Street Eats

Street food is nothing new to New Yorkers. Heck, hot dog carts and street-side pretzel vendors are practically synonymous with the image of the Big Apple.

But, more and more, it seems that sidewalk menu options are giving restaurants a run for their money - from South Indian dosas to authentic Colombian arepas and Texas-style chili to German wurst.

The biggest pushcart trend of the moment? Fruit. Seems you can't turn a corner in midtown Manhattan without hitting a produce stand teeming with grapes, golden mangoes, ripe cherries, a variety of apples, bright pink sliced watermelon and boxes of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. Street food that's healthy. Who knew? And the prices? Fuggeddaboutit! We're talkin' cheaper than the corner bodega.

What do you think'll be the next culinary rage on the sidewalks of New York? Gothamist's bet is on streetside s'mores.

And speaking of street food, the Urban Justice Center's Street Vendor Project is sponsoring the Vendy Awards, honoring the good folks who take our food to the streets. Take some time to nominate your favorite street vendor -- the winners will be announced at a gala event in October.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By VittlesVamp in Food on August 11, 2005 10:40 AM

Comments [rss]

Claudia

All this food vending talk...is making me hungry for a good new york style hot dog!

calzero

the dosa guy is on the south side of Washington Square Park (4th street and, I think, Thompson). Let me second the veggie drumstick, since it's not on the menu. He always has a big line at lunch time but you can cut if you just want appetizers.

d

Where is the vegan dosa guy located?!

Jack

Chris, no doubt there are bad vendors, but let's get perspective here. Have you ever worked in the kitchen at any restaurant? Or knew someone who did? The stuff that makes your stomach turn with street vendors also happens in closed kitchen areas.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that street vendors get a bad rap because you see them prep your food. In contrast, you really never see it at a real restaurant. And in real restaurants it's not like they're working in a sterile environment all of the time.

Dropped food. Bad food. Bad meat over-spiced or over-marinated to cover up rancid or grey parts. It's quite common.

Just because a sit-down restaurant has a nice decor does not mean the food is great.

Chris

There is a place next door to my office on 22nd Street which has been shut down by the Health Department twice in the last 2 years. I have seen about 5 local vendors store their carts at this location and it has sworn me off of hot dogs from a hot dog vendor forever. I guess once you graduate from college the taking a risk and possibly getting a tape worm or a virus from a food vendor doesn't seem wise.

Beware of the vendors in the (Chelsea) 22nd & 6th Avenue area.

hijiki

a vegan chicken drumstick is the cooked leg of a chicken who refuses to eat any animal products.

amy

there are street s'mores outside of pianos on the corner of ludlow on the weekends. they're delish!

c212

hr:

its some soy-based meat fabrication, like those fake "chicken" nuggets. but it's tasty!

hr

c212:

What is a vegan chicken drumstick?

Laren

Be sure to go to the Vendy award page and vote there too!

Jack

The fruit stand phenomena makes sense when you realize how many green grocers simply don't exist anymore thanks to rising rents.

As for my vote, I would have to say the mideast kebab and Afghan vendors and such on 6th Avenue between 54th and 50th street. I know people have aversions to street meet, but the stuff these vendors dish out is outstanding. The rice platters are something I cannot even find in real restaurants anywhere.

c212

The dosa guy wins for me. Try the vegan chicken drumsticks if he's got them, the "bone" is a stick of raw ginger.

Frankenstein

I vote for beer stands.

rose

the wonderful fruit stand on the corner of bdwy and Houston is making smoothies, and I saw a smoothie cart on Lafayette and W. 4th. SMOOTHIES = the new trend!