Come back every Wednesday for another funny, informative video documenting my inept food adventures. NYC Food Cart Tour is my exploration of the hard-working vendors feeding NYC’s population every day.
The greatest day in mobile food vending is back. On September 12, the Vendy Awards will take place on Governor’s Island honoring the greatest in New York’s food vending community. Tickets are still available for purchase here. For the next few weeks, I’ll be documenting all of the nominees in three categories.
Rookie of the Year: The Shuka Truck
We have so many trucks selling pizza, Korean tacos, and lobster rolls. But nobody was attempting to make Middle Eastern shakshuka (eggs cooked in tomato sauce) from a mobile vehicle until Josh, Solomon, and Gabriel appeared on the scene earlier this year with The Shuka Truck. The three friends who were soldiers in the Israeli army together are now cooking up egg sandwiches and platters with the traditional red tomato sauce, mixed with hummus, or with their own colorful creations of veggie-laden green or a rich, earthy white sauce.
Dessert of the Year: Butter & Scotch
At their Crown Heights cocktail and dessert bar, bakers Keavy Blueher and Allison Kave pair their inventive riffs on childhood treats (like s’more pies or maple bacon cupcakes) with boozy drinks. Sometimes the booze ends up in the desserts too. Even better. You can also find Butter & Scotch‘s delectable goodies at Smorgasburg on certain weekends.
Market Vendor of the Year: Carnitas El Atoradero
Earlier this year, the food world mourned when Mexican favorite Carnitas El Atoradero announced they would be closing their Bronx eatery due to escalating rents. Immediately fans and customers rallied and owner Denisse Chavez found a new home at Vendy Plaza, where she sells her lovingly prepared homecooked delicacies, and will also be opening a new restaurant in Brooklyn.
