The Best Food Carts in NYC, 14 Street Food Stops.

In a city full of $5 tacos, Tacos El Bronco is a bargain at $3 a pop. However don’t assume the low price tag means a dip in quality; the veal head, tongue and tripe are all cooked to a tender, juicy consistency.

If the traditional meats are out of your comfort zone they also sell more common al pastor, birria and carne asada options. My only gripe is I wish they gave you more meat (but the mouthwatering grilled onions make up for it).

The food truck had so much success they’ve opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant about 10 minutes away. The restaurant has a bigger menu, but the food truck is home to some of the best street food in New York City.

Full disclosure. You’ll likely be waiting in line for more than an hour try to Adel’s Famous Halal Food. Even then I never debated taking it off the list, it’s just that good.

Across the street from Radio City Music Hall, the cart has a no-frills Middle Eastern menu. The most popular (and viral) dish is the combo platter, which comes with heaps of chicken and lamb over a generous bed of rice.

If I had to nitpick I would wish Adel’s Famous Halal Food opened earlier (they open at 6PM). On the flip side, it’s open until 4 or 5AM every night so it’s a great New York City street food destination after a night out.

Chinatown is home to countless tempting street food options, but Cheong Fun Cart manages to stand head and shoulder above the rest. The cart is run by a sweet lady who makes tantalizing rice noodle rolls.

You can get them stuffed with chicken, pork, shrimp, and beef and always order extra sauce. Best of all, most large options will only cost $3, and none surpass the $6 mark!

I should also mention Cheong Fun Cart sells out almost daily, and is usually closed by noon. Swing by an ATM (they’re cash only!) and get there early to avoid missing out on some of the best street food in New York City.

If you’ve never heard of a cachapa, allow me to make the introduction. It’s a Venezuelan dish that’s a blend between an arepa and quesadilla, made with a fluffy tortilla-like wrap and filled with meat and cheese.

The Venezuelan street food has slowly been gaining traction in New York CityCanaima also sells empanadas, tequeños, arepas, and a plantain sandwich called a patacon.

You’ll find the truck in Williamsburg, where on the weekends it’s open until 4AM. The neighborhood is full of bars and breweries, and who doesn’t love a tipsy late-night bite?

Few food carts in New York City are as famous as NY Dosas. There’s been countless news articles and YouTube videos (with millions of views, might I add) that have made the small Indian food cart a hot commodity.

The constant lines are full of both locals and tourists eager to try Thiru Kumar’s (AKA the Dosa Man) dosas. The popular South Indian treat is like a crepe, but made out of black lentils and rice.

NY Dosas is also one of the best street foods in New York City for vegans, since the entire menu is plant-based. If you pop by for just an appetizer you can order samosas and vegan drumsticks without having to wait in line.

Local’s tip Don’t be afraid to chat with the Dosa Man, he’s a sweetheart. He’ll even stop take photos with you.

Jamrock Jerk is the first food truck to (legally) have grills and smokers, so you already know the flavors are going to be off the charts. The ability to cook fresh jerk chicken shouldn’t be understated, you’re getting it hot off the grill!

Don’t forget to order a side of rice and peas or the fried plantains. If you’ve never tried oxtail Jamrock Jerk is one of the best spots for an introduction, it’s part of the full street food experience in New York City.

They’ll often be in high-traffic areas like Midtown and FiDi, but check the official website for upcoming locations.

With so many ethnic enclaves in New York City you can literally bounce around and savor the world. In Brighton Beach there’s a large Russian community that brings Eastern European street food to New York City.

Outside of the Home Made Cooking Cafe there’s often a vendor behind a table brimming with grab-and-go treats. The piroshkis are top-notch and inexpensive (last time I was there they cost $2!).

It seems like just yesterday that birria took the internet by storm, now the tender meat dish is found at most Mexican food carts in New York City. However, there is one joint that deserves a spotlight. Birria-Landia.

What started as a lone outpost in Queens has quickly expanded to a total of three. The original remains in Jackson Heights, a second food truck is in Williamsburg and the most recent location in the Lower East Side and they all provide some of the best street food in New York City.

If you can’t afford a flight to Mykonos there’s no need to fret, Tony Dragon’s Grille brings Greek flavor to you. The food cart has been in business for nearly 40 years, weaving itself into the fabric of the Upper East Side.

Since the food truck is so close to Central Park it’s become tradition for folks to grab a souvlaki, salad, or burger and enjoy it in the park. If you order online you can skip the line and just grab and go.

By using free range chicken, USDA choice steak, and wild caught salmon Tony Dragon’s Grille makes plates that are fresh and flavorful. Just because it’s NYC street food doesn’t mean they sacrifice quality, and I tip my hat to that!

The Halal Guys has been bringing New Yorkers together since 1990. Where else can a Wall Street executive, broke college kid and drunk party-goer all come together to break bread?

The menu consists of platters and sandwiches that are served around beef, chicken, and falafel. The Egyptian food chain has six brick-and-mortar restaurants across the New York City, and countless street vendors.

Local’s tip Adel’s Famous Halal Food (which we talked about earlier) has infamous lines. If you hate waiting, walk to the Halal Guys cart that’s three blocks north for quicker and comparable New York City street food.

With so many food vendors in Central Park it’s easy to assume they’re all the same. I’ll let you know in on a local secret. Billy’s Hot Dog Cart on Central Park West and West 93rd Street is worth going out of the way for.

Billy’s customer service is among the best you’ll find anywhere in Manhattan, and the hot dogs are tasty and fairly priced. Don’t forget to ask for onion sauce before taking off to park yourself on a bench in Central Park.

Fun fact. At the time of writing Billy’s Hot Dog Cart is the most highly reviewed street food in New York City. The beloved food vendor has earned his perfect 5 star rating on Google (with nearly 1,000 reviews!).

Anyone who’s worked or lived in East Midtown will likely be familiar with Uncle Gussy’s, one of the oldest food trucks in New York City. They opened in 1971 and have remained a family business, serving traditional Greek fare.

The menu is brimming Greek salads, pitas and platters and Fair warning, they’re generous servings. I should also mention Uncle Gussy’s, like a lot of the best street food in New York City, is cash-only unless you order online.

Momos are a type of steamed dumpling that originated in Tibet. Small and easy to chow down quickly, they’re the perfect New York City street food for those who are always on the go.

Each plate comes with eight momos and they’re available in chicken, beef, and veggie options. And fair warning to all my fellow spicy food lovers, the hot sauce at Mom’s Momo is deceptively spicy so don’t get carried away!

I’m lucky enough to live a few blocks from Gray’s Papaya, a fixture of New York’s famed hot-dog scene. This corner joint was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorites in NYC and has been featured countless times on the big screen.

Gray’s Papaya has is not only one of the best street foods in New York City, it’s one of the best cheap eats. Hot dogs are $2.95 and they have a recession special that includes 2 franks and a drink for $6.95