2008 Vendy Awards Finalists!
Presenting the 2008 Vendy Awards Finalists!
Fauzia Abdur-Rahman from “Heavenly Delights”
161st Street and Sheridan Avenue, Bronx
“Fauzia is a vendor you can go to every day because her menu is always changing. Jerk chicken and collard greens one day, spicy tofu the next. And her cakes are sinfully good. But apart from her food she is a wonderful, cheerful person who knows everyone in the neighborhood and takes care of them like family. She deserves the Vendy award.”
Meru Sikder from “Biriyani Cart”
46th Street & Sixth Avenue, Manhattan
“Meru provides excellent quick service with a smile. Also, he has the most variety of halal carts in Midtown, his food is consistently of high quality and very delicious and unique. The biryani served with an egg, and pickle for $5, is perhaps the best lunch deal in midtown. He also uses special sauces that no one else uses, like teryaki sauce.”
Mohammed Rahman from “Kwik Meal”
45th Street & Sixth Avenue, Manhattan
“The only reason I survived six months in the worst job I’ve ever had was that Kwik Meal was on that corner. I would go there at least three times a week. Hands down, it’s the best falafel I’ve had, and the yogurt sauce is really spectacular. The owner and his team are deadly serious about the quality of the food, and it shows. I love that they wear chefs hats when they are cooking in the cart.”
Rafael Soler from “Soler Dominican”
Clinton Street & Bay Street, Brooklyn (weekends only)
“Papusas are the ultimate street food, and Rafael is the ultimate purveyor of them. I usually get the pork and cheese papusa, which bursts with spicy ground pork and melted mozzerella. A sprinkle of pickled cabbage he throws in cuts perfectly through the grease. And Rafael is the salt of the earth.”
The Vendley Brothers (Jesse, Brian, Dave) from “Calexico Carne Asada”
Wooster & Prince Streets, Manhattan
“Calexico produces the freshest, most flavorful, highest-quality food I have ever eaten from a New York street cart. Their carne asada - marinated grilled hanger steak - is the best I’ve ever had. I am completely addicted to it. I actually find myself sitting at my desk daydreaming about it. They are also cool people - friendly and genuinely passionate about what they do.”
