Where you grow up has a profound impact on your taste buds. I truly believe that. And a conversation over a “New York bagel breakfast” recently made me ponder this even more. I consider myself extremely lucky to have grown up near what I believe to be the greatest city in the world—New York. And luckily, I was exposed to not only true New York food but a wide variety of ethnic foods as well. After all, New York is, and has always been, a melting pot of cultures. So, here are my top five favorite hometown foods starting with most New Yorkers’ go-to breakfast food…
BAGELS
Let me make this very clear—there are bagels, and then there are New York bagels. Make no mistake about it. There is a HUGE difference here. And the latter, in my opinion, always comes out on top.
So what is the origin of these doughy delights?
It is believed they were first made by the Ashkenazi Jews of Poland who immigrated to the Big Apple.
And what distinguishes New York bagels appears to be two main factors: (1) using New York tap water and (2) baking them in a special oven.New York City tap water contains certain minerals, especially low concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which make the water softer. This special “liquid” and the right oven help create the perfect bagel.
Please don’t ever compare those frozen hockey pucks sold in the freezer section of your grocery store to these bagels.
New York bagels are also always boiled in water that has barley malt added to it. This gives it that special New York taste, texture, and skin. A traditional New York style is also typically larger and fatter than a mass-produced bagel.
And these bagels offer an array of toppings to choose from –sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, or just plain. The end result? The consummate bagel.
And traditionally, a true New York bagel is never toasted. And to make it just perfect, add a schmear of cream cheese and some lox. Food heaven!
Interesting side note: I remember my family stopping at a bagel store in Florida. The owner was originally from New York and actually “imported” New York water to make his bagels. He said that some pizza parlors there do the same. Hmmm.
Next up on my top five favorite New York foods is…
PIZZA
Pizza, like bagels, is a quintessentially New York food. Other cities have their own pizza (take Chicago and their deep dish type). But New York pizza is, in my opinion, the best.
History shows that the first New York pizzeria, Lombardis, was opened in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi in the Little Italy neighborhood in Manhattan. One employee, Antonio Totonno Pero, cooked the pizzas, and slices were sold for 5 cents.
A New York slice is large and wide, with a thin crust that is foldable yet crispy.
And traditionally, a slice or a pie comes topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, with any extra toppings placed on top of the cheese.
And when you order this delicious food, you ask for a plain, regular, or cheese slice.
Interested in tasting a traditional slice?
Today, many say that Joe’s Pizza is the place to go.This pizza parlor has been around since 1975, recently expanding in Manhattan and to Brooklyn. But there are many others. Click on this link to find the perfect one for you: https://ny.eater.com/maps/nyc-best-iconic-pizza-pizzeria.
So what about trying out some street food?
FOOD TRUCKS
seem to be on almost every other Manhattan street corner, beckoning workers, locals, and tourists to try their fare. And this type of fare has an ancient history. It is believed that this food has roots in the streets of ancient Greece, where small fried fish were sold. And in ancient Rome, poor urban residents ate street food since most tenement homes did not have ovens.
But we’re living in the 21st century. And when in New York, do what the locals do..walk up to a food truck and try some sort of street food.
Just head over to 6th Avenue, where the variety of carts and food offerings changes on a daily basis. With Rockefeller Center nearby and big businesses in the area, the quality and variety of food is quite impressive. Some regulars are Coney Shack, with Southeast Asian-style tacos; Phil’s Steaks, boasting authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks; and Desi Food Truck, serving Indian fare. Websites like Roaming Hunger offer details on what will be available on any given day.
So, what is the most famous New York street food?
The dirty water dog!
These dogs live in a vat of water seasoned with onion, vinegar, red pepper, cumin and nutmeg for not more than one hour before it’s served.
The New York Hot Dog is topped with sauerkraut, onion sauce, and spicy brown mustard. Yum!
So if you are craving some delicious dessert, try some…
“NEW YORK” CHEESECAKE
Although this delectable dessert wasn’t invented in New York, many call this dessert “New York cheesecake.” It is believed that the city’s immigrant bakers took the original recipe and made a version that became famous around the world.
So what makes it a New York style cheesecake?
New York cheesecake is all about density and richness. It’s heavy on the cream cheese. Regular cheesecake, however, relies on heavy cream and sour cream to thin the batter and create a silkier, creamier texture.
Arnold Reuben, the owner of Reuben’s Restaurant and Delicatessen and The Turf Restaurant, is credited with creating this dessert in the 1920s.
There are many famous places known for their cheesecake. Junior’s is one famous place but I’d suggest just doing a bit of search to find the one that fits best with your plans.
And make sure to expand your taste buds but trying New York’s vast array of …
ETHNIC CUISINES
Authentic ethnic restaurants in New York City are not hard to find.
With over 30 global cuisines available here, locals and visitors can eat their way across the world, all without leaving the confines of the borough. From Indian to Middle Eastern to Chinese and every cuisine in between, locals and visitors can feast on an array of foods. Just pick a country and you will find a food establishment serving up that nation’s cuisine.
But make no mistake about it, the surrounding boroughs of Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx offer amazing places to eat as well. Do some “food research” and you will be well rewarded.
To learn “My Top Ten Food Commandments For Travelers,’ (no matter how near or far you go) read my post by clicking here:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=887
SOME PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE…
Please skip those tourist traps in Times Square. There are too many places to feast on really well made food without resorting to a chain restaurant.
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