New York is a diverse melting pot of almost every culture in the world. It has long been home and haven to a diverse range of races, ethnicities and immigrants. So, it stands to reason that this fact must be reflected in everything New York City has to offer. But the best way to reflect this heterogeneous culture is food. So, in this article, we’ll explore what New York City as a whole has to offer when it comes to street food.
Forget the many Michelin-starred restaurants and fine dining. If there’s one thing New York does better than anywhere else in the world, it’s street food. Every conceivable cuisine is represented in the streets of the Big Apple, thanks to the city’s renowned multiculturalism. Most people know that New York has many pretzels stands and hot dog vendors, but many are surprised by the variety offered from nondescript carts on nearly every street.
From classic Italian pasta dishes, to American staples like hot dogs, to avant-garde Asian fare, NYC is full of exciting food stalls. Of course, one of the best things about New York Street food in general is exploring new flavors. With this in mind, we encourage visitors to the Big Apple to discover their favorite places, hidden gems, and new flavors and aromas. There are several locations that have built a reputation for serving thousands of hungry New Yorkers.
King of Falafel & Shawarma
Halal carts piled high with Styrofoam sheets of falafel, shawarma and rice are everywhere in New York City, but you can recognize the “King” in the seemingly endless rows that fill the sidewalks next to them. Originally a Queens staple, this shopping cart dominated the corner of his 30th Avenue and Broadway in Astoria for about a decade, until he won the Vendy Award for New York’s Best Street Food in 2010. was Now, his second cart in midtown Manhattan sells meat dishes like Freddy’s Jr., plus his famous falafel and shawarma to the masses.
Red Hook Lobster Pound Food Truck
New Yorkers don’t have to go to New England for delicious lobster rolls. Red Hook Lobster Pound’s wheeled lobster hut, Big Red, lets you walk to the curb. The buns are served cold Maine style with mayonnaise or warm Connecticut style with butter and lemon, and each is stuffed with a quarter pound of fresh Maine lobster. Despite the high street price of $16 a roll at the time of this writing, this truck sells 300-400 rolls every two hours.
Lumpia Shack
The Lumpia Shack has recently been transformed into its own brick-and-mortar store, but its original location at Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg Street Food Market remains intact. Every Saturday from 11am, people line up outside the small stall for crunchy Filipino spring rolls at Lumpia.
Each roll is hand-rolled and fried with locally sourced ground beef, roasted duck and adobo he mushrooms with truffles. Unlike regular street food, Lumpia Shack is restaurant quality. Lumpia are artfully arranged on trays, drizzled with homemade sauces and topped with pea sprouts and pickled vegetables.
Solber Pupusas
It’s no wonder culinary magnates Anthony Bourdain, Marcus Samuelson and Martha Stewart are all considered fans of the Vandy Award-winning Solver Pupsus. Husband and wife team Rafael and Reina Soler Bermudez (“Solver” is a coined word from their surname) have been making Salvadoran corn tortillas for over 15 years in a small mobile pupcelia, Selling over 600 of his online. A signature platter features two of his figurines in a spicy curtido, pickled jalapenos, tomato sauce and sour cream. Salvador’s tamales on banana leaves with savory coleslaw are also a crowd pleaser. Top of Form Bottom of Form
Calexico
Unlike California, New York isn’t known for Mexican food, but thanks to Calexico, the city has upped its game in recent years. What started as his one taco skirt in Soho in 2006 (one of his first in New York) has since grown into a fleet of carts across the city and several brick-and-mortar locations. The original Soho Wagon is still the hottest spot for soft corn tacos with slow-cooked chipotle pork, hearty jalapeño cheddar grits, beer-battered fish, beans, rice, and Monterey Jack. They still serve burritos with cheese.
Bolivian Llama Party
Traditional Bolivian Street food staples are now available on the streets of Brooklyn thanks to this popular Smorgasburg stand. Saltena, a crunchy, meat-and-veggie-filled empanada-like pastry, is by far the bestseller, but the real star here is the Chola He sliders. A modern take on the humble sandwich de he chola is stuffed with pork or beef brisket and topped with hibiscus-pickled onions, carrots, kola his cheese, and parsley.
Uncle Gussy’s
Uncle Gussy’s is a restaurant renowned for its excellent Greek cuisine. Both Greeks and foreigners come here and are said to like Uncle Gussy’s cooking. Full-fledged food trucks serve breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and even dinner. Options include Greek salad with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin oil, pork sausage, sandwiches, platters, vegan souvlaki, French fries, and beverages such as sodas, beer, and Gatorade.
Divine Flavored Food Truck
Divine Flavored Food Truck was founded by a Nigerian immigrant named Godshelter Oluwalogbon. He says his mission is to introduce the world to Nigeria’s vast and delicious cuisine. Divine Flavored Food truck prepares dishes such as yam burgers, a green vegetable stew called Efo elegusi, acala, a West African breakfast, and New York pretzels. His dishes he starts at $14.75. Godshelter has won numerous awards to his name, most notably at the 2017 Vendy Awards.
Mamak Rendang Stew
Mamak Rendang serves almost every cuisine from the South Asian country of Malaysia. From boneless ribs to hard-boiled eggs, pickles and chili soup, Mamak makes you feel like you’re in Malaysia. A favorite place for Malaysian food lovers. Mamak is located in a very busy area of Hanover Square and Water Square in downtown New York City, and many visitors come to the restaurant.
Makina Ethinopian Food
Makina serves traditional Ethiopian dishes that are popular with local Africans. Owned by Eden Egziabhar, dishes such as red lentil stew, fluffy injera, high-protein meals and side dishes are served under his supervision. The most popular combination of these dishes is rice and hot soup. All ready-to-eat meals are vegan and we take every possible precaution to hygiene.