I had such great results from my last query, I am counting on ya'll in Talk to help me out with a harder request. Have 10 college mates coming to NYC in mid-November for an annual get together. They have been enticed to leave the tri-state 'burbs and visit NYC for lunch, and since I am the only native left, the decision of where to go lies with me. However.... I need to work around the following preconceived notions:

- NYC is very expensive - I've eaten in their towns, the difference is negligible!

- There is too much "weird" food - This includes sushi and Thai, and probably un-Americanized Chinese.

- Scared/unable to navigate complicated subway directions - it must be off one line originating near Penn Station.

This is a lovely group of people but I am stumped. Otto is typically my large group fall-back, but I'd actually like to try someplace else if anyone has good ideas!