If you find yourself feeling hungry near the Flatiron District around noon on a Saturday, go ahead and bypass the overblown brunch spot with the unwarranted wait and grab a stool at Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, the legendary lunch counter famously "raising New York's cholesterol since 1929."

Eisenberg's is your perfect brunch alternative. Yes, you can have your bacon and eggs and all the other breakfast basics. But, you won't find any benedict on the menu and your meal won't extend into the mid-afternoon, as weekend mornings at Eisenberg's are for having brunch, not doing brunch.

As is generally the case with greasy spoons of Eisenberg's stature, most of the clientele knows its order cold, rattling off requests before even sitting down. Coffee is poured quickly and complementary pickles are placed on the counter, leaving you plenty of time to peruse a menu, should you need one. If you're a first time visitor, there are tables in the rear of the restaurant, but the long counter up front is where you want to sit to really experience the pleasure of eating at a classic New York luncheonette.

While the breakfast dishes won't win any awards, they are solid first servings of sustenance for the day; try the LEO platter (lox, eggs and onions). However, since Eisenberg's is, after all, a sandwich shop, you shouldn't overlook lunch. The tuna melt has attained a storied status, a crowd favorite served on crispy, buttery slices of toast. It's very good, but don't sleep on the fantastically fluffy egg salad sandwich, standing several inches high and perfect with an old-fashioned egg cream, one of the city's best.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $15 per person. Tax and tip included.

-You'll be tempted to order the Jewish deli classics, like the pastrami or corned beef. Fight the temptation and stick with the other sandwiches, as the sliced red meat just isn't that great.

-On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Eisenberg's serves some pretty stellar meatloaf. Yes, you read that correctly.

-No alcohol here.

NEARBY: Spend the afternoon shooting at West Side Rifle & Pistol Range, play some ping pong at SPiN or go gaming at Barcade.