Dear readers,

    Last time I shared some information about transportation in New York City with you. Hopefully, you found it interesting and easy to understand. This week I’d love to talk to you about dining in NYC. By dining, however, I don’t mean sit-down restaurants. Rather, I am referring to “restaurants on wheels” — the iconic food stands in the city.

    Food stands are mobile food shops that are set up on the side of the street. They range from big to small. At food trucks, vendors serve food through a large window on the side of the truck. Food carts are smaller than food trucks, and serve from a cart with wheels, such as hot dog and pretzel stands.

    Food stands are mostly concentrated around college campuses, office buildings, and densely populated tourist attractions, where customers are looking for a warm, quick and inexpensive meal. Food stands not only provide these conveniences, but also an unbelievably diverse array of cuisines that span virtually every continent. You can expect to find anything from spicy noodles to crisp puffed pastries and moist chocolate desserts. Walking down the streets, just the delicious smell of these foods can make your mouth water and your stomach growl.

    However, be warned that despite all the conveniences street-side food offers, there are downsides to consider. The most important issue is hygiene. You should be cautious about the food you are eating. Check to see if the food is made fresh and how it is prepared. Additionally, although food trucks are relatively cheap compared to restaurants in the city, they may still be overpriced. But a lower cost may also come at the expense of food quality and taste, as is the case for food everywhere. Lastly, the better tasting food stands tend to attract long lines of customers. In that case, these popular food stands lose their appeal of offering fast meals, especially if you are in a hurry.

    Sincerely,

    Bingyin