Restaurant information current as of publication. Hours and availability may change.

I was a few blocks from the Livingston St Courthouse last Thursday when I ran into Vinnie (not his real name), a lawyer I often see in court, standing timidly outside a Chipotle.

"Vinnie, what's wrong?"

He looked haunted. "Jay, if I have to eat another burrito bowl, I think I will actually die."

He was making Kings County Housing Court Face. The face you make after navigating a mental labyrinth designed to wear you down. After a morning like that, the last thing you need is a meal that tastes like... well, Chipotle.

My Guide for Decompressing Within a 10-Minute Walk of the Courthouse

Next Stop Vegan

1-minute walk | 88 Livingston St | (917) 966-6066

  • La Bandera: Plant-based version of the Dominican national dish with rice, stewed beans, and plant-based steak
  • Sweet & Spicy Oyster Mushroom Sandwich: Fried oyster mushroom with chipotle sauce on a pretzel bun
  • "The Chimi": Vegan Dominican sandwich with a black bean and brown rice patty

Ten Ichi Mart

5-minute walk | 118 Smith St | (347) 457-5055

  • Onigiri: Japanese rice balls wrapped in seaweed with tasty fillings
  • Veggie Bun: Japanese bun with vegetable fillings

Bedouin Tent

10-minute walk | 405 Atlantic Ave | (718) 852-5555 | bedouintentny.com

  • Falafel Sandwich: Crispy chickpea croquettes in fresh pita with hummus
  • Vegetable Pitza: 10-inch pitza with tomato, green pepper, olives, and fresh mozzarella
  • Appetizer Mezze: Hummus, babaghanouj, stuffed grape leaves, and zaatar bread

Hanco's

6-minute walk | 134 Smith St | (718) 858-6818 | hancos.com

  • Tofu Banh Mi: Vietnamese sandwich with soy bean curd
  • Vegetarian Broth Pho: Classic noodle soup with vegetable broth
  • Tofu Roll: Fresh roll with tofu, lettuce, mint, and rice vermicelli

DeKalb Market Hall

4-minute walk | 445 Albee Square West

This food hall has many great options:

  • Pierogi Boys: Vegetarian platter with potato & cheese pierogi
  • Daigo Handroll Bar: Vegetarian bowl and V-2 vegan roll
  • El Punto Cubano: Mushroom ropa vieja
  • DeKalb Pizza: Cheese slice, broccoli ricotta slice

Vinnie Chose Hanco's Tofu Banh Mi and Loved It

We had a great talk about 80's post-punk and dark wave music. Spending your day in housing court, whether you're a lawyer or a tenant representing yourself, is a grind. It's stressful, confusing, and designed to wear you down.

But you have to fight for your home, one busted boiler at a time. Taking a real lunch break isn't an indulgence; it's part of a winning strategy.