con, but no bathroom. Scarce seating. Most of the employees don't speak English, so if you have questions you'll have to find an employee who can help you. If you understand Spanish, you'll know that the male employees unabashedly check out and talk about female customers walking by. It's uncomfortable. I guess they assume (as most people do) that if someone doesn't "LOOK" like they speak a language, they automatically don't. PROS: the food is so good! They always have a great selection at the buffet bar! It's so easy to load up because everything IS as good as it looks! read more

A coworker recommended Essen as a to-go breakfast restaurant. Essen features cafeteria style a la carte dining with a hot bar (with breakfast sandwiches, tater tots, bacon, sausage, etc), a sandwich station, and sushi counter among other options. I was a big fan of the hot bar breakfast sandwiches that ranged from $2.50-5 and gave me the energy I needed to make it to lunch. read more

I got sick after eating here and the place was just closed for two days because they failed a health inspection.

My favorite place to eat ! The cashiers are the best ! The salad bar is the best and the guys are so polite and nice ! Lots of options udon is the best ! Best place to eat ! read more

Finally, some new blood in the hood. This place is becoming one of my favorite go tos for lunch. The place is spotless since its new and it gets hectic for lunch, but that's midtown for you. I can only comment on the sandwiches because that's all I've eaten here. The grilled chicken is delicious and yummy. yes, yummy. You see them making it fresh all day, so its piping hot when they load up your sandwich. I sometime get the California or make my own. The guys behind the counter are super cool and always hook me up to get me fat or something, like I sometimes get fries when I didn't ask for it...oh well. We often order food delivered as well and it's always fast. There may have been one error, but they were quick to fix it with relatively no hassle (maybe, just maybe I ordered to wrong bread and it was my own fault). read more

Woke up early and decided to stop in and see the magic in person! Friendly staff. Clean store. Well lit. And really nice mini breakfast buffet, at a decent price! Only one I've ever seem with over easy eggs...and the steam table set right so that the yolks didn't cook through! Three types of scrambled egg options, decent potatoes, pancakes and french toast, breakfast wraps, pretty decent (for a steam table) and inexpensive croissant sandwiches, bacon, five types of sausage....a King's feast! Get yo' Essen on! read more

This is my go-to spot to pick up pre-made sushi, healthy snacks and other office-food items (yogurt, bottled fancy juices, etc.). They also have this great "do-it-yourself" Miso Soup, where you can add as much seaweed, tofu and scallions you want to your Miso Soup. Nothing much else to write except that I'm glad it's right across the street from my office. Sadly, this means that I rarely leave my office for lunch these days...except for a quick scurry across the street. read more

I liked this place a lot, not only because it is so close to my company, but also because it offered so many options. Their beef soba is definitely a must try. Besides, they have good soup and good buffet. The line is not long also if you come early in the morning or at noon! read more

Won't be returning. The cooks have 'tudes. This morning I ordered the breakfast platter $3.95 with two fried eggs bacon home fries and toast. The guy didn't give me toast and when I asked for it he said you said toast. (??). And the other cook co-signed by saying I didn't ask for toast. Um ok. Then he chargers me $4.25 when it clsadly states the platter is $3.95. I told the cashier, who was very nice, and she charged me the right amount. The cooks act holier thank though for no reason. It looks very nice in there but I don't waste money do I would NOT return. I prefer Cafe Isadora!! read more

I've only been here once, but this place is worth a review. Starving after a two-hour car ride, my girlfriend and I randomly rushed in here as we were heading towards MoMA. The place was a rather crowded at the time and in the beginning, the breadth of selections overwhelmed and intimidated me a little. Not expecting anything, we got a to-go container with tomato rice, salmon, steak, and other things; it was amazing. I'd have to go back and eat again until I make a final call, but definitely 4-star quality. read more

I tried this place today because I needed a salad but also was bringing sandwiches home to my kids. Salad with unlimited toppings was great and a good deal (like others mentioned). One kid got a reuben and said it was REALLY yummy. And the other got a Philly cheesesteak - also yummy. The guys making sandwiches were very nice even though they were super busy. It is kind of a typical NY place with also a hot bar, sushi, and dumplings- a nice mixture of options. read more

Essen, keep yourself a better-hidden place to eat. Honestly, I am thankful that this place is not apocalyptically packed despite its location right outside the 53rd/5Ave subway stop. That does not, however, mean that you can expect not to have to wait on line during the holy hours of lunch. Neither does it mean that the salad bar has anything interesting on the vegetarian side. Everyone raves about Essen's salad bar, but this uptown location could really use some more innovation on the hot-food side. Don't know how to have fun without meat, Essen? Wish I could buy $2.5 chobani yogurts from people who have more respect for plant eaters. read more

Saying this place offers a wide selection of food, is quite the understatement. It is like a deli but a lot bigger and "homier". Each "cuisine" has it's own station and many of them you are able to customize your food to your liking. For example at the soup station you are able to pour your own soup and add as many fixing such as scallions, tofu or seaweed for free on top. The salad bar you are able to create your own salad at flat rate with unlimited fixings which is quite rare to find these days. They have huge selection for the pay per weight food. While the lines look crazy long, they go by pretty quickly. read more

I was in NYC for business a couple of weeks ago when I came across this awesome breakfast/lunch spot in midtown. I was somewhat skeptical at first because it looked like a typical cafeteria style joint - but it wasn't! They had a huge selection (udon, sushi, sandwiches, cold/hot food, salad bar, burgers, and on and on) of dishes that were reasonably priced. The first day I went to Essen, I tried their shumai udon and spicy salmon roll. The 2nd day, I picked up their sashimi salad. All of these dishes were freakin good- better than some of the Japanese restaurants I've been to. This place was clean, quick, and everything that you would want in a lunch spot. We need a place like this in seattle! read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - Hearty sashimi salad! - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

I go here with my colleagues nearly every single workday. If you go at 11:30-45 to the hot & cold bars, you will have a better lunch experience than anything I can think of relative to the price. Essen provides a scrumptious array of options from kale salad to gourmet mac & cheese. The meat selection is consistently on point (I usually lean toward the baked salmon) with legitimate variety. One of the underrated parts about the Essen experience has to be speed (mind you I'm referring specifically to the hot/cold bars which I contend should be graded independently from the rest of the establishment). I walk in, fill my box, and in no time I'm summonded by a lovely lady in a pink shirt to weigh my food! In closing, I'm compelled to submit such praise for Essen NOT because I want to encourage more business, but rather because I'm motivated to remunerate this fine restaurant in more ways than just my money. read more

This place is always inconsistent with their prices if you're ordering from the sandwich or grill section. Management, please get your staff together!! read more

I pick up coffee and breakfast from Essen almost every day. They have a great breakfast buffet consisting of differently prepared eggs, oatmeal, and meats. I'm a fan because they always have turkey bacon / chicken sausage, and the stock is regularly replenished so they never run out. I haven't been here other than for breakfast but I wouldn't be hesitant to come for lunch. read more

Very upset with how this place is running. Maybe when I actually try this place, I'll change the rating but first of all, it says they're opened till 6PM. I arrived with my coworker around 3:30-4PM and they were already cleaning and ready to leave. We were so confused and asked where is everything and why are they cleaning so early and they just shrugged us off and giggled. TERRIBLE! read more

I love places in Manhattan serving lunch. Salads, sandwiches, soups and smoothies are my thing. Went to this place after a physician's appointment who just happened to be across the street. Read all the reviews on yelp but was kind of disappointed with the food. There were skimpy vegetarian options and whatever they were, they had a strange stench. Although I will try the salad bar next time! read more

Essen Slow Fast Food - Delis Near Me - New York, New York

Customer service is absolutely awful. They are understaffed and rude. Today, I simply went to order a sandwich. The guy behind the counter finally looks at me after 5 minutes and says "you can see that I am busy right?". I said "I'll be right with you" would have been the better way to acknowledge you noticed me waiting. read more

Was very surprised to see all the neg. reviews about this place. While I haven't ventured past the sandwich bar - they don't get any better than they are at essen. They guys are super nice, they are fast, they are totally open to customizing their special sandwiches, and frankly, cheaper than most places in the hood for far better quality. read more

Sandwiches. Sushi. Fresh juices + smoothies. Hot/cold buffet. Salads. Udon. Most anything you could want for lunch is here, and at some of the lowest prices in the area. One of the best lunch options in the area, realistically. Good food, hyper-quick checkouts, and you can get a good meal under $10. Open breakfast & dinner too. read more

This is where I come to get my Korean fix for quick sushi and soba & udon noodle soup (pho). This is quite the lunch rush spot, so it's always good to call ahead if your in a rush and just want to pick up. Also they deliver, but be sure to give them about a 60 minute heads up because this is quite a popular spot for local businesses. The prices are on par for Midtown lunch places, but are generally higher than similar locations downtown. Location, location, location dictates price. They also have a large selection of hot and cold sandwiches made to order, daily soup selections like fresh chicken noodle (with big chunks of shredded chicken and veggies), turkey chili, or miso. These always hit the spot on a cold winter day. The salad station is always very popular, but if your in a rush they also have a hot and cold table with plenty of daily options to fill your To-Go box with. TIP: The freshest time to get from the hot and cold table is 11AM. After 2PM stuff tends to sit longer and longer till it's gone. Great spot for setting up a corporate account ! read more