FoodFan

53th St and 6 Ave Halal Cart

This is probably the single most popular food cart in NYC. Saffron-scented rice, juicy chicken, awesome gyro, a handful of crisp lettuce and warm pita bread makes it the best Halal food in town. And there is alway long line awaits. But now Midtown Lunchers have two places to get the Famous Halal Guys chicken and lamb over rice platter during the day. SW corner of 53rd & 7th and SE corner of 53rd & 6th. Isn’t that exciting?

Moshe’s Falafel

Walk down 46th street between 5th and 6th avenues at lunchtime, and you’ll have a hard time missing this vehicular mecca¾the line extends down the street. The popularity exists for good reason: anyone who tries Moshe’s Falafel will attest to its flavor. Try their crispy, fluffy falafels: get a small order of three for a cool $3.75, or large order of five for a still-reasonable $5.25. The portions are ample¾three is a meal and five is a feast.

WAFELS & DINGES

Twitter: @waffletruck

The Wafels & Dinges trucks, collectively, are a delicious waffle armada that is taking New York City by storm. Never eaten waffles from a truck before? You are in for quite the delight. Just walk within fifty yards of one of their trucks and you will find yourself powerless against the tractor beam that is the smell of fresh waffles baking and maple syrup. The Brussels Wafel, their signature dish, is airy and perfect for summer, served up for just $5. Many love the denser Liège Wafel, also $5, while some save it for colder weather. Smother either in fudge or Nutella.

NYC CRAVINGS TRUCK

Twitter: @biandangnyc

Pair the meaty Taiwanese fried pork or fried chicken over rice, $7, with a side of anchovies with peanuts and chili peppers, $4. Make sure to get the pork sauce, and consider splurging on some extra pork sauce or a tea egg for a dollar more.

STREET SWEETS

Twitter: @streetsweet

Put simply, people LOVE this truck. Cookies, cakes and brownies, all are good and worth a try. Fear the addictive potential of the Whoopie pies in particular¾the chocolate and pumpkin varieties are baked daily and cost a dangerous $2 apiece.

LA CENSE BEEF BURGER TRUCK

There are few things on the menu, and basically what you’re looking at is a hamburger, $6, and a hamburger with cheese, $6.50. La Cense’s burgers are made with grass-fed beef brought in from Montana. Of the two choices, neither disappoints¾we’re talking about a big, meaty burger, and after all, this is America.

Are you ready to warm up the coals, pull out the cooler, and create a spread of summer salads and side dishes? Read our ultimate guide for a nice barbecue trip in the park!Feel lazy to make your own BBQ? Come to the top 8 Barbecue Restaurants in New York.

Blue Smoke (116 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016)

Notable here is the rib sampler, which includes three versions—Kansas City, Memphis, and Texas beef, all moist and charry, cooked nice and slow. The mac and cheese is nirvana. A variety of spoon-licking sweet and spicy BBQ sauces on the tables allows you to dress your own meat

Brooklyn Ice House (318 Van Brunt Street Brooklyn, NY 11231)

Here the pulled pork sandwiches rule: juicy, and zesty, with an impressive scoop of smoky, ambrosial meat on a bun, and great BBQ sauce on the side. The chili cheese fries are sinful and irresistible. And if you’re hankering for a corn dog, look no further.

Daisy May’s BBQ USA (623 11th Avenue New York, NY 10036)

The Kansas City Sweet and Sticky Ribs take first prize—not evident by their name is their smoky flavor. The saucy Carolina pulled pork and the pulled chicken are both satisfyingly scrumptious. And the delicious, hearty baked beans sport pieces of bacon.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (700 W. 125th St New York, NY 10027)

Their famously zesty chicken wings are addictive. The ribs are savory, fall-off-the-bone succulent—made with a dry rub. A delight as well is the spicy shrimp boil. Just don’t skip the fried green tomatoes.

Fette Sau (354 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211)

The highly recommended brisket is fork tender and suffused with smokiness—set off perfectly with a side of pickles. Also great is the pulled pork and smoked pork belly, which carries a whiff of bacon. Be sure to get a side of beans—ridiculously tasty; and the regular and spicy BBQ sauces are delish.

Georgia’s Eastside BBQ (192 Orchard Street New York, NY 10002)

Georgia’s applewood-smoked, pulled pork sandwich contains a world of flavor. The beans are boastfully good. The beef brisket sandwich is overflowing and super tasty, especially with tangy, spicy BBQ sauces on the side. N/B: Cole slaw is fresh and not creamy, for those who favor it not glopped in mayonnaise.

Legends Bar & Grill (7104 35th Avenue Queens, NY)

The specialty here comes from the enormous smoker out back. Try the heavenly, dry rubbed babybacks and beef shortribs. Safe to say that the pulled pork, paired with a vinegar-hot pepper sauce is BBQ-transcendent. And the suicide chicken wings are, well, to die for—devilishly spicy but still packed with flavor.

Pies n’ Thighs (166 South 4th Street Brooklyn, NY 10002)

Fried chicken lovers, take note: These chicken and biscuits don’t mess around—chicken is moist and flavorful on the inside, with spicy sauce and lemon butter on a flaky, buttery biscuit. Paired with collard greens and spicy black eyed peas—dang. Note: Pies n’ Thighs is cash only.

And they say…It’s Mothers day this Sunday!

This mother’s day, whether your mom wants a well-served dinner or a campaign brunch, FoodFan offers you the ultimate guide to some of the top spots in NYC. Thank Mom for all of those smiley-face pancakes she made by treating her to brunch at one of New York’s top spots!

Here are the bunch spots you can’t miss:
Daniel Boulun honor mom this Sunday with special prix fixe brunch menus at DBGB Kitchem Bar, Boulud Sud, Bar Boulud and Cafe Boulud. The three-course meals range in price with each location— $27 at DBGB is the most affordable, while the $85 option at the upper eastside Cafe boasts the heftiest check.

La Cerveceria(65 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10003)

Celebrate Mother’s Day-Latin STYLE! In it la cerveceria will treat Mom to a fantastic and well-deserved Mimosa for brunch and a glass of Wine or Champgne for dinner.

Sons of Essex (133 Essex Street)

Sons of Essex launches their new summer menu starting today. Additions include grilled sea scallops with apple cider vinaigrette, elderflower infused honey shrimp, and grilled lamb kabobs. The video to announce the additions will most likely follow soon.

Prune (54 East 1st St New York, NY 10003)

This beloved East Village eatery is so charming, you may be inspired to order something sweet to match (off of a pink menu, of course). The fresh ricotta with raspberries, figs, toasted pine nuts and honey or Dutch-style pancake cooked in the oven with pears (served with Canadian bacon and maple syrup) definitely do the trick. (Note: The restaurant currently has Mother’s Day brunch reservations available for parties of 2.)

Peels (325 Bowery; 646-602-7015)

The good-sized menu skews a bit to the lunch side (with soups, sandwiches and salads), but the “build-a-biscuit” screams brunch. A classic buttermilk biscuit comes stuffed with your choice of eggs, meat (try the fried chicken), cheese, avocado and red-eye gravy. It’s worth the food coma that follows.

Stone Park Café (324 5th Ave.)

Talk about fierce: Tyra Banks has been spotted at this cozy Park Slope restaurant, owned by two childhood buddies (both named Josh) from the neighborhood. The brunch menu is a bit more original than most in the area, with mightier meaty items like short rib hash and eggs and a BLT with pork belly. (The “Hangtown Fry” with eggs, oysters, bacon and Vermont cheddar is also a favorite.) Add a perfectly spicy Bloody Mary and an outdoor patio, and this makes for one model brunch spot.

Theatre District? Skip Da Rosina, Head to Becco.

If you’re catching a show and want a quick bite before (or after) here are a few pointers. Being one of the most touristy areas of NYC, you’re bound to come across some crappy restaurants- generic Italian or cheesy French Bistros.

On 46th between 8th and 9th Ave. is Da Rosina, a member of the generic Italian restaurant club. Food is, “eh” for lack of a better word and over priced. Instead, head across the street to Becco and check out their $17.95 Prix Fixe lunch Special (also served at dinner for $24.95). Choice of Caesar Salad or Antipasti Platter for the first course. Second course is unlimited pasta of the three specials for the day. Eat till you can’t move and order a bottle of red off their $25 wine list. Then you’ll be set to watch Hugh Jackman prance around the stage in his One Man Show.

Great Bowl of Ramen

A great bowl of ramen is a bowl of awesome deliciousness. For me, a “great” bowl of ramen must have a tasty broth and noodles that are soft to chew. Shredded chicken, sliced ginger, and bean sprouts are a must. The Momofuku Noodle Bar has some good ramen, but the Rai-Rai-Ken, located in the East Village, has some great ramen. Each bite is full of a distinctive flavor that one must simply go and try for themselves. The names to some of their dishes are fun to pronounce, such as Hiyashi Chu-Ka, so give it a try!

5 Napkin Burger serves burgers and fries in a causal setting that is great for friends, co-workers, and students; an enjoyable restaurant for good laughs or even a quick bite to eat.

This restaurant certainly cannot be judged by its name. 5 Napkin Burger not only serves great burgers of various styles with a side of potato fries, but also delicious entrees, fish tacos, milkshakes, salads, sushi, and tasty sides. Set in a warehouse look with a 1960′s feel, this trendy spot is great for medium to large groups; co-workers after work, students after school, or friends just meeting up, 5 Napkin Burger is an enjoyable restaurant for good laughs or even a quick bite to eat.

The 5 Napkin Burger my friends and I went to is located on the corner 45th street and 9th ave. Greeted by two hostesses, we were brought to a round table, a perfect fit for five people. Knowing how flavorful and juicy their burgers are, I ordered a Burger Salad to discover what else 5 Napkin Burger had to offer. I was certainly surprised when my order arrived. The Burger Salad was brought out fairly quickly and without sacrificing presentation. For $13.95, the Burger Salad was a vegetable paradise but the centered burger patty topped with caramelized onions and vinegar dressing made it appealing to a meat-lover such as myself. The service was excellent. Our waiter fulfilled our wants and always left us on a good note.

I recommend 5 Napkin Burger to anyone that likes casual American dining with a twist in various cultural cuisines. Great for lunch or dinner, their menu offers a diversity in which everyone can enjoy.

Spice Market Review

The Spice Market, located in NYC’s Meatpacking District, is a restaurant that transport you into a foreign country. The decor gives an open space impression as natural sunlight shine in through clear windows. Most importantly, the food is amazing, and although, it is relatively expensive, I believe it’s worth to try for yourself. One of my favorite dishes is the Salmon Tartare. Every time, I go to the Spice Market, I always order the Salmon Tartare because of its awesome deliciousness. Spice Market is really a restaurant one must go in order to get a clear idea of what it offers. Try their prixe-fixe menu if you are on a budget!

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Theatre District? Skip Da Rosina, Head to Becco.

If you’re catching a show and want a quick bite before (or after) here are a few pointers. Being one of the most touristy areas of NYC, you’re bound to come across some crappy restaurants- generic Italian or cheesy French Bistros.

Great Bowl of Ramen

5 Napkin Burger serves burgers and fries in a causal setting that is great for friends, co-workers, and students; an enjoyable restaurant for good laughs or even a quick bite to eat.

Spice Market Review