Taco Time All Over Manhattan

Super Tacos

Open until 2:30am ($2.00/taco)

This truck is parked on the corner of 96th and Broadway. I recommend the Al Pastor tacos (photos). Freshly grilled sliced pork, spiced up and mixed with grilled onion and pineapple and sprinkled with lettuce and cilantro and a slice of tomato. Delicious with some of the spicy green tomatillo sauce. No where else on the UWS can you get this caliber Mexican at this hour. A lot of Latin American people ordered Tortas (mexican sandwiches) while I was there, so I take that as a good sign, though I haven’t tried it myself.

Zaragoza

Open until 4AM Friday and Saturday ($2.00/taco)

This unassuming hole in the wall Mexican grocery serves up some awesome homemade tacos that vary depending on what was most recently cooked. The advantage is you always know you’re eating something fresh, the disadvantage is that you don’t know if your favorite taco will be present. If the chipotle chicken (pictured) is there, absolutely go for it. I’ve read good things about the lamb taco but can’t vouch. I saw them making a burrito when I was there and it was massive and cheap. Wash it all down with a watermelon Jarritos (a candy-like and delicious Mexican soda).

San Loco

Open until 4AM weekdays and 5AM weekends

What this place lacks in quality they make up for with the biggest menu of all four of these places. Prices are a little higher than the trucks but having your pick of the litter makes up for it. Unfortunately, nothing is really great. The chipotle chicken is better than the regular, it’s spicy and moist, although it’s of the stewed variety, not grilled or shredded. The ground beef is standard and boring (taco pictured). Good guacamole and chips, however. The hot sauces and salsa are ordinary, go with some pico de gallo. I recommend a Queso Loco taco (pictured with chipotle chicken), a warm tortilla with melted cheese wrapped around a hard shell taco, with filling of your choice ($3.70 with chicken, price varies according to filling).

El Idolo

Open from 9:30PM to 5:30AM (No taco more than $2.50)

I’ve only eaten at this taco truck once but from what I remember, it was seriously delicious. I’m a pork man so I recommend the al pastor (pictured in 1st 2 photos). It was piping hot, spicy, and sprinkled with cilantro and lettuce. I don’t recall pineapple though it’s a bit hazy. It’s not as flavorful as Super Taco’s al pastor but its damn good when you add some of the fiery red hot sauce. The bistec taco (3rd photo, left taco) was nothing special so I’d pass on that. Same with the standard pork taco (3rd photo, right taco), which was equally mundane. When you’re ready for dessert walk up to 7th avenue and hit the Donut Pub.

24-Hour Donuts The Way They’re Meant to Be Done

The Donut Pub (More Delicious Desserts Here)

Open 24 Hours!!! (donuts $1.10, eclairs $1.20, coffee rolls $1.85)

Forget Dunkin Donuts, this 24 hour spot is an old school New York relic. It defines what a Donut Shop should be. Cheap homemade donuts, a big long counter lined with stools, and cheap coffee in styrofoam cups. I recommend the Glazed Chocolate Donut with Coconut. It’s sweet, slightly crisp on the outside, airy on the inside, and absolutely delicious. This place is so great even their crullers look appetizing and I hate crullers.

UWS Chinese/Thai/Japanese All in One Place

Empire (Menu Pages menu)

Open until 2AM 7 days a week

I haven’t eaten at this restaurant on 100th and Broadway but all I know is they’re open until 2AM seven days a week and they offer Chinese, Japanese, and Thai food. It’s a nice looking restaurant not a divey takeout spot and IT’S OPEN UNTIL 2AM EVERY NIGHT. Where else are you getting this on the UWS? It’s simple, you’re not. Check it out and let me know how it goes.

Diners on Steroids

Big Nick’s

24 Hours/7 Days A Week

When I say “Diners on Steroids”, Big Nick’s defines the term. This place has what seems like a 50-page menu with everything you could possibly imagine served at every hour of the day. If that’s not enough, they also make pizza and it’s not diner pizza, its good pizza, not just at 5AM. The Big Nick’s on Columbus and 71st Street is unrelated and not as good.

While I wouldn’t recommend the Beef Stroganoff, you’re pretty safe going with anything greasy or fried from burgers, to grilled cheeses, to cheesesteaks, to chicken parm heroes. My standard order is a Large Cheese pie ($15.00) (sprinkled with fresh basil) and an order of spicy waffle fries ($3.75). The burgers are big and flame-grilled. I like getting a grilled chicken, bacon, and cheddar sandwich on a toasted hero. Deluxe-ing a sandwich isn’t really worth it because you only get about 10 steak fries and one or two spicy waffle, just go regular sandwich and order an extra side of fries. Delivery is efficient but takes at least 45 minutes. Be ready to order when you call because these guys have no time for BS.

Big Daddy’s Diner (Full NYC Food Guy review)

Union Square location 24 hours on Friday and Saturday

UES location open until 12AM Friday and Saturday

This place is all kitsch but they serve tater tots, which are cool, and they embody the “steroids” label. The “What about Bob?” ($8.92) is an egg sandwich with bacon, melted jalapeno jack cheese, and home fries all on the sandwich (pictured left). “Daddy’s Famous Bake’n Cakes” ($9.96) are hot buttered pancakes with strips of bacon mixed in. The Coffee Shop Grilled Three Cheese ($7.96) contains Cheddar, American, and Jalapeno Jack on the bread of your choice (pictured). It’s grease done right and it’s 24 hours. The only drawback is the intensely kitschy environment, loud music, and cheesy decorations. It’s sensory overload, so if you’re teetering on the border of hangover-ville and you need something stabilizing, this place may send you over the edge.

No Frills Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Done Right

Veselka (Full NYC Food Guy Review)

Open 24 Hours/7 Days a Week

If you’re looking for a delicious flame-grilled burger, cooked to order, with a great bun, tasty bacon, and well-melted American cheese, then go to Veselka. It’s a Ukrainian diner with awesome pierogies and blintzes which also make great, albeit filling, appetizers. You’re here for the burger though, it’s simple and it saves you the trouble of thinking at 4AM because you know you’re getting something delicious.

The One Worthy Exception: A Carnivore’s dream

Katz’s Deli

Open Until 2AM Friday & Saturday

With that information in hand, look at that ridiculous photo (it’s two sandwiches) and read my review and you’ll understand why you must go there now, especially if you haven’t been yet. It’s a NY institution and it’s a carnivore’s dream.

Sarge’s Deli

Open 24 hours/7 Days a week

Kosher style deli on a larger and less expensive menu than Katz’s. Thick, crinkle cut fries, overstuffed turkey and pastrami sandwiches, breakfast all day, and a plethora of diner-style desserts. You can have it all here and you can have it any time of the day.

Cheap Beer, Free Hot Dogs, and an Outdoor Patio… Enough Said

Rudy’s Bar and Grill – Open 8am to 4am everyday

You’ve all seen this place on 9th Ave but never gone in. They’ve got the big plastic pig outside and the old school neon marquee. Rudy’s is the definition of old school dive bar: Torn red leather banquettes patched up with duct tape, an all black paint job, and only one beer with a cost higher than $4.00. If you’re smart you’ll stick with Rudy’s own brand of Red and Blonde beer ($3.00/$2.50 for pints, $9/$7 for pitchers). You can hang out back on the smoking patio when it’s nice out, but beware if you’re anti-cigarettes because this patio really lives up to its namesake.

The most hi-tech objects in the whole joint are the big screen TV up front, the jukebox on the back wall, and the hot dog machine which rolls Stahl-Meyer all beef hot dogs all night long. You can have as many dogs as you want for free! Need I say more? Places like this are what makes drinking fun.

53rd & 6th Halal Cart

Open from 7:30pm until 4AM

To answer your question, yes, this is the famous Halal Cart that has skyrocketed in popularity since Oprah supposedly mentioned eating there (cue requisite wise crack). And to answer your 2nd question, no, it’s not a transcendent experience. It’s good when you’re starving and probably even better when you’re drunk, but I’ve never really enjoyed “street meat”. The white sauce is tasty but rich, don’t use too much or you’ll feel sick and the hot sauce, served in containers no thicker than three stacked quarters, is ridiculously hot, so beware. My photo is of the $6 lamb/chicken platter. If you want a platter, skip the chicken it’s ordinary and tasteless. The lamb is where it’s at. Go for a sandwich if you’re looking for something less involved, but be careful, it’s a mess. Peel a tiny bit of the foil back everytime your ready for another bite. MOST IMPORTANTLY don’t be a fool and wait in the 3 hour line next to the Hilton, if you look right across the street from the cart, the same guys have another cart going and there’s rarely a long line. Check out the fan site here.

NYC Food Guy’s Amazing Creation – PIZZA BAGELS!!!

I told you you’d be kicking yourself for not thinking of this on your own. This is what you eat when nothing else is open and you can’t walk further than the corner bodega.

All you need is a bagel, some mozzarella cheese, and some tomato sauce. You can get a bagel at pretty much any bodega anywhere in the city, and no matter how far from morning-fresh they might be, they’ll be crisp and delicious after you’re done cooking. You can do this with English Muffins, rolls, and white bread if there’s no bagels around or if you’re really desperate. I got through my first two years of college on these bad boys so I stand behind them completely.

Here’s all you need to know:

1. Pre-heat oven or toaster oven to 400 degrees
2. Spread any kind of tomato sauce on two halves of a bagel, sprinkle with spices as desired
3. Place Mozzarella (or any other kind of cheese you can get your hands on) on top of sauce
4. Put uncooked pizza bagels on foil-lined baking sheet and place into oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is burnt on top
5. Wait a few minutes before you bite in, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burned off the roof of my mouth with molten sauce since I couldn’t wait 5 minutes for the bagels to cool

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This is just the beginning of the madness. If you know NYC Food Guy at all, I’m on a constant search for the best in Cheap Eats so if I’ve missed any of your favorite places let me know. Leave a comment or email me at lawrence@nycfoodguy.com. Thanks and happy eating.

Read on for some of the greasiest, crispiest, heart-stoppingest, and most delicious French Fries this city as to offer…

Ziggiz

Price $2.00

This Gramercy grease pit serves humongous orders of double-fried skin-on shoestrings that are the quintessential late night delicacy. Open until 3AM during the week and 5AM on weekends, NYC Food Guy implores you to get over there and try what I think are arguably the best fries in this entire city.

Virgil’s Real Barbecue

Trainwreck Fries ($10.50)

These are the most delicious cheese fries I’ve ever had. They’re covered in monterey jack, cheddar, crispy pieces of bacon, and sliced jalapenos. It’s served covered in some excellent buttermilk ranch dressing, but I order it on the side because I don’t like hot ranch dressing. I recommend you do the same. Served on a hot skillet, these fries are best when dipped in some ranch and then some ketchup. Go to Times Square, spend the money, and follow up with some of the best Banana Pudding I’ve ever eaten.

RUB

BBQ Chili Cheese Fries ($8.50)

These are the messiest and probably best chili cheese fries I’ve ever had. The medium cut, skin on fries are strong enough to hold the weight of the many chunks of tender brisket and glops of melted cheddar. I’m not usually a fan of this kind of generic melted cheese but it works in this case and is definitely worth the price.

Houston’s

Price $5

Houston’s is one of my favorite restaurants. It’s a chain so that may sound like a cop out, but they consistently put out excellent and delicious food. These fries are thin, crispy shoestrings dusted with salt and pepper. They’re irresistible. I have never once finished the serving next to my burger or ribs and not wanted more fries. I’ve always been scrounging for the crumbs and last little bits, they’re that good. Houston’s Burger, Ribs, Artichoke dip appetizer, and Warm 5-Nut Brownie Sundae are also amazing, each one good enough to warrant a spot on the plate of my last meal.

Pommes Frites

Regular $4 Large $6.25 Double $7.75 plus 34 sauces according to website

Delivering on their name, these fries are true to the Frites form. Thick cut and potatoey, they’re crisp on the outside, and hot and fluffy on the inside. Choose from one of what seems like a million sauces and you’re good to go. I had honey mustard and was pleased. The best thing about this place is that they’re open until 4AM on weekends making them a must stop after some East Village gallivanting.

Market Table

NYC Food Guy review

Price $7

Market Table is a swanky little spot, not the type of place you go to for just fries, but if you wanted to you could sit at the bar and munch on these crispy, seasoned bad boys. I’d ditch the cocktail sauce they serve them with and get some ketchup. These were crisp, potatoey, and overall perfect.

Telepan

NYC Food Guy Review

You’re looking at the “Volcano”. Use your imagination and you can see why. It’s a volcano of onion rings shooting flashes of deep-fried potato all over your plate. Fancier than Market Table, Telepan only serves their meals in a prix fixe form so ordering a volcano to go is not an option. Either way these fries were delicious. They were crispy and addictive. I think they were a little too small for optimum dipping but I would be as bold as to forgo the onion volcano in lieu of more fries.

The Spotted Pig

Price $7

Crisp and matchstick thin, these fries are addictive and plentiful. Rosemary is interspersed within this massive clump of fried potato, hindering full enjoyment. After all, I don’t want to eat leaves with my French Fries. Either way, you have to check this place out just to see what all the fuss is about. Burger purists beware, the famed burger comes with stinky, soft Roquefort cheese, something I can’t develop a taste for.

The Smith

Price $5

I ordered these fries well done and the kitchen delivered. I’d probably pass on that however when you order because these arrived so crispy the potato dried up and all I could taste was burnt fried. My friend ordered them normal however and although they’re quite standard, they were cooked perfectly and I’d consider them a fancy diner style fry.

Read on for some mouth-watering desserts that flip the script on the old standards…

Charbonnel et Walker

One of Britian’s oldest chocolate makers, Charbonnel et Walker, has a fantasy-like outpost on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. Brave the shoppers and make your way up there for a chocolate bar that’s centered on a massive chocolate fountain with a conveyer belt of chocolate goodies circling it. Be careful though, you pay for whatever you snag (I found that out the hard way). The hot chocolate was decadent and rich as was the frozen variety; the latter topped with some seriously heavy whipped cream. Open until 8pm Monday through Friday, 7pm Saturday and Sunday.

Mama’s Mudsliders

I’ve never been here but what you’re looking at above are Mama’s Mudsliders or chocolate cream-filled beignets, which despite being deep-fried, are lighter and less greasy than zeppoles. Citysearch says “Retro-American desserts rule at this warm yet modern space… Options include Mudpie (chocolate chip brownie, coffee ice cream, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache); Frozen Banana custard with walnut caramel sauce; and made to order beignets served with chocolate or vanilla cream and topped with powdered sugar… Drinks are also geared for the dessert minded. Shakes, malts, and birch beer floats can be made with any of their ice creams (peanut butter, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and strawberry). Egg creams, flavored sodas, french press coffee, and expresso drinks round out the drink menu.” I am so there.

Wafles & Dinges Truck

Location Changes, Click here for the latest

Arguably the most delicious addition to the Mobile Food movement, this big yellow truck serves up fresh Belgian Wafles & Liege (chewy) wafles. Yes, that’s how they spell it, they’re Belgian. You want the liege and you want to go with the cinnamon version. Get Nutella, whipped cream, and powdered sugar (pictured). Ask if there are fresh ones made, if not, it’s worth the wait because you’ll eventually be handed something that tastes like a Cinnabon with Nutella and the consistency of an amazing cinnamon danish. I’m drooling just thinking about it. $4 for a wafel and $1 for each topping (dinge) of which you can choose strawberries, whipped cream, Nutella, Dulce de leche, maple syrup, and Belgian chocolate fudge.

Milk & Cookies

Fresh baked cookies and Il Laboratorio del Gelato. How could you go wrong? Well you can’t as long as you stick to the chocolate chip cookie (nothing compared to Levain) and classic gelato flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Something to avoid: The Grasshopper (Chocolate-Mint Gelato/Chocolate Choc. Chip cookie) which tasted like mint toothpaste. Good news, this place was recently taken over by the Director of the French Culinary Institute, so the baked goods are only getting better. Shareability is lacking, it’s tough to break one of these cookies in half without gelato going everywhere, but combo deals are coming soon so you can spread the love though it will cost you, each cookie is only $1 but each small-sized sandwich costs $4.88.

Isabella’s Oven

Nutella pizza topped with sliced strawberries and bananas. I mean, it’s Nutella, how could it be bad. Nutella is good on everything, especially light, crispy, and airy pizza crust as it turns out. The fruit that you’ll find on top is seasonal. Right now they actually have kiwi, which is intriguing. $6 for an individual, good for 2, $15 for a large which serves 4. Isabella’s Oven is open every day except Monday and stays open until 12AM. It’s off the beaten path location is validated by its massive outdoor patio out back which opens April 1st. Doughnut Plant and Kossar’s Bialys are on the same stretch of stores, so get down there and kill three birds with one stone.

OTTO Enoteca & Pizzeria

No picture unfortunately but your imagination is all you need:

Butterscotch & Bananas – Butterscotch pecan gelato, chocolate crumble, caramel bananas, mascarpone cream, and coffee bourbon sauce all for $9. This is a Mario Batali restaurant and based on the size of that guy it’s fair to say he knows his dessert. Plus, with all those ingredients, how could you possibly go wrong. Open Monday through Sunday 11:30AM to 12AM.

Read on to find a great place for every meal this weekend…

Breakfast/Brunch – Good Enough to Eat

Always a mob scene for brunch (served until 4pm), this hearty, homestyle spot with the picket fence out front, is actually worth the wait and the trip to the UWS. Go for the Lumber Jill (two pancakes topped w/strawberries, two sausages or slices of bacon, two scrambled eggs – Flickr photo) and ask for some strawberry butter and biscuits. Slather the pancakes in the strawberry butter and syrup and you are in for a hell of a meal. Pancakes are fluffy, light, and not too big. They also have a plethora of other decadent dishes including Peter Paul pancakes (Flickr photo) with Belgium chocolate and coconut and topped with toasted coconut.

Lunch – Lamazou Cheese

Get the Italico sandwich (pictured) (mortadella, salami, provolone) at this old fashioned cheese shop in Murray Hill. Add some lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, and balsamic vinaigrette. I love this place because it’s no frills and very authentic. Anything you order will be good, just don’t be like the woman who I heard order chicken salad.

Mid-Afternoon Snack – Rainbow Falafel

Best falafel I’ve had in NYC, the place is a hole in the wall, but it’s money. Ask for everything and get the hot sauce. Not for those who dislike raw onion. Only open till 7pm. “Lebanese/Syrian/Palestinian/Jordanian” style falafel, according to the owner, with balls made exclusively of chickpeas. Different from Mamoun’s which uses cheaper fava beans, not that anyone who eats there is sober enough to know the difference.

Dinner – Beyoglu

1431 Third Ave. at 81st St (212) 650-0850

This Turkish meze mecca gives you a reason to go to the UES. Even if you’re not that adventurous there’s plenty to fill you up before a night on the town. I recommend Hummus, Cacik (yogurt & dill sauce with cucumber & garlic), Patlican Domates Soslu (lightly pan-fried cubes of eggplant topped with sauteed fresh tomato), Shepherd Salad (chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions & peppers, with lemon vinaigrette) and ask for some Feta on top. The free unlimited flatbread is killer, fluffy, and served hot. Grab a glass of Turkish Red Wine, sweet with a bite, and 2 can have a great meal for around $50.

Late Night – Ziggiz

Official NYC Food Guy Review here

Though their sign reads “Burgers, Philly Steaks, Burritos”, you’re here for the fries first and everything else second. Thin, crisp, and double-fried, these fries may be the most addictive and irresistible late night snack in the city. Forget Pommes Frites, Ziggiz fries are where it’s at. The food is standard grease pit, but the fries are so good they carry everything else. Open until 5AM Friday & Saturday and 3AM during the week, Ziggiz also delivers and you can order online. Check out my review here for more info.