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Astoria, Broadway @ 30th Street
Vendy Award Nominee 2005Location: Broadway at 30th Street, Astoria, Queens
Hours: 11am - 8pm ('til 11pm on Fri., midnight on Sat.)
Days: 7 (?)
Dishes: spiced chicken, shawarma, felafel sandwiches (in pita or hero) and platters, philly cheesesteak, shish kebab, kefta platter
Prices: $3-$4 sandwiches, $4-$6 platters
Continuing on my Astoria kick, this excellent pushcart has a number of notable features.
First of all, I have to touch on the pickles. There are 3 varieties of pickle that are included in every dish - pickled onion, clove-flavored gherkins, and turnip strips colored bright red with beet juice. I've never seen anything like this anywhere else, and they are both tasty and beautiful on the plate.
Second, the chicken. Really, really good. I've sampled everything else on the menu except the cheesesteak, and although the kefta platter (a grilled patty of ground beef flavored with, among other things, cinnamon) is nice if you want a bit of variety, nothing really touches the chicken. The fact that the menu refers to it simply as "The Plate" as much as annouces this fact. Plus they throw in a creditable felafel ball...
Which brings me to the felafel. Interesting, and unlike other felafel in several ways. They are football shaped and strongly orange colored. I'm not a felafel expert, and I have no idea what the difference in preparation is here.
Lastly, a general observation - this is the second heavyweight pushcart I've visited which is located right outside a supermarket (the other is Super Taco), which suggests a natural symbiosis between the two. It's much wiser to shop after you have a bite to eat, 'cause it cuts down on impulse buying.
So pull on up and fill on up!
Posted by Sam on June 26, 2006 07:40 AM
Comments
This is my "home cart" and I probably eat here about 2-3 times a week.
As you say, the chicken is really, really good. You didn't mention it, but diners have a choice between yellow and basmati rice. I like the yellow more, but the basmati is perhaps a little more interesting.
Also, it should be noted that this is actually on Broadway and 30th street, not 34th street.
Posted by: Matt Law ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.kapshow.com/pushcartnyc/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 28, 2006 03:59 PM
Yes -- I love the choice of rice. I'll have to take your word about the intersection -- I thought I was being careful, but I also kept getting turned around as I was walking!
Posted by: Sam at August 3, 2006 11:11 AM
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