Food in a N.Y. Minute
I do my best in this section to not mention the fast-food-chain options in the city. There was a time, though it's hard to believe, that McDonald's and Domino's pizza (oops I mentioned their names) were not to be found in New York. They are here now and, sadly, they are here to stay. But you needn't resort to the same options you can find in any town when you need a quick food fix. Here are a few original options you should consider before parting the golden arches.
New York is a hot dog town. You can buy them from street vendors all over the city and doing so is something everyone should experience. But once might be enough. If you want an original New York dog, Nathan's Famous, established in 1916, is the best example. There are Nathan's Famous hot dogs all over the city now, but though the hot dogs are the same, they just don't taste as good as the ones served in its original location on the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn, 1310 Surf Ave., at Stillwell Avenue (tel. 718/946-2202). If a 145-pound Japanese man can eat 53 1/2 hot dogs in 12 minutes, you can certainly handle at least two -- including an order of their fantastic crinkle-cut fries.
For the cheapest quick meal, nothing can match Gray's Papaya. This 24-hour hot-dog stand is a New York institution. Hot dogs go for 75¢, and the "Recession Special," two hot dogs and a drink, overly sweetened papaya, piña colada, or orange juice, is a whopping $3.50. The hot dogs are delicious, though for your own good, don't be tempted to eat more than two despite the low prices. There are three Gray's Papaya around the city, but the best is the original at the corner of 72nd Street and Broadway, at 2090 Broadway (tel. 212/799-0243).
Like the hot dog, pizza is also a New York staple. I discuss the best pizza in New York in the box "Pizza, New York-Style", but most of the places mentioned in that box require sitting down and ordering a whole pie. For the quick slice, my personal favorite is Joe's Pizza, 7 Carmine St., at Bleecker Street (tel. 212/255-3946). Joe's offers the epitome of what a slice is supposed to taste like: thin-crusted with the proper balance of sauce, which actually has flavor, and cheese that doesn't taste like something you could bounce off a wall. And because Joe's is so popular, the pizza turns over quickly, almost always guaranteeing a fresh slice. Be prepared to wait in line during busy evening hours and then take your slice outside and eat it like a real New Yorker -- standing up.
In Philadelphia, arguments rage over who makes the best cheesesteak. But we are in New York, and of the few Philly-style-cheesesteak establishments, my pick is Shorty's, formerly known as Tony Luke's, 576 Ninth Ave., between 41st and 42nd streets (tel. 212/967-3055). On the edge of the Theater District, in the shadow of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Shorty's location is about as gritty as it gets. But that just adds to the appeal of Shorty's gargantuan sandwiches. The cheesesteak with your choice of cheese juices -- Provolone, American, or Whiz (go for the Whiz, of course) -- drenching the fresh Italian roll is hard to resist, but if you can, order the roast pork Italian: roast pork with peppers, onions, and broccoli rabe. Try squeezing into your seat at the theater after one of those!
