Food for Thought: New York State of Dine

DOUG REYNICS

Igrew up in New Jersey. One of my fondest memories as a child was going into NYC with my dad, who was a fabric stylist with Burlington Industries. I remember the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. I remember many food stops along the way to my dad’s office, stopping somewhere for a street hot dog or pretzel, or visiting an automated diner where we would pick pieces of pie or a sandwich from behind a glass window. We shared both a love of the city with its bustling activities and its food.

Many years later, when visiting the city, I find myself seeking out the less traveled restaurants there. Don’t get me wrong; there are literally hundreds of tourist restaurants that will satisfy your hunger. But I’d like to share a few that you might not know about. As is the case with all cities, restaurants open and close with great frequency in New York, so these places may or may not be there when you’re ready to seek them out.

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Russ and Daughters Café (127 Orchard Street) has been open since 2014. (The main building has been there since 1914.) It is my favorite, hands down, for anything breakfast or lunch in the city. Their specialties are New York-style bagels, babkas, and fish dishes. The smoked salmon is as fine as I have ever tasted. It gets super busy, so you need to get there well in advance of their opening time to get a shot at seating.

The iconic corned beef sandwich from Katz’s Deli. B&H Dairy (127 Second Avenue) started business in 1938. Their menu is vegetarian and consists of many Yiddish comfort foods. I love their pierogi, handmade and on the menu daily. Borscht, challah French toast, and the smoked whitefish sandwich are all tops as well. Old John’s Luncheonette (148 West 67th Street) is perhaps my favorite authentic diner. Built in 1951 and relocated to West 67th in 1998, Old John’s is everything a true NYC diner should be without the trendy price tag. Great coffee, omelets, and potato latkes are among my favorites. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dinner

The Spaghetti Incident (231 Eldridge Street)is a short distance from the worldfamous Katz’s Deli. Opened in 2015, it’s a small, hand-crafted, family-owned pasta place in the village. The carbonara is solid.

Patsy’s (236 West 56th Street) has been in business since 1944. Greats like Frank Sinatra dining there have long made this an authentic NYC Italian destination. Ask for Sal when you go. He is like a beloved rock star.

Let’s Meat BBQ (307 5th Avenue) is a great Korean, all-you-can-eat restaurant. It’s a good place for when you have a larger party of guests who can all eat and share in the food together. I order the premium option and feast on pork belly, bulgogi, and other beef options. Their Korean fried corn is the best of any I have eaten at a Korean BBQ.

Another great thing about NYC are their shared space dining halls. Many restaurants share the space. DeKalb Market Hall (455 Albee Square West) is home to over thirty vendors! My favorites are the Pierogi Boys, Katz’s Deli, and 100% Mr. Lin.

I share these food ideas with you in the hopes you will try to seek out some of the less touristy restaurants. There are plenty of great places that just require a little more effort to find them. What’s your favorite NYC eatery? Drop me a line and let me know!

DOUG REYNICS is a longtime Tucker resident and self-described “foodie.” Many know him as “Doug the Driver,” who provides rides to and from both the domestic and international airport terminals. (To date, his service has provided almost 3,000 airport rides!) If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about (or if you need a ride!), email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com or call him at 770.842.4261.