Food is a topic of conversation practically every day between us. Exciting new dining options. Tips for cooking. What we’ve learned from our recent culinary triumphs and calamities. The current topic of conversation centres on our new kitchen equipment (sous vide machine), our recent trip to New York City, and our desire to duplicate the ramen we enjoyed there at home.
And it made me recall all the delicious meals I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy in and around New York City—and the extra weight I now proudly display on my waistline, arms, legs, and double chin as a result.
NYC is where I live. It’s where I hang out. Why haven’t I told you what you HAVE to eat when you go to New York City?! Obviously, it was a big mistake. I’ll make sure the right punishment is given so that the egregious mistake doesn’t happen again. I’ll punish myself in the same way.
if you want to go to New York City, don’t go to the bad tourist traps. In Times Square, don’t even think about going into a chain restaurant. Why would you go all the way to New York City just to eat at Fridays or Olive Garden? That is stupid.
Instead, treat yourself to The Top Foods You Have to Eat in New York City. Because your trip is really worth it.
PIZZA
No, I’m not talking Sbarros. Put down that garbage. I still don’t understand how they can stay in business in a city where even the worst pizza places have slices that are at least 342 times better than that. Some of the best pizza in the country can be found in New York City.
Motorino Pizza is a place in the East Village that makes really good Neapolitan-style pizzas with just the right amount of char. Their Margherita and Brussels Sprout pies are my favourites. Update: I think my new favourite pie there is the Prosciutto de Parma. They have stores in Williamsburg and the Upper West Side as well.
Roberta’s Pizza is a very popular (and dare I say “hipster”) pizza place in Brooklyn that makes great wood-fired pizzas and more than just pizzas. There is also a full menu from the kitchen. Update: They now have a location at Urbanspace Vanderbilt next to Grand Central Station, and I love the Bee Sting Pizza there. It’s a pie made with soppressata and honey… Spicy food with a little bit of sweetness is hard to turn down.
John’s Pizza is a famous pizza place on Bleeker Street known for their brick-oven pies.
The thin-crust pizza at Lucali isn’t cheap ($24 for a pie), but this Brooklyn restaurant is very popular.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is a great place to get a hearty slice of their artichoke pizza. It has a few locations around the city. With artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella, and pecorino romano cheese, it is ridiculously hearty and filling.
BAGELS
Some people say that it’s the water in New York that makes the bagels so good. Maybe. But New York City has some of the best bagels in the world, and they make a great breakfast. I’m incredibly lucky. I’ve lived in New York my whole life, so I’d never had a bad bagel until I went somewhere else. I just couldn’t wait to get back home.
At Russ & Daughters, the bagels are just fine, but you come here for their legendary lox sandwiches with scallion cream cheese. Russ & Daughters is a very well-known business on the Lower East Side that has been around for 100 years. That’s a long time in NYC to be at the top. Expect a line, because these sandwiches are always worth the wait.
Absolute Bagels, Murray’s Bagels, Hudson Bagels, and Ess-A-Bagel are all great places to get bagels that are famous in New York City. The crust is firm and crunchy, and the middle is dense and chewy. They are made and shaped by hand, unlike the sad-tasting ones that are mass-produced and eaten by many of you.
Also Read: Reasons to Make a Date With a New York Restaurant
BURGERS + SANDWICHES
Burgers. I love you so much. It seems that New York City loves them too. Here are some places where you can get a good one…
You’re at Minetta Tavern for the Black Label Burger. It’s almost $30, so yes. It’s worth it, yes. Even though my wife Asheley doesn’t like burgers, she loves this one. It has brisket, short rib, skirt steak, and ribeye that has been aged dry. Yea…. #legit. Just know that you probably need to make a reservation. Up here, it gets very busy.
Umami Burger is a popular California chain that now has two locations in Manhattan. My favourite burger in the city for a price in the middle range is served at Umami Burger. Get the one with the truffles. Trust me.
Shake Shack, a fast food chain with many locations in New York City, is a must for both locals and visitors. Get the Shack Stack, which is a cheese-stuffed fried mushroom on top of a burger. And don’t even think about leaving without getting a Concrete, which is made with their super thick, creamy, and rich custard. Just do yourself a favour and don’t get the shakes, which are at best average.
Burger Joint has two locations and a fan base that is almost like a cult. These simple, classic burgers are just what you need.
Bareburger, are you up for some adventure? Want to try a burger made from organic elk, bison, or even ostrich? This is where you belong. They have a lot of locations, and you must get the chocolate peanut butter shake.
Taim has the best falafel in NYC, and their falafel sandwich is out of this world. My friend Tyler likes it better than any other sandwich in the city. There are a few places spread out all over the city.
Katz is a well-known restaurant in New York City that is popular with both tourists and locals. It serves huge pastrami sandwiches. To be honest, I don’t love this place, but that’s just because I don’t like pastrami sandwiches. Update: Mile End Deli in Midtown and Brooklyn also has great sandwiches, like Corned Beef and Smoked Meat. There is also Poutine.
The falafel at Taim is the best in New York City, and their falafel sandwich is out of this world. It’s the best sandwich in the city, according to my friend Tyler. A few places are scattered all over the city.
Katz is a well-known restaurant in New York City that both tourists and people who live there like to go to. There are huge pastrami sandwiches on the menu. Since I don’t like pastrami sandwiches, I don’t really like this place. Update: The Mile End Deli in Midtown and Brooklyn also has great sandwiches, like Corned Beef and Smoked Meat. You can also get Poutine.
Also Read: How to promote your restaurant business
