I’ve walked hundreds and hundreds of miles through New York City over the last 8 years. Yet, there is always something new to see. From interesting architecture to quirky stores to fascinating people, “same old same old” doesn’t exist in the city that never sleeps.
My gig economy chapter of life is coming to a close (more in a later post). What better way to say goodbye to NYC than one last epic walk along the concrete sidewalks that have shaped me?
Let’s dive into my NYC food crawl!
The Route:
Stop 1: Edith’s Sandwich Counter
Edith’s Sandwich Counter is a hole in the wall Williamsburg establishment dishing up made to order deli classics, but with a Jewish twist. You can get everything from bacon, egg, cheese, and latke sandwiches to pastrami cheesesteaks. I was fully intending on getting a bagel sandwich, but was sold on the Sephardi Breakfast Wrap. Oh WOW BABY was it stellar.
It consists of a Malawach wrap (a flakey, yet crispy Yemeni flatbread) filled with cheesy scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, pickled peppers, and a harissa mayo. I loved that the cheese was made into the eggs, and the pickled peppers added a little kick and nice crunch. The flatbread is what really set this sandwich over the edge for me. Flakey. Greasy. Slight crunchy. It reminded me of a paratha (an Indian flatbread that I’m obsessed with.)
Price: $14, $18.04 after tax and tip.
The Journey to Stop 2…
I made a bathroom stop in Whole Foods and continued down to Domino Park to stroll along the waterfront. As I continued south, I passed by less and less trendy Brooklynites and more and more Hasidic Jews until suddenly I stuck out like a sore thumb.
This community is comprised of Satmars, which is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that reject modern advancements. They have their own stores, schools, clothes, customs, and way of life. The men wear wide brimmed hats and have long curls (peyot) down the side of their faces. The women wear wigs, are fully covered, and don’t walk around with the same freedom as their male counterparts. I was but a visitor taking it all in.
Stop 2: Peck’s
Nearly 4 miles in and a pick-me-up was in order on this NYC food crawl. I pulled into Peck’s in Clinton Hill and got a muffin and Americano. I opted for the cherry rye muffin ($4.50), which was delightful. The cherries were fresh, not dried, which gave the muffin a nice moistness. And the rye gave it a bread-like rather than cake-like texture, which felt like a fitting snack for 11am.
Price: $9 total
Journey to Stop 3…
meandered about Cobble Hill, admiring the stunning brownstones that warrant generational wealth or a multi-million dollar idea to afford. Perhaps I checked one of the residents in at an exclusive finance conference. Or maybe one of the kids attended a posh mitzvah I danced at.
I weaved my way towards the waterfront and sat on a bench to rest my feet and let my mind work.
My Thoughts: New York City chews you up and spits you out. And no one can escape the jaw. Some people might enjoy a delicate bite. Other get a ferocious gnaw. But we all come out of on the other end changed in some regard
The journey continued back through DUMBO and over the Brooklyn Bridge. It might surprise you to hear that it was busy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Back in the day I’d get annoyed at loud tourists who couldn’t properly walk. On this journey, it made me smile to see everyone enjoying New York.
Stop 4: Mee Sum Cafe
I ventured into Mee Sum Cafe for a steamed bun on a recommendation from a foodie on Instagram. The woman rummaged around for an English menu—I suspect they don’t get too many visitors like myself. I got a roasted pork steamed bun that was huge and fluffy. The bun itself had a nice subtle sweetness, and there was a surprising amount of filling considering the fact it was a $1.50.
(Learn about my favorite chinatown bun spots HERE!)
Price: $1.50
The Journey to Stop 4…
I bopped around Chinatown and headed East. The Lower East Side has a gritty charm and each building has dozens of stories to tell. There are small boutiques, graffitied walls, and trendy cafes. Everything feels simultaneously haphazard and well-curated, with a “you’re welcomed but remember you’re not the boss” lived-in quality.
Stop 4: Flower’s Cafe
More caffeine was needed. An Americano from Flower Coffee shop did the trick. I found the fake plants on the tables ironic given the name.
Price: $5
The Journey to Stop 5…
I strolled on towards Soho taking in the noticeable shifts in vibes. Cleaner streets. Posher stores. More tourists. People with expensive, clean-cut fashion. A playground for influencers and people with platinum Amex cards.
Stop 5: Gaia
Gaia is a literal hole in the wall that dishes up Italian sandwiches, bruschetta, and pasta. I went with the Fico panini, which had arugula, prosciutto, fig, tomato, and goat cheese—AKA heaven. The sweet figs masterfully paired with the smooth goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and crunchy bread. Italian herbs and olive tied it all together.
Price: $10
(Note there was no option to add a tip onto my total… or else I would have because it was a one-woman operation and she was delightful!)
Journey to Stop 6….
I walked through Tompkin’s Square Park, which is a close second to Washington Square Park for the “weirdest NYC park” award. There were kids skateboarding. Trendy millennials walking dogs. Addicts getting their fix. A trans support organization selling lemonade. Pods of college students sitting on the ground in circles ($5 bucks they weren’t sober). There was even a lady in a homemade booth that said “Free advice from a puppet.” Sure enough, a young lady was recieving some words of wisdom from said puppet.
As I headed north I passed an outrageous vehicle, pictured below.
I continued past Union Square, through K-Town, all the way to see the Rockefeller Tree in none of it’s glory.
Stop 6: Lady Wongs
All adventures must end in a treat. I pulled into the nearest dessert shop, Lady Wong, as my legs had reached their limit. I got a small square of pandan cake and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. It had a noticeable pandan flavor, perfectly chewy texture, and sesame seeds on top tied it all together. The perfect way to end my NYC food crawl.
Price: $5.50
This NYC food crawl was the perfect way to close a chapter of life.
Cheers to another adventure in the books!
