Steve Eats NYC

Tres Carnes Is My New Not-So-Secret Obsession

2014-11-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

This picture just doesn't do it justice...

For a short time recently I have been completely obsessed with the Tres Carnes on the corner of 22nd and 6th Avenue, and as it stands nothing will change that fact anytime soon. Is it a problem? Heck no, it's freaking delicious. Now if you are a HUGE fan of Chipotle cover your ears, I mean cover your eyes, Tres Carnes puts Chipotle to shame!!!

Ok that's a bit dramatic but so is their Smoked Brisket Bowl! And their Smoked Pork Shoulder or their Smoked Chicken Bowl...hence the name.

When I first came upon their amazing establishment I was on my normal investigative quest to find someplace I had never eaten before...actually it's more like I wandered aimlessly until I couldn't take the growling in my stomach any longer. Sometimes being a foodie you need to have a plan, you simply just can't spend your lunch hours wandering because before you know it you don't even have time to eat. However there is something extra satisfying in finding something new and delicious just by chance. In those cases I know I feel a bit more victorious since no one told me about it and I didn't read about it online, nothing told me to go there but my curiosity of finding the next great place. And I did!

The place is no secret as it is always packed (get there before 12:30!,) plus they already have 3 locations and a new one about to open...I'll discuss later. The atmosphere is loud, fun, cramped, and everything you want in a great Fast Casual establishment. Not only that they have some really great art painted on their walls which just adds to their fun atmosphere. But it's all about the food...

Great meat is at the core of Tres Carnes (again hence the name,) and it's the reason I keep going back.

Not too long ago as I was heading for the train station on 23rd street I noticed a commotion of Fire trucks parked on the corner of 22nd and 6th but in New York those sightings are a dime-a-dozen, so as usual I paid it no mind. I came to find that the fire had been in the building where Tres Carnes resides and it had been damaged and had to shut down for repairs!!! THE HORROR! I never missed it so much in my life...my newest food crush. Of course in a city this big the first worry is that they had to shutter and couldn't handle the re-do, meaning that they may never open again. Had they shut all their locations? Had Chipotle secretly devised a plan to take out a better competitor? (relax Chipotle, I still have much love for you)

Of course not but before I found out the deal, they would re-open in a few weeks, I was genuinely worried. Why? Great food like this is still hard to come by for such a great price, especially so close to where I worked.

Thankfully they re-opened with an incredible response with long, long lines of hungry admirers all as glad as I was that I could again stuff my face with their scrumptious meaty goodness.

I have to point this out, it's no laughing matter...simply stated it's wasn't just the meat that had me coming back time and time again. There I said it. It's out in the open for everyone to see, the underbelly of my food fascinations...Pickled Onions.

Their bright pink colored Pickled Onions are to die for. Silly I know but sometimes I obsess over the littlest things...isn't that the way it should be with food? I remember my first trip to BRGR where they advertised the best milkshakes in the city where I was amazed by the Pickles? Is there a theme here? Yup.

It's the cherry on top of the Hot Fudged Sundae. The Mustard on the Dog. The Sugar in my cup o' Joe. Well, that's my opinion. Of course their Onions have inspired me to get into a Pickle craze at home, but so far mine just haven't stacked up. So hey! Tres Carnes! I wouldn't mind the recipe, please!

Either way I'm a happy fan...

Tres Carnes Locations:

688 6th Ave (mine, so go find another)

101 Maiden Ln

954 Third Ave

and Soon to Open 817 Second Ave

Please follow them at:

trescarnes.com &

@TresCarnes on Twitter and trescarnes on Instagram

There Are Still No Signs That IN-N-OUT is coming to NYC...Bummer

2014-10-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

I write this knowing that lots and lots of people LOVE Shake Shack, this is not a slight against them, but for those of us who love IN-N-OUT Burger here on the East Coast, Shake Shack will never be a substitute. Of course I am completely biased but that's what makes me a foodie. I'm passionate about the food I love, in fact I might even be a bit snobbish at times, but no matter what it's a lot of fun to debate what's the best hamburger or what the best slice of pizza is in NYC, for example.

The bottom line for me is 'why isn't there an IN-N-OUT on the East Coast?' So far there is no real good reason, or at least I haven't heard a good one yet. Maybe it's a stupid thing to think about, and believe me I think about it all the time, but when you're a Foodie that's what we do. Apparently I'm not the only one....

in-and-out-burger-east.com

Yes, I signed the petition...I'm not ashamed to say so either.

I know the deal...there has to be a meat processing plant in a days driving distance of an IN-N-OUT location for there to be an IN-N-OUT location and currently the closest one is in Dallas,TX. So that means that there will not be an IN-N-OUT Burger in NYC anytime soon. Oh well, thankfully there's lots of choices in the City for me to obsess over...like Num Pang and CoolHaus to name a few, but I'll never stop hoping for my favorite burger to show up in NYC one day in the future...

A Good Bagel In NYC Is Like Having A Good Friend, And The Bagels At Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Co. Are My Best Friends

2013-02-12T11:25:00.001-05:00

Though I wonder is it a good thing to want to eat your friends? Well in this case yes it is.

For some reason, in this darn town, good Bagels are becoming hard to find. Don't get me wrong you can find Bagels in every food shop from Inwood to Coney Island, but just because you buy a Bagel in New York doesn't mean it's any good.

I actually have some experience. Back in my younger days, high school in fact, I worked a part time job at a Bagel shop in Mt. Kisco (Westchester Co, NY) where I'd make the Bagels each day before I went to school. This is where my love for Bagels grew and my appreciation for making a great Bagel was born. Flour, Yeast, Salt, Water and some kind of malted smelling stuff. I still remember watching all that mix in the gigantic mixer until it became dough, pulling it out and cutting it into pieces. A little Flour for the cutting board then I'd take the rolling pin and flatten it out, not too flat as the owner liked his Bagels plump (me too.)

There are many ways to make Bagels. There are many places to buy Bagels. There aren't many places to get good Bagels...did I say that already?

Dunkin Donuts? You gotta be kidding me. Einstein Bros.? Not a Bagel. The Street Carts in the morning? Good gosh no.

The place for me is Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, and the one I go to is on 8th Avenue between 24th and 25th (286 th 8th Ave.) They have 3 other locations, all in Astoria:

35-05 Broadway
36-14 30th Ave
35-9 Ditmars Blvd

A good Bagel has a hard exterior, just like most New Yorkers. And just like most NY'ers, when you pull back that tough shell you'll find a soft interior, or in this case a delicious filling. It really boggles my mind when people ask to have the middle of the Bagel scooped out because they are trying to watch their weight. Skinny little ladies in their ultra tight jeans miming the act of scooping because the guy behind the counter might not know what she means. Ok that might be a stereotype, but it sounded good.

I guess I'm a purest. I often like to eat a Bagel with nothing on it, fresh from the store, still warm from the oven. When I used to bake Bagels it was so hard not to stuff myself constantly. Bagels right out of the oven are sooooo soft and delicate, you can peel them apart without any trouble and cram them down your throat and not even know you ate one.

What's great about Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company is that their Bagels remind me of the old days, and isn't that what it's all about? Good memories, great times.

Not that I eat it often but their selection of Cream Cheese is outstanding and their Coffee is top shelf. They also make delicious Breakfast Sandwiches, a variety of Pastries, Salads and Sandwiches for Lunch as well.

So get your butt on over there to try one of the best Bagels in the city and stop eating the crappy ones you usually buy!

The Pizza At Aliotta's Pizzeria Was 'Molto Bene!'

2013-02-12T10:43:00.000-05:00

Molto Bene in Italian means 'very good' and usually is accompanied by some sort of lips kissing finger tips, not that I do that. I'm Italian, well half of me is, but in no way do I speak the language much to the dismay of the other Italian kids that I grew up with. They called me a fake italian...nice, of course I don't speak to any of them anymore. I can actually speak english and sound like I'm Italian, but then I sound like Marlon Brando in the Godfather...'We're going to make him an offer he can't refuse...' Sometimes I scare people when I do that.

Either way I loves me some Pizza and working in a newish area the first thing I gotta do is try out all the Pizza joints. It's exhausting, especially when you try to do it all in one day! Ok that's not what happened. So far I've tried two places, one that I won't mention and the other being Aliotta's Pizzeria at 191B Prince Street. I actually found it online through GrubHub since I was alone and not able to go out for lunch, so actually it was a shot in the dark that it would even be good.

Obviously by the title of this piece you already know how it was, yes it was good, quite good, especially since I'd had no prior knowledge of the place. But isn't that really how it should be? I mean I know there is a whole system of reviews and stuff, and sort of what I do here, to help people find new places to go, but isn't it a little self defeating to never go out on a limb? Not that eating Pizza is really reaching but it could have been total crap. Thankfully it wasn't.

The crust was extra crunchy with lots of bubbles and charred edges...love that. The cheese was extra gooey and tasty. Sauce oozed out the edges dropping blotches on my paper plate which I later mopped up with crust. If there was any complaint, but it's not really a complaint, was that it was a bit thick, not the typical thin crust NYC style Pizza, but that's just being picky. One benefit was that I was able to save some slices the next day because who doesn't love cold Pizza?

Honestly I don't think I would ever go out of my way to eat at Aliotta's again, there are far too many other Pizza joints that I prefer. However if I am working Downtown again and have a hankering to have some Pizza delivered, it will certainly be ordered from there.

Look Out NYC! The Girl Scouts Are Coming! The Girl Scouts Are Coming!

2013-02-07T12:46:00.002-05:00

It's bad enough that there are Girl Scouts set up at every damn supermarket out where I live screaming out to ask if I want to buy cookies when I enter and leave the stores. "No, I don't want to buy your damn cookies! I didn't want them when I came in and I certainly don't want them now that I'm leaving! I already ordered the damn things from my neighbors little girl and even she was annoying about the whole process! Jeez!" I get a little excited.

Now comes word that the little cretins will be milling about the City tomorrow in their Girl Scout Cookie Trucks, AHHHHHHH!

Save the date my ass...

In case you were wondering they will be in four locations, primarily in the Midtown area...apparently Downtown is beneath them, literally and figuratively! Well screw you kids, Downtown NYC has plenty of delicious cookies to choose from.

8:30am-10:30am 42nd and Madison

11:30am-1:30pm 57th bet 6th and 7th

2:30pm-4:30pm Park Ave bet 52nd and 53rd

Amsterdam Ave bet 70th and 71st

Beware the evil hordes of little girls in their costumes pretending to be sweet and kind, wanting you to buy boxes of their delicious cookies! They really just want your souls!

Hmmmm...on second thought, are Samoa's worth my soul? Quite possibly.

Lunch At Zoie's on Beach Street Was...Well...Not Good

2013-01-31T09:26:00.000-05:00

I should have known better.

I mean 'wichcraft was right around the corner and I knew that would have been better, but Zoie's Cafe and Delicatessen enchanted me with their amazing chalkboard sign out front. I saw it from down the block on Greenwich St. standing there begging to be read.

A hole in the wall. A greasy spoon. Whatever you want to call it but that's what it is. I live by the belief that appearances don't always matter especially when it comes to food, or is that people? I don't know, I confuse myself. The worst thing is being hungry in a part of town that you are not yet familiar with, because deep down inside of you is a machine that is telling you that you need to eat...it's called the stomach. It is quite a powerful device.

Part of me wants to find the next great meal, something that I can rave about over and over, recommending it to everyone I know...but that may be unrealistic. You see there is far more bad out there than good. Wait, I should say that there is far more mediocre than good. Also I'm not saying that my lunch was mediore, it was just plain bad. Harsh words, I know, but I'm more mad at myself for going there than anything.

A telltale sign should have been all the various added menu items, or specials that were scotch taped to the bottom of the menu that hung overhead. It was about as nice looking as the lady behind the counter whose grey roots had gave her an almost skunk-like appearance.

This was as close a picture I could get because I must say that she scared me a little. As I stood there looking up at the menu trying to figure out what to order she loudly told me that I should just look at the menu she was holding instead, which was beautifully laminated for ease of use. There was far too much to choose from, yet another sign that should have told me these people really don't do any one thing well and that I should tell her that I would be right back. But somehow I still had hope. Hope that I had found the next great whatever they make and could pat myself on the back for the greatness of my abilities. Maybe my abilities ain't so great.

I spotted a warm sandwich that sounded appealing, Chicken Cutlet with Mozzarella, topped with sliced Cherry Peppers, and thought why not. What really happened was that I couldn't find the sandwich I had seen on the chalkboard outside, the Cuban, and it felt like the woman's eyes were about to burn a hole in my chest, so I panicked and eeny meeny miny moe picked my lunch.

Let's just say it wasn't at all what I had imagined, it was worse. It was like a couple of pieces of cardboard with some melted chewy stuff, topped with some sour red and green things between two pieces of very dry roll. Does that explain it? No? Well look for yourself:

The Chicken, if you could call it that, was just a re-fried piece that had been in the refrigerator too long, it's a miracle I didn't get sick. The Mozzarella was some garbage processed cheese that was of very poor quality, and the Peppers! Well they were just old tasting.

And the worst part of this whole debacle, the part that I am most ashamed about is that I spent $9 bucks on the damn thing when it wasn't even worth $2! It's making me mad right now!

Life goes on in the end (unless you die from food poisoning) and I have to move on. The old saying is go with your gut feeling, but in this case it did not serve me well. Being hungry in a strange land (Tribeca) can be dangerous my friends, so be careful and be warned!

At Bubby's In Tribeca It's All About The Pie...And The Rest Of Lunch Was Pretty Good Too

2013-01-27T23:02:00.000-05:00

Oh my that was quite some pie.

I don't often try to rhyme but that was to easy.

My supervisor was nice enough to treat me to lunch the other day and suggested we go to Bubby's in Tribeca at 120 Hudson St, which I had never been. She didn't try and sell it too much but I'm easy...at least when it comes to food.

So we braved the frigid weather and walked a couple of blocks down to the restaurant and were promptly seated by the window in the semi-crowded dining room. 9 times out of 10 I am all about the food and that's it, if the place is a shit hole and they make good food I'm happy. However occasionally I get wrapped up in the ambiance of it all and really give the place a once over. And on this particular day there was good reason to since Katniss Everdeen herself (Jennifer Lawrence) was sitting right next to me! Now I am no star monger. I am not in awe of famous people when I see them, but I do like spotting them from time to time, you know to impress my friends back in New Jersey.

After all that excitement there was a meal that needed to be ordered, and first off something to drink...not liquor unfortunately, after all we did have to go back to work.

Normally I wouldn't point out what I had to drink but this was homemade Cola and as you can see it was served in a jelly jar...an added bonus. It was really good. Sweet but not overly sweet if that makes any sense.

For my meal I chose the Fried Chicken Biscuit with a side of Cole Slaw, not a stretch but I was feeling like I wanted some comfort food.

Other than that pile of green stuff on top of my piece of Fried Chicken it was really great. After de-flowering the battered breast I cut into the cutlet which was 10 times larger than the poor little biscuit half that was being smothered below. I almost felt sad for it...that was until I ate it as fast as I could. The Chicken was coated with a light Honey Mustard which was just the right touch and didn't overpower the delicious flavor of the white meat. The side of Cole Slaw was good but it needed a little salt and pepper but that's no crime. Honestly though it all paled in comparison to what was coming next, a virtual curveball thrown by the waitress who I'd mostly ignored.

She asked if we wanted some dessert and we were both going to pass...that was until she told us it was National Pie Day which peaked our interest immediately. She rattled off several special choices but she already had me at Lemon...(you complete me)

"I'll take the Lemon one you talked about." I said not even remembering the exact description, but it just sounded too damn good. It's called the Shaker Lemon Pie and was one of the best Pie experiences I've ever had, and I'm not kidding, in fact I am still thinking about it. What stuck out to me was the Lemon Zest pieces that were in the Pie giving it almost a Sour Lemonade flavor that just worked perfectly with the amazing crust and the cream that was on the side.

So if nothing else everyone needs to try the Pie.

Like I said Bubby's is located at 120 Hudson Street and is unfortunately battling some ugly NYC street construction out front but don't let that stop you. If it does click the link below for the actual recipe of the Shaker Lemon Pie, and as usual you can thank me later...

www.bubbys.com/briefs/shaker-lemon-pie-a-history-and-a-recipe/

brgr Makes The Best Burger In The City...And That's No Joke

2013-01-24T21:27:00.001-05:00

So I've just started a new job, actually it's been two days now and I really like it so far, but the best part about it is that it brings me back to a part of town that I haven't frequented in some time...Midtown. Honestly it's not my favorite part of the city, I'm a Downtown kind of guy (sounds like it should be a song,) so it's gonna take some getting used too. As with most parts of the city that I haven't been to in awhile it's changed a lot, so much so that it's almost unrecognizable, ah but who cares. I'm most concerned with the food options.

On my first day at work I set out on what was an incredibly cold day, to find something quickly, but as I like to say just because it's cold and you don't want to go far you don't have to make poor choices. Luckily for me my choice was simple....brgr. A couple of blocks from my office was a place I have always yearned to try especially since I had walked past the one Downtown on 7th too many times when it wasn't meal time...how depressing. There are always those places. They are along your route but because of timing you never really get a chance to try them. Well let's just say that some places are worth making time for.

Now I know brgr is known for their fabulous shakes as it says so on their windows, but their name is why I went, and besides I've never been a huge shake guy. I wanted to know if they had a tasty burger and one that could compare to the best of the city. Let me tell you friends this one probably beats them all...yes I'm talking to you Shake Shack (I still love you though.)

Look at those buns! I am quite the connoisseur of buns. As the old saying goes with great buns comes great burgers, not great pants because I know that's what you were thinking so get your mind out of the gutter. Anyway many things were great about this burger. Especially the extra sour pickle slices which I found delightfully surprising. Usually in a burger you get the run-of-the-mill pickle slices that you can buy at the grocery store but you can tell these were made with care...and a purpose. My taste buds thank you brgr maker.

If you've read my blog before you may have heard me talk glowingly about IN-N-OUT Burger which is a burger chain based out of California and only stretches as far as Dallas. I spent some time out west stuffing my face with a few Animal Style Burgers (I can't tell you what that is, I'd have to kill you first) that I now hold all other burgers up to their standard. Now I've eaten a lot of burgers, a lot, so I know a thing or two, and I know that I really haven't found a burger to match here in NYC. Yes I know people love Shake Shack and so do I, but there is a big difference between being just merely good and being memorable.

brgr was a completely memorable experience.

Above was my side. French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries and Onion Hay, yeah those are some delicious pieces of Onion man. It wasn't enough to plow through a scrumptious, delectable hamburger called 'The Beautiful Day Burger,' but I just had to continue to stuff my pie hole with an amazing amount of salty goodness.

Listen do yourself a favor and go try it out. They have a website:

www.brgr.com

They have two locations in Manhattan:

7th Ave Between 26th and 27th and

3rd Ave Between 60th and 61st

Eat well my friends...thank me later.

Best Pizza Places in the US According to Food & Wine

2012-10-03T22:08:00.001-04:00

That lovely Pizza in the picture comes from NYC's Don Antonio Pizzeria which was named one of the best Pizza places in the country by Food & Wine magazine. In fact NYC had 14 Pizza joints on the list, of course the most out of any other place in the country, further establishing NYC as the mecca of Pizza. Was there ever any doubt? Below is the list of Pizzeria's that you should try as soon as you can:

Manhattan
Don Antonio
Sottocasa
Nicoletta
Forcella
Via Tribunali
Ribalta
Co.
Motorino
Keste Pizza & Vino

Brooklyn
Totonno's
Lucali
Paulie Gee's
Franny's
Di Fara

I gotta say that I'm a little curious to find out if the Food & Wine people tried any Pizzeria's in the Bronx or Queens, seems like they might have missed one or two places....

Either way NYC dominated...

To check out the full list please click the link below:

www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-pizza-places-in-the-us/16

A Bacon Shortage? Oh My Gosh No!!!

2012-09-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

No, no, no, not a shortage of Kevin Bacon, though he's a fine actor.....

...a shortage of actual Bacon! I am getting all emotional already. Actually it's pretty serious business. Over the last couple of years farming has become more challenging than ever due to widespread drought which has lead to the devastation of crops, some of which are used to feed animals like soy and corn. This lack of availability has caused prices of these items to skyrocket and in turn has caused many pig farmers to cull or get rid of their herds...not good news.

Basically it means that prices will go up and that Bacon, Egg and Cheese you eat every morning on the corner of 39th and 2nd is gonna cost you a little bit more.

Kobayashi Of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Fame Is Developing His Own Hot Dog Line

2012-09-27T08:52:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a while since our friend Kobayashi has won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog eating contest and things really haven't gone too well for him since then. First off he's no longer in the contest, whether it's because he knows he can't beat Joey Chestnut or the promoters no longer want him there, he's just not the competitive eater he used to be. Yeah sure he still competes in contests where he has eating contests all by himself...and you know what? He always wins.

Anyway in his quest to remain relevant, Kobayashi has joined a group of famous investors in the purchase of a small Hot Dog brand called Hoffman Hot Dogs, but with one exception...one of the Hot Dogs has to be named after him. Wow, now there's something to be proud of.

Will people really buy a Hot Dog because there is a picture of Kobayashi on the front of the package? I'm not so sure but you can't fault a guy with limited abilities for trying to cash in on being good at stuffing his face...

In A City Built On The Sandwich, Potbelly Sandwich Shop Doesn't Add Much

2012-09-20T10:10:00.002-04:00

Do we really need another chain sandwich shop in NYC? Maybe, maybe not, but ultimately it just has to be good.

New York City is a place that is known for great sandwiches, whether it's the amazing bread or the regional choices that define the melting pot that we live in. I love a good sandwich and if I could, I'd probably eat one everyday. However, not just any sandwich because I don't accept sub-standard or run of the mill fare like Subway or Quizno's, but I try to still have an open mind and am willing to try anything once.

So the other day I happened to be in Union Square on 17th Street, a place where I've pretty much eaten at every place from Broadway to 6th Ave except for one, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, which I decided to try. Honestly I hadn't heard much about it before other than knowing it was a chain that had begun in Chicago. Chicago, that's another city that's known for great sandwiches...right?

Maybe not. The picture above is the sandwich that I ordered which they call the Italian but I call the ordinary. You see that's what it was like to eat at Potbelly, it was ordinary. It wasn't bad but come on, there are way better sandwiches in New York City. Actually right across the street is Pret-A-Manger which I believe has much better sandwiches. Also just a couple of blocks away is Tom Colicchio's sandwich shop 'wichcraft, which has amazing selections. Even Lenny's on 23rd has better sandwiches and I don't like them much either.

I was satisfied though...with my water, my Cole Slaw and my Sour Cream and Onion Chips. Seriously though it wasn't horrible, so if you want to go to a place that has ok sandwiches then Potbelly is the place for you!

McDonalds Opening Up A Vegetarian Restaurant?...In India

2012-09-15T09:11:00.001-04:00

In India it's the Maharaja-Mac and it's made with Chicken patties instead of meat. You see in India most people don't eat beef because cows are sacred so in the 250 or so locations of McDonalds there they only serve Chicken and Fish.

So in two of India's holiest cities McDonalds will be opening two Vegetarian Only restaurants to take advantage of the business there. Hmmm, will these holy people really want to go to McDonalds before or after they make a pilgrimage? I'm not sure.

It seems interesting to me that the company will be opening these restaurants and yet they really offer no Vegetarian options in the US....the Fries don't count. I'm talking about a Meat-less burger, they could call it the Soy-Mac or something like that. However the company doesn't have any plans to add any Vegetarian options nor is there any call for it from the public because you know, Vegetarians don't really go there...

Just Because It's The Worlds Biggest Hamburger Doesn't Mean It Was Any Good

2012-09-13T08:03:00.000-04:00

Honestly, does that even look good? It kinda looks like an animal they killed that's been left in the woods to rot for a week...

Anyway some casino in Minnesota created this monstrosity so they could have the record for Worlds Largest Hamburger...maybe it should be called the Worlds Largest pile of crud.

What a waste of food. Yeah sure they cut it up into a zillion pieces and handed it out to the hundreds of idiots that stood and watched. Really? Watched what? Watched as a crane lifted the damn thing onto the custom made outdoor cooker. Watched as they dumped Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes and Cheese on top without any care.

2,014 pounds, 10 feet in diameter...

60 pounds of Bacon
50 pounds of Lettuce
50 pounds of Onions
40 pounds of Pickles
40 pounds of Cheese

A rep from the Guinness Book of World Records said..."What I saw today was a feat of remarkable teamwork that resulted in a world record burger that actually tastes really good." That guy needs a reality check. Maybe he should have just simply asked why? Just so a record could be broken?

I'm sorry but to me that's not what food is for...

A Vietnamese Bahn Mi For Lunch From My Favorite Shop, Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich

2012-09-09T20:58:00.002-04:00

Doesn't that look yummy?

My favorite Vietnamese Sandwich in the City from Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich shop on Broome Street just off of Mulberry. Been going there for years. Just $4.50 gets you one of their over sized Bahn Mi, which is the Vietnamese term for Bread, but whatever it is it sure is delicious.

The House Special is filled with BBQ Pork, Pork Roll, Pickled Veggies, a Cucumber slice and Cilantro all on a scrumptious torpedo roll, and is usually served extra spicy. I've been known to eat two in a sitting especially when they are still hot and the bread is crispy, but one is generally enough. The highlight of the sandwich is certainly the BBQ Pork, a sweet layer of crunchy goodness that is accentuated perfectly by the rest of the ingredients. However I must warn you, it's smell is a bit deceiving.

If you've never had Vietnamese food before than you are certainly not aware of the National Sauce of Vietnam which smells pretty bad. I really can't describe it but it's rank. It's some kind of Fish sauce which they put on everything, but when I tell you it's delicious you have got to believe me. Wanna know why? Because I hate Fish. A foodie who hates Fish, I know....how could I be a true foodie if I don't eat Fish? We all dislike something, so what.

The bottom line is that this sandwich is fantastic and you need to experience it for yourself to understand what I am talking about. When you do, you will thank me.

CoolHausNY Makes The Best Fried Chicken and Waffles...Ice Cream Sandwich!

2012-09-07T08:44:00.000-04:00

That's Fried Chicken and Waffles? Yes, indeed it is, and it was fabulous. Actually I don't remember a whole lot about it since I barely took a breath while eating it.

I'd just come from a meeting in Chelsea and decided I was going to see what food trucks were hanging out in Union Square Park, the new hot spot for lunch. Visions of Steak Sandwiches and Tacos danced in my head as I walked down Broadway past numerous eateries that were not going to get my money. Food Trucks are the on-the-go meal trend in the City, for the days when you don't have time to sit and relax.

Eventually my plan was to end up all the way downtown so grabbing a meal-to-go was an obvious choice, but what selections would their be? Luckily there only needed to be one.

CoolHausNY sat amongst five other trucks nestled between a Smoothie Truck and the UPS man. Quickly I scanned their flavors of the day conveniently posted on the side of their truck and also on a chalkboard sign on the street. There it was, like finding a Yeti in the forrest that had avoided me for years, their Fried Chicken and Waffles Ice Cream. I would have jumped for joy if no one was looking, but the line was long so I needed to act quickly.

As I moved into 2nd position the girl in front of me received her order and remarked..."This is the coolest thing I've ever had." An overstatement at best, but I could understand her excitement. The fellow inside the truck, realizing her comment replied..."It is CoolHaus after all." To which I had to chuckle. The fact remains that these Ice Cream Sandwiches really do something to bring out the kid in all of us.

Fried Chicken and Waffles on Snickerdoodle Cookies. Done.

The Ice Cream is so good. The Cookies are delicious. Even the piece of edible paper that they wrap it in is a unique sensation, but the truth of the matter is that I'm not sure I really tasted the flavor and that's not completely a bad thing. I really think I ate it too fast since I was so excited to actually have finally had it in my hands. Still the experience was a good one, wait no, a great one. No one else makes as good an Ice Cream Sandwich in NYC as CoolHaus does and I am truly glad to be able to sample their wares from time to time.

For me the jury is still out on the Fried Chicken and Waffles which mean only one thing...that I am going to have to try it again sometime soon. Thank you CoolHausNY.

Guy Fieri's Restaurant Opening In Times Square This Month

2012-09-04T13:38:00.001-04:00

Don't we all love this guy, I mean Guy? Come on, he's funny, entertaining, interesting to look at and he hosts one of the best shows on Food Network, 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.' What's not to like?

His rise to fame and popularity is unrivaled in the food industry ever since he won on the Next Food TV Network Star and at this point it seems like there is no end in sight. Opening this month is his new restaurant in NYC, Guy's American Kitchen, a 16,000 square foot behemoth landing in Times Square which will only further enhance the fact that he is already a household name.

So far details of what's on the menu have not been released other than Guy himself saying that it will be a mix of his restaurants, Tex Wasabi's and Johnny Garlic's, and some new dishes that were inspired by his adventures on 'Triple D,' as he likes to call his show.

Obviously being from New York I rarely find myself in Times Square and try to avoid the area as much as possible...it's just not for us, it's for the tourists, and that's what this restaurant is for. The true New Yorkers will not be suddenly drawn to one of the most crowded spots in the city because Guy Fieri opened up a restaurant, but this is not a comment on who he is. Guy is an over-the-top personality who resonates with a large part of the country, so it makes perfect sense to open up his first NYC shop in touristville.

One would hope that Mr. Fieri might try his hand at a cool SoHo spot one day or even a 'Dive-like' joint somewhere in the East Village just to show that he's not all about the fame and money. Either way I say good luck to him and his new establishment as it is sure to bring lots of needed jobs to the City of New York...

Tom Colicchio Talks About The End Of Craft And Retirement

2012-09-03T20:13:00.001-04:00

The end of Craft...

Well not the end exactly, just the end of expansion. Tom is a busy guy these days and with two little ones running around it's got him thinking about walking away from it all and retiring. Wow.

I myself am a self proclaimed lover of all things Colicchio since I've eaten at practically every one of his establishments in the New York area and have never been disappointed. The man knows what he is doing and always seems to know just how to tweak his menus to keep it fresh without blowing it up all together.

So when the man comes out and says he's not going to roll out anymore restaurants I get a little nervous because in my mind that means he'll probably turn over the whole operation to someone else. Eeeeek! I see it as a one way ticket to ordinary, but I'm getting ahead of myself...this isn't going to happen really, he'll never be able to let go. He'll step away for awhile then then make a triumphant return...

Yeah sure...

KFC Experimenting With An ALL-SKIN Sandwich...Wait, I Think I'm Gonna Hurl!

2012-08-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

It's called the 'Skinwich'...yes that's actually what they are calling it and it's already making me sick.

Wonderfully created by the minds at KFC who were obviously inspired by Hannibal Lecter to create something so disgusting only a psychotic cannibal would want to eat it. Ok, maybe there weren't inspired by Hannibal, but what made them think that this would work or would even be edible? Sure, who doesn't like to eat the skin on Fried Chicken? It's crunchy, salty and delicious but it's usually accompanied by the meat.

You know when you get to the end of eating your burger, when all that's left is the bun, the condiments, the lettuce, tomato and the onions, and you've just swallowed the last bit of succulent, wonderful meat??? It's over and the dream has ended. No meat, no more burger. I think this is exactly how I would fell if I ever managed to feel dumb enough to try the 'Skinwich.' I would feel like I was missing something with every bite...where is the damn meat! Of course the gag reflex inside of me wouldn't let me do it. I'd sit there looking at the box, not able to open it for the fear of spewing right there on the table. What a mess.

Gross. Disgusting. Horrendous.

Honestly, why doesn't KFC just engineer a Chicken with double the skin? I mean they already engineer their Chick-a-dees to be plumper, meaner, stronger, faster and able to leap small buildings in a single bound. I think it would make a lot of sense...don't you?

"Hey Jimmy! Get the mop, another customer barfed on the floor after eating a 'Skinwich'! It sure is a messy one too!" Said Al the manager...

"Man, 6th one today, I don't get paid enough for this shit." Jimmy whispered....

Smorgasburg Is Taking Over! Well Not Really, It's Expanding To Sundays In Dumbo

2012-08-30T08:47:00.002-04:00

Exciting news my friends, Smorgasburg is expanding to Sundays! Starting on 9/9 they will be at Dumbo's Tobacco Warehouse in a collaboration with Brooklyn Bridge Park and should continue there through November.

This must also be great news for all the vendors who will be able to expand their business with a second day at an already very successful event. What's really fantastic is that it allows people like myself, a foodie, it gives us a greater opportunity to visit Smorgasburg more often, and not only that it gives us two days to choose from.

Hopefully this will also give an opportunity to some new vendors who haven't been able to make the Saturday only event, that way we will all have tons of new choices, not the ones who are there already aren't amazing. It's just really exciting for the whole operation and I'm really happy to those who run it because it's a testament to all their hard work. Let's also not forget the wonderful vendors who put themselves on display every weekend to sell their wonderful foods to all of us lucky folks.

Smorgasburg Dumbo at the Tobacco Warehouse, which is at 30 Water Street (at New Dock Street)

Eataly Performs Above Expectations, So The Plan Is To Open More Stores

2012-08-28T18:44:00.001-04:00

I wasn't the biggest fan of Eataly the first time I visited because when I walked in I felt like I was stepping into an unfinished painting, and I guess that's not always such a bad thing. It needed time to jell, to figure out exactly what it should look like, how it should flow, and by the time of my second visit it had already begun the transformation.

Fast forward to the present where the 2 year old establishment has really carved out a niche for itself in the food service and grocery industry, bustling with regulars and tourists from open to close. In just it's first year of operation Eataly had a gross revenue of $70 million dollars, a staggering amount considering the economy and the average price of goods sold there. Projected second year earnings are even greater at $85 million, so you can see where this is going.

Already Eataly is looking to open new shops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, Brazil...just to name a few. The Chicago space is extra intriguing because they plan to have even more restaurants than the Manhattan store and that already has seven.

Whether you are a fan of Eataly or not this is really great news for the industry and even the economy. It shows that people are willing to pay a higher price for a premium product, but we are talking about New York City after all. New York is an enigma and just because it's been a rousing success here doesn't mean it will be everywhere else. That's why I think it's smart not to move too fast and by picking well established markets like LA and Chi-town to be their next openings, they will almost certainly assure themselves of two more successes....

The Best Sandwich Shop In NYC Is John's Deli In Brooklyn According To The Daily News

2012-08-27T11:48:00.002-04:00

Oh brother, look at that Roast Beef, it's rare and just the way it's supposed to be...

There's nothing like a really good sandwich to make me salivate on a rainy Monday morning. John's Deli on Stillwell Avenue in Bensonhurst has been rated as NYC's best sandwich shop by the Daily News, in fact Brooklyn held the top three spots. John's has been making delicious sandwiches since 1968 and the "Best Hero in Brooklyn, the Hot Roast Beef with Mutz and Gravy," has been at the forefront.

For a mere $7.75 you get amazingly thin sliced Roast Beef, pink in the middle, with two large pieces of Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions and their famous Gravy which is what keeps people coming back for more. Every morning the shop slow-roasts it's beef to perfection, leaving the middle sublimely rare, making it super tender and juicy. If it isn't pink the flavor is gone, so when you buy sliced Roast Beef at a store make sure it's got some color. Seriously though the secret to this wondrous sandwich is the Gravy and if you want to know the recipe you're out of luck so don't even ask.

These old deli sandwich shops are a treasure to behold in a City where things are changing at a breakneck pace. Thankfully Brooklyn is loaded with them and it's up to all of us to continue their glorious tradition. So get out there and find these gems of a time gone by to enjoy delicious sandwiches that you can't get at Panera Bread!

Read more about it:

www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/best-new-york-john-deli-bensonhurst-takes-sandwich-honors-article-1.1142090

johnsdeli.com/main/index.html

"Thank You, Subway!" (PS, you'll have to visit their website to find out what that means)

NYC Food News For The Weekend of 8/25 and 8/26

2012-08-24T17:29:00.001-04:00

Ahh...the weekend in the city:

On Saturday, 8/25 at 2PM there's the 13th Annual Blues BBQ Festival at the Hudson River Park. Bands will play. Food will be served. Admission is free.

BBQ from Dinosaur and Brother Jimmy's will be sampled.

Hudson River Park, Pier 84 at W44th Street

www.hudsonriverpark.org

I'm skeptical...these types of events can be deceiving in terms of what food is offered. Expect long lines and small servings.

Also on Saturday is, as always, Smorgasburg and if you haven't been well then you haven't been reading my blog. 11-6PM at the Brooklyn waterfront in Williamsburg between N6th and N7th Streets...

Just go already...

FYI...Whole Foods has opened up another location in Manhattan, this time on 57th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. It's a 33,000 square foot behemoth that had hundreds of people lining up at 6AM to be the first to...um...shop for groceries, yeah!

Basically everyone needs to get out and enjoy delicious food in the city this weekend before the warm weather goes away...if you don't you'll be sorry...

Fordham University Has The Worst Campus Food In The Country

2012-08-24T17:03:00.001-04:00

There's not much to get excited about in the Bronx. The Yankees, the Bronx Zoo, the Botanical Gardens and Arthur Avenue...that's about it. Well, there also happens to be a very accredited University by the name of Fordham that resides there, but after a recent report people might not think so highly of it anymore.

The Princeton Review ranked Fordham University as having the worst campus food in the country...in the entire country! Holy moly...and it's a religious institution too!

Some students were polled as to just what is wrong with the food and here are some of the comments:

"There was a grasshopper in my salad."

"Some people found bugs and thumbtacks in their food."

"The food is just bad man, I'd rather eat at White Castle."

Back in 2011 the student newspaper, The Ram, reported that the NYC Health department had cited mice, roaches and poor food storage at four of the university's facilities. Boy paying $41,000 a year doesn't get what it used to.

I say screw the campus food. Just across the street is one of the best food areas in the entire city. Arthur Avenue is one of the oldest Italian neighborhoods in the city and has mostly stayed that way. It houses numerous Italian Markets, including the famous Arthur Avenue Market, several delicious bakeries, fresh seafood stores, homemade cheese stores and a bunch of fine restaurants. Honestly why on Earth would you want to eat on campus when all of this is across the street anyway???

Funny Spoof Of iPhone 5 Only Being Used To Take Photo's Of Food Makes Me Think How Silly I Am

2012-08-20T18:13:00.003-04:00

This video is hilarious and also sad...sad that I am one of the schlubs who pulls out his iPhone at meals to shoot pictures that I think other people will enjoy.