5 Acres — Review by Eater
New York, United States — American
Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek visit 5 Acres restaurant at Rockefeller Center in New York for a casual American lunch with Midwestern influences. They enthusiastically enjoy a variety of dishes including Chicago-style sandwiches, Polish sausage hot dogs, and pastrami, with both actors praising the quality and flavor of the food. The meal includes engaging conversation about restaurants, parenting, and their iconic TV roles from Malcolm in the Middle.
What was great: Chicago Italian beef sandwich, Polish sausage hot dog, wagyu pastrami, fried button mushrooms with marinara, chocolate cake with mayonnaise, Chicago chop salad
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The restaurant showcases an American menu with Midwestern flair, starting with a bright tortilla soup and fried button mushrooms with marinara that arrive crispy and appetizing. The Chicago chop salad features pasta, cabbage, onions and Italian dressing - a simple but satisfying dish inspired by Portillo's in Chicago. The standout proteins include a Chicago Italian beef sandwich served with peppers and sauce on the side for drenching, a Polish sausage hot dog that both actors found amazing, and a wagyu pastrami served as a Reuben-style sandwich. Bryan Cranston particularly raves about the pastrami, calling it out of this world, while the sausage receives praise for its quality. A club sandwich rounds out the savory offerings before moving to dessert. The finale is a golden chocolate cake made with a touch of mayonnaise in the batter to keep it moist - a Midwestern technique that impresses both guests, who marvel at its moisture and beg for another slice.
The Experience
The meal takes place at 5 Acres located within Rockefeller Center, positioning it as an accessible casual dining spot in the heart of Manhattan. The restaurant carries a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere suited for a relaxed lunch. The chef personally explains the menu items and cooking techniques to the guests, demonstrating expertise particularly around the Midwestern influences and comparisons to Chicago favorites. The setting allows for extended, engaging conversation between the hosts and guests as they move through multiple courses.
Value & Pricing
No specific prices are mentioned in the transcript, though the casual nature and Midwestern American menu suggest moderate pricing typical of a New York casual dining establishment.
Notable Moments
This hot dog is amazing. This is The sausage is Polish.Bryan Cranston's enthusiasm about the Polish sausage hot dog is evident.
The pastrami I think is amazing. You both played some of the most iconic parents in TV history.The actors engage in thoughtful conversation about their legendary roles while enjoying the food. The chef's explanation of using mayonnaise in cake batter as a Midwestern technique surprises and delights the guests.
The Verdict
5 Acres succeeds as a casual American restaurant that celebrates Midwestern traditions while maintaining quality execution across all dishes. The standout items - the Polish sausage, wagyu pastrami, and moist chocolate cake - demonstrate that casual dining can be genuinely delicious without pretension. This restaurant is ideal for visitors seeking accessible, well-executed comfort food with regional character, as well as those nostalgic for Chicago-style casual dining favorites.