Disclaimer: This following post may cause panting, fainting, hot sweats, jaw pains, dreams, and an increase in hormones.
Yes. It really did.
Like 4505 Meats, Roli Roti is a meat and sandwich vendor located at the Farmer's Market outside of the Ferry Building. Unlike 4505 Meats, though, they only serve twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays. Is it worth going? I might just fly back to San Francisco for a weekend to savor their amazing porchetta sandwich once again.
Call me crazy, but if this sandwich does not make the new show "Best Sandwich in America", I may just kill Adam Richman and his team at The Travel Channel. This is one of the, no scratch that, THE best sandwich I have ever had.
Showing posts with label street food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label street food. Show all posts
Nov 19, 2011
Nov 18, 2011
4505 Meats
If you're going to be in San Francisco, I highly recommend making a visit to The Ferry Building. Ride a trolley car down the Embaracadero, take in the sights of the beautiful San Francisco Bay, get off at The Ferry Building, take a walk inside, and savor the smells of all the beautiful artisinal vendors that await you.
The Ferry Building has a little of everything to satisfy the foodie inside of you. Save your appetite, though, and after venturing through, make sure to take a walk outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, to visit the Farmer's Market outside. This is where you surely will not be disappointed.
4505 Meats is a small meat vendor serving freshly grilled meats to patrons visiting the Farmer's Market. The smell of the grilled meats intoxicates you, attracting you closer to their chalkboard menu portraying some of the best items you possibly could imagine at a Farmer's Market.
Turducken sandwich? Duck Sausage? Fried Turkey Leg? Yes, please.
The Ferry Building has a little of everything to satisfy the foodie inside of you. Save your appetite, though, and after venturing through, make sure to take a walk outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, to visit the Farmer's Market outside. This is where you surely will not be disappointed.
4505 Meats is a small meat vendor serving freshly grilled meats to patrons visiting the Farmer's Market. The smell of the grilled meats intoxicates you, attracting you closer to their chalkboard menu portraying some of the best items you possibly could imagine at a Farmer's Market.
Turducken sandwich? Duck Sausage? Fried Turkey Leg? Yes, please.
Sep 4, 2011
Tacos el Idolo Food Truck
After my visit to Tacos el Bronco a few weeks ago in Brooklyn, my mouth has been watering for more tasty, authentic tacos in NY. Located just two blocks from the West Village location of Gray's Papaya, I couldn't help but try out the tacos from the Food Truck of Tacos el Idolo.
Even though I've never been to the West Coast (I'll make it there in November, pick your jaw back up!), and hardly remember my last visit to Texas, people from those areas constantly say that authentic Mexican food in NYC does not measure up. Honestly, that makes me upset. NYC is known as a food mecca, and the fact that I can't find something really authentic here pisses me off. With that being said, I can't wait to try out the Mexican food in California when I make it out there later this year.
That being said, I guess I'll settle for what I think are some great places here. Tacos El Idolo is based out of Corona, Queens, and has about three to four food trucks parked around NY. What really drew me to try them out was their meat selection. Along with the usual carnitas, beef, chicken, spicy pork, and salty beef, they also offer tongue, tripe, ear, and even goat meat. You know I'm always on the lookout for offal cuts. Tacos El Idolo did not disappoint.
Even though I've never been to the West Coast (I'll make it there in November, pick your jaw back up!), and hardly remember my last visit to Texas, people from those areas constantly say that authentic Mexican food in NYC does not measure up. Honestly, that makes me upset. NYC is known as a food mecca, and the fact that I can't find something really authentic here pisses me off. With that being said, I can't wait to try out the Mexican food in California when I make it out there later this year.
That being said, I guess I'll settle for what I think are some great places here. Tacos El Idolo is based out of Corona, Queens, and has about three to four food trucks parked around NY. What really drew me to try them out was their meat selection. Along with the usual carnitas, beef, chicken, spicy pork, and salty beef, they also offer tongue, tripe, ear, and even goat meat. You know I'm always on the lookout for offal cuts. Tacos El Idolo did not disappoint.
Sep 3, 2011
Gray's Papaya
I've been coming to Gray's Papaya and other Papaya rip-offs in NYC for years. Gray's Papaya rises above the rest, and the rest of the bunch include Papaya Dog, Chelsea Papaya, Mike's Papaya, Papaya King, Seventh Ave Papaya, and... well you get the idea.
Honestly, wherever you go you're going to get a tasty hot dog. But in my opinion Gray's, which is the original, does it best. Over here, it's all about the snappy texture. Cooked on a plancha (think flattop) it gives every dog a crunchy exterior. Compare these dogs to the soggy, limp, disgusting dogs swimming in dirty water inside hot dog carts across the city and it just seems like a no-brainer to make a trip out to Gray's.
Gray's serves $1.50 hot dogs, $1 pizza, and several flavors of fruit drinks. The hot dogs come with warmed buns, and pretty much any topping you desire. The pizza comes with many toppings, but I've never tried it (I'm not into $1 convenience pizza, call me crazy). The fruit drinks come in the original namesake Papaya, Orange, Grape, Pina Colada, Coconut Champagne, and Banana Daiquiri. The fruit drinks are all non-alcoholic, which is too bad for the NYU students living on a budget a few blocks away.
Honestly, wherever you go you're going to get a tasty hot dog. But in my opinion Gray's, which is the original, does it best. Over here, it's all about the snappy texture. Cooked on a plancha (think flattop) it gives every dog a crunchy exterior. Compare these dogs to the soggy, limp, disgusting dogs swimming in dirty water inside hot dog carts across the city and it just seems like a no-brainer to make a trip out to Gray's.
Gray's serves $1.50 hot dogs, $1 pizza, and several flavors of fruit drinks. The hot dogs come with warmed buns, and pretty much any topping you desire. The pizza comes with many toppings, but I've never tried it (I'm not into $1 convenience pizza, call me crazy). The fruit drinks come in the original namesake Papaya, Orange, Grape, Pina Colada, Coconut Champagne, and Banana Daiquiri. The fruit drinks are all non-alcoholic, which is too bad for the NYU students living on a budget a few blocks away.
Sep 1, 2011
Prosperity Dumpling
I don't know if you can find a better deal in NYC, and if you can, I'd love for you to show me.
Rickshaw, I think we've met your match.
Prosperity Dumpling is literally a hole-in-the-wall located in Chinatown. Walk too fast down Eldridge Street at night and you may miss it, as the yellow sign hanging above the door can not be seen. Just look for the line out the small door and wait patiently for a few minutes, and you'll be greatly rewarded.
Prosperity isn't much to look at. A small counter lining the wall with two bar stools is all that is inside. The space can fit about 3 customers comfortably. However, the line here moves fast, and everything in here is dirt cheap. That's what tempted me to venture out to Chinatown and try this place out. The dumplings here are 5 for $1. That's right. No gimmick. No hustle. You get 5 jumbo dumplings for $1.
Now I've had cheap meals before, and it's always you get what you pay for. What can you really expect for that price? I can tell you, now from experience, these are the best dumplings I have ever had in NYC, and the fact they are so incredibly cheap makes them taste even better.
Rickshaw, I think we've met your match.
Prosperity Dumpling is literally a hole-in-the-wall located in Chinatown. Walk too fast down Eldridge Street at night and you may miss it, as the yellow sign hanging above the door can not be seen. Just look for the line out the small door and wait patiently for a few minutes, and you'll be greatly rewarded.
Prosperity isn't much to look at. A small counter lining the wall with two bar stools is all that is inside. The space can fit about 3 customers comfortably. However, the line here moves fast, and everything in here is dirt cheap. That's what tempted me to venture out to Chinatown and try this place out. The dumplings here are 5 for $1. That's right. No gimmick. No hustle. You get 5 jumbo dumplings for $1.
Now I've had cheap meals before, and it's always you get what you pay for. What can you really expect for that price? I can tell you, now from experience, these are the best dumplings I have ever had in NYC, and the fact they are so incredibly cheap makes them taste even better.
Aug 23, 2011
Tacos el Bronco
I would be surprised if anyone tells me that haven't had some sort of Mexican food in their lives. Mexican food is just a part of American culture nowadays as the hamburger. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, taquitos, salsa, mole, nachos, tamales, quesadillas, and guacamole. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is too.
But like many cuisines across the United States corporate monkeys looking to make a quick buck destroyed the image of Mexican cuisine. Chain and fast food restaurants like Taco Bell, On the Border, Chilis, and even Chipotle are using sub-par ingredients, dismal food pairings, and charging customers an arm and leg for it. What's even more surprising? People are willing to pay for it.
Mexican food is about love. Mexican food is about simplicity. It's not about deep-frying a burrito and covering it in three types of cheese, with a side of "Spanish" rice and beans. It's about taking quality meats, slow-braising them until tender, and serving them inside soft, warm tortillas with onions, cilantro, and lime. It's about taking homemade masa (corn-based dough), stuffing it with braised meats, and steaming it inside a banana leaf until tender. In Mexico they fill their burritos only with meat and refried beans. Whoever came up with the idea of stuffing rice, meat, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, beans, and cheese into a burrito is just looking to scam you by making you pay $12 for it. Mexican food doesn't need all that. As long as you have a passionate cook that knows how to handle the ingredients, you realize you don't need all the extras. You taste the love that they put in with their own hands.
But like many cuisines across the United States corporate monkeys looking to make a quick buck destroyed the image of Mexican cuisine. Chain and fast food restaurants like Taco Bell, On the Border, Chilis, and even Chipotle are using sub-par ingredients, dismal food pairings, and charging customers an arm and leg for it. What's even more surprising? People are willing to pay for it.
Mexican food is about love. Mexican food is about simplicity. It's not about deep-frying a burrito and covering it in three types of cheese, with a side of "Spanish" rice and beans. It's about taking quality meats, slow-braising them until tender, and serving them inside soft, warm tortillas with onions, cilantro, and lime. It's about taking homemade masa (corn-based dough), stuffing it with braised meats, and steaming it inside a banana leaf until tender. In Mexico they fill their burritos only with meat and refried beans. Whoever came up with the idea of stuffing rice, meat, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, beans, and cheese into a burrito is just looking to scam you by making you pay $12 for it. Mexican food doesn't need all that. As long as you have a passionate cook that knows how to handle the ingredients, you realize you don't need all the extras. You taste the love that they put in with their own hands.
Aug 17, 2011
Rickshaw Dumpling Truck
Dumplings aren't something you need to learn to love.
The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is one of many mobile food vending units of Rickshaw Dumpling Bar, which has several locations throughout New York. Rickshaw Dumpling Bar was co-founded in 2005 by Chef Anita Lo. In my mind a very high-class but low-key chef, she is the Executive Chef of Restaurant Annisa in Greenwich Village, and has been a former contestant on Iron Chef America, Top Chef Masters season 1, and most recently seen in the public eye on Food Network's Chopped. In 2010 she left Rickshaw Dumpling Bar to pursue other culinary interests, but her legacy still lives on in these handmade, steamed bundles of joy.
At the Dumpling Bar locations, you can choose between five different types of dumplings. You then have your choice of getting them pan-fried or steamed, on top of a large salad or in a bowl of hot noodle soup. Service is fast, the portions are large, and everything is just so damn good.
Although still good, the trucks only offer three types of dumplings, and you can only receive them steamed, and on their own with a dipping sauce. Chicken with Thai basil, pork with Chinese chives, and vegetarian edamame. Rickshaw prides itself on using organic Bell & Evans chicken, the same used by most NYC restaurants, and organic edamame. The flavors are clean, and do come through. However, at $6 for 6 pieces, you wonder how paying $1 for a steamed dumpling is justified.
The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is one of many mobile food vending units of Rickshaw Dumpling Bar, which has several locations throughout New York. Rickshaw Dumpling Bar was co-founded in 2005 by Chef Anita Lo. In my mind a very high-class but low-key chef, she is the Executive Chef of Restaurant Annisa in Greenwich Village, and has been a former contestant on Iron Chef America, Top Chef Masters season 1, and most recently seen in the public eye on Food Network's Chopped. In 2010 she left Rickshaw Dumpling Bar to pursue other culinary interests, but her legacy still lives on in these handmade, steamed bundles of joy.
At the Dumpling Bar locations, you can choose between five different types of dumplings. You then have your choice of getting them pan-fried or steamed, on top of a large salad or in a bowl of hot noodle soup. Service is fast, the portions are large, and everything is just so damn good.
Although still good, the trucks only offer three types of dumplings, and you can only receive them steamed, and on their own with a dipping sauce. Chicken with Thai basil, pork with Chinese chives, and vegetarian edamame. Rickshaw prides itself on using organic Bell & Evans chicken, the same used by most NYC restaurants, and organic edamame. The flavors are clean, and do come through. However, at $6 for 6 pieces, you wonder how paying $1 for a steamed dumpling is justified.
Jun 14, 2011
Fatty Snack Kiosk
Earlier this summer owner Zak Pelaccio expanded his Fatty Crab empire into Battery Park, setting up small kiosks of Fatty 'Cue in the park itself, as well as Fatty Snack in the park and the World Financial Center.
If you have yet to try Fatty Crab I highly recommend you do so. The original is located in the West Village, and it does get packed very quickly. However, the Upper West Side location is a tiny bit more spacious and also has outdoor seating. Their chili crab is one of my favorite dishes in the city. Hard-shelled crab, swimming in a spicy, sweet, salty, sour curry with large pieces of bread. It's messy, it's delicious, and a whole lot of fun to eat.
When I learned that they had expanded into battery park I immediately had high hopes of checking it out. On this gorgeous Monday afternoon I biked into the back of the World Financial Center and had done just that. The scenery is enough to pay a visit. The kiosk is one of three, set up right next to a lobster roll stand, and Quality Burger. In front of them is the financial center with plenty of outdoor seating, and behind them is a beautiful view of a marina and the Hudson river. On a sunny day it's no wonder you see thousands of people hanging out in the area with burgers, beers, pulled pork sandwiches, and fatty dogs in hand.
The food at Fatty Snack is a bit on the pricier side, and quite honestly I don't see myself paying $7 for a sausage dog (and why is it only $6 at the park?) or $9 for a pulled pork sandwich on a regular basis. And $3 for a Fiji water? Get the hell out of here.
If you have yet to try Fatty Crab I highly recommend you do so. The original is located in the West Village, and it does get packed very quickly. However, the Upper West Side location is a tiny bit more spacious and also has outdoor seating. Their chili crab is one of my favorite dishes in the city. Hard-shelled crab, swimming in a spicy, sweet, salty, sour curry with large pieces of bread. It's messy, it's delicious, and a whole lot of fun to eat.
When I learned that they had expanded into battery park I immediately had high hopes of checking it out. On this gorgeous Monday afternoon I biked into the back of the World Financial Center and had done just that. The scenery is enough to pay a visit. The kiosk is one of three, set up right next to a lobster roll stand, and Quality Burger. In front of them is the financial center with plenty of outdoor seating, and behind them is a beautiful view of a marina and the Hudson river. On a sunny day it's no wonder you see thousands of people hanging out in the area with burgers, beers, pulled pork sandwiches, and fatty dogs in hand.
The food at Fatty Snack is a bit on the pricier side, and quite honestly I don't see myself paying $7 for a sausage dog (and why is it only $6 at the park?) or $9 for a pulled pork sandwich on a regular basis. And $3 for a Fiji water? Get the hell out of here.
Jun 9, 2011
The Grease Trucks
It's no surprise to anyone that there is a food truck craze going on in America. From NY to LA, Chicago to Austin, food trucks are popping up everywhere. You can now find gourmet meals offered to you right on the sidewalk, offered at a fraction of the price of a restaurant, with the same amount of quality and friendly service.
Chefs and other professionals that want to get into the food industry are realizing it is easier than ever to start your own mobile food truck business. And with the impact of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, food trucks are getting as much media attention and followers as the latest restaurant establishments. Call it the newest trend. Call it a fad. Yet, The Grease Trucks of Rutgers University are some of the originals. Started in 1979, the R U Hungry? food truck was the first, and the original Fat Cat was born.
If you've never heard of the Fat Sandwiches, here's a rundown. Imagine taking fried, greasy food, mixing it with lettuce, tomato, and onions, topping it with French fries, and stuffing it into a roll. The orginal Fat Cat took every college kid's favorite meal, the double cheeseburger and French fries, and stuffed it into a roll with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. Sound delicious? It is.
In 1997, a student by the name of Darrell Butler went up to R U Hungry?, and asked if he could take chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and french fries, mix it with marinara sauce, and eat it as a sandwich. Call it sheer genius or a drunken mistake, but alas, the Fat Darrell was created. Thirteen years later, Maxim magazine named it the number one sandwich in the country.
Chefs and other professionals that want to get into the food industry are realizing it is easier than ever to start your own mobile food truck business. And with the impact of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, food trucks are getting as much media attention and followers as the latest restaurant establishments. Call it the newest trend. Call it a fad. Yet, The Grease Trucks of Rutgers University are some of the originals. Started in 1979, the R U Hungry? food truck was the first, and the original Fat Cat was born.
If you've never heard of the Fat Sandwiches, here's a rundown. Imagine taking fried, greasy food, mixing it with lettuce, tomato, and onions, topping it with French fries, and stuffing it into a roll. The orginal Fat Cat took every college kid's favorite meal, the double cheeseburger and French fries, and stuffed it into a roll with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. Sound delicious? It is.
In 1997, a student by the name of Darrell Butler went up to R U Hungry?, and asked if he could take chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and french fries, mix it with marinara sauce, and eat it as a sandwich. Call it sheer genius or a drunken mistake, but alas, the Fat Darrell was created. Thirteen years later, Maxim magazine named it the number one sandwich in the country.
Jun 2, 2011
White N' Hot Halal Truck
Halal carts. They’re all over NYC. Five dollars can get you a great meal of chicken n’ rice, lamb n’ rice, falafels, gyros, shish kebabs, and even burgers and fries at some of them.
There are as many of them lingering the sidewalks of NY as there are hot dog carts. Most people grab a meal at the closest one out of convenience. Others are worth going out of the way for. Asking a true New Yorker what the best halal cart/truck is in NY can spark a debate that would never end. By the way, if you mention “Platters” in midtown you’re clearly labeled as a tourist, or from New Jersey.
Don’t get me wrong, Platters is good, but it’s not worth all the hype and attention it receives. Also, I don’t see why I should wait upwards of 20 minutes for street food there, as the line is usually down the block. My favorite halal truck in NY is called White N’ Hot, and it’s parked at the corner of 28th Street and Madison Ave.
Platters is the one all the tourists flock to, but White N’ Hot is the one that all the cab drivers come to. That’s a true sign that you know it’s going to be good. The truck is parked there all day, from noon to 4am. If you go late, like I do around midnight or so, you’ll always get friendly service. The two guys running the truck love what they do, and love feeding the people of the neighborhood. Even when the bar crowd at Pranna empties out, you’re never waiting more than five minutes for your food.
May 5, 2011
A note on street festivals
Street festivals are awesome. On nice days in NYC they tend to pop up everywhere. While a lot of them serve the same food and products, they’re still great to walk through with your fellow New Yorkers.
There are many throughout the year that tend to be geared towards holidays, such as the one tomorrow celebrating Cinco de Mayo (on may…6th??). There are also many well-known ones such as the San Gennaro festival which hits Little Italy in September, or the Indian Day Parade which hits Madison Avenue in August. You can find a list of them here:
However, there are plenty of smaller ones that tend to pop up every now and then also. Walking through a street festival you can hardly contain the kid inside of you. Where else can you find cotton candy, funnel cake, corn on the cob, kettle corn, sausages, chicken parmesan, gyros, and shish kabobs in NYC on one block? Well, I am sure you can if you look hard enough, since this city is so diverse. But you understand what I am getting at.
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