There’s a time and a place for a New York hot dog or a cold Mister Softee cone. While we love these iconic street eats, the small-business owners running our treasured carts and NYC food trucks have faced increasing regulations from local authorities over the years. But whether it’s a retired Navy SEAL making grilled-cheese sammies or a Nigerian immigrant sharing his native country’s classics, we here at Time Out will always support our unsung, roll-up-your-sleeves carryout cooks by eating like real New Yorkers—on the street.
Owner Eden Egziabher prepares dishes inspired by her Eritrean, Ethiopian and Italian heritage. Switch out your to-go salad for an equally healthful platter of squishy injera (sourdough-risen flatbread) that comes with a choice of veggies (we suggest the red-lentil stew and collard greens), protein (beef or chicken) and a side of rice. Plus, it’s one of the best trucks to check out if you have dietary restrictions: All dishes are gluten-free and can be made vegetarian or vegan. Location changes daily ( makinacafenyc.com ). $9.
Every time we’re shopping for hard-to-find condiments and snacks in Chinatown at Kam Man, we end the afternoon by treating ourselves to Ling’s sweet cakes (really more like pancakes) down the block. Just $1 lands you a heaping wax […]
