Food on Wheels? NYC’s Newest Food Craze!
Published: September 19th, 2014Cuisine from mobile canteens have come a long way since the Hot Dog truck parked along side of the gas station. Now, many of these delectable catering trucks resemble restaurants on wheels! From lobster to waffles and everything in between, they offer the New Yorker and the New York visitor so many options in food. Even celebrity chef, David Burke joined the hype this year at the USOpen when he served up Lobster Rolls from the driver’s seat!
Our top 7 favorite New York City Food Trucks:
April 1 – October 31, this gourmet Moroccan-Mediterranean menu will certainly keep your stomach happy! Enjoy roasted lamb over couscous or grass fed beef burgers amongst so many other delicious options. This is definitely restaurant quality food at prices we all love. Each of their dishes have just the right special ingredients to add a zest that you’re sure to crave again and again. Each day of the week they roll to a different New York City location, so be sure to visit their website to see where you can catch them!
Did someone say Gyros? Traditional Greek food at its finest. Uncle Gussy’s has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Food Truck Paradise, Food Network’s Eat St. and mentioned in countless blogs, which is why I couldn’t leave this one out of mine! This particular food truck was recommended to me by our Front Desk staff at the Elysee and they really hit the nail on the head! Uncle Gussy’s serves up delicious and fresh salads (with our without some greek protein), platters of lamb, sausage, or chicken, and the most delicious pita sandwiches for the vegetarian or the carnivore. They even deliver!
In 2009, Schnitzel & Things started their journey as the first mobile food truck to serve…well, what else? SCHNITZEL! This truck offers up a wide variety of schnitzel. You’re a vegetarian, well they have eggplant Schnitzel. It’s Friday during lent? Okay, there is cod schnitzel! It doesn’t stop there either! There are quite a few different ways you can enjoy! Also, I should mention the delicious bratwurst, potato salad, and my huge favorite, the cucumber salad! Every day they pick a new location, so make sure to check their website to see where you can find them today!
In the mood for Thai? Mamu Thai Noodle serves up family recipes that have been around for generations! Because they are family owned and operated, their noodles are consistently amazing! From Drunken Noodles to Pad Thai plus daily specials will have your mouth watering as you approach the truck. Yelpers rave about the large portions and authenticity, commenting that it is some of the best Thai food in Manhattan. Put them to the test and see if your taste buds agree…
I promised you lobster and this will definitely fill that lobster craving you’ve all been having! With lobster rolls, lobster BLT’s, lobster mac & cheese, lobster bisque and so much more you are going to want to track down this truck! In 2009 Ralph Gorham and Susan Povich opened their first Red Hook Lobster Pound, and soon after in 2011, they decided to bring their delicious Maine lobster to the streets of New York City. In June 2013, Big Red (or the New York version of the Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck) was honored and awarded the “Best Food Truck in America” by the Daily Meal. Check out more about Ralph & Susan’s story and where you can find “Big Red”.
If you thought waffles are only for breakfast, this belgian spin makes a great lunch or late night snack. Sweet or savory, whatever your preference you’ll find it here! Dinges (delicious toppings for your waffle) include syrup, bananas, nutella, strawberries, butter or walnuts. If it’s your first time visiting this delightful truck, you have to try their signature dinge, spekuloos. Spekuloos is a chocolatey spread that goes so great alone or with fruit.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Truck
Delicious ice cream and some of it is vegan! That’s right, you read correctly…VEGAN! All of their 13-17 flavors are made only with organic coconut milk, cashew milk, organic cane sugar and raw cocoa butter. Four years ago, before the fancy food truck craze, Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen started their engine, without a particular destination in mind. They weren’t even sure where to park! Luckily they settled in on Greene Street in SoHo. With word of mouth, their reputation grew quickly and a line formed even quicker. Today, Van Leeuwen has six trucks and 3 stores. With their nine locations, you can find them in Brooklyn & Manhattan. To check out flavors and locations, visit their website:
When you visit NYC you should certainly try out one or all of these trucks. Or try a different one and let us know your experience! You can comment below. We love to hear our guests’ feedback! Click here for reviews and truck locations. If you’re looking for a sit down restaurant you can visit the rest of our blog, Tips For Travelers for our favorite brunch spots, NYC’s best pizza, our top 5 recommendations for Mexican restaurants or New York City’s most decadent desserts. After all, you’re on vacation!
If you need any help navigating your way around NYC to visit some of our favorite food carts please feel free to let us know! Our concierge team at the Hotel Elysee, Library Hotel, Casablanca Hotel, or Hotel Giraffe would be more than happy to help you plan your route.