There’s still no definitive “best taco shop” in NYC and while Pinche, La Esquina and Pampano Taqueria are quality, they’re not supreme enough to keep me from telling you about the delicious skirt steak taco, tilapia taco, unique guacamoles and perfect churros at Mercadito Cantina.  Read on to find out which tacos disappointed and which […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Mercadito Cantina 18 Comments »

There are a lot of delis in Manhattan, but there are few with the pedigree of Defonte’s, a Brooklyn relic known for their massive roast beef sandwiches and their house made fresh mozzarella.  NYC Food Guy was ready for sandwich satisfaction on Defonte’s first day of business in Manhattan, on 3rd Avenue and 21st Street.  […]

Posted in Defonte's of Brooklyn, MANHATTAN, MURRAY HILL/GRAMERCY 40 Comments »

“Pop the the pretzel-covered sea-salted caramel ($2.25) in your mouth in one bite,” said the smiley counter girl.  “You need to contain the liquidy caramel.”  I happily obliged and was immediately searching for a counter to lean on.  All my energy surged to my taste buds, the better to absorb the transcendent flavor transformation taking […]

Posted in Bespoke Chocolates, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN 9 Comments »

I’m willing to cause controversy by declaring NYC’s best falafel, but when it comes to diners, there are so many in this city that it’s impossible to applaud only one as “the best.”  But therein lies NYC Food Guy’s motivation to find diners that are a cut above the rest.   Galaxy Diner, on 46th Street […]

Posted in Galaxy Diner, MANHATTAN, MIDTOWN WEST 11 Comments »

America loves a good sandwich, but in New York City, we’ve got higher expectations.  In satisfying our cravings for adventure and a full stomach, the Vietnamese banh mi and the Mexican torta have risen to the forefront of sandwichdom.  So to determine sandwich supremacy, NYC Food Guy called in the big guns: Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, FOOD SHOWDOWNS, MANHATTAN, Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwich Shop, Puebla Mexican Food, Sandwiches: Puebla's Torta vs Nicky's Vietnamese Bahn Mi 25 Comments »

If decadent desserts aren’t enough to pull you out of bed on a wintery day, you may have some issues.  Then again, maybe NYC Food Guy is the one with issues.  After all, who else decides to go on a West Village Dessert Tour when snow is blowing sideways? What would you do if cookie […]

Posted in Jack's Stir Brew Coffee, Roasting Plant, WEST VILLAGE 19 Comments »

New Yorkers desire the best and when it comes to food, NYC Food Guy delivers just that.  I’ve made the claim before about burgers, West Village slices, Midtown pizza, and french fries.  Now it’s time to deliver the best falafel crown to Azuri Cafe on 51st Street near 10th Avenue. The cozy Kosher cafe run […]

Posted in Azuri Falafel, MANHATTAN, MIDTOWN WEST, Taim Falafel, WEST VILLAGE 49 Comments »

Kool Bloo, a small chain of grease pits throughout Manhattan, just opened the 24 hour take out/delivery area of their new East Village location on 12th Street just off Avenue A.  Kool Bloo has the potential to become the go to late night dining spot once the main room opens but there’s two problems: 1) […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, Kool Bloo, MANHATTAN 13 Comments »

There are certain dining experiences that just make you feel like a New Yorker. Sitting at Veselka’s counter sipping coffee and dipping chalah into a bowl of soup exemplifies this notion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Originally opened as a candy store in the mainly Ukrainian East Village of the 1950s, “Veselka,” […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Veselka 14 Comments »

The quest for NYC’s best wings continues! For this post I joined Eating In Translation’s Dave Cook in Harlem where we followed his route from 110th street to 145th street trying wings at three take out spots.  This meant passing on soul food stalwarts Amy Ruth’s and Sylvia’s, but fear not, we’ll tackle those two […]

Posted in HARLEM, Harlem Wing & Waffle, Just Wingin It, MANHATTAN, Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too 18 Comments »

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to try and eat healthy.  After a greasy late night meal my heart was begging for something unfried at lunch the next day.  I hadn’t eaten at Pinche Taqueria’s second NYC outpost on Lafayette and Bleecker, so I decided to stop in for a Taco Salad, and of course, an al […]

Posted in MANHATTAN, Pinche Taqueria, SOHO 18 Comments »

We came for the noodle soup, we left praising the scallion pancakes.  Mee Noodle Shop on 2nd Avenue near 30th street may have the best prices outside of Chinatown, but at this meal neither noodle soup with meat dumplings or General Tso’s chicken beat the heaping $3 pile of greasy, flaky and freshly fried scallion […]

Posted in MANHATTAN, Mee Noodle Shop, MURRAY HILL/GRAMERCY 10 Comments »

NYC Food Guy loves bakeries that create unique and fresh desserts.  The only trouble is, when you find a place like this, it’s hard not getting one of everything. I’m taking it upon myself to make things easier for you by discovering what’s delicious at Pinisi Bakery on 4th Street near 1st Avenue.  Read on […]

Posted in EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN, Pinisi Bakery 13 Comments »

A 2nd attempt at rediscovering the magic of Scruffy Duffy’s Buffalo Wings at widowed sister bar Lansdowne Road has failed.  On my initial visit, I ordered the wings hot and was disappointed by the crusty sauce and dried out wings.  On my second visit, I ordered the wings medium but the result is what you […]

Posted in Lansdowne Road, MANHATTAN, MIDTOWN WEST 31 Comments »

The hunt for NYC’s best cheese steak continues! After eating Wogie’s version, I can’t award them the cheese steak crown, but everything was tasty and their menu is a grease lover’s dream.  Lil NYC Food Guy and I teamed with our cousin Doug to indulge in three different sandwiches, read on to find out which […]

Posted in MANHATTAN, WEST VILLAGE, Wogie's 31 Comments »