Who slings the best hash on the streets of New York? That question was answered on Saturday (24 September) at the 7th Annual Vendy Awards, the biggest and most ambitious yet, with over 1,700 people attending on Governors Island, half a mile south of Manhattan, and voting for five of the six awards.
The only judged award, decided by a panel of experts, is the Vendy Cup, which this year went to Brooklyn-based Salvadorians Rafael Soler and Reina Bermudez-Soler of Solber Pupusas (locations: Brooklyn Flea, Smorgasburg, Red Hook ball fields, Brooklyn. See video below). A pupusa is a Central American speciality of handmade corn patties stuffed variously with meats, cheeses and vegetables. Paired with sweet plantains, tamales, pickled onions and cabbage, jalapenos, and their own special sauces, and you have the makings of the best street food in New York.
Until fairly recently, it was difficult to find little else but hot dogs, pretzels and knishes on New York streets. But several years ago, a few upscale food trucks such as Treats Truck, Schnitzel & Things, Rickshaw Dumplings and Wafels & Dinges popped up, taking street food in the city to a new level. Their success brought about a whole new generation of food trucks to American streets. In 2011 alone, trucks serving lobster rolls have increased from zero to two, grilled cheese trucks from zero to three, and Korean taco trucks from zero to three, with Korilla BBQ taking home this year's Vendy Award for Rookie of the Year.
The first gourmet food truck in the US is generally acknowledged to be Kogi BBQ, serving Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine in Los Angeles. But while LA has a large and varied food truck scene, the diversity of street food in New York, and the ability to walk up to a food truck or cart instead of driving to it, makes New York the epitome of street food culture.
Desserts are also an important part of the New York street food scene, and the Best Dessert category at the 2011 Vendy Awards, won by Wooly's Ice, is another example of a new street cart making a big splash.
The treats from Wooly's Ice are inspired by Hawaiian and Taiwanese shaved ice stands, which the cart's founders visited while growing up. They beat a New York dessert staple, cannolis (Sicilian pastries) from La Bella Torte, cupcakes from the Cupcake Crew, Mexican paletas (ice pops) from La Newyorkina and soft ice cream with creative toppings from Miss Softee.
The Vendy Awards branched out in 2011 and added a new category for the Best of New Jersey, with some great new food trucks having opened across the Hudson River in Hoboken and Jersey City. The Taco Truck took home the award for its mouth-watering plates of tacos al pastor (adobo pork and pineapple), pescado (breaded catfish tacos) and elotes (corn on the cob with mayo, cojita cheese and chili powder).
While it was brutally humid on Saturday at the Vendy Awards, the rain didn't come and the food was amazing, and proof that you can now eat like a king on the sidewalk.
The winners
The 2011 Vendy Cup (overall) winner was Solber Pupusas
The People's Taste Award was won by Souvlaki GR, who won the Rookie of the Year award last year. In addition to their excellent souvlaki, they served grilled sausages with fennel and sweet red peppers, which were delicious with fresh squeezed lemon on top.
For location, check souvlakigr.com
Rookie of the Year went to Korilla BBQ for their distinctive take on Korean tacos, with marinated meats covered by shredded Monterey Jack cheese, salsa, cilantro, and their own special sauces. I'm partial to the K'illa sauce, which provides a nice, spicy kick to their tacos.
For location, check twitter.com/KorillaBBQ
Wooly's Ice, another vendor who started in 2011, won the Best Dessert category. Their ultra-thin shaved ice had the consistency of freshly fallen snow, and was topped with brownies, strawberries, and a sauce made from condensed milk, evaporated milk, and a touch of sea salt. Very refreshing on such a humid day.
In front of 79 Elizabeth Street, Manhattan. Follow on twitter at @WoolysIce
The Taco Truck won this year's new category, the Best of New Jersey award, for their corn on the cob with chilli, cheese & mayo, and their tasty tacos al pastor (adobo pork and pineapple) and pescado (breaded catfish).
The Taco Truck bounces from Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark, NJ; follow them at @TheTacoTruck