Peels

Peels is located in NYC's Lower East Side at 325 Bowery. If you can't stand the wait for a table (and there usually is a long wait) then you can order take out.

I ordered a biscuit ($3) and fried chicken breast ($6) which made a tasty meal. It was ready in a few minutes.

The Shaved Ice Shop

...has a booth at the Hester Street Fair. For $5 you get a healthy portion of fluffy shaved ice with your choice of 3 toppings (I chose watermelon, mango and salted caramel corn) and your choice of Mango Sorbet or Green Tea Ice Cream (I kept with the mango theme). Delicious.

Ever since I visited Honolulu I have been a shaved ice fan and now I can quench my craving back home in NY!

Mighty Balls

Is the latest to jump on the meatball bandwagon. They have a spot at the Hester Street Fair on NYC's Lower East Side. I tried beef "just balls" (3 for $7) with South African onions. The meatballs were a little dry and the onions spicy.

The Meatball Shop

...is located at 84 Stanton Street on NYC's Lower East Side.

"C" had the daily special with spicy pork meatballs with mushroom sauce and tossed salad ($9).

I had the daily special with beef meatballs with tomato sauce and tossed salad ($9).

Then we topped it off with an ice cream sandwich ($4) - chocolate ice cream with one brownie cookie and one coconut macaron.

Xiao Ye

...is located in NYC's Lower East Side and I wanted try it because of their Cheeto Fried Chicken - brined in buttermilk, battered in Cheetos and served with chili organge marmalade dipping sauce ($13).

So I dragged "C" with me and we ordered the fried chicken which was more like nuggets (breast meat) and neither crispy nor Cheeto-y. I was disappointed because there only seemed to be a light dusting of Cheetos.

We topped it off with a Taiwanese Flat Booty Cake - pancakes with spicy lychee condensed milk sauce, crushed peanut, lychees and fresh whipped cream ($12). This was like a Chinese riff on breakfast. The pancakes were fluffy and light.

The drinks were the main attractions (as this more of a bar than a restaurant). I can't even remember what I had because it was pure vodka poured over a mountain of shaved ice topped with lychees. Whew!

Grub Street Food Festival - Part 4

And now for the desserts!

I had to try a fried pie from Melt Bakery. I was torn between the apple and pumpkin, but since it was a blustery Fall day and I've had fried apple pies before I chose the pumpkin ($5). It was fried on the spot and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Yummy!

Then I couldn't resist trying a coconut lemon tartlet from Grandaisy ($4). It was a substantial tartlet - very moist and more coconut than lemon.

Grub Street Food Festival - Part 3

Due to the electrical issues several food vendors could not cook/heat up their food. This put a damper on my plans because I was waiting for The Commodore (pork boat), Mile End (brisket) and Pies N Thighs (mini chicken biscuit).

I was able to try Char 4's beef and pork chili - very good and served with a spork ($6).

And I settled for a biscuit with salsa and cream cheese from Pies N Thighs ($2).

Then I had a truffle and cheddar pretzel from Sigmeund's ($3).

I also tried bacon marmalade from the food vendor with the same name. I was tempted, but didn't buy a jar ($9) because was afraid I would go home and eat the entire thing in one sitting.

Grub Street Food Festival - Part 2

I had a medium slush from the Kelvin truck. I chose ginger for the base and candied pineapple for the mix in. Yummy and refreshing.