The Streets of New York - Part 1: Manhattan

Back in September I spent a food truck filled weekend in NYC, highlighted by the Vendy Awards.  With the long cold Ottawa winter taking it's toll on me, I figured what better time to indulge myself (and anyone who cares to read) on some of my other New York City street food memories.

Let's start off with a late evening stroll through the East Village...

People's Pops is a seasonal street vendor with 3 fixed locations throughout the city as well as several mobile units which attend various flea markets and festivals.

 

Being that I am literally a "big gay food blogger", I was very excited for my next stop.  Unfortunately the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck wasn't on the road that night, so I had to "settle" for a visit to their brand new brick and mortar location.  Pictured above is a traditional vanilla cone, topped with the very nontraditional topping of crushed wasabi pea dust. 

The next morning I ventured out in the rain and hit up Chelsea Market.  (Home of the Food Network!!).  Although it is entirely indoor and some wouldn't necessarily consider it street food, I like to mention local markets as well because there are undoubtedly some amazing vendors to be found.  My highlights included beautiful fresh seafood at The Lobster Place, cookies and espresso at Jacques Torres Chocolates, and bacon salt AND beer "growler" refills at The Filling Station.

My next adventure took me out on the soggy streets in search of the Schnitzel and Things truck were I enjoyed the veal platter.  The guys at the truck were exceptionally friendly and felt very bad that I was waiting in the pouring rain, so they hooked me up with their entire selection of condiments and a couple extra sides.

Following a brief nap back at the hotel and much needed change into dry clothes, I set out to find the Madison Square Eats street food festival.  I enjoyed a few different dinner bites, including an awesome clam chowder and some local craft beer from the Red Hook Lobster Pound, but being the taco fiend that I am, Calexico was my favorite...

Awesome staff pic!!

 

 

 

The biggest taco....ever.

 

 

 

 

At some point during the weekend I also stumbled upon a couple traditional taco trucks, enjoying some chorizo and oreja tacos. Loved the menu at this truck...their wide variety of meats reminded me of the trucks in Southern California.

 There was one last truck in Manhattan that left it's mark on me.  Wafels and Dinges.  The evening after the Vendy Awards, I somehow found room in my stomach for more food truck fare, and I was not disappointed.  I located this Belgian truck on a street corner in the trendy West Village.  As per usual with the street vendors I have met, they were super fun and excited to share and talk about their food. 

Liege wafel, spekuloos, whipped cream

I had to order the "Throwdown Wafel" because it was on Bobby Flay's show Throwdown that I first learned about this truck.  It was simple and decadent.  I also couldn't help but buy a jar of the spekuloos spread that they use on many of their items.  Sadly, I later forgot this item was in my carry-on at the airport and it did not make the trip home to Canada.

...Stay tuned for Part 2 of my NYC adventure...the Red Hook Ball Fields!