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13 Great Places to Eat and Drink Near Comic Con 2014

The best bets for beer, coffee, pizza, and tacos near the relative wasteland that is the Javits Center.

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As of yesterday, Comic Con 2014 is under way, with over 130,000 cosplayers and fantasy fans swarming the Javits Center on the way West Side. Needless to say, between collecting autographs, sitting through panels, and just generally navigating the masses, most are going to need some caffeine, beer, pizza, and tacos to power on through. Good food can be tough to find in the wasteland that surrounds the Javits, but it's not impossible. Here are the best places to grab a meal or a drink without straying too far from the wonder-world of Comic Con.

— Cynthia Correa, Michael Benjamin

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Tabata Noodle Restaurant

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Robert Sietsema is a fan of this 9th Avenue noodle shop. He recommends the eponymous ramen made with a combination of cooked and toasted noodles that float in a coconut milk broth. There are also several rice dishes like a katsu curry, plus some traditional small bites like edamame, gyoza, and spicy pickled cabbage. [Photo]

Larb Ubol

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Known for its Isaan cuisine, Larb Ubol offers several fiery shredded green papaya salads and a variety of bar snacks. The restaurant is a perennial Eater favorite, for its inexpensive lunch special. Try the sticky sweet pork with Chinese broccoli. [Photo]

Gotham West Market

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Gotham West Market offers the greatest number of options under one roof near Javits. Caff up at Blue Bottle Coffee, then choose from the many solid options, ranging from a sandwich at Court Street Grocers, to noodles from Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, to some tapas and a glass of wine at El Colmado. There are also great breakfast tacos at Choza.[Photo]

Westway Diner

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The classic 24-hour Hell's Kitchen diner, where a handful of Eater editors once spent a memorable 24 hours has just undergone major renovations and is back and better than ever. The waffle sundae is a pro move. [Photo]

New York Pizza Suprema

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Don't let the Midtown location of this pizza spot fool you — it's not just another generic pizza parlor. This place has been around since 1964, and is a solid bet for your classic New York slice. Try the upside down slice with the sauce served over the cheese. [Photo]

Taqueria Tehuitzingo

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This 24-hour taqueria is a great spot for hearty dishes like enchiladas under a blanket of mole and some serious street-style tacos. Out of the 17 fillings, go for the pig ear or beef tongue, says Robert Sietsema. [Photo]

Txikito

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This Chelsea favorite from husband and wife powerhouse Alex Raij and Eder Montero is the classiest place on this list, but don't let that intimidate you. It's the perfect spot to take a break from the comic madness, enjoy a glass of Spanish wine, and a few small plates of authentic Basque fare. [Photo]

It is a bit of a trek, but the Neapolitan-style pizzas on offer here are worth it. The meatball, complete with tomato, mozzarella, veal meatballs, olives, and caramelized onions; and the Popeye with pecorino, gruyere, mozzarella, spinach, and black pepper, are perennial favorites. For the less adventurous there are also classic options like the Margherita. [Photo]

Kashmir 9: Cuisine of Pakistan

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Stop by this 9th Avenue lunch counter for authentic Pakistani cuisine. Food is served cafeteria style and $8 will get you two dishes plus a mound of basmati rice. The mint green booths are retro in the best way possible. [Photo]

Hallo Berlin

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Started as a food cart, Hallo Berlin has a nearby brick and mortar location that churns out authentic German dishes like spatzle and sausage. The potato pancakes, plus a sausage is the way to go. Wash it all down with a pint of German beer. [Photo]

Angelo Sosa's restaurant is one of the closer options. Stop in for one of the city’s longer tequila lists, tacos, several varieties of quacamole, and an impressive selection of vegetarian plates. [Photo]

Mercato

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The straightforward Italian menu and exposed brick offer some comfort and a nice meal close by. The menu includes a classic lasagna as well as cavatelli with wild boar ragu, and porchetta with cabbage and potato cake. There’s also a burger, if Italian fare isn’t doing it for everyone at the table. [Photo]

Ardesia

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Although it's something of a hike, Ardesia is still a straight shot north, and an excellent place to settle in for wine and a bite to eat after a long day of Comic Con. Lunch isn't an option, but on the weekend it opens at 2 p.m., so it's ideal for a late afternoon salad or cheese plate. [Photo]

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Tabata Noodle Restaurant

Robert Sietsema is a fan of this 9th Avenue noodle shop. He recommends the eponymous ramen made with a combination of cooked and toasted noodles that float in a coconut milk broth. There are also several rice dishes like a katsu curry, plus some traditional small bites like edamame, gyoza, and spicy pickled cabbage. [Photo]

Larb Ubol

Known for its Isaan cuisine, Larb Ubol offers several fiery shredded green papaya salads and a variety of bar snacks. The restaurant is a perennial Eater favorite, for its inexpensive lunch special. Try the sticky sweet pork with Chinese broccoli. [Photo]

Gotham West Market

Gotham West Market offers the greatest number of options under one roof near Javits. Caff up at Blue Bottle Coffee, then choose from the many solid options, ranging from a sandwich at Court Street Grocers, to noodles from Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, to some tapas and a glass of wine at El Colmado. There are also great breakfast tacos at Choza.[Photo]

Westway Diner

The classic 24-hour Hell's Kitchen diner, where a handful of Eater editors once spent a memorable 24 hours has just undergone major renovations and is back and better than ever. The waffle sundae is a pro move. [Photo]

New York Pizza Suprema

Don't let the Midtown location of this pizza spot fool you — it's not just another generic pizza parlor. This place has been around since 1964, and is a solid bet for your classic New York slice. Try the upside down slice with the sauce served over the cheese. [Photo]

Taqueria Tehuitzingo

This 24-hour taqueria is a great spot for hearty dishes like enchiladas under a blanket of mole and some serious street-style tacos. Out of the 17 fillings, go for the pig ear or beef tongue, says Robert Sietsema. [Photo]

Txikito

This Chelsea favorite from husband and wife powerhouse Alex Raij and Eder Montero is the classiest place on this list, but don't let that intimidate you. It's the perfect spot to take a break from the comic madness, enjoy a glass of Spanish wine, and a few small plates of authentic Basque fare. [Photo]

Co.

It is a bit of a trek, but the Neapolitan-style pizzas on offer here are worth it. The meatball, complete with tomato, mozzarella, veal meatballs, olives, and caramelized onions; and the Popeye with pecorino, gruyere, mozzarella, spinach, and black pepper, are perennial favorites. For the less adventurous there are also classic options like the Margherita. [Photo]

Kashmir 9: Cuisine of Pakistan

Stop by this 9th Avenue lunch counter for authentic Pakistani cuisine. Food is served cafeteria style and $8 will get you two dishes plus a mound of basmati rice. The mint green booths are retro in the best way possible. [Photo]

Hallo Berlin

Started as a food cart, Hallo Berlin has a nearby brick and mortar location that churns out authentic German dishes like spatzle and sausage. The potato pancakes, plus a sausage is the way to go. Wash it all down with a pint of German beer. [Photo]

Añejo

Angelo Sosa's restaurant is one of the closer options. Stop in for one of the city’s longer tequila lists, tacos, several varieties of quacamole, and an impressive selection of vegetarian plates. [Photo]

Mercato

The straightforward Italian menu and exposed brick offer some comfort and a nice meal close by. The menu includes a classic lasagna as well as cavatelli with wild boar ragu, and porchetta with cabbage and potato cake. There’s also a burger, if Italian fare isn’t doing it for everyone at the table. [Photo]

Ardesia

Although it's something of a hike, Ardesia is still a straight shot north, and an excellent place to settle in for wine and a bite to eat after a long day of Comic Con. Lunch isn't an option, but on the weekend it opens at 2 p.m., so it's ideal for a late afternoon salad or cheese plate. [Photo]

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