A 71% Positive Eating Day in NYC (Sorry No Pics)

Hi everyone,
I was in NYC last Saturday the 21st taking a writing course on what else but food writing and turned before, after and the lunch break into an eating trip. Out of the 7 stops I made I liked 5 of them so thats how I got the 71% in the title and for my fellow mathematically challenged brothers and sisters, I had to use a calculator.
 
The first stop of the day was right near the 14th st PATH station. The Donut Pub is located at 203 W 14th St between 6th Ave and 7th Ave. it is a very cool coffee and donut shop with an awesome atmosphere, a few stools at a counter, some neon lights and probably the best donut I've ever had. I had a yeast donut with vanilla icing and sprinkles and it blew any chain donut away. I'll even rate it above hot Krispy Kreme's it was that good. it was so soft and fresh I wish I had ordered more than one but I had to get to class. (1 for 1)
 
The lunch break for the class which ran from 11AM until 6PM was at 2:30. My first order of business was to get a dog at a random street cart. I stopped at the first one I saw, it was on 14th St and 6th Ave. He had a Sabrett umbrella and Shofar Kosher stickers on his cart. I was under the impression that Shofar Kosher doesn't exist anymore, but whatever. The dog with mustard and onions in sauce on it was nothing special so on I went in search of more sustenance. (1 for 2)
 
Earlier that morning before class I had spotted a  Papaya King stand at 7th Ave and 14th St so I went back there and got a dog. www.papayaking.com It was nicely grilled on a flat top and topped with mustard and relish. I would have gotten a chili dog but the guy behind the counter said their chili has beans in it, and thats definitely a no no. very nice dog with a good taste and snap. I've been to their location in Clifton, NJ on the 2007 NJ Hot Dog Tour and was just as impressed now as I was then. (2 for 3 we're batting .666)
 
Two hot dogs wasn't enough for me and my ever expanding gut so I went in search of something else. Down the street from Papaya King was Fat Sal's Pizza at 217 W 14th St. www.fatsals.com I went in and got a slice with pepperoni. It was an average slice of pizza and nothing special. (2 for 4)
 
After the class ended at 6pm I made my way down to the East Village to try a trio of places I've been meaning to eat at for quite a while now. 
 
The first one was Bamn! Automat at 37 St. Marks Pl. www.bamnfood.com Yes I know it has received mixed reviews on here including less than favorable comments on a thread about it I posted a few weeks ago. However I decided to go anyway just to try one item that seemed interesting and to experience the ultimate vending machine. I'm glad I went. I had a mac and cheese croquet which was basically an eggroll sized chunk of breaded and deep fried mac and cheese and it was yummy. I don't think I would eat an entire meal there, but it was a cool experience. (3 for 5)
 
The next place was a few blocks away. I've been meaning to go to Crif Dogs at 113 St Marks Pl. for a while now and it was really good. it's located in the basement of a building in the East Village and it has a special kind of personality that you will definitely find prevalent in the area. I ordered a spicy redneck which is a deep fried bacon wrapped dog with chili and cole slaw. It typically comes with sliced jalepenos on top but I asked for mine without them. I've heard that Crif is a knockoff of Rutt's Hut in NJ and uses the same Thumann's beef and pork deep fry dog and since I'm not a huge fan of Rutt's I wasn't expecting to love the dog, but it was really good though. As was the red birch beer that I had with it. Definitely a good dog and another place I would revisit. (4 for 6)
 
The final stop on my "Dave is a fat pig whirlwind one day NYC eating trip" and my favorite stop of the day was Pommes Frites at 123 2nd Ave. www.pommesfrites.ws
This is a belgian french fry shop with extremely good fries. They double fry them for a soft inside with a crunchy outside and they are thick cut as well. They also offer 25 different dipping sauces ranging from regular ketchup to Vietnamese pineapple mayo. I ordered a regular order (the smallest one available) and a side of horseradish mayo. Wow... the fries were incredible. Probably the best fries I've ever had. and the horseradish mayo was excellent as well, nice and creamy with the perfect amount of spicy horseradish bite. I wasn't able to finish the fries and ended up throwing some away. This is a place I'd like to bring my wife to along with some other people. It would be fun to get a large order of fries and a bunch of different dipping sauces. All in all the day was a success with the East Village stops a delicious variety.
 
Dave

DPuro329 -

The Automat sounds pretty interesting as does the red river birch beer.

I love good pommes frites as well.  Thanks for sharing!

DPuro..

Great report. The last three places have been covered by a few people, including me.  Frankly, I give you a lot of credit for taking one for the team at bamn. 
Last year I visited the city for a trip report, and like you, I concluded it with visiting the last three places you have mentioned.
billyboy has visited and posted photos of the last two same places also.
I hope it is okay that I add some visuals to your report...

bamn

 

 Frites shoppe



And finally, Criff's, where I also had the redneck dog and the birch beer...


The whole trip report that I did:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=367826&high=doggydaddy
There is no such thing as a boring trip report when you are in NYC.

mark

doggydaddy -

Thanks for adding the photos...I remember the orginal thread and was interested in the vending system...

DPuro329, 

Nice write-up!  Great cross section of stops.  The Donut Pub is one of my favorites and a great old school donut/coffee shop.  Not a huge fan of cake style donuts but they make some really good ones there that are soft inside and have that great crispiness outside.  I do so love their yeast donuts, especially the honey dip!  

Next time you're in town, check out the Gray's papaya on the corner of 6th Avenue and West 8th Street.  My go to place when I'm craving a hot dog and the 2 dogs and a drink "Recession" special for $3.45(?) is a good deal.

Glad you got to experience BAMN!, although it's not my favorite place.  The novelty of it is interesting and it seems a bit pricey for what it is.  My friends who had gone to the old Horn & Hardart automats said it just isn't the same.  I do think they have found their niche though with the "after last call" crowd in that neighborhood.  If you're in that neighborhood again, the DESSERT TRUCK is usually parked on the corner of St. Mark's Place & 3rd Avenue Mon-Sun from 6pm to 12 midnight and they make some really great desserts, most of which are $5.  Check out the website: http://desserttruck.com/ 

Good call on the Spicy Redneck at Crif's!!  

Ahhhhhhh, Pommes Frites.  I think I have only ever finished a regular order once.  It's huge!  I was just there on the 25th and had an order with Roasted Garlic mayo and Sweet Mango Chutney mayo.  They really nail the frites perfectly: slightly crispy, yet creamy inside and great potato flavor.  

Thanks for taking us along on the trip!

DPuro329
I wasn't able to finish the fries and ended up throwing some away.

 

I think I speak for RoadFooders

everywhere when I say:

 

DPuro329: Good report.  Your excellent descriptions made up for the lack of photography, and I am glad that you mentioned Pommes Frites, so I can add them to my list of places to visit in ten weeks.

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your kind words about the report.

Doggy Daddy thanks for the pics. I'll try to post some for my next eating trip, I always seem to forget my camera though.
 
I've heard great things about Horn & Hardart but it was before my time (I'll be 30 in a few weeks). BAMN was an experience and I definitely think it's a late night spot Although I enjoyed the fried mac and cheese I bought it because I only had 2 singles on me and didn't want to break a $20 or a $10.

i95, I agree too about wasting the fries, i hate throwing out perfectly good food. I was so full though and had I gone to Pommes Frites first I never would have made it to Crif or Bamn. I also had a good 2+ hour commute back home which isn't so good with a stomach ache.

Dave 

DPuro329
i95, I agree too about wasting the fries, i hate throwing out perfectly good food. I was so full though and had I gone to Pommes Frites first I never would have made it to Crif or Bamn.

I'm just pulling your leg as I, myself, look forward to visiting NYC's Pommes Frites this weekend. 

I have still never done NYC but I have to say Crif's and Pommes Frites would be way up my list.  Nice report Dave!