Prepping for my NYC trip, compiling a list of foods I need to eat, noticed that the 2009 Vendy Awards were given out in NYC over the weekend. Hong Kong makes street food illegal, New York gives out awards for it, complete with corporate sponsors.

Lest you think that NYC street food consists solely of dishwater dogs, competitors included street cards selling falafel and gyros, traditional Indian, Chinese dumplings, Jamaican jerk chicken, traditional Mexican, the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, waffles, cupcakes, Taiwanese food, schnitzel and smoked barbecue.

The awards went to

  • Vendy Cup: Country Boys (Fernando & Jolanda Martinez)
  • Grey Poupon People’s Taste Award: Biryani Cart (Meru Sidker – second year!)
  • Dessert: Wafels & Dinges (Thomas DeGeest)
  • Rookie Vendor of the Year – Schnitzel & Things (Oleg Voss & Jared Greenhouse)

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a choice of food like this on the streets here? Or even places with street-side counters offering more than just curry fishballs and McD’s fake ice cream? About the best I can come up with is that little stretch on Luard where you get Thai Hut, Ebeneezer and Cul de Sac. All we seem to be able to do here is conduct debates on how many Mister Softee licenses should be allowed.

Hongkie Town
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