A new crop of casual eateries
Fast, cheap and sweet: There’s a wealth of affordable, casual spots that have opened even in the depths of winter, with two notable sugar-laden concepts satisfying the city’s collective sweet tooth.
DessertTruck Works
6 Clinton St., no phone
When the former mail vehicle that was the DessertTruck was taken off the streets, pedestrians citywide mourned the loss of street-side creme brulee. The truck’s chefs have settled into a storefront where desserts remain the same, and there are even banquettes — the back cushions are on rollers — to sit down on and enjoy your sweets.
Gotta try: Chocolate bread pudding with bacon custard ($6), brioche donut holes ($6), hot chocolate ($4.50)
Led Zeppole
328 E. 14th St.,
212-228-2807
A dusting of powdered sugar down your shirt is the surefire result of a trip to this sweets shop from the people behind perennially mobbed Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. The cornucopia of deep-fried grub means you don’t have to wait until the next Feast of San Gennaro for funnel cake. Homemade Italian ice and cannoli add to the sugar high.
Gotta try: Fried Oreos (three for $3), zeppole (three for $2.50), peanut butter and jelly Italian ice ($2.50)
Mikey’s Burger
134 Ludlow St.,
212-979-9211
Michael Huynh is on a one-man mission to revolutionize NYC’s quick eats. His Baoguette mini-chain delivers banh mi to the masses, and now he applies his Vietnamese style to another kind of sandwich at Mikey’s. The limited menu (four burgers) and wacky details (avocado shake) whet your appetite for whatever cuisine he might conquer next.
Gotta try: BLT burger ($5.50), lamb burger ($6), black sesame milk shake ($5)
Loading Dock
170 Tillary St., Brooklyn,
646-355-7518
An unassuming industrial space in the shadow of the BQE and Manhattan Bridge is the new home of Brooklyn Flea favorite Choncho’s Tacos. The kitchen is actually a food cart, edged up against the eponymous loading dock, where cooks churn out Mexican fare and one killer weekend brunch.
Gotta try: Fish tacos ($5), huevos rancheros ($7.50)
The Norry at Kampuchea
78 Rivington St.,
212-529-3901
The three-year-old Cambodian restaurant Kampuchea went through something of a transformation in December when they launched the Norry, a pub-like annex next door. The focus here is on the sweet-spicy-sour sandwiches as honed at the other Kampuchea offshoot, Num Pang Sandwich Shop, plus Cambodian interpretations of bar snacks, small plates and cocktails.
Gotta try: Grilled corn ($6), pork ribs ($16), catfish numpang ($11)
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