Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

I came here for the cheeseburger egg rolls. I stayed because I burned the shit out of my mouth on them, and needed a skin graft.

We arrived at this bright and airy brunch spot in Soho adjacent right when they opened and the place filled up shortly after that.

I was just about to devour the eggrolls in peace until a European couple got seated about 1.2 inches from our table, so we had to tone down our conversations and I had to eat less like a wild animal who’s last meal was about a week ago. Ugh.

They looked over at our eggrolls and I gave them a shining endorsement. I think one of them was a vegetarian and was not too pleased with my recommendation. She avoided all further eye contact afterwards. If she didn’t care to sear the roof of her mouth clean off via piping hot fried tubes of ground mammal flesh, that was her loss.

The fried chicken was pretty much perfect and I loved the dipping sauce. I think too many restaurants assume their chicken is perfect on it’s own. Everything can be improved by the addition of a dipping sauce. It’s been scientifically proven.

Turkey burgers usually bore the crap out of me (dry, flavorless), but this one was pretty decent and comes with a ton of fries. The meat was juicy, and chock filled with tons of herbs. Very flavorful. Shockingly so.

I would definitely return to Delicatessen. Those hot ass egg rolls were really fantastic, the service was friendly and prompt and I would love to try the other things on the menu.

Perhaps, next time I’ll even wait a few minutes before attempting egg roll oral surgery again.

54 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
b/t Mulberry St & Lafayette St
Nolita
(212) 226-0211
delicatessennyc.com

Doctor’s Orders – $14
Bulleit Rye, blood orange puree, orange bitters, muddled lemon, rocks

Cappucino

Cheeseburger Spring Rolls 12
ketchup-mustard sauce

The Bird – $15
fresh ground turkey, blend of herbs, whole wheat bun

Buttermilk Fried Chicken – $22
coleslaw, cornbread, house-made ranch

Hometown Bar-B-Que is home of the 5 hour BBQ.

Do I mean the meat is famous of being smoked for 5 hours?

No.

What I mean is, the entire experience will take you 5 hours, from when you leave your tiny ass apartment, til when you step tired foot back home. It’s a…journey.

Was it worth it? Yes, every New Yorker should try Hometown once.

The food was really tasty, the place is charming, the bartender lady was really fun (gave us free shots) and it was a fun excursion to Red Hook, especially the free Ikea water taxi back to Manhattan.

But no need to go through that twice. Unless you are having a hankering for an Ikea shopping spree.

All the sides were wonderful and the brisket was perfection but I’m not sure I’d order the Jerk Baby Back ribs again. A little too charred for my liking. Maybe that was just an accident?

454 Van Brunt St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
b/t Reed St & Beard St
Red Hook
(347) 294-4644
hometownbarbque.com

Smoked Pit Beans – $6

Collard Greens & Backyard Potato Salad – $6 each

Texas-Style Queso Mac & Cheese – $6

Brisket

Brisket 1/2 lb – $14

Jerk Baby Backs – $18

Some stranger’s platter of delights

“Do you live in the neighborhood?” the waitress asked me, as soon as I had finished ordering.

“No, I live in Chelsea”.

At that moment I was given an extremely subtle “Oh….well, what the hell are you doing all the way down here??” glance before she pleasantly walked away.

As many times as I’ve told strangers that I live in Chelsea, I still find myself having trouble determining what they think of my neighborhood. Do they think I’m rich? Or a snob? Or boring, because Chelsea isn’t the most exciting place, from a restaurant standpoint.

Maybe I should start telling everyone I live in Hoboken?

Nakamura is a cute little ramen spot (when are ramen spots every large and spacious??) right next to the entrance of the Williamsburg bridge. It’s near the Delancey street subway station, but as you’re walking to the restaurant, you’re hit with the impression that you’re headed the wrong way.

Or the right way to a quick and brutal assault.

The Ramen is on the pricey side. In total, mine cost $25 which included a nice tip. $16 was the base but you have to order that wonderful $2 egg. You have to. Or the only assault you’ll have to worry about is from me.

I ordered the Curry Spiced Beef ramen, which was really tasty. The noodles were a bit thicker than I prefer but the broth was lovely. I rarely see curry ramen, so I always jump on it when it appears on a menu.

The broth is chicken based, so it’s not as thick and fatty as the pork based Tonkotsu that every new ramen joint sells.

The beef was really high quality and not too fatty. You’re definitely paying more for higher standards, so getting super full for $25 bucks isn’t the worst deal in NYC.

Getting full for $8 and then spending the next few hours in agony in the bathroom….definitely not a great deal, cheapo.

172 Delancey St.
New York, NY 10002
b/t Attorney St & Clinton St
Lower East Side
(212) 614-1810
nakamuranyc.com

Notice the “Cirantro” misspelling. Crute, I mean cute.

Ajitsuke Egg – $2

Curry Spiced Beef Ramen – $16