The reason street food is so popular is because it reminds one of “home.” Well, of someone’s home, even if that person is Asian, Italian, or Mexican. Street food is simplistic cooking and its won the appeal of New Yorkers and Americans because it’s cheap and fast. The foodies’ fast food.
People across the ponds in Asia and Europe have been eating elegant street food for years. It probably goes hand-in-hand with owners using local ingredients and people actually being aware of what they’re putting in their mouths. My first experiences with street food probably concurred the same time it grew popular in the states, but I was abroad.
Carrying a backpack weighing more than myself, and having not showered in way too many days than I care to admit, we weren’t exactly dining at fine restaurants during my circumnavigation of the globe. On top of that, I traveled with ALL boys, so the appeal towards street food for any testosterone filled male outweighs wine and cheese (generally speaking).
Suffice to say, I ate a lot of it. I could kiss my food-snobbiness out the window. In fact, one of the best pieces of advice I got while abroad was from my boyfriend at the time (ex now, thank you very much), that said, “You have to eat when you can, because generally you don’t know where your next meal is going to come” and more importantly, “Don’t ask what it is.” And since I couldn’t speak any of the native languages, he ordered, and I ate. It has to be said, that I NEVER let anyone order for me, but what I ate was phenomenal … about 90% of the time. I think there was one experience in Thailand when I ate a fried animal something, and let me tell you NOT everything tastes better fried.
When I got back home, New York was in full-swing street food mania. Artisanal ice cream trucks selling homemade baked goods and brewing free trade coffee, mexican stands selling authentic tacos, and mini-cupcakes coming out of store front windows at a dollar a pop [link]. Shock, New Yorkers had taken something that was supposed to be simple and elevated and CHARGED delicacy height prices. But no one complained, because it most cases it’s fabulous.
Restauranteurs took it even further with the creation of places such as Shake Shack or Num Pang that give more a sit-down feel WITH the street food feel. Most of these vendors are using natural and local ingredients, with little over head, and making a bundle. Recession successes? I’d say so.
So I’ve complied a list of my favorite street food vendors that hopefully will inspire you to go out in search of new types of cuisines and experiences. After all this food is about culture, experience, home cooking, and convenience. The easy convenience of being able to make its buyer smile the instance they take a bite.
[In no particular order]
Alan’s Falafel (Cedar St. nr. Broadway)
I love this place, it opens right up to Liberty Plaza in my old hood and reminds you why people who live and work in New York keep living and coming back. Alan’s rival is Sam’s that serves exactly the same fare and price with the same delicious. Both of these carts were taken down with the World Trade Centers, and they’re back, loved, and continue to produce excellently textured (not overly oily) falafel balls and fried eggplants strips.
Calexico (Wooster St. nr. Prince St.)
This is a cheap Soho spot for great Mexican. The team of brothers that run the stand are from Southern California and KNOW Mexican food. One has to get there early in the lunch hours to get the hottest item on the menu, chipotle pulled pork with salsa verde. Marinade and guacamole recipes have even the best chefs in the city puzzled about ingredients.
Dogmatic Dogs (Bleecker St. Park, Bleecker St at Hudson St.)
A hot dog cart HAS to be part of a street food list in New York. But since I only do dirty water dogs when I’m walking home from bars late at night or at baseball games, he’s a “haute hot-dog cart.” The Employees Only chef is the co-creator of this gourmet sausage cart that includes beef, turkey, and pork franks for a mere $5 with all the fancy trimmings. Stick near the cart after your dog for dessert, homemade ginger and strawberry sodas.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (changes locations, can be accessed via Twitter)
This ice cream truck not only makes the freshest most delicious ice cream in the city with local sources but also specializes in baked goods that change daily and seasonally. Everything is simple, homegrown, and traveling … moves around the city in several trucks and keeps customers updated with Twitter.
Daisy May’s BBQ (50th St. bt. 6th and 7th)
I have to include one bbq place, and I have to include one midtown spot. So here is goes, Daisy May’s the restaurant has created a line of carts that are variously scattered around midtown. One of the side dishes that I find an incredibly gross sounding but good combination is there sweet potatoes mixed with vanilla ice cream. Get pig, why not right?
This is a VERY SHORT list as you can see of what the best places might be to stop, there are many many more. Everyday more and more jump on the trendy train, so try a new one out and let me know!
Share and Enjoy:
Tags: Alan's Falafel, Calexico, Daisy May's BBQ, Dogmatic Dogs, street food, Van Leeuwan Ice Cream
nice post, dude.
selena gomez naturally
I just had to take a moment and let you know that I’ve been enjoying reading your posts over the last few months. I have a blog of my own, and would love to switch links with you if you’re interested. You can check out my blog at Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review.
Hey, Awesome post about Twitter. I think Twitter is going to be one of the best networks because of the fact that it is supported by so many industries. I also think when Twitter reveals some of it’s new functions, returning traffic will increase to show the real growth of the network. Keep up the good work!
I wanted to make a gift for my hubby and because we are both coffee lovers I wanted to come across a expert coffee maker . This way I can use it too . In addition, i loved final two blogposts on your website . You ought to create a lot more simply because it is obvious to me you are a good writer and accomplished blogger. Im want to vote this posting up in pligg
Fairly amusing post. Couldn’t be written much better. Browsing this post reminds me of my old friend. He constantly kept talking about this. I will forward this post and I’m pretty sure it will be a good read for ‘em. Thanks for sharing!
Hello – I must say, I’m impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and information was very easy to access. I found what I wanted in no time at all. Pretty awesome. Would appreciate it if you add forums or something, it would be a perfect way for your clients to interact. Great job
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.
Did you create your own blog or did a program do it? Could you please respond? 16
That is nice to definitely find a site where the blogger knows what they are talking about.
Good post, however only some of the points were actually treated really good, I think digging deep for the topic to make it more informative will really help, will be looking forward for more informative post than this. Will suggest some points which are to the best of my knowledge. This might help you bringing more information for all of us.
Not bad article, but I really miss that you didn’t express your opinion, but ok you just have different approach
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.
I just needed to say that I found your blog via Goolge and I am glad I did. Keep up the good work and I will make sure to bookmark you for when I have more free time away from the books. Thanks again!
Hi, I can’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you Help me, please
Yep! Sorry it’s confusing, it’s located on the bottom right hand column on the main page, it says RSS feed, let me know if you have a problem still!
An execllent post with correct points, We have been a lurker right here for a while but wish to become much more involved in the foreseeable future.
Many thanks for your explanation and taking the time to email me as well
Well I been around here for a while and I found what I needed, but the points this post has touched are really amazing, everyone’s trying to either copy or follow the same thing again and again, and most of the time get really hurtled by this. I think this being the first post to really post something out of the box will really help me and many others. I think trying this is really worth. It will not be wastage of time coz in any case this will never harm our campaigns for good serps.
That is nice info about latest issues. I’ve learned a lot out of your post. Right here is even better website about this topic. Speed Healthy Dieting.
I discovered your site through google, i was surfing and ended up here, i love what i read, you got skills. For that I can treasure you a lot more then it might seem.
I’m not an expert at many things.I don’t know about politics,I’m no medic, I have no clue about animals, actually there are so many stuff that i have no idea about…BUT..I’m an expert at cooking, I’m a chef and my business is to make people feel like in heaven whenever they eat what i cook. Maybe a wedding or a birthday party or whatever and whenever the reason might be. So I know how hard can be at times to make people feel better at times. That’s why i like you!
There is also something that i enjoy, people blogs that educate other people on diffrent topics.
Keep it up Thank You!
Excellent post. Keep writing. Thanks.
It was simple helpfull thank you so much pro sharing. I will share it with my friends. Thanks
I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
I searched for something completely different, but found your website! And have to say thanks. Nice read. Will come back.
Can I link this blog from my website?
Very Cool Post…
[..] Today I was reading this useful blog post and I wanted to link to it. [..]…
Hello, this is really great post, I will bookmark this! it will help lots of people. Keep posting!
I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog made me do it, interesting work..Amazing
Hello webmaster I like your post ….
Thanks for this cool post. Anyway i found your blog on bing and find it very useful. I’ll be sure to come back again for more!
Cool blog. Thank you!