Budget Travel - Favorite street food?

One of the things I love most about travelling is all the great fast food one can buy on the street. What's your favorite?

Gee, where to start ....

Tacos anywhere in Mexico, noodle soup anywhere in Thailand (can't believe just last week I paid $10 in Columbia, SC for what costs less than a buck in Thailand - granted in a mom and pop restaurant), roasted chestnuts in Europe.

EmailKid

I love the street tacos in Mexico. Gorditas and Molotes are also on the top of the list. Gorditas are thick corn tortillas stuffed with meat, beans, cilantro and onions. Molotes are fresh tortilla dough stuffed with potato, cheese, meat and pretty much whatever else you feel like, then fried.

That's a great thread!

So many places, so little time. I agree with Mexico for my tops probably, although Thailand is great as well; I love some of the various skewered grilled meats in China, chaat in parts of India. Mmm, I'm drooling and I just finished lunch.

Also, a few particularly good carts in NY for a variety of options--14th &6th, 45th & 6th, 49th & 6th ,53rd&6th, 54th & 5th, 96th and Bway, the chili downtown (can't remember the address), Madison Square Park, etc...

Does Gelato in, well, pretty much anywhere in Italy count? :)

Brazil has great BBQ-ed cheese and little sausages (god knows what they're made of, but they're so good...especially when you're coming home drunk at 500am). They also serve great drinks at the street party in Lapa.

Thailand has great street noodles, guava with chili salt...just yum.

Malaysia has this weird burger with chili, mayonnaise, an egg, and something else that is absolutely delicious.

Poland (my homeland!) has great obwazanki (they're like a cross b/w bagels and pretzels) and smoked goat cheese (that's now often served off the grill with cranberry sauce).

Chile/Argentina--delicious empanadas

New York (not sure if this counts)...but there's no better way to get me started than a Bacon Egg & Cheese bagel with Coffee from a streetcart.

Cheesesteaks from the food trucks in Philadelphia...mmm.

Hotdogs in Manhattan :p

Seriously.. loved the stalls at the night market in Hong Kong

It probably shouldn't count since I grew up there, but Vienna hot dogs or polish in Chicago (or anywhere for that matter).

Waffles in Brussels.

Also, a big roasted chestnuts fan.

Roasted, cinnamon covered almond in Copenhagen. Especially when they are warm and it is cold outside.

Roasted nuts on the street stands in NYC, same conditions.

Roasted corn out of the cart at the bottom of the ski slope at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe.

Waffles with chocolate in Berlin.

Crepes with nutella in Paris.

Bratwurst mit brochen pretty much anywhere in Germany

Carne Asada tacos in Tijuana, lime-y fish tacos in San Diego, and I still dream of chili rellenos "burritos" from a stand in LA

A warm puffy bagel, cream cheese and coffee from a manhattan street vendor on a cold morning - I know, but I *like* the big puffy, slightly sweet "Ess-a-bagel" style bagels

Amsterdam frites with mayonnaise sauce

pierogi and potato cakes at certain PA Polish area church fairs

Lebanese thyme bread, wherever I can find it

Crawfish pies in New Orleans

lobster rolls in Maine

Dang, now I'm hungry .... ;)

Hot dogs outside the bars in Toronto mmm Corn relish
Hot dog on a stick in Shanghai (no, it's not a hotdog) (most tender meat you can find)
Dumplings or potstickers in Taipei (shi lin nightmarket)
Dried squid in Malaysia
Grilled squid in Taipei (with the hot chili powder)
Shaved ice in Taipei
Mexican style popsicles in San Jose (okay it's not traveling)
Deep fried grasshoppers in Bangkok.

I miss Asia already. I hope that Europe has a decent quality street food.

Doner Kebab in Germany.

The best to date was at a small shop in Bad Reichenhall.

Thailand is my favourite place for street food.

Breakfast: Pineapple and Melon from the hawkers with the hand cart full of ice. Or the fresh fruit smoothies/ice shakes they make for you.

Desert: Banana pancakes with sweet milk.

Yum. :p

I feel sorry for all the people who are too timid to eat at the street stalls. If it looks OK, it's cooked in front of you, steaming hot and other people are eating it then it's probably fine!

Sadly in the UK the tradition of fish and chips in a wrap of newspaper on the way home from the pub is dying out but can still be found in the smaller towns where ethnic takeaways haven't taken over.
Fish,chips,scraps ( the bits of fried batter left over ) and mushy peas all liberally doused in salt and vinegar.Yabbadabbadoo !
You also sometimes still get the seafood sellers who tour the pubs selling cockles,whelks,mussels and fish sticks.
Eels in South London.
Deep fried Mars Bars in Glasgow.

Yes,we know how to eat well !

I feel sorry for all the people who are too timid to eat at the street stalls. If it looks OK, it's cooked in front of you, steaming hot and other people are eating it then it's probably fine!

Amen, brother .... or sister :)

Haven't seen the pancakes you write of .... but methinks my fist vacation after starting this new job will be in Thailand (hopefully will make it to Cambodia as well finally), and will look for them. Gotta try those fried grasshoppers as well :D

EmailKid

Cheesesteaks from the food trucks in Philadelphia...mmm.

I am happy that you limited this to "from the food trucks". Somehow, a cheesesteak bought in a restaurant can not begin to compare.

Bratwurst mit brochen pretty much anywhere in Germany

Now, I have nothing against Bratwurst but it is not in the same league as a Krakauer.

Waffles with chocolate in Berlin

I have never been to Berlin, so I can not comment on that particular variety but a chocolate covered waffle in Belgium is not just dessert, it is heaven.

In Manhattan, the chicken-and-rice cart at 53rd St and 6th Ave, opposite the Hilton. It's there after about 7:30pm every day. There is usually a big line, with good reason.

Hey party_boy, not sure if they're as common in the Shanghai/Taiwan/southern China areas you frequent, but my absolute fav is cong hua bing (a sort of fried pancake with onion) spread with Chinese bbq sauce (no idea) and filled with egg and lettuce. Bizzare, but soooo tasty.

Also, in the fall/winter in north China, everyone has to try those little candied apples on a stick. The name is escaping me at the moment...

GREAT thread

Hey party_boy, not sure if they're as common in the Shanghai/Taiwan/southern China areas you frequent, but my absolute fav is cong hua bing (a sort of fried pancake with onion) spread with Chinese bbq sauce (no idea) and filled with egg and lettuce. Bizzare, but soooo tasty.

Also, in the fall/winter in north China, everyone has to try those little candied apples on a stick. The name is escaping me at the moment...

GREAT thread

XJ,
I know exactly what you are talking about. They do have them in some nightmarkets in Taipei, don't recall seeing them in Shanghai. I think the sauce you are referring to is a plum sauce...best related to Hoisin sauce.

The breakfast sandwich from the truck at the entrance to Presbyterian Hospital in PHL

Crepes from the crepe man where you come out of the Madeleine metro in Paris

The roasted peanuts from the guy on the bridge near the Marriott County Hall in London.

Hey, I do love the "dirty water dogs"! Last time I was there it was hard to find them for a buck. Do $1.00 dogs exist anymore?

I love, well, like the tomato/onion sauce.

Also, takoyaki in Osaka - octopus filled fried dough balls with mayonaise, fish-flakes, and sauce (it's just called sauce). Tastes better than it sounds.

Hotdogs in Manhattan :p

Seriously.. loved the stalls at the night market in Hong Kong

XJ,
I know exactly what you are talking about. They do have them in some nightmarkets in Taipei, don't recall seeing them in Shanghai. I think the sauce you are referring to is a plum sauce...best related to Hoisin sauce.
Oh god yum. I need to go back -- I'm getting twitchy.

street stalls...mmmmmmmm, the op has struck a chord with me.

to list, but a few of my favourite locales for indulging in street vendor victuals:

Jakarta: ok, so the combination of diesel, burning rubber and grilled cumi-cumi (squid) may not be too high on many peoples lists of desirable places in which to eat, but that metropolis can do good grub. also very important to note that there is some brilliant sate ayam (chicken satay) to be had, just don't forget the great peanut sauce on the side.

Cairo: another giant city teeming with life, and fortunately for me, wandering through random alleyways alongside mosques that are hundreds of years old one may find quality and delicious baba ghanouj, aubergines, falafel (fantastic) and I can't remember its name but the mix of tomatoes, cucumbers and the cheese. though again, exhaust and haloumi don't a great mix make.

Mexico City: glad to see that it's been mentioned already, because wow I don't think I had a single meal there that was less than terrific. oh right, except for that intelligent move I made eating scalding-hot corn, yep, kinda...was a downer for my tongue. though the jicama and lime pairing, good times indeed. and dare I mention pollution again? it's getting banal

I've also got a weakness for flavoured milks (outside of chocolate, another Achilles' heel of mine) and shakes, so I will give accolades to the following locations:

Bali-avocado. I've had it in a few places since then, and always enjoy it. though most of the places use palm sugar to flavour it, I reckon it's tasty without that addition.

Dubai-Medjool date milk. great

Siem Reap, Luang Prabang-banana. soooooo good

Bahrain-cardamom milk. thank you for reminding me of one of my favourite desserts, rasmalai.

Cairo-something called "doom." anyone know what I'm talking about?

New Delhi-it was great, but I don't remember the name. maybe it looked like a small coconut? yes this is vague, if the name comes to me I will edit this post

dalat, vietnam: 5 different kinds of snails at the night market

Love this post, my favourites are:

Döner in Berlin (especially those in Wedding)
Tacos al Pastor in every place in Mexico where I found them
Mutton? (hope this is the correct term in English) at a truck stop close to Mashad
Cuy in Ecuador

Roast Chestnuts from the street vendors near London bridge

Grilled banger and onions fron the guy under Tower Bridge.

Funnel Cake at almost any Midwest county or state fair.

Cracked crab from the vendors on Fisherman's Wharf at SFO

Gorditas from the little roving food trucks in L.A.

It's been mentioned before: Doner Kebab in Berlin, Germany. While in Berlin, check out a Currywurst at Curry36.
In Tel Aviv, go to Ovad and try the iraqi Doner type thing. Best portion for an adult male: 1 Full portion and one quarter (yes the guy sells a quarter portion :) )
In bavaria try a leberkäs in a roll anywhere.

Anything on a stick. It's amazing what all they can find to put on a stick and cook in Asia. I also like the belut in Philippines. :) Someone mentioned funnel cakes. Those are a favorite of mine, too.
To keep it simple, I'd also say hot dogs. Can you really beat good ole All-American hot dogs?

My #1 fave: tea with milk & sugar and a buttered roll from the breakfast carts in Manhattan

Chicken & rice in Manhattan

Hot dogs in Toronto, especially since they had chicken hot dogs and a bazillion toppings

Gorditas from the little roving food trucks in L.A.
Mmmm. I forgot how good food poisoning tastes!

Som Tam papaya salad with sticky rice and grilled chicken in Thailand is my fav street food.

I grew up on polish sausage and pork chop sandwiches from the Maxwell Street vendors in Chicago. Greasy goodness 24/7 (best after 2am).

Anyone ever have the Socorro Dogs in Tucson?

Tacos in Mexico, Burritos in California and Döner Kebap at home ;-)

Hot dogs in Copenhagen. I remember the ones wrapped in bacon being especially good.

Paul

Love this thread also.

My faves^ :

UK/Scotland- Scobby snacks in Glasgow from this one cart. It's the ultimate food after a night drinking too many pints -also fish and chipper in newspaper with some good tartar and malt vinegar

Southern France- Tomato tuna and egg sandwichs drizzled with olive oil.

Seoul-Dok Boki-Street meat grilled on a stick.(god knows it's probably dog or alley cat but it's good)

NYC hot dogs with the canned onionins mmmmmm

Oahu-Kalua pig or any of the plate lunch found everywhere on the island. Foodland Ala moana takeout sushi or Shoyu Ahi Poki:)

NYC pretzels with mustard

Love this thread also.

My faves^ :

UK/Scotland- Scobby snacks in Glasgow from this one cart. It's the ultimate food after a night drinking too many pints -also fish and chipper in newspaper with some good tartar and malt vinegar

Southern France- Tomato tuna and egg sandwichs drizzled with olive oil.

Seoul-Dok Boki-Street meat grilled on a stick.(god knows it's probably dog or alley cat but it's good)

NYC hot dogs with the canned onionins mmmmmm

Oahu-Kalua pig or any of the plate lunch found everywhere on the island. Foodland Ala moana takeout sushi or Shoyu Ahi Poki:)


All of that sounds mouthwatering.

I hate to say that I've been to all of those locations sans Hawaii, and missed them all but the fish and chips and dogs (clarification: hot dogs). Why is it that fries out of a newspaper are so much better? So's fish wrapped in newspaper. Soup and newspaper, I'm not so sure.

Why is it that fries out of a newspaper are so much better? So's fish wrapped in newspaper. Soup and newspaper, I'm not so sure.

I'll leave the soup in a newpaper to you, but ya, while it's been a long time since I've been to jolly 'ol England, fish and chips DO taste better when wrapped in a newpaper. No, don't know why .....

EmailKid

It's all about the fish and chips in the UK. They are the best to be found!

NYC: Hot dogs w/mustard, wrapped up in foil "to go". Let them steam in there for a minute or two to get the bun nice and warm. Every day for 2 summers, the same conversation with the hot dog man: "Mustard only?" "Only mustard"

Later, knishes (salt & ketchup) and a soft pretzel (mustard)

Chicago: Hot dog with everything except the sport peppers, on a poppy seed bun, with the nuclear green relish. It's a tasty mystery.

Gorditas from the little roving food trucks in L.A.


Mmmm. I forgot how good food poisoning tastes!

Nonsense! The only time I've gotten food poisoning in LA, it was from a KFC and an upscale Chinese buffet.

And if you really want to know how good they are....
The cops are THERE instead of the donut shops.

[QUOTE=tamsgaf;7254532]I grew up on polish sausage and pork chop sandwiches from the Maxwell Street vendors in Chicago. Greasy goodness 24/7 (best after 2am).

I've seen those pork chop sandwich places in Chicago. They look awesome but never was hungry enough at the time to try one!

A thing called "kapsalon" only found so far in Rotterdam... its fries in a aluminum container, covered with showarma meat, garlic sauce and sambal, then a slice of cheese, popped in the oven til cooked.. out she comes, add some lettuce and tomatoes... you will be good to go... and another is "turkish pizza".. they roll them up with salad an sauce in them... pretty damn good...instant hangover cure..^ ^ ^ ^

im surprised to see the toronto dogs get so much credit i thought i was the only one that loved them ... i put a little of everything they have out on them.. and thats alot of stuff.. lets see if i can remeber it all besides the ketchup and mustard i add

saurkraut
chopped green olives
bacon bits
corn relish
onions
relish
banana peppers

there may be more but i forget..

oh and a dog with everything in chicago.. i dont think when you're in chicago you ask for a "chicago dog"

and a bit off topic but since im talking about hot dogs.. anybody every try a hot dog at IKEA... damn good !

Chicken tikka.

Chorizo sandwich in Montevideo or BAires anyone?

Nonsense! The only time I've gotten food poisoning in LA, it was from a KFC and an upscale Chinese buffet.

And if you really want to know how good they are....
The cops are THERE instead of the donut shops.
The trucks rock.

Chorizo sandwich in Montevideo or BAires anyone?

MMMMM Chorizo. That sounds good!

breakfast tacos in Austin...yum

Love the hot dog with everything in Chicago. Mmm mmm mmmm!

I've seen several mobile kitchens selling sushi here in San Francisco, and I always thought that perhaps sushi was not the type of thing one wanted to each from a roach coach...

Hot dogs in Copenhagen. I remember the ones wrapped in bacon being especially good.

Paul

I second this. Holy crap those things rocked!!!! I know for a fact I passed many nice restaurants in favor of those dogs!!

Monkey meat and chicken feet in Olongapo City, Philippines! ^

In Manhattan, the chicken-and-rice cart at 53rd St and 6th Ave, opposite the Hilton. It's there after about 7:30pm every day. There is usually a big line, with good reason.

I second this. I worked in Manhattan for two years, and it's the only food I miss from my time there! I always went for the combo platter "with white sauce and a little hot".

Sausage and Beer in Vienna. How can you go wrong? :D

Churros, churros and more churros from any cart in downtown LA.

The 15 baht pancakes from "The Worlds Best Pancake Man" on Koh Tao. MMM

I can't believe this thread is a month old and nobody has mentioned:

Any large Japanese city - nighttime food stands for ramen or oden. Particularly after an evening of drinking.

Fresh tofu dessert with various toppings in Hong Kong, under the escalator near the lantern store. Look for the crowds eating white stuff out of small dishes.

Monkey meat and chicken feet in Olongapo City, Philippines! ^

that sentence has a nice ring to it...

Monkey meat and chicken feet in Olongapo City, Philippines! ^

You gotta be kidding with the monkey meat there? I know some people are into different ethnic food and wild game, but to eat a monkey? That's almost cannibalism based on the fact that modern man is somewhat related to monkeys. Some people more than others!

You gotta be kidding with the monkey meat there? I know some people are into different ethnic food and wild game, but to eat a monkey? That's almost cannibalism based on the fact that modern man is somewhat related to monkeys. Some people more than others!


It wasn't a real monkey meat I think, it was bite-size chunks of barbecued meat that American sailors referred to as "monkey meat". The locals simply call it barbecue. it is actually pork.

How about the Gyros from the market in Athens - had them once with a buddy on a trip after college and they were awesome. Went back a few years later on my honeymoon, and my wife loved them as much as I did :)

Cheeseburgers with pepper sauce and everything on it at this little stand in St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados near McBride's Pub and the Virgin Atlantic thing... takes forever to get service from the two old ladies, but they are the best ever!

Corn on the cob grilled on a barbeque on the street in Cyprus, lovely!

A good shwarma with tahina in Tel Aviv (or in the new city of Jerusalem), mmmm.

Away from the slick entertainment districts, you will find kebab shops or similar greasy outlets with bright lights, a stagger away from many pubs.

In Sydney, a decent meal and a beer or wine for $10 is available on the corner of George & Goulburn Sts - with a hole-in-the-wall kebab stand right next to it.

This is next to the heart of the backpacker hostel district and across from Chinatown, if you are interested.

Yea I do like SOME Australian food...just don't give me veggemite.

Chonch fritters and chonch salad in Key West, Florida.... yum!

Doner kabobs always made me cringe - there was a party of pioneers that tried to cross the Rocky Mountains in the 19th century named Donner, and they had to resort to eating their dead companions to survive. I just can't bring myself to eat Doner kabobs!

I did have an odd but very tasty meal at a Highland Games in Scotland - Ostrich burger (with onions) and chips with green curry sauce on them... yum!

Elephant ears at any American fair :) - covered with melted chocolate and powdered sugar.

Fish & chips just about anywhere in the UK - but they aren't allowed to serve them with newspaper anymore :(

"The Queen's Apples" at my local renaissance festival (Hoggetown Medieval Fair, Gainesville, FL). Take a green apple, slice and core, cover in homemade butter caramel sauce, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry... heaven!

Forgot to say - their booth is usually right next to the roasted nuts booth. "The King's Nuts"

Yea I do like SOME Australian food...just don't give me veggemite.

Any other good, inexpensive eats in Melbourne? I'm traveling with the family and we definitely could use some tips for good, inexpensive eats. We are staying in the CBD at the IC Rialto (gotta love those Point Break deals!) so any nearby specific recommendations are greatly appreciated. Hotel restaurants would kill our budget real quick.

Thanks,

Onedog

Away from the slick entertainment districts, you will find kebab shops or similar greasy outlets with bright lights, a stagger away from many pubs.

In Sydney, a decent meal and a beer or wine for $10 is available on the corner of George & Goulburn Sts - with a hole-in-the-wall kebab stand right next to it.

This is next to the heart of the backpacker hostel district and across from Chinatown, if you are interested.

Any other good, inexpensive eats in Sydney? I'm traveling with the family and we definitely could use some tips for good, inexpensive eats. We are staying in the CBD at the Sheraton (hoarded SPG for a long time!) so any nearby specific recommendations are greatly appreciated. Is Chinatown close to the CBD? We love chiinese food & kebabs. Simple but tasty food is always a plus when foraging for food for the kids. Is there a grocery store nearby the Sheraton so I can stock up on snacks and maybe buy food to pack for picnic lunches as we are touring about? We won't have a car and will be relying on public transit.

Thanks,

Onedog

You gotta be kidding with the monkey meat there? I know some people are into different ethnic food and wild game, but to eat a monkey? That's almost cannibalism based on the fact that modern man is somewhat related to monkeys. Some people more than others!

I hear you on some people more than others the related to apes. I had a couple of college roommates who must have been the hairiest guys on the planet. We use to call them the missing links!

Bushmeat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmeat) is more widespread than you think.

Onedog

Hotdogs in Manhattan :p

Seriously.. loved the stalls at the night market in Hong Kong


Best hot dog stand in NYC, 68th and Park Ave. on the SW corner.
Also I love Indian food at Taxi holding lots at LGA. (maybe I shoud drive again, just to be able to eat inexpensive, good steet food)

working on my favorite street food internationally.
Getting hungry.

bhel puri in india... dirt cheap and awsome... and so is egyptian koshari...

Any other good, inexpensive eats in Sydney? I'm traveling with the family and we definitely could use some tips for good, inexpensive eats. We are staying in the CBD at the Sheraton (hoarded SPG for a long time!) so any nearby specific recommendations are greatly appreciated. Is Chinatown close to the CBD? We love chiinese food & kebabs. Simple but tasty food is always a plus when foraging for food for the kids. Is there a grocery store nearby the Sheraton so I can stock up on snacks and maybe buy food to pack for picnic lunches as we are touring about? We won't have a car and will be relying on public transit.

Thanks,

Onedog

There's no shortage of inexpensive eats around the Sheraton. There's a whole underground of food courts in the CBD. One of my favorites is the one right underneath Myers (entrance on Pitt Street). It has all the sorts of ethnic choices. The one at QVB is good too.

Across from Town Hall there's a Woolworth's with a supermarket and internet kiosks. You can enter from George Street or at Town Hall station, which also connects to QVB.

Other recommendations. If your kids like model airplanes and trains, visit the Hobbyco inside QVB. Also Haigh's Chocolates at the Strand Arcade is pricey but worth the indulgence. They have unique truffles like lemon myrtle cream, passionfruit, and wattleseed crunch. There's a large Apple store on George Street on your way to Town Hall.

Chinatown is a good 15-20 minute walk from your hotel. You'll pass Town Hall on the way. You can take the monorail. They sell day passes, and the ride across Darling Harbour is worth it.

Have fun!

Well, since we brought this thread back to life (not that that's a bad thing, as good threads deserve to keep going ^ ), post Ike (as in Hurricane Ike), the one and same whose eye passed right over my house, we now have a lot of Mexican - American (a generic term that seems to pass for all Latinos here in Texas no matter where they come from - but that discussion is for another forum, not BT) workers, so the UPS sized vans drive down from Houston to feed them.

And they feed them well - I can attest to that, as I always try to get something to eat from them when they drive down my street :D

Taquitos de pastor con tortillas de mais are most wonderful, and a little Spanish is always appreciated ...

Que les vaya bien,

EmailKid, working on my Spanish again

I love Indian food, especially Chicken Biryani.

One of my favourites is Nasi Lemak in Malaysia for Breakfast

Fish tacos in Ensenada. yum.

Must have a Pie floater in Adelaide (aust)...a Meat pie in pea soup with sauce mmmmmmmmm

Best hot dog stand in NYC, 68th and Park Ave. on the SW corner.
Also I love Indian food at Taxi holding lots at LGA. (maybe I shoud drive again, just to be able to eat inexpensive, good steet food)

working on my favorite street food internationally.
Getting hungry.

Reminds me. I had the most AWESOME sandwich thingy from a vendor at the SW corner of 60th and Madison Ave. I've been trying to figure out what the heck it was--Middle Eastern, maybe, or perhaps North African. It was in a flatbread (maybe a flatbread pocket?) with grilled meat and veggies and a spicy sauce. Different from a doner kebab or gyro--hard to describe, but if anyone in NY happens to walk by that stand and can tell me what it is, I'd love you to death. $3 for a VERY filling sandwich--doesn't get much better than that! I do have pictures (it was so good and I wanted to know what it was, so I documented it--hard to do while sauce is dribbling down my forearm!), but they're not accessible at the moment...

mods, please make this a sticky - a great thread that I will refer to whenever I travel from now on.

Oh, and by the way:

Durum kebabs in Denmark (almost every train station has one)
Hot dogs in New York (preferably the hot sausage ones)
Cheese and meat on a stick in Brazil

Choripan at any football stadium in Argentina
Pad Thai in Pattong beach, Thailand
Steak pie in SA, Australia