When you’re in the Big Apple, there’s more than just sightseeing to do – you’ve got to eat like a true New Yorker. From iconic street food to legendary restaurant dishes, NYC offers some unforgettable eats that you simply can’t miss. Trust me, as someone that’s lived in New York almost my entire life, skipping these foods should practically be illegal.
Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a Roll
This NYC breakfast staple is more than just a sandwich; it’s a morning ritual. Found at nearly every bodega across the city, its simplicity belies its perfection. It’s the quintessential New York start to the day, beloved for its hearty filling and on-the-go convenience. The classic uses American cheese and a fried egg but you can doctor it up however you like. True New Yorker’s will order a “baconeggandcheesesaltpepperketchup” all in one breath.
Dirty Water Dog
The quintessential New York hot dog, known affectionately as the “Dirty Water Dog,” is a street cart favorite. These hot dogs, simmered in salt water and served in a fluffy bun are a testament to New York’s rich street food culture. Grab one with sauerkraut and mustard for the full experience.
New York Cheesecake
Rich, creamy, and velvety, New York Cheesecake is a dessert icon. It’s denser than its counterparts, always with a graham cracker crust and often served plain to let its luxurious texture shine. Junior’s in Brooklyn is famed for it, offering a taste of New York’s sweeter side.
Pastrami on Rye
A towering sandwich of spiced, smoked pastrami on rye bread is a New York deli classic. Katz’s Delicatessen is legendary for this, serving up slices so tender and flavorful, they’ve become synonymous with the city’s deli scene. It’s a must-try for any meat lover. Corned beef is a close runner up.
Bagels
New York bagels, with their perfect chewy exterior and soft interior, are in a league of their own. Whether you go for a classic cream cheese schmear or a full-on lox and capers arrangement, places like Ess-a-Bagel and Russ & Daughters are bagel institutions. New York bagels are so iconic, anywhere you go in the USA will advertise “NY Bagels” as if any other bagel just won’t do. Delis in Florida, where droves of New Yorker’s spend the snowbird month, actually claim to import NYC water for their bagel making.
Pizza
Arguably, New York City is the pizza capital of the world. From the thin, crisp crusts of its famous slice joints to the wood-fired pies in Brooklyn, pizza is an integral part of the city’s food identity and the complete opposite side of the pizza spectrum from Chicago’s deep dish. No visit is complete without folding a slice of classic New York-style pizza.
Egg Cream
Contrary to its name, the New York Egg Cream contains neither eggs nor cream. This fizzy drink made with chocolate syrup, milk, and seltzer water is a nostalgic sip of old New York. It’s a sweet reminder of the city’s simpler times and classic diners.
Chopped Cheese
A lesser-known but fiercely loved NYC sandwich, the Chopped Cheese, or sometimes just Chop Cheese, is made with ground beef, onions, and melted cheese on a hoagie roll, often compared to a Philly Cheesesteak. It’s a Harlem delicacy, best enjoyed from a local bodega.
Black and White Cookie
This iconic cookie, half-frosted in vanilla and half in chocolate, is a New York bakery staple. It’s as much a symbol of New York’s culinary melting pot as it is a delicious treat. Bakeries like William Greenberg Desserts have perfected it. Travel upstate and they call them half moon cookies but city-goers will probably look at you like you have three heads if you call it that.
Cronuts
The Cronut, a croissant-doughnut hybrid, caused a sensation when it was first introduced by Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo. It’s newer to the food scene than the other classics, but based on its reception with fans lining up early every day to taste them, it’s not going anywhere any time soon and has earned its way onto the list.
Eat Your Way Around the World – 15 Iconic Sandwiches to Savor
Is there anything more universally loved and endlessly versatile than the sandwich? It seems every corner of the world has its own take on stuffing something delicious between slices of bread. Whether it’s a classic burger or something as distinct as a katsu sando, sandwiches are the go-to for cravings everywhere. Exploring the wide array of sandwiches from around the globe offers a glimpse into each culture’s culinary soul. So, if you’re looking for inspiration on which sandwich might be worth planning your next adventure around, we’ve got you covered with some of the world’s best.
Read it Here: Eat Your Way Around the World – 15 Iconic Sandwiches to Savor
9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
America’s fast food culture has not only reshaped the culinary landscape at home but has rippled across the globe with substantial effects. As burgers and fries become commonplace from Tokyo to Istanbul, they bring with them not just a taste of American life, but a host of changes to diet, health, and local economies. This article examines the wide-reaching impact of these fast food chains, exploring how they influence everything from our eating habits to our planet.
Read it Here: 9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
