The Top 10 Foods I Ate in NYC This Summer

I ate my way through NYC this summer -- the final tally was nearly 100 weird, wacky, and wonderful dishes -- and now you can read about it! Here are the top 10 foods I ate — the ones that were actually good, not just Instagrammable — plus the six biggest letdowns (after all, we can’t all be rainbow bagels!).

I’m going in reverse order again, though, if you followed my adventures this summer, you already know what #1 is.

Honorable Mentions

Baby Cheesecake

What it is: An adorable miniature cheesecake that was better than the Little Fella I had from Junior’s Cheesecake in Midtown!

Where to find it: Fay Da Bakery, 83 Mott St. (in Chinatown)

Price: $2.50

Sarah-fications (modifications, Sarah-style): None

Why it’s amazing: This creamy, pillowy little cake of heaven outranks its famous cousin over at Junior’s, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. It’s creamy and tangy without being too rich.

“Corn to Run” Ice Cream

What it is: The best scoop of ice cream I had in New York.

Where to find it: Ample Hills Creamery, 600 11th Ave., inside Gotham West Market

Price: $5.99 for a small

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s amazing: Corn and blueberries are a dream combo: It's sweet corn ice cream with a cornmeal crumble and blueberry swirls (and a tribute to the Springsteen song). Corny in the best way! 🌽

The Top 10

10. Pollo Asado Taco

What it is: A grilled chicken taco with onions, cheese, cilantro, and just the right amount of guacamole.

Where to find it: Los Tacos No. 1, 229 W. 43rd St. (conveniently located right across from the Lyric Theatre, home to “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”)

Price: $3.75

Sarah-fications: There’s an open topping bar, and I loaded my taco with pico de gallo, red and green mild and spicy sauces, and hot peppers.

Why it’s amazing: This tasty morsel from Times Square taco heaven is hands-down the best taco I found in New York. It reminds me of the spicy chicken taco from The Tamale Place in Indianapolis. Los Tacos may not have seats, but it stocks a killer sauce bar with pico de gallo, medium and spicy sauces, and straight-up chili peppers that’s basically a “spice your own taco” station. The chicken taco is far superior to the steak, though I didn’t try the cactus (Yelp reviewers said it was slimy, and I said ‘no thanks’).

9. White Borscht Soup in a Bread Bowl

What it is: White borscht soup (soured flour, kielbasa, spices, and a hard-boiled egg) served in a bread bowl with a side of bacon-garnished mashed potatoes.

Where to find it: Karczma, 136 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn (a.k.a. NYC’s “Little Poland”)

Price: $5.75

Sarah-fications: None (why mess with perfection?).

Why it’s amazing: This top-notch Polish soup might’ve been the best deal for the amount of food you get I found all summer, and certainly wins for Brooklyn. For a little more than $5, you get an enormous bread bowl teeming with deliciously thicc (yes, I know millennial slang), steaming soup and a perfectly pillowy plate of bacon-topped mashed potatoes. The borscht is rich and creamy, with glorious hunks of smoked kielbasa, hard-boiled egg, and boiled potato. The bread bowl reminds me of rye Jewish Reuben bread, and the kielbasa tastes like Andouille sausage. The crusty loaf is also the world’s best soup vessel -- it’s like a soft and salty dessert.

One caveat: Eating the entire bread bowl was a mistake. I wanted to drain an industrial-sized trough of water afterward. #Oops

8. Small Chicken/Gyro Combo Platter

What it is: A Halal Guys platter with lots of orange rice, chicken and gyro meat, lettuce, and tomatoes. Topped with toasty slices of pita bread.

Where to find it: The Halal Guys cart at the corner of Sixth Avenue and W. 53rd St. in Midtown (cash only)

Price: $7

Sarah-fications: I tried the famous Halal Guys white (mayo-like) and red (hot) sauces and was disappointed by both. The red sauce is similar to Tabasco, except Tabasco is better. And mayo is better-tasting than the white sauce, which I found oddly lacking in flavor. So, I self-sauced my platters with Sriracha (Do I own a purse-sized bottle? You bet!).

Why it’s amazing: The combo platter from the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean halal food cart lives up to expectations as great late-night eat (or, really, any time). The portion sizes are also huge, so I was delighted to discover you can order a “small” size that’s still large, but manageable (and cheaper!). There was a Halal Guys restaurant on 14th Street near my apartment in the East Village, but I went for the cash-only Midtown carts because they were a) cheaper and b) did not cheat me out of my rightful share of orange rice. The one time I got a platter from the brick-and-mortar restaurant, the salad took up half the plate, rather than being just a few pieces of lettuce like it is at the carts (I ordered MEAT, not LETTUCE!). I still can’t decide whether I prefer the Halal Guys’ chicken or gyro meat, so I’m glad I can enjoy both at once.

7. Chairman Bao

What it is: Braised Berkshire pork belly served in a bao bun with Haus Relish, crushed peanuts, Taiwanese red sugar, and cilantro.

Where to find it: Baohaus, 238 E. 14th St.

Price: $5.50

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s amazing: Sure, the name is cute, but this little Berkshire pork-stuffed bun is also a knockout. I discovered a passion for pork belly this summer, whether inside a bao bun or atop Ivan Ramen’s Triple Garlic Mazemen. Crispy bacon just can’t compare to this softness — imagine the juiciest, softest, silkiest bite of pork you've ever had and amp it up by 100. I had a mini sidewalk ecstasy (I still regret not licking the box).

6. Crab Pizza

What it is: A plate-dwarfing slice of thin-crust pizza with crab sauce, crab hunks, mozzarella cheese, and a surimi (pollock) stuffing.

Where to find it: Artichoke Basille’s Pizza,, 321 E. 14th St.

Price: $5

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s amazing: There are few foods I love as much as crab, and I’m entirely thrilled by the idea of putting it on a pizza, especially a quality thin-crust one. Artichoke in the East Village is the quintessential cheap eat — it’s $5 per slice, each of which is served in (and fills!) its own box. I heard a few “That’s not pizza!” remarks from Facebook commenters when I posted a photo of my first slice, but whatever it was, it was both cheap and tasty. And, like Baohaus, Artichoke gets bonus points for being a few blocks from my apartment.

5. Sushi Donut

What it is: A donut-shaped sushi concoction, handmade to order. The donut is stuffed with sushi rice, filled with a crab mix in the middle, then rolled in spices, with fish and avocado added to the outside of the donut. Essentially an Everything bagel, except made of rice and raw fish.

Where to find it: Poketeria, 3 E. 36th St.

Price: $7.25

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s amazing: I’m impatiently waiting for the sushi donut craze to come to Indy. Don’t sleep on the sauce — the sweet, rich, two-tone sriracha aioli and unagi sauce that pairs perfectly with the sushi is the best part! And don’t be dissuaded by the cashier who will inevitably and inexplicably try his or her hardest to talk you out of ordering one of these (EVERY time I ordered one, I got both of these disclaimers: “Just wanted to let you know it’s a small appetizer” and “It’ll take 20 minutes”). It never took more than eight. A lot of Instagrammable food tastes only sub-par, but this donut delivered in both aesthetic and quality.

4. Live Fire Feast: Spicy Chicken Tikka Masala, Basmati Rice, Chickpea Dal, Cucumber Salad, Garlic Naan

What it is: A traditional Indian meal comprises several dishes on a plate called a thali. This one comes with a main, plus two sides and naan bread. My favorite of the many combinations I tried this summer was the spicy chicken tikka masala with basmati rice, plus sides of chickpea dal and cucumber salad, accompanied by garlic naan bread.

Where to find it: Indikitch, 601 8th Ave.

Price: $11.99

Sarah-fications: I always ask to make the chicken tikka masala spicy.

Why it’s amazing: Indikitch, or Deep Indian Kitchen, is like the Chipotle of Indian food: Lots of food, customizable, and guaranteed to trigger jealous looks from passersby as you carry the bag down the street. Indian food is my favorite cuisine (a love that started in London), so I was delighted to find such a perfectly executed option available near my office (the 8th Avenue restaurant is a two-minute walk from The New York Times).

3. Chicken Jawn

What it is: A bowl of egg white noodles, chicken breast, pecorino romano cheese, caramelized onions, roasted corn, chives, and truffle sauce.

Where to find it: Minigrow, 285 Madison Ave.

Price: $12.40

Sarah-fications: I add chickpeas, bread crumbs, and bacon, and substitute feta cheese for the pecorino romano.

Why it’s amazing: You wouldn’t predict something so simple would be stellar, but it is. The feta pairs perfectly with the chicken and bacon, and the onions and corn add a light, refreshing note to the bowl. Also, Minigrow’s noodle game is on point.

2. Triple Pork Triple Garlic Mazemen

What it is: It’s billed as a ramen, but is actually a creamy, saucy pasta in a tonkotsu broth with thick, whole-wheat noodles. It's extra-garlicky and coats the noodles like Italian pasta. Also present: Garlic and pork belly two ways, plus a chilled green garnish.

Where to find it: Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, 600 11th Ave., inside Gotham West Market

Price: $16.00

Sarah-fications: I add slabs of melt-in-your-mouth tender pork belly (which we’ve already established I love)!

Why it’s amazing: This is the meal I chose for my NYC food finale. It’s been billed as ramen “so good it will make your eyes explode,” and it nearly lives up to its reputation. All the ingredients pair perfectly together, resulting in a mind-blowing dish I could eat every day for the rest of my life (if I could afford it!). There’s even a seafood-like hint to the creamy pork fat sauce that’s the icing on the cake.

1. The Original Rainbow Bagel

What it is: The original rainbow bagel, filled with Funfetti cream cheese (which features plentiful pieces of cake!).

Where to find it: The Bagel Store, 69 5th Ave., Brooklyn (formerly 754 Metropolitan Ave.)

Price: $6.70

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s amazing: I never expected to love this — I’d had a rainbow bagel in London, and it was just a plain bagel dunked in a vat of food coloring. But this — this was a culinary experience, from the addictive Funfetti cream cheese packed with actual pieces of cake to the flavorful bagel (which certainly wasn’t just a colorfully-dyed regular bagel).The Funfetti cream cheese tastes exactly like one of those frosted yellow or pink-iced sugar cookies with sprinkles, except 10 times better. It’s the best bagel I’ve ever tasted, period — and I wouldn’t be mad if The Bagel Store could find a way to cram even more Funfetti cream cheese inside.

I’m so sad that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance seized the store in July due to nearly $900,000 (!) in unpaid taxes, meaning they closed before I was able to grab one last bagel. But the owner recently announced they’re planning to open at a new Brooklyn location in the next few months, so there’s hope for more rainbow bagels in the future!

Bonus: The 6 Biggest Letdowns

OK, now that we’ve got the good stuff out of the way, here are the greatest disappointments of the most-hyped club. These are the foods that failed to live up to their billing, were overpriced, or just plain tasted poor (in one case, so poor I couldn’t choke down more than a few bites). A.k.a., if you’re in NYC, avoid these!

[One caveat: These aren’t necessarily the six *worst* things I ate in NYC this summer (remember that oversauced Korean seafood pasta fiasco that was essentially rubbery squid floating in tomato soup?). These are the six biggest disappointments because I had such high expectations going in, based on either hype or great reviews.]

Honorable Mention: Disappointing, But Not Heartbreaking

Hot Dog

What it is: A hot dog with sauerkraut and onions.

Where to (not!) find it: Gray’s Papaya, 612 8th Ave.

Price: $2.75

Sarah-fications: I added mustard and relish — to no avail.

Why It’s not amazing: This is the famous New York hot dog people raved about?! It’s billed as inexpensive, high-quality, and the “best damned frankenfurter you’ll ever eat.” Umm, no. I’ve had better stadium hot dogs — actually, I’ve had better microwaved hot dogs! My bun was stiff and hard, so no points for freshness. I’m so confused why many people consider these the best hot dogs in NYC — I’m mean, the dog was cheap, but still, these things have a reputation to uphold!

The Bottom Six

6. Pan-Fried Sauerkraut Pierogies

What it is: Five pan-fried pierogies stuffed with Baba’s style sauerkraut.

Where to (not!) find it: Baba’s Pierogies, 295 3rd Ave., Brooklyn

Price: $10.25

Sarah-fications: I added the $1.50 topping upgrade suite of sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, smoked bacon bits, and sauerkraut (me: Wait, I already ordered the sauerkraut version of the pierogies, so …? Cashier: Well, you can always add more sauerkraut!) But I ignored the free side of sour cream, as I’m not a fan of it on pierogies — it masks the flavor of the ‘kraut.

Why it’s not amazing: While the mushrooms were excellent, the sauerkraut tasted straight from the can. Then again, my Polish grandma makes the best pierogies, so my standards are rather high in that department — but not so high that I’ll give canned ‘kraut a pass.

5. CommanDO Cookie Dough

What it is: Cookie Do’s signature flavor of cookie dough, served straight — no toppings or mix-ins. It’s just “pure, unadulterated cookie dough.”

Where to (not!) find it: Cookie DŌ Confections, 550 LaGuardia Place

Price: $5.44 for one tightly-packed scoop (eat any more than that and you’d get a stomachache — it’s REALLY rich!!)

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s not amazing: Edible cookie dough? Sign me up! (The flour and eggs are treated to make it safe for consumption.) If only it were as good as advertised. At least you can sample to your heart’s content before you buy — I tried the chocolate chip and the s'more flavors, which honestly tasted the same, as well as the blueberry pancake (hooray for free samples!). But the problem is that I have a sneaking suspicion that they all taste pretty much the same, and the subpar flavor isn’t worth the inflated price.

4. Maine-Style Lobster Roll

What it is: A classic lobster roll with Maine-style lobster, paprika, and scallions atop a buttered and toasted bun, with a touch of mayo.

Where to (not!) find it: Red Hook Lobster Pound, Smorgasburg Sunday market in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Price: $20

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s not amazing: I’m never one to turn down a lobster roll, but sadly, this one was a way-overpriced letdown. 1) It was tiny — as in, mini (don't let the way-zoomed-in photo fool you), and 2) The lobster wasn’t flavorful. I mean, lobster is still lobster, but for $20, I expect better! My GOAT lobster roll is still the one I had inside the Faneuil Hall Market in Boston. Now THAT was a specimen that wasn't a shame to its species.

3. Pickle Soft Serve

What it is: A towering column of pickle-flavored soft serve ice cream, garnished with crunchy pickle crisps.

Where to (not!) find it: Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co., 513 Amsterdam Ave.

Price: $5

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s not amazing: Don't be deceived — this confection is largely hollow, and so not quite as towering as it at first appears.The best part was the three crispy, kettle chip-like pickles. The actual ice cream tasted like lime sherbet, and was nothing special — I wanted the flavor to be much stronger than it was. I’d have tried the popcorn-flavored soft serve if the pickle had been anything to write home about. Ugh, I had such high hopes for this one — I’d hoped it’d be like a pickle-flavored Dole Whip.

2. Rainbow Bagel with Birthday Cake Cream Cheese

What it is: A rainbow-bagel impostor.

Where to (not!) find it: Liberty Bagels Midtown, 260 W. 35th St.

Price: $4.70

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s not amazing: It’s a letdown on two fronts — the bagel is just a plain bagel dyed rainbow, and the cream cheese is just ordinary cream cheese dyed to a purple, pink, and blue swirl. I’d trek to Brooklyn any day to get the REAL thing. The funny thing is that the shop liked my Instagram post about how disappointing the bagel was! #SocialMediaFail #DidntReadTheCaption

1. Braised Sausage Tagliatelle

What it is: It *claims* to be tagliatelle pasta with braised sausage and ricotta parmigiana cheese, plus a side of bread. I’m not sure what it is, but we can rule out edible.

Where to (not!) find it: San Marzano, 117 2nd Ave. (stay FAR away!)

Price: $9

Sarah-fications: None

Why it’s not amazing: It failed to meet basic expectations for food — this trash tagliatelle was the absolute worst thing I ate in NYC. It needed more sauce (but, really, no amount could've saved it), and the texture of the noodles was all wrong — think dry and rubbery. I threw 95% of it in the trash, and wish that’d been 100%. The worst part is that it came from a restaurant that specializes in pasta, and that had gotten great reviews! But it was so bad that I really need to warn you against ever eating here — unless, that is, you stick to the bread, which was innocuous, if unremarkable. Even that stomach-turning sauce-pool squid-and-shrimp dish from Noona Noodles was 100x better.