Midtown Lunch Readers’ Poll: Best Street Meat
I’m out of town until January 7th, so until then I’m turning over the site to you for the First Annual Midtown Lunch Readers’ Poll, to determine the best that Midtown lunch’ing has to offer. You can only vote once, so choose wisely. Links to info about most of the nominees can be found on the “Restaurant Index” page. Feel free to write in votes in the comments section. Official winners will be posted to the site on January 9th.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 8:00 am, January 3rd, 2008 under 2007 Midtown Lunch Readers Poll, Cart, Street Meat.
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7 Comments
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I think Quik Meal’s lamb is the tastiest. That being said, I go to Rafiqi’s more often because you get more food for cheaper, and I think it still tastes pretty damn good – plus smaller lines, brown rice option, and friendly guys serving the food, at least at the 44th and 5th location).
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What, no Carnegie John’s?
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Rafiqi does give you a hell of a lot of food. And their pita bread is awesome.
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Please take the following as my opinion only.
I always see Rafiqui’s mentioned and cannot understand why they are so popular. The four times I’ve tried their lamb and rice or chicken and rice, I have ended up throwing it in the trash without finishing it. I think that it might be either the hot sauce or white sauce….It smells BO’ish and doesn’t taste that much better. My wife always seems to know when I have tried their platter because she says that I smell terrible the next day.
There are so many carts in midtown that serve these platters. Some do it well, some not. I’ve never been to any of the other popular carts in the survey, but have found some great independents. Over the years they have come and gone though. My suggestion, try a different cart each time – you might find a hidden gem….there are some great chefs out there.
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I am surprised the dude from SW corner of 46th and 6th is not included. He is great. Wait for him to come back from vacation, though. His assistant is worse than useless — in fact, he is an affirmative impediment to actually getting your food.
Anyhoo, that cart is my write-in vote.
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I second the Carnegie John’s nomination, that is my favorite chicken and rice guy. I know it’s not “middle eastern” spices or halal food, but his chicken is full of smoky flavor that comes from using the charcoal grill, and his tzatziki (the greek version of “white sauce”) is by far the best from a cart that I have had in this city.
I honestly think Quik Meal is overrated. I like it- I think the lamb is pretty good. But the portion size is weak compared to most street meat carts and its far more expensive. It doesn’t make sense that I’m paying $8 to eat from a street cart.
I think the Trini-Pak is probably the best overall. They throw in a lot of different stuff and everything is very flavorful and tasty.
Funny thing about Rafiqui’s- they like to char the meat and almost make it crispy. Its a slightly different taste and a good one to mix in.
For a while I liked the Halal and Seafood Cart on 39th and 5th too, the guy who gives you the fried shrimp.