Street Meat
Friday, 2pm — Ave. of Americas and W. 53rd St., SW corner. This is the “real” Famous Halal cart, as opposed to the “imposter” cart across the street. This cart is open until late at night, and on the right hand side of the image you can see their courier loading up his bicycle basket with empty tins to be replenished with fresh food supplies. There is always a waiting line, sometimes as long as 20-30 minutes on summer days at lunchtime.
True story: Some years ago, around 1 a.m., a motorist pulled up to this cart and jumped the line for an order of, let’s say, “combo chicken and lamb over yellow rice with white sauce and hot sauce.” A guy who was waiting in line got so angry that he chased the interloper down the side street until his car hit hit a red light and then stabbed him to death.
In addition, this particular gyro meat cart, among scores, perhaps hundreds, of other carts offering exactly the same menu, is a tourist/visitor destination (Hilton, NY is the backdrop in this pic). It has been featured on Bourdain’s “No Reservations,” and in numerous published articles.
Is it better than the others? Yes, it is. And, ironically, it’s generally accepted that cab drivers and most other motorists who stop will sneak up to the street side of the cart and be served ahead of the waiting pedestrians.
