Visiting New York City this summer? There’s no better time to explore the fast-growing phenomenon of New York street food, which is bringing quality cuisine out of the high-end restaurants and straight to the sidewalk. Whether you have a penchant for fresh tacos or artisanal cupcakes, chances are there’s a food truck parked nearby that will satisfy your existing cravings – and, most likely, create new ones you didn’t even know you had.
The following is just a sampling of some of the most popular vendors currently plying the New York streets. Remember that all of them are highly mobile operations that cover a lot of asphalt in any given week, so be sure to check their websites and Twitter feeds in advance for updates on where they’re setting up shop during your stay.
Tacos are at the heart of New York’s new street food culture. Standouts in this regard are Endless Summer on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, known for the freshness of their ingredients, and Super Tacos on the Upper West Side (Amsterdam Ave. between West 96th and 97th St.), which boasts an impressively varied, authentically Mexican menu that draws a crowd almost every afternoon.
Meanwhile, if “savory” and “Asian” is the combo you’ve got your heart set on, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck in Chelsea offers six dumplings for six bucks, ideal for budget-conscious foodies. Braised pork belly sliders and a chicken-and-Thai-basil blend are two stalwart offerings, and vegetarians need to know about Rickshaw’s edamame dumplings.
But wait, is it time for dessert already? The humorously named Big Gay Ice Cream Truck puts a new spin on soft-serve ice cream with out-of-this-world toppings like cardamom, crushed Nilla Wafers, and toasted curried coconut. Trust us, Mister Softee was never like this!
Along the same lines, fresh croissants sliced in half and filled with dulce de leche or Nutella, along with chocolate and pumpkin whoopie pies baked daily, are just some of the mouth-watering treats available from Sweetery (formerly known as Street Sweets). Originally centered in midtown, Sweetery is now a moving target roaming all over Manhattan.
These and other food carts ply their trade all over New York. With apartment rentals in each of New York’s most desirable neighborhoods, New York Habitat also covers the entire city, whether you’re interested in cozy apartments in Manhattan, vacation rentals in Brooklyn, or colourful accomodations in Queens.
– A furnished one-bedroom rental (NY- 12650) sits in a renovated townhouse on the Upper West Side and boasts an extra foldout bed in the living room in addition to the queen-sized bed in the bedroom. Amenities also include bi-weekly cleanings and in-building laundry.
– Further downtown, a fully furnished studio rental (NY-14869) in Midtown West is on the 20th floor of a 42-story high-rise with a 24-hour doorman, three elevators, a pool with whirlpool and sauna, and a gym for the tenants’ use. A communal outdoor terrace offering spectacular views of the city tops off the luxurious surroundings.
– Across the East River, this fully furnished loft studio, in Greenpoint (NY-16061) in a recently converted building in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, just north of trendy Williamsburg. It features wood floor, an elevator, and guests will also appreciate having a G train subway station only one block away.
Is there a New York street food recommendation you’d like to share with New York Habitat readers? Feel free to share your tips in the space provided below.
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