200977 Sat Apr 26 11:49:33 -0700 2003 16 18 Manhattan 0 1071718 Hi. I'm doing some research on the best pushcarts, and I thought you chowhounds might have some good suggestions. So far I've got the Hallo Berlin Cart, the Jane's Cart (central park south), the shish ke-bob on 14th and sixth, and the chinese lady on Centre and Canal. Any suggestions? A good roti / carribean would be appreciated, or other ethnic carts. Great traditional carts would be welcome too... Thanks! Sat Apr 26 11:49:33 -0700 2003 0 Josh Ozersky 1 1071722 There is a cart that makes great fresh South Indian Dosas, from simple Masala Dosa to more complicated stuff, on the South side of Washington Square park. It is right in front of the NYU Law School. I haven't been there in a few months, but it used to be there every day. This is def a top cart! Sat Apr 26 16:03:46 -0700 2003 1071718 0 Roger S 2 1071810 It's still there and still great. Had lunch from it last week. Mon Apr 28 13:26:16 -0700 2003 1071722 0 djk 2 1071819 Long live the dosa cart! He's terrific and deserves a brisk summer business after toughing it out so bravely through the chilly winter. Mon Apr 28 14:31:31 -0700 2003 1071722 0 Anna 2 1072002 Hurray for the dosa cart. It'd be great if NYC would adopt the huge variety of street food that exists in India, including chola batoura, rolls; beverages like chai, lassi, and cane juice w/a squeeze of lime; and snacks like samosa, fresh curd, chat, bhel poori, and traditional sweets. Unfortunately, NYC street food really has nothing on the Third World (our AM coffee-and-donuts carts are an egregious example). For instance, in Bangkok you literally have to twist and dodge the food vendors who monopolize the city's sidewalks selling noodle soup, grilled meats, som tam, ice-cold cut fresh fruit, and a huge variety of wok dishes. In Vientiane & Phnom Penh banh mi and fruit shakes stands are everywhere. You'd think--with the ascendance of the horrid steam table lunch emporia that have stricken Midtown and where for $10 you get nothing but a stomachache--there'd be a greater clamor for quality street food. Here are a few decent carts: Tony's Greek grilled meats cart (E. 62nd Mad/5th)--typical cart fare superbly prepared: sandwiches on pita/hero or platters w/salad & rice, all made to order. Grilled chicken, sandwich or platter, is a standout. Ethiopean chicken cart (W. 60th Bwy/9th). Moshe's Falafel (46th & 6th)--melt-in-your-mouth fresh falafel. Be warned that the super-high carb combo of tehineh, chickpeas, and pita will have you dozing at your desk by 2pm. But what's wrong w/that anyway? (Worktime naps: another issue America has gotten wrong.) Jamaican-style rotis in front of 180 Maiden Ln, just south of Water St. The pizza truck on Wall St. just a bit south of Water St. Moon cake lady in Chinatown (Mosco Ln; right off Mott nr Columbus Park). Another research topic: Does anyone know where the vendors who used to line the park at Church St (b/w Cedar & Liberty near the WTC) have gone? There was a great vegan cart & a couple of fantastic Middle Eastern. Tue Apr 29 20:58:14 -0700 2003 1071722 0 aleppo 3 1072021 do you mean the egg cake lady? i have never ever seen her and have been looking at a variety of different hours...is she still around? Wed Apr 30 00:53:46 -0700 2003 1072002 0 Nancy 3 1073362 going international . . . the night markets in taipei . . off the hook! open 24 hours, dense blocks jam packed with produce, clothing, electronics and food vendors . . favorite is a taiwanese-style okonomiyaki, not individual round pancakes w/ noodle but industrial sized slab, like 2 feet square, somehow flipped, and cut into squares, served in styrofoam container . . . whoa . . . I could go on and on . . but we're in manhattan unfortunately . . hmmm . . . my contribution would be the peanut vendor on . . . ha ha just kidding, those damn nuts are so stale and old . . . Mon Jul 14 23:51:05 -0700 2003 1072002 0 bigjeff 3 4998810 Another nod for Tony's @62nd & Mad. Wed Sep 02 08:44:50 -0700 2009 1072002 110897 City Kid 1 1071750 Kwik Meal on 46th and 6th. Bangladeshi owner who used to be a chef at the Russian Tea Room. I get chicken and vegetables on a pita and it's great. I don't eat lamb, but it's supposedly phenomenal. Sun Apr 27 13:17:20 -0700 2003 1071718 0 vvv03 1 1071760 Contentious subject, but my vote for best chicken&rice cart (halal) is NE corner of 43rd and 6th. I used to work two blocks away and ate at every cart along that stretch -- many times, over the years -- and that's the only one I ever go back to. It's really incredibly good. Great vegetables on the side -- chick peas and cabbage. Sun Apr 27 20:30:15 -0700 2003 1071718 0 Jack Barber 1 1071853 Two come to mind near where I work. Indian Cart, 53rd Street just east of Park Avenue: Excellent Indian lunches for $4. Only two offered, one meat and one vegetarian each day, but they change. Served with rice, salad, naan, and a couple of small sides. The potato samosa (two for $2) are rather spicy and among the best I've had anywhere (so much so I now keep a jar of tamarind sauce at my desk). Authentic -- meaning don't expect boneless chicken (order the vegetarian dish if you're finicky), but tasty and incredibly cheap for the neighborhood, and with the samosa, a full meal. Crepe Cart, 53rd St west of Fifth Avenue, near Public Library, across the street from MOMA. The usual crepes -- savory and sweet -- like you get at street fairs, only made with much more care. Ham/cheese, Nutella, etc. About $4-6 last time I went. What a great thread! Keep 'em coming, everyone! ThorNYC Mon Apr 28 17:28:08 -0700 2003 1071718 0 ThorNYC 1 1072065 I still claim that the little Bangladeshi fellow on 40th off Third (NW corner) is still the best chicken and rice. 40th & Third, NW corner: No name, Chicken & Rice 46th North Side twixt Second/Third: Jimmy the Greek, Chicken & Rice (actual chicken breast, not 'assorted parts' like the other cart guys) 52nd and Park, NE corner: Govinda, vegan fare 54rd and Park, SW corner: No name, Chicken/Gyro & rice Wed Apr 30 14:33:00 -0700 2003 1071718 0 Sean 1 4991389 In search of "gelato cart": Does anyone know of a pushcart that sells gelato? I had some awesome gelato from a guy in midtown or was it the upper east side? Never found him again. ) : Sun Aug 30 18:40:32 -0700 2009 1071718 1103942 fooddoggie 2 4991656 Otto use to have a gelato cart in Washington Square. But they haven't been there in years. Sun Aug 30 20:48:35 -0700 2009 4991389 10195 KTinNYC 1 4993062 check out www.midtownlunch.com. zach has a bunch of coverage of midtown places. Also check out what is going on with the vendy awards in september. There is a whole lot going on with this these days as there has been an influx of new carts and trucks. Also some problems with vendors getting in fights with each other. Sad really. Mon Aug 31 11:08:24 -0700 2009 1071718 219356 StrongIsland 2 4993073 This is a 6 year old thread and Josh Ozersky is on to bigger and better things. Mon Aug 31 11:10:09 -0700 2009 4993062 10195 KTinNYC 3 4998740 Damn - didn't notice that until now! Wasted advice! Wed Sep 02 08:22:12 -0700 2009 4993073 219356 StrongIsland