sketchyeats

Ferdinandos - Red Hook Spleen Sandwich

2011-12-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

Heaping spoonfuls of fresh ricotta mounded on a small roll and sandwiching a large chunk of spleen! SPLEEN!

Spleen isnt the tasty-est of organs. Lots of iron, kinda like liver, and way overpowers the delicious ricotta and fresh bread.

Stick with the panelle, for 5 bucks its a cheap ticket to heaven.

Ferdinandos
151 Union St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 855-1545

San Loco - Williamsburg Fast Food Mexican

2011-12-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

barf

I think the catfish taco is trying to kill me.

Though I can support 11$ pitchers of beer and their hot sauce is pretty darn hot (woooooo I like it spicy).

San Loco
160 N 4th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-8479

Mé Bar - KTown Business Bougy

2011-12-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

This place would be perfect when its empty! High above the rigamarole that is K-town with a cool view of the Empire State Building looming over you.

now fill it with casual work dress schluboos... ah, thats more like it.

Not worth traveling for, but if you find yourself on 32nd and dont want to karaoke this is an awesome oasis. Just prepare to throw some elbows to get a seat.

The line to the two tiny elevators is pretty rad too.

Mé Bar
17 W 32nd St
New York, NY 10001
(212) 290-2460

Bar Boulud - Upper West Schmancy

2011-12-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

Great charcuteries ghost!

I never thought I would say this: "awesome head cheese!"

yes dudes and dudettes, its really good.
Also, the rabbit terrine is wascally, but delicious.

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
(212) 595-0303

Yetev Lev - Brooklyn Hassid Town

2011-11-30T04:58:00.000-08:00

its all hassidic all the time in here. super expensive meats (kosher = $$$) In the back there are many prepared foods, from kugel (a type of cake made with noodles) to more kugel. If you like kugel, this is your place!

I tried the pre packaged gefilte fish. For some reason, hassids love to douse everything, I mean EVERYTHING, in sugar. The gefilte was soaked in a super sweet sugar water. If it wasn't for the sugar it might have been ok gefilte fish (dont judge me, but I kinda like the stuff...)

Additionally there was a huge sign advertising "we now have dips!". At 99 cents each I threw my hands up to my hips, cause when they dip, I dip, you dip!

Baba-ganoush - very runny and way too much sugar
Olive dip - a can of green pimento olives + baba-ganoush + sugar!
Hummus (spelled chumus here) - this was the only ok dip. Not phenomenal hummus, but ok.)

And good luck trying to find fresh pita in the area for yer hassidic picnic!

Ytev Lev
187 Ross Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-1212

Souvlaki House - Downtown Brooklyn

2011-11-29T04:45:00.000-08:00

Bad enough I had jury duty, but it's also my civic duty to voir dire some good eats in the area. Just so happens the Brooklyn supreme court IS a gastro wasteland of fast food and Chinese Mexican chop shops...

After 5 minutes of wandering I came upon the Original Souvlaki nestled in an exterior fit for the Coney Island boardwalk. These OG's (original greeks) offer a tasty 7 dollar souvlaki sandwich drenched in a viscous tzaziki white sauce that makes me question my manhood.

Final analysis - not a bad option for the hour long break during jury duty lunch.

Souvlaki House
158 Lawrence St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: Downtown Brooklyn
(718) 852-0443

Thanh Da - Sunset Park Pho

2011-11-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

Not for vegetarians. Came with my girlfriend, and even with her rabbit like superpowers there was only one dish she could eat.

Summer roll my eyes at that!

Luckily she supports my carnivorous cravings and I got a Dac bieT. It came in a smaller than usual bowl with a mild broth that didn't really do much for me. I did come with all the weird meats a boy could ever want! And the steak was rare as a baboons butt... Ummm, well it was red.

Also they must have just cleaned cause it was the sparkliest pho joint i've been to.

Thanh Da
6008 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 492-3253

Seoul Garden - k-town raw egg soup

2011-11-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

No boom boom seoul garden, seoul garden too beaucoup!

Float upstairs to the second floor, drop a raw egg in your soup and pretend the broth wasnt soooo bland. Oh how, I like the diy foods, anything that involves me cracking a raw egg into a vat of boiling oily shrimps gets a check plus.

Generally, mediocre banchan (those free side dishes) and tasty salty spicy shortribs. Also, the place is big enough that you rarely have to wait.

Seoul Garden
34 W 32nd St
Ste 2
New York, NY 10001
(212) 736-9002

Bali Nusa Indah - Hells Kitchen Indonesian

2011-11-21T04:58:00.000-08:00

As the cook explained it "you get everything in the kitchen!". And presented with a menagerie of tiny bowls the only thing missing was a kitchen sink. Not the best presentation but although the devils in the details, the flavors in the Rijsttafel!

Bali Nusa Indah
651 9th Ave
New York, NY 10036
(212) 265-2200
balinusaindahnyc.com

Dumpling Cafe - Da Williamsburg Dumpling Ghetto

2011-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

I've never seen so much flour on the floor of a dumpling shop!!!

Its definitely got that dumpling factory vibe with little asian ladies yelling at little hispanic men who are stretching dough like its their job. Well it prob is their job...

But the end result is some damn good dumplings. The veggie dumplings are good, wontons are jiggly soft, and the spicy soup is filling though bulliony. DumpCafe shines in the frozen dumpling take out category with something like a million dumplings for $10. Its bare bones "noodle processing plant feel", no seating, most dishes under 4$, and a mystery lunch special I spioed some homeless hipster ordering.

Dumpling Cafe

861 Grand St

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Phone: (718) 302-8888

Bo Ky Restaurant - Chinatown Pho

2011-11-18T06:08:00.000-08:00

Never under estimate the power of face meats! I asked the lady for a "country style mixed meat plate" and she looked at me like I was crazy, then started pointing to her various facial features, "Bring it on!" I told her. She brought out a small place of various dark brown organ meats with a little delicious pickled radish on the side. They were all super tender and juicy and as I pointed to the various squiggles she grabbed her ear, wiggled her nose, and stuck out her tongue. I haven't played that game since I was 3 years old.

The pho left much to be desired. Bland broth, ok weird meats, and generally outshone by the face meats. I rate it a 5 out of 10. The broth is more chinese style, stick to the meats and egg noodle soups.

4 stars for the chinese, 2 stars on the pho.

Bo Ky Restaurant
80 Bayard St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 406-2292

Robicellis Cupcakes at Dekalb Market

2011-11-17T04:43:00.000-08:00

Weaving through a surreal haze of abandoned train cars featuring boutique cutouts, battling hobo park slope soccer moms in $60 hand knit hats for hockey puck sized pieces of mana. Has the gastro blabbidy blah movement always been steampunk?

Yes, Robicellis cupcakes are delicious, not overly sweet or buttery like many high end cupcakes. And fresh enough at 3 dollars a cake that your kids will never know that your too "busy" to make em yerself.

Dekalb Market
332 Flatbush Ave Ext
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 529-9262
www.dekalbmarket.com

Flaum Appetizing - Williamsburg Pickle Party

2011-11-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

Small jewish bodega type store in the heart of Hassid town. We got yer hot foods on a little buffet, candied jellies, and a rock'n small pickle bar. We even got yer long israeli style pickles here! Ssssour, but sans fizz, a sour in chili peppers, and pickled tomato. Hamutz baby!

Flaums Appetizing
288 Scholes St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
(718) 387-7934
www.flaums.com/

Thai Rock - Rockaway Beach Thai

2011-11-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

Thai party place, delicious turnip dumplings, bland chicken wings and doo doo green curry.

Did allow dogs on the majestic deck overlooking the bridge back to civilization and its brackish brooklyn waters.

Thai Rock

375 Beach 92nd St

Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

Neighborhood: Seaside

(646) 455-3991

thairock.us

Cafe Los Arcos - Bushwick Burrito

2011-11-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Solid mexican but stay far far far far far far away from the tequila burrito!

My girlfriend has a thing with taunting me to eat strange meats. Ok, thats unfair, I have a thing with searching out strange meats. BUT, I tend to avoid the seafood at ghetto mexican joints. One bite of their tequila shrimp will tell you why...

That said, in my professional burrito assessment Los Arcos ain't bad. Its wrapped, dry, you can pick it up, and its filled with goodness. 5 dollar regular burrito can't be beat.

Photo from outside. Don't get more sketchy then a wanted sign right next to the ATM!

Cafe Los Arcos
255 A Bushwick Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
(718) 381-2550

Real Santa Fe - Woodside Mexican

2011-11-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

Nice selection of weird organ meats for my taco: The oreja which sounded delicious (thats an ear joke) - it was super juicy and tender, the buche also spoke to me (cheek joke!) - but was just ok as far as face meat goes.

Plus I got a sneak peak at the kitchen prep where in a large metal bowl they put the united nations of meats: ear, stomach, face, butt - then pour in a little water. Add more butt meat, a bunch of oil, and finally more water. Water and oil are usually enemies but at the UN everyone stays moist and tender...

Real Santa Fe
47-08 47 Ave
Woodside, NY 11377
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
(718) 392-2684
www.realsantafe.net

Nam Nam - South Williamsburg Banh Mi

2011-11-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

Nam nam - the cute Vietnamese joint next to the Montrose/Leonard projects.

They only have bun and bahn mi, and Im no bahn mi-xpert (weird cause I'm pho-caholic, but that happens when ya get pho every time and don't work on the bahn mi skills.)

This BM was pretty good, soft bread, good pate... made me wanna run through the hood and dodge bullets like it was the matrix! Blam blam!

Nam Nam

109B Montrose Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11206

(718) 302-9200

Fredi Sandwich Bar - CLOSED

2011-11-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

Went with my sister for a quick union sq lunch. They were filming an indy version of sex in the shitty and I got to watch a buff guy run into skinny girls in high heals 8 times. Score!

Avocado bacon? Mediocre bread, mediocre avocado. The turkey bacon was more like sliced pastrami... meh

-- UPDATE: Now Closed. Go figure, ya'll got "Meh'd" right out of business!

Fredi Sandwich Bar - CLOSED
28 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 242-0444
www.fredisandwichbar.com

Gia Liam - Sunset Park Pho

2011-11-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

Another funny smelling restaurant for the books. Its like they use a faint poopy fish incense to give the ambiance a certain "je ne sais quoi".

This villa needs to be scrubbed down with a hose. Besides that the pho is actually pretty good, I rate it 7 out of 10 for flavor, quality of weird meats, and price (5,50 a bowl!)

Squirelled away under the glass table top is a secret options - $4.95 "streamed iceberg lettuce". I didn't know what to expect, but it is what it is! A small plate of slighly steamed iceberg avec a pungent fishy garam. A novel use of the iceberg wedge, never to be used again!

Gia Liam
4810 8th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 633-2272

Young Chang Fish Corporation - Williamsburg JMZ Fish?!?

2011-10-31T05:39:00.000-07:00

Now we ain't on no tropical island here, Im standing on the corner of Ghetto and Hassid Town... But the fish here is all on ice and I like to assume it is just getting off the same boats as all those other chinatown joints.

Young Chang follows the weird phenomena of the fried seafood shacks, usually asian run, under an overpass, in the hood, and next to a check cashing joint. Their sort of mini fish markets, but will also sell ya killer fried seafood if the seasons right.

The real reason to go is to gain 300lbs with some quick fried fish! They do all sorts of combo meals. I get the fried shrimp. 10 for $4.50, blammo! My food buddy was super skeptical, but ate half my shrimp, the bastard.

They also have a steamer and will steam you up some clams with veggies. where else can you get that quick, to go, for $6?

I wouldnt get a whole meal here. I wouldnt eat here if yer skittish, And I wouldnt come during august (definitely dont trust these places during the hot months).

Young Chang
292 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighborhoods: Williamsburg - South Side, South Williamsburg
(718) 384-3474

Veggie Dim Sum - Chinatown Dumplings

2011-10-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

Anemic waifs abound in this run down cruise ship ambiance. Its like the set of Oliver Twist. How do you say "Please sir, may I have another?"

请主席先生，

我有另一个

The Dark Secret of veggie dim sum? They got a big bucket of gluten in back. Scoop out a glob, dye it, run it through a playdough strainer and Voilà! 150 varieties of veggie dumplings!!!!

Vegetarian Dim Sum House

24 Pell St

New York, NY 10079

(212) 577-7176

Do Or Dine - Gastro BedStuy?!?

2011-10-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

LAAAAMB - delicious. Fatty as a pork belly and spicy like a Chinese fisherman.

The whole fish was crazy awesome looking but hard to eat (especially on a date).

Shiso peppers are all the rage, these came with a selection of salts I wanted to sprinkle all over myself.

The nachos were ok, more like Mexican dumplings. Meh. And the Jalapenios popper was just that, tasting like fishy fishy salmon.

Best part is the most awesome bathroom poster ever. A taxonomy of Rapper names, exploring the relationships from Young Jeezy - Ole Dirty Bastard - Shorty Shitstain. Check please!

Do or Dine
1108 Bedford Ave
(between Lexington Ave & Quincy St)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Neighborhood: Bedford Stuyvesant
(718) 684-2290

St Nikolas Festival - Queens Greek Church Festival

2011-10-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

Yum yum cyprian sausage, giant plates of fried dough balls, grandmas in the church basement selling me "brand new" $3 puzzles with missing pieces, Kiss Me Im Greek T-shirts, plate smashing booth, and a fist full of oooopah!!

St. Nicholas Greek Festival
Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas
196-10 Northern Blvd.
Auburndale, Queens
October (the 2011 festival concludes October 9)

*plate smashing booth doesn't actually exist :(

Banh Mi - Grand on Pho

2011-10-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

Bulliony pho with no fun meats, small bowl for 6 bucks, 2 dollars extra for a tough brisket!

Get me the F outta here!

Banh Mi

580 Grand St (@ lorimer)

Brooklyn, NY 11211

(718) 599-5015

Willburg - Williamsburg Mish Mash Diner

2011-10-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

Gross Veggie Wrap
Boring Brunch
and the cutest little treasure box delivering the check.

If I was a hipster pirate this is the last place I'd pillage.

Willburg Cafe
623 Grand St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 963-0219

www.willburgcafe.com/

Miranda - Williamsburg Fancy

2011-10-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

Corn soup YUM! For some reason though, while drawing I could only think of Pumpkin soup. Guess I got halloween on my mind!

The service was spectacular. Seems like they are going for gold. Great place to be spanish, drink bottles of wine, cursing americans for being fickle, or just bringing your trust fund parents who are visiting from the island...

Miranda
80 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 387-0711
www.mirandarestaurant.com

Lao Bei Fang - Elmhurst Cheap Dumplings

2011-10-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Cheap cheapo cheapee cheapa cheap cheep dumplings.

Perfect for that post thai/vietnamese/indonesian snack.
Hold your breath, get yelled at, and save up money to buy some cheap hello kitty knockoffs.

Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House

83-05 Broadway

Elmhurst, NY 11373

(718) 639-3996

Nha Toi - Pho Williamsburg

2011-10-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Straight outta Reality Bites.

This secret Pho recipe opened up a portal back to the 90's, where 30 somethings dance, everyone knows eachother and Wyno forever is tattooed on my arm.

Great Pho! 11 bucks for a large Dac Biet? A little pricey, but I guess not for the area. We can't all drive to elmhurst for a 6$ bowl.

On the pho side, the broth was rich and meaty good. Actually one of the better broths in NYC. The brisket was delicious, soft and true briskety flavor.

Buuuuut, no raw steak slices? no knuckle? only a tiny sliver of tripe? and they put in chicken with the beef?!?!? I find that sacrilegious.

Nha Toi
160 Havemeyer St # 6
Brooklyn, NY 11211-5454
(718) 599-1820

Oasis - Williamsburg Falafel

2011-07-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

How can you go wrong with a 3.50 falafel right off the bedford L?

As with all falafel, the salads (salatim) make all the difference. Their pickles are good, and the hot sauce has a little kick. The guys are super nice and will custom your falafel for you (with hummus, and extra pickles if you like).

I used to come here a lot, then I started getting falafel belly. It sort of stays in your stomach like a little brick. Same on the shawarma, its fatty and to the point. but for 3.50 (falafel) 5 (shawarma), who's complaining? Grab a falafel, get take out from the Turkeys Nest and go picnic in the park.

It is definitely not the best falafel in town but it might be the cheapest! For the best, explore the little egypt in Astoria.

Oasis
161 N 7th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 218-7607

Pravda - Caviar/Vodka Bar

2011-07-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

caviar martini
caviar pizza
hairy chested men
underground vodka bar
eastern promises

Though its not my scene, surprisingly I had a lot of fun here.

Pravda
281 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 226-4696
www.pravdany.com

Home Depot Food Truck

2011-07-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

On the topic of bad decision making in food, I rolled up to Bed-Stuy Home Depot the other day and really wanted an egg and cheese. So I parked my cart, headed over to the food truck, and was greeted by a sign saying "YES, we have burritos!" How could I pass that up? 10 minutes and 6 dollars later, I had a tinfoil wrapped chicken burrito in my hands. I sat on a display picnic table with a smoking employee and dug in. All in all, I give it a 6/10. The big plus was they wrapped it in tinfoil, making it a burrito on the go (you rarely find these in NY) The drawbacks - the cheese wasn't melted, and they cut it in half!!! This practically voids the tinfoil wrap warranty.

God bless the Home Depot - now with burritos.

HOME DEPOT - Food Truck
585 Dekalb Ave
#6957
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 230-0833

Fatty Cue

2011-07-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

Something was wrong with their techno machine, apparently someone turned it up to 11 and it broke there right before we arrived.

except for the loud thumpa thumpa thumpa, the food was great.

I hear you can get the pigs head ordered special on weekends? Sounds delicious.
The eggplant was totally creamy yummy. all about the flavor combinations.
The bacon appetizer had an amazing curry paste.
The dragon toast fat was too subtle for me and the ribs, meh, Ive had better ribs. The lamb was super crispy.

The portions are small and everything is meant to be shared and eaten with your hands. They definitely need to install a slop sink.

oh and the shot of rum with pineapple pickle back sounds horrendous but was actually pretty tasty.

Fatty 'Cue
91 S 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-3090

Fosters Restaurant - Brooklyn Soul Food

2011-06-30T05:34:00.000-07:00

These two guys hustle more soul food then Nina Simone. They are super awesome, and the food is rib sticking good.

While we were eating, a group of hoodies wearing Wu Tang gear came and bought 6 sweet potato pies.

"Shame on the pie who tries to run game on these pies!"

Foster's Restaurant
96 Dekalb Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 246-5189

Zabb Elee - Thai

2011-06-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

Not yo mommas Thai food, unless yo momma is Thai!

This sister of the elmhurst branch has an awesome lunch special, complete with a heapin portion of larb, ooooooh weeeeee I love me some Larb!

I'm sure this place will go down hill, so get it while the spices are hot and the Moo is oinkin!

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave
(between 4th St & 5th St)
Manhattan, NY 10003

Phone: (212) 505-9533
www.zabbelee.com

Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 1 am

2nd Ave Deli

2011-06-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

Why are all the Jewish Deli's so pricey? Isnt that an oxy-moron? My cheapo jew roots are torn.

On the one hand, I need loads of kosher meat heaped in my face with delicious sour pickles...
On the other hand, Are you meshugana?!?!? 15$ sandwich? what am I? made of Gold?

I wish corned beef grew on trees.

2nd Ave Deli
162 E 33rd St
New York, NY 10016
(212) 689-9000
www.2ndavedeli.com

Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am

Yonah Schimmel's Knishes Bakery

2011-06-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

The year is 1929....
"Yona what do you wanna be when you grow up?"
"Mamma! I wanna be the best-est Knish baker in all of New York!"
"Oi! Why cant you be a doctor like your brother Schlomo over here!"

Ummm, yes Im still working on the screenplay, in the mean time Ill settle for a piece of NY history and a carb overload.

Yonah Schimmel's Knishes Bakery
137 E Houston St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-2858
www.knishery.com

Landmark Tavern - West Side Irish

2011-06-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

What do Sea Monsters eat? Fish and Ships!

Working a job around the corner I ended up here late one night. Tried the fish and ships. It was free which made it tasty. Wasn't the most awesome meal, but sit in the back room and revel at the mysteries of their gloomy stonehenge paintings.

Landmark Tavern
626 11th Ave
New York, NY 10036
(212) 247-2562
www.thelandmarktavern.org

Veggie Castle II

2011-06-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

GROSSSSSSSS!

Given, I am against most vegetarian food so its a biased review.

Their attempt at using gluten and soy to add protein was my 1990's Wonder Years nightmare. Steam tray chunks of gluten floating in a sauce that is mildly Caribbean spicy.

Ok, some of the dishes were kinda tasty, and I enjoyed eating a fake chicken wing with the wooden bone! But the mac and cheese tasted like automotive lubricant and acted similarly on my inside. Beep beep!

Though the reggea guys, juicing and flirting were super nice, there's no place to sit and NO reason for me to haul my lazy butt all the way out to Jamaica for this slop.

Veggie Castle II
13209 Liberty Ave
South Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Neighborhood: Ozone Park
Phone: (718) 641-8343

Armenian Church Food Festival - Jersey BABY!

2011-06-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every year the Armenian Church in Union City NJ does a food festival. Its totally down to earth. A huge ballroom, cafe style, with a hundred old armenian ladies serving in a giant kitchen. DJ's and good times abound.

The foods include grape leaves, steamed lamb, some sort of baked apple, a boring barley soup and pickles! The winner is clearly a meatball stuffed inside a meatball. Who knew the armenians were so ingenious?!?!?

Holy Cross Armenian Church food festival and bazaar

318 27th St. (at Bergenline Ave.)
Union City, New Jersey
Late October/early November

Grape leaves and hummus.

I love pickled veggies, these were meh.

DJ "I Must Break YOU"

busy kitchen!

Really bland barley soup.

Meat stuffed meatball!
Get the F outta here!

Destefanos Steakhouse

2011-06-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ive always wondered about this little steak house in the heart of Italian Williamsburg. It took a friends birthday and a groupon for half off to tempt me in the door (yes Im a cheap bastard.)

Well, its a steakhouse. They charge an arm and a leg for something I could cook at home. I find getting the awesome steak is half the battle, but with so many good butchers in the area you dont have to be GI Joe to procure the right stuff.

The steak was delicious and buttery, but for 80 bucks it better be! I thought Lugers was better, my friend liked this one cause it was less buttery. They dont have creamed spinach!!! Jerks. Beers were reasonable. And service was friendly. All around, I give it "meh" stars...

Destefanos Steak House
89 Conselyea Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211-2301
(718) 384-2836

Open Tue-Sun 5pm-10pm

Hells Kitchen Pizza

2011-06-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

Far be it for me to pass up a Macaroni slice. Thin crust, layered with American cheese slices, a sprinkle of mozzarella and smothered with macaroni noodles. Perhaps the trashiest pizza ive had in a long long time.

I would expect this in philladelpjia but hells kitchen?!?

Hell's Kitchen Pizza
691 10th Ave
New York, NY 10036
(212) 765-8565
www.hellskitchenpizzanyc.com

Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm

Alma - Red Hook Mexican

2011-06-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

I dont get those big stone bowls looking like some Aztek guy mixed some virgin juice and sacrificed a volcano in. Are they really the ideal delivery system for good guacamole?

Alma is like the best mexican restaurant in your college town. A few steps up from chillis, lots of drunks, and an awesome view. Bring your parents and show them that Redhook really isnt all that backwoods.

Alma

187 Columbia St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 643-5400
www.almarestaurant.com

Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 2:30 pm

Tortilla Flats - Meat Packing Mexican

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

A "humorous tale of the adventures of a group of pleasure-loving Mexican-Americans contains some of Steinbeck's most interesting characters. The men drink, steal, chase women, make music, and dance until they are eventually undone by a climactic fire!" yup, thats pretty much what you get...

The food reminded me of a crappy restaurant in mexico city I went too a few years back. Cudos, T.flats, super authentic bad mexican!

(above quote from a review of John Steinbecks Tortilla Flat)
Tortilla Flats
767 Washington St
(between 12th St & Bethune St)
New York, NY 10014

(212) 243-1053

Open Daily 12pm-4am

Cafe Argentino - Argentino Williamsburg

2011-06-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

If you wanna grab a mediocre steak sandwich on one of the crappiest intersections in Williamsburg, this is your spot! Sit outside, breath in the smog, and watch the hipsters shuffle from work to their shithole apartments.

Cafe Argentino

499 Grand St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 782-9477

Open Weekdays 9am-5pm

PrimeHouse - Manhattan Steaks

2011-06-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

A glorified Michael Jordan's Steakhouse.

yummy asparagus, perfect bone in fillet mignon, creamed spinach, yum.

Sit back, eat some steak, stare at the suits! I didnt pay, so everything was perfect.

PRIME HOUSE
381 Park Ave
(between 26th St & 27th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Murray Hill, Midtown East
(212) 824-2600
www.primehousenyc.com/

Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
Wed-Sat 11:30 am - 11 pm

Sunset Park Taco Tour - Tacos el Bronco

2011-05-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a face taco to cheer you up. It came with a grilled green onion which I had a hard time biting into, with lack of knife I just gargled it a little before swallowing whole like a snake.
It was a little brisk and they had set up a nice tent. A guy with a neon vest takes your order and runs it to the taco trucks chef. I think this is the most sophisticated operation Ive seen.

Tacos el Bronco

Corner of Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street,
Sunset Park, NY
open daily from between 9 and 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.*

polk & western hot dog - Chicago

2011-05-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

On a recent detour (lost in search of tacos) I stopped by Polk hot dog for my first chicago style hot dog of the season.
The guys were nice, complete with sunny dick bitcus character manning the fryer-lator.
However, the only chicago 'style' I got were sport peppers, poppy seed bun, and dissapointment.

Polk and Western Hot Dog
749 S Western Ave
(between Lexington St & Superior St) Chicago, IL 60612

House of Small Wonder

2011-05-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Perfect place to meet up and discuss your freelance project or why your band isn't "making it"
Cute interior, small sandwiches (only 4$ though), good soups, nice staff.

House of Small Wonder
20 Skillman Ave
(between Meeker Ave & Lorimer St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 383-2703
www.houseofsmallwonder.com

Open Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 7 pm

Mad for Chicken - Korean Fried Chicken

2011-05-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Make a reservation.

eat some fried chicken.

Dont stray.

leave happy.

The entrance is a little weird. Am I going to visit grandma or going to an exclusive fried chicken nightclub.
Order a UFO of beer and life will be awesome (but watch out, the fancy lights will only come with the larger sizes).

Mad For Chicken
314 5th Ave 2nd Fl
(between 31st St & 32nd St)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 221-2222
www.madforchicken.com

Open Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 11:30 am - 4 am
Thu-Sat 11:30 am - 6 am

Egg - Williamsburg Breakfast

2011-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Time was they shared a space with Sparky's hot dogs. I would come during the day (baring weekends to avoid the long lines) and watch in amazement how few people in the area have jobs.
The country ham biscuit is the best.

Egg
135 N 5th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718) 302-5151

Building on Bond

2011-05-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

This place is cute, nice interior - good food, good coffee.
I go here with my sister sometimes (she pays which adds a star in my book). I went today at 11 and the place was filled with freelancers and their macs.
The waiters are super nice, brought us coffee ASAP, rich and chocolaty. Ordered the Cobb salad, which was pricey at 14 bucks. And the Black friday (a thanksgiving day sandwich with turkey, cranberry, and stuffing). Its not the cheapest place around.
Oh, and there is really no food before 11. If you want breakfast before then go to Miles End around the corner.

Building on Bond
112 Bond St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(347) 853-8687

Urban Rustic Grocery & Cafe

2011-05-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Great coffee right on the park.
Egg sandwiches are pretty tasty, though expensive. Good for take out, or sit with the hip-orati.
Go sit on the picnic tables by the dog run and enjoy.
Oh, and your 'grocery store' part is uselessssssssss.

Urban Rustic
236 N 12th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 388-9444

Uncle Louie G

2011-05-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

Crazy brooklyn icecream time! Summer is here. Crank the Wu-tang and get yerself a sloppy cone of peanut butter cookie dough.

Uncle Louie G

321 7th Ave
(between 4th Ave & 8th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Neighborhood: Park Slope
(718) 965-4237
www.unclelouieg.com

Sik Gaek

2011-05-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

Holy live octopus!

We also got one of the hot pot specials. It was 75 bucks and big enough for 4 people. Enough sea food to fill a small pond. They even threw a live abalone on top. It was basically a girating vagina grasping for life atop a bubbly spicy broth. I felt kinda bad, but the tastyness of cooked abalone sedated me and the waiter sly side comment that its liver is good for my "man power" forced me to power through my guilt.

As the menu says "Eat with no Mercy!"

We also got the live octopus sashimi, deliciously brutal. Im not sure if its really worth 25 bucks for a small place of squirmy tenticles, but the experience was cool and the staff was super friendly.

Sik Gaek
40-01 149th Pl
Flushing, NY 11354
Neighborhoods: Flushing, Murray Hill
(718) 460-4564

Mangal Kabob & Pizza Restaurant

2011-05-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

...had the felafel sandwich with home bread and it was pretty good. Its a huge portion and the bread is fresh baked. The kebabs look like the way to go.
This place reminded me of the Turkish Doner places in Berlin. This means the pita stuffing is just lettuce, tomato, onion and sauce and not the middle east style falafel which emphasize the salads and pickles.
I wouldnt say its worth traveling for, but if you find yourself in the area its a great for a cheap bite right off the 7 train.

Mangal Kabob

4620 Queens Blvd

Sunnyside, NY 11104

Phone: (718) 706-0605

Le Gamin - Greenpoint French

2011-05-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hell, where can a guy get a croq monseur in the industrial heart of greenpoint?

The rest of the food is blabbity blah. I could rant for hours about how disappointing their fruit cup is.

Le Gamin

108 Franklin Street

New York, NY 11222

(718) 770-7918

Sammy's Steakhouse

2011-05-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Old Morty on the DJ tables. "Move yer tuchas!" he screams over the blaring music.

Its basically Barmitzva's for adults. Bottles of vodkas are 100$. The chicken liver on the menu is delicious. If yer lucky there will be other parties at the same time, in a cramped room you cant help but dance with someone's grandma!

The rest of the menu is pretty bland. Basically barmitzva catering. Two stars for the food, five stars for the awesome party.

Sammy's Romanian Restaurant
157 Chrystie Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 673-0330
Open Fri-Sat 4pm-11pm

Margaret Palca Bakes - Red Hook Rolls

2011-05-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

yum yum whitefish sandwich.

there is a little old jewish man in me saying "oi, Redhook... why so far?!"

Margaret Palca Bakes

191 Columbia St

(between Degraw St & Sackett St)

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Phone: (718) 802-9771

ordermargaretpalcabakes.com

Open Hours:

Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm

Sat 8 am - 6 pm

Sun 8 am - 4 pm

SriPraPhai - Queens Thai

2011-04-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

Used to be the fried watercress salad would blow my mind. Now it simply blows.

Sripraphai has over-reached itself and become mediocre thai food.

Higher prices. Milder flavors. and things tasted like they were re-heated from yesterdays leftovers. Blecht!

SriPraPhai

6413 39th Avenue

Woodside, NY 11377-2846

(718) 899-9599

Zenkichi

2011-04-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Secret rooms, subtle delicious food, putting the zen back in Zenkichi.

Zenkichi
77 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - North Side
(718) 388-8985
www.zenkichi.com

Goodbye Blue Monday - Bushwick

2011-04-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Get your check cashed next door, prep your scraggly outfit, and get your Tuesday night special on!!!!

Bacon and Brie Grilled Cheese with a Pabst for 5$ (11pm-12pm)!

Goodbye Blue Monday
1087 Broadway
(between Lawton St & Dodworth St)
Brooklyn, NY 11221

Phone: (718) 453-6343
www.goodbye-blue-monday.com

Miss Favela - Braziliansburg

2011-04-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

If you want to party under a bridge and arent into crack or 10$ bj's, this is your place.   I just went for lunch, sat outside, couldnt hear a word my friend was saying due to trucks and had a mediocre filet mignion sandwich.  The ATM in the bathroom is amazing. I felt like the hamburgler was gonna bust in a hold me at gun point, or perhaps steal my crack...

Miss Favela

57 S 5th St

Brooklyn, NY 11211

(718) 230-4040

www.missfavela.com

Open Mon-Thu,Sun 12pm-12am; Fri-Sat 12pm-1am

Zuzu Ramen - Park Slope Ramen

2011-04-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

The clientele? homely couples, pregnant, and fat 40 somethings with kids who look like harry potter. Guess muggles gotta eat too...

I was expecting some awesome ramen. I mean, 14 bucks, its gotta be hot and filled with love!

What I got was a mish mash of goodies (including bock choy?!?). The broth was ok, not too heavy and not bland, a little on the luke warm side :(

The only things worth my money are the long slab of tasty chashu and a perfectly poached egg.

ZuZu Ramen
173 4th Ave
(between Degraw St & Douglass St)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 398-9898
zuzuramen.com

Chao Thai Restaurant

2011-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Ive been here a bunch of times. Recently with a wave of gentrification (can you say that about restaurants too?) the food is less spicy for us white people.

The first few times were great. The food was spicy and delicious. Lots of new flavors. Probably the best thai in NY so far
.

Chao Thai Restaurant

85-03 Whitney Ave

Queens, New York 11373

(718) 424-4999

White Bear Dumplings

2011-04-22T06:21:00.000-07:00

Avoiding the sidelong glances and the evil glares, I got the Wonton special #5. No english translation supplied for this one. Its wontons covered in special spicy sauce. Delicious and mysterious.

White Bear
135-02 Roosevelt Ave #5
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 961-2322
Mon-Sun 9 am - 8 pm

Pacificana

2011-04-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

It's dim sum sunday!!!
Supposedly for dinner you can get drunken shrimp. Live shrimp jumping out of the bowl, doused in high octane liquor, wait until their sloppy wasted and dig in. Devouring live drunken shrimp sounds amazingly brutal, but not nearly as difficult as trying to order this super secret special during Dim Sum.

Read more »

Nha Toi

2011-04-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

The scene is straight outta Reality Bites. Serving a secret Pho recipe has opened up a portal back to the 90's where 30 somethings dance, everyone knows eachother, Wyno forever is tattooed on my arm.

Great Pho, but soooooo PRiicy! 11 bucks for a large Dac Biet? I guess driving to elmhurst to get my 6 dollar pho will have to continue.

On the pho side, the broth was rich and meaty good. The brisket was delicious, soft and true brisket. Buuuuut, no raw steak slices? no knuckle? only a tiny sliver of tripe? and they put in chicken with the beef?!?!? I find that sacrilegious.

Nha Toi

160 Havemeyer St

(between 2nd St & 3rd St)

Brooklyn, NY 11211

(718) 599-1820

nhatoi-nyc.com/

Open Mon,Wed-Sun 12pm-9pm (unless the owner has a party to get to...)

Taco Chulo

2011-04-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Its a coffee shop! Its the mall! Its taco chulo!!!

Totally midwest foodcourt vibes and the food sooo very blah.

Taco chulo is best for teenagers (or 20 somethings, same thing) cruising for a booty call. Come drunk, leave drunk, and perpetuate the myth that there is no good mexican food in NYC.

318 Grand St

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Phone: (718) 302-2485

Dutch Boy Burger

2011-04-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

Police tower on the corner!!!

What do they do in that golden tower? DO they sit up there and eat mediocre burgers from Dutch watching drug deals go bad? Realizing their order was messed up but too lazy to fix it they eat expensive blue cheese burgers, dripping greasy gravy fries on their 10 yr old NYpD jumpsuits and complaining that it doesnt really taste like duckfat... Thats what I would do.

Dutch Boy Burger
766 Franklin Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 230-0293

Pho Vietnamese Restaurant - Flushing Pho

2011-04-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

I love it when vietnamese restaurants play with their names (Pho 75? Where everything is 4.75!?!) Unfortunately this one seemed to be unintentional.

Not the best pho in the city, the broth is a little bland, but the meats are tasty and the price is right! Sliced steak on the side, extra tripe. yum. Guess I sat far enough from the kitchen not to notice the grime...

Also had the fried crab spring roll appetizer. The two vietnamese lady's next to me were like "ooooooh, whats that? It looks so good! We're asian and we dont know what that is!".

Pho Vietnamese Restaurant

3802 Prince Street

Flushing, NY 11369

(718) 461-8686

Van Dam Diner

2011-04-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Nope, it ain't the ass kicking muscles from Brussels, it's the crapy mexican bodega turned truck stop diner on Van Dam st off the John Jay Byrne Bridge. Tamborazo blaring, cheese steak grilling, steam tray sloshing, toothless eating, PARTY!

Van Dam Diner

5250 Van Dam St

Long Island City, NY 11101

Neighborhood: Sunnyside

(718) 786-9826

DoveTail - Fancy Manhattan

2011-04-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

If I were Scrooge Mcduck I would eat here everyday. An older stuffy croud, perhaps a young Whitney curator on a date in the corner? So many fake blonds I wanted to count the platinum!

Tasty niblets and exquisite flavors for about the price of a long island hand job.

Dovetail

103 W 77th St

New York, NY 10079

(212) 362-3800

www.dovetailnyc.com/

Diner

2011-04-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

2 martinis and fried green tomato sandwich!

If I was godzilla stomping through williamsburg, I would hit this place first. Then fire breath on peter lugers, then stroll down bedford ave, smashing the cheese shop, spoonbill, oasis, jump on the L a few times, and hipster bike feast in Mccarren park, washing it all down with the turkeys nest.

Diner

155 West 43rd Street

New York, NY 10036

(212) 265-5400

Fu Run

2011-04-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

"The Chine Eaters"

what goes on in that back room?!?!
The Pork Chine here is crazy. Its a big pile of meat bones. not very spicey, and super tender. Its plain old mildly flavored meat bones. The key is they bring you plastic gloves to eat it with! I ended up eating with my hands the rest of the night! super classy I know.

4009 Prince Street

Flushing, NY 11354-5304

(718) 321-1363

Chinese Musician Restaurant - Greenpoint Chinese

2011-04-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have been coming here for years (and recently avoiding it for years!) Mostly chinese musician is bland american fast food chinese food.

I went back there today. Its the usual hot and sour soup, mixed greens in brown sauce (I asked for it spicy and they gave it to me spicy. thats was nice). My friend got a Generals "insert name here" chicken and it was ok but pretty soggy for my taste.

The only up side is its a nice interior for fast food chinese. and my fortune was actually pretty deep "good judgment comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgment".

They deliver near and far which people like, yet I find no reason to come here when flushing is so close.

Chinese Musician

151 Greenpoint Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11222 (718) 383-2413

Open Daily 11:30am-11pm

Mexico 2000 Grocery

2011-04-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Grab a beer from the cooler, nestle up next to whoever is sitting, watch a tele-novella and admire the pinatas. The grocery section has fresh cactus and any salsa ingredient you could possibly want, and a whole section of dried chilis!

Awesome

Those who come for tacos leave disappointed. The sopas however are off the hook! The shell is made fresh, score. The Chilaquiles are bootylicious, fresh chips made on the spot, so theyre hot, crunchy, and greasy! Just how I like my ladies.

Mexico 2000 Grocery

367 Broadway

Brooklyn, NY 11211-7303

(718) 782-3797

Empanada Mama - Midtown

2011-04-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Words to describe the empanadas:

arid, bald, bare, barren, dehydrated, depleted, desiccant, desiccated, drained, dried-up, droughty, dusty, evaporated, exhausted, hard, impoverished, juiceless, not irrigated, parched, rainless, sapless, sapped, sear, shriveled, stale, thirsty, torrid, unmoistened, waterless.

Actually I just copied the synonyms for "dried up hot pocket".

Empanada Mama

763 9th Ave

(between 51st St & 52nd St)

New York, NY 10019

(212) 698-9008

www.empmamanyc.com/index.php

Open Hours:

Mon-Fri 10 am - 1:30 am

Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 1:30 am

Talk of the Town - Queens Indian Chinese

2011-04-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

So a chinese guy and an indian guy walk in to Jackson heights....
No Im not being racist, this bad joke comes to life in "Talk of the Town", a perma empty B grade Chinese-Indian restaurant with the exterior of a dentist office.

That said, TOTT defied the odds and came up with some awesome dishes. The fried okra appetizer was delicious. Dry and super tasty spice flavor. I had to get the hot and sour soup. It was an excellent version of the chinese staple, but I think they threw some cardamon leaves in there. BAM! One of the best hot and sour soups Ive had.

The main dishes were bleh. Vegetable stir fry, and a Mongolian Lamb (that tasted more like goat in ketchup sauce). I think if you stick to the dry dishes, you wont go wrong.

Talk of the Town
37-21 72nd St
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 533-9131
www.talkofthetownjh.webs.com

Open Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm

Manhattan Three Decker Diner

2011-04-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Greenpoints very own townie diner. Cops are shuffled through the back door and given preferred seating, while the rest of us wrestle with the breakfast specials and try to make it for brunch just under the 11 oclock breakfast deals deadline.

695 Manhattan Ave

(between Bedford Ave & Norman Ave)

Brooklyn, NY 11222

(718) 389-6565

Open Daily 6am-10pm

Pupuseria Mi Ranchito - Upstate Papusa - Kingston

2011-03-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

If your ever lost in Kingston NY (about 2 hours upstate), trying to buy some crack rock on the corner of broadway and trash st, stop into the Pupuseria. Cheap beers, awesome pupusa's, fried pork with yucca, and home made cabbage slaw. Yum!

Pupuseria Mi Ranchito
614 Broadway
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 339-1910

Dera (aka Roti Boti)

2011-03-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

good cheapo indo-paki food.

HOWEVER, the cows foot stew tastes like Evil! From the corner of my eye I glimpsed Dick Cheney, skulking behind cute nepalese waitresses, smirking and laughing... So thats what our vice gargamel has been doing these past few years...

I heard that Dera was under new management, and though its hit or miss, they still make a mean curry.

Dera
7209 Broadway
New York, NY 11372
(718) 476-6516

Millers Tavern - Williamsburg American

2011-03-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

This place has a screw loose, literally. After finishing half of my burger I noticed a screw hanging out by the Ketchup. I didnt really mind, but they should make sure their bread mixer isnt about to explode...

Besides that, good brunch fair. Cute friendly tattoo'd waitress. Too heavy on the sauces, like the gravy on the fried chix. All in all, solid lunch for hipster village BK.

Miller's Tavern
2 Hope St
(between Roebling St & Havemeyer St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 335-0330
Millerstavernbrooklyn.com

Open Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 2 am

Romanian Garden

2011-03-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

In the dark depth of Woodside lie crotchety romanians, smoking, cursing and cooking. They talk about the inevitability of death while eating delicious fish roe creme cheese and skinless sausages. Their Romanian stew with polenta piles competes with their spectacular use of lattice as interior design.

Romanian Garden
4604 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
(718) 786-7894

Kanes Diner - Original Waffle House!

2011-03-25T06:42:00.001-07:00

Best diner so much flare! Why do you have to be so very far away....

Chicken fried steak with 3 eggs and mini wieners ?!?!? yum
All you can drink pot of coffee. zing!

Others are often not as impressed, I love it. 24 hours of trippy menus and greasy diner food. If your adventurous explore the western beef across the street (exit through the butcher doors to the right of the registers and you'll get the full slaughter house experience).

Kanes Diner
4415 College Point Boulevard
NY 11355-4908
(718) 463-5787
Hours Open: 24 Hours!

Curry in a Hurry - Midtown Indian

2011-03-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

barf barf barf barf barf barf barf

bring your own spices cause this is the blandest indian I have had in NY.

the waiter did wink at me when he brought our food. That was pretty hot.

never coming back, I hope he's not too sad.

Curry in a Hurry

119 Lexington Ave

(between 28th St & 29th St)

New York, NY 10016

(212) 683-0900

www.curryhurry.net

Belgrade Gardens - Ohio Fried Chicken

2011-03-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

On a recent drive midwest I did a quick on the road search for must have foods on I80 around akron. We could have held out for Tony Packos in toledo, but I happened upon rumors of "the best fried chicken in america".

This guy sums it up and is hilarious...

Supposedly a serbian community moved to Barberton in the mid 30s and opened up a restaurant. That explains thick crust fried chicken! Barberton fried chicken is essentially schnitzle. Its a super thick crust, no spices, served in a big pile with mounded greasy french fries on top. The medium is a reasonable sized, a little smaller then a football. The large is fit for a true mid-western fatty.

Having had fried chicken before, I wasnt really impressed. Its basically breaded chicken and doesn't compare to hot house or nashville style. The reason I was drawn in though was the "hot sauce". Hot sauce, and rice, and onions smashed together in a tiny bowl. I guess the name attracted me more then anything. In reality? it tasted like the onion relish you put on hot dogs.

Its not worth the detour, but if your around akron, try out some serbian fried chicken. Akron or Arkon, you decide.
Belgrade Gardens
401 East State Street
Barberton, OH
(330) 745-0113

The cole slaw is delicious, just the right amount of vinegar.

Hot Sauce!

B & H Dairy

2011-03-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Best place ever. My favorite egg and cheese in NY. Always on fresh baked challah bread and delicious.

One old guy, squeezing past our table said "its like the navy, were all in the same submarine". True. delicious, cheap, veggie friendly.

B&H Dairy
127 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-8065

Pio Pio Rico - Greenpoint Rotissery

2011-03-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

The green sauce is amazing. Make sure you get extra. The servers are nice (though communication is often a problem cause no soy espaniol)

Stick to the chicken and its an easy A. I have often strayed on the menu and never been as happy as when I get a half chicken with salad. yum.

Once I got the Jalea because it looked awesome. It was not, and that made me sad. It was a giant plate of fried calamari (fit for 8 people). Almost exclusively calamari, and the fried had a sort of weird taste to it.

Watch out, they add service to the bill and make a point of not telling you and the takeout isnt as good.

Pio Pio Riko
996 Manhattan Ave
(between Huron St & Green St)
Brooklyn, NY 11222

Jalea - big enough for an army, but kinda gross.

La Superior - Williamsburg Taco

2011-03-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

Mexico city style tacos! They're small, pricey, and worth it. Many salsa/hotsauces including a super hot sauce that is actually spicy.

Tried the Torta Ahogada. It was tiny and good, but nothing special.
Steer clear of the novelty metal shirts and you'll be ok.

295 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718) 388-5988

Chavella's

2011-03-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone raves about this place but I was just there and it was terrible, awefull, booty, scandiforous! Atmosphere, food, service, barf.

First time I came was a few years ago. I remember the food being good. The place was super cute and fun.

If you want to hear me whine for a bit longer read on, suffice it to say we got beef and it aint in the tacos....

Recently I came with three friends. There were 2 tables open for 4 people and no line. We said we might be expecting another and the waiter said we needed to wait until our other person arrived. I understand that, especially when there is a line, but there was no line. He finally sat us at a corner table that fit three. The table was so uncomfortable! Every time the waiter wanted to serve the table next to us we had to actually move our table, swinging it and disturbing our meal. Its like they just crammed in a table where it didn't belong.

All that would be ok, except that the food was awful. I had the tamale (ok and served in a cute way), the enchiladas and a taco. The taco was dry and bland (with canned pineapple, blecht). The enchiladas seemed like they were pre made yesterday. The food was comparable to any old mexican diner in NY.

Perhaps its hype, or there is no good mexican in the neighborhood. I don't know why everyone who lives there raves about it. IMO it got too busy for its britches.

Mexican in NY: go to sunset park (Tacos Matamoros was good), taco trucks on Roosevelt ave, La Superior in Williamsburg has really good small tacos and good salsa (if you can stand all the hipsters).

Chavellas
732 Classon Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 622-3100

Acapulco - Greenpoint Mexican Diner

2011-03-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

I want to hate fukc your burritos. Not really a burrito, just a massive amount of food stuffed in a tortilla with cheap-o veggies for discount prices.

The food isnt spectacular but its always straight forward diner style mexican and I find that comforting.

and frosty mugs!

Acapulco
1116 Manhattan Ave

(between Box St & Clay St)

Brooklyn, NY 11222

Phone: (718) 349-8429
www.acapulcodeliandrestaurant.com

Open Hours:

Mon-Fri 7 am - 10 pm

Sat-Sun 9 am - 10 pm

Pho bang - Elmhurst Pho

2011-03-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

On the corner of Parking Lot and Busy sits my favorite sketchy Pho.

The steady customer base means their doing something right. The price on the pho is perfect. $5.50 for a large bowl. The broth is mild (perhaps bland, but generally good). The meats are delicious, and they give you a good portion of greens and sprouts.

The spring rolls here are also amazing. Chop up a pig, wrap with dough, deep fry. Serve with hoisin and lettuce for wrapping and Pho Bang just got a new best friend.

Pho Bang

8290 Broadway

NY 11373-3353

Phone (718) 205-1500

Open Hours: Daily 10am-9:30pm

Keg and Lantern - Greenpoint Bar Food

2011-03-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

This irish pub / polish gangster hangout has an awesome late night "Inferno Challenge". Spicy themed dishes are 5$ from 10-12, staring Habanero Poppers which I am currently suffering from...

Their brunch menu looks interesting. Bangers and Mash, black and white puddings, redneck eggs. I got the fish and chips. They were tasty, but a tiny plate not really worth 13 bucks. On the plus side, their beer special is 3$.

Keg and Lantern
98 Nassau Ave
(between Manhattan Ave & Leonard St)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
(718) 389-5050
www.kegandlantern.com

Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 4 am
Sun 11 am - 2 am

Hana Sushi - Lower East Sushi

2011-03-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Pretty good sushi. They seem to make good use of the fried fish in their special rolls.

I felt like there were many couples who looked like alternate universe versions of me. Either someone snuck LSD into my edamame or miso soup makes me emote.

Sushi Hana
111 Rivington St
(between Ludlow St & Essex St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 388-9688
www.hanacuisine.com

Open Hours:
Lunch: M-F 12-330pm, S-S 1-4pm
Dinner: M-Th 5-1130pm, F-Sat 5-12am, Sun 4-1130pm

BaoHaus - Lower East Pork Buns

2011-03-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I had vision of a dictator themed restaurant. The highlight would be Pol Pot Pie, backed up by Idi Ramin. How could I refuse the wonderful Chairman Bao?

The B at the door is a little scary, and the inside looks dingy. The Bao itself was tasty enough, though you cant really go wrong with pork belly and soft bao bread....

Bau Haus
137 Rivington St
(between Norfolk St & Suffolk St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(646) 684-3835
www.baohausnyc.com

Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 4 am

Chez Napoleon

2011-03-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

I've walked by Chez Napoleon for years wondering "What the F". Finally during Armory week it had to go down.

Chez N hit 1930's american french on the nose. Amazing escargot and the boeuf bourguignon is the best boeuf bourguignon, both tender and flavorful.

Food prices were up, $10 per appetizer, $20-$30 per main. Tasty and simple french cuisine filled with butter. The secret is a caraff of wine, about a bottles worth, is $22.

Was it good wine? Who knows? By the time we finished it, who cares?

Chez Napoleon
365 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 265-6980
www.cheznapoleon.com

Donohue's Steak House

2011-03-11T06:23:00.000-08:00

Old ladies abound in the upper easter side pub. Steaks, burgers, and irish fair. Drink sidecars and gossip about Ethel's divorce.

Donohue's Steak House
845 Lexington Ave
(between 64th St & 65th St)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-0938

Island Burgers and Shakes - Midtown

2011-03-11T06:20:00.000-08:00

A long railroad style restaurant commonly refered to as the submarine. Island taunted me with a sliding heat scale from mild to mega hot. I took their challenge and ordered the one in neon red. A "Napalm Burger" was hot but flavorless, raw jalapenos, habanero mash, and a spicy sauce. The punjabi in me was not impressed. Napalm it wasnt.

I remembered island burger being awesome, now it's just another submarine filled with meat.

Island Burgers & Shakes
766 9th Ave (between 51st St & 52nd St)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 307-7934
www.islandburgersny.com

Open Hours:
Mon, Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
Tue-Sat 12 pm - 12 am

Neils Coffee Shop

2011-03-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

Grimy diner food on the upper east side. Waffle, ham, and eggs for $10. No fancy pants allowed.

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Fairway - Redhook

2011-03-09T05:35:00.000-08:00

Holy food! This minotaurs maze of shiny objects and groceries lies snug in Mad Max's redhook.

Somehow I expected a native american with a single tear to be lurking around every corner.

Fairway
480-500 Van Brunt Street  Red Hook, Brooklyn
(718) 694-6868  

Open Hours: 8AM-10PM
Daily Café: 8AM-8PM Daily