Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

Where To Find The Best New Food Trucks Coming To NYC Parks

By

Elyssa Goldberg

Published Jun 23, 2011

Modified Jun 24, 2011

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Cheddar Truffle Pretzel, Sigmund Pretzelshop Pretzelcart

 

Gothamist

View all 10

By

Elyssa Goldberg

Published Jun 23, 2011

Modified Jun 24, 2011

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

In an attempt to "redefine street food," the Parks Department has partnered up with vendors from all over the city and allowed them to set up shop at all of our favorite lawns and even beach spots. Yesterday, they invited over fifteen food trucks, including architecturally-minded Coolhaus, Pullcart (of Fatty Crab and Fatty 'Cue), nutritionally-conscious Rouge Tomate, and way-better-than-Auntie-Anne's Sigmund Pretzels, among others. The vendors amassed in one concentrated block-long space in Central Park at The Arsenal for Taste of the Parks. We came, we lined up, we tasted. Below, our recommendations and where you can find all of them.

Truth be told, we lingered around the NY Dosa truck for much longer than we should have. The confident Thiru Kumar, a.k.a. the Dosa Man, knows his product is the best in town (and mentioned that it might be better than the dosa in India!) and has the accolades—numerous Vendy awards to prove it. Having learned how to make divine rice-and-lentil dosas from his grandmother, Kumar makes all of his ingredients fresh, sourcing the lentils from his brother's store in Queens and making the fine coconut chutney every morning before coming to his cart at Washington Square Park (though he mentioned that customers are only guaranteed food between 1 and 4 because he runs out). He proclaims that he was the first vegan cart in Gotham to fill the stomachs of his also vegan buddies.

Another favorite was definitely the up-and-coming Food Freak's Grilled Cheese. The food recipe obsessive who writes the blog Food Freak teamed up with his brother and their friend (both graduated from culinary school) to amp up the cheesy childhood favorite. We tasted a particularly delicious braised short rib, blackberry jam, and gruyere cheese on sourdough. They love cooking and apparently are just getting started with their Fort Greene digs. It opens in July, just in time for one of the chef's birthdays. (We know because his mom, who was there, told us.)

We also had a soft spot for Je and Jo, the new artisanal cookie dough ice cream eatery. Founder Jonathan and his girlfriend used to kid around and add cookie dough to Vanilla Breyer's until they took a cooking class to learn a little more about the science behind ice cream production. And then it was on. They started making complex flavors like the Fresh Mint Ice Cream with Lemon Lavender Shortbread in hard ice cream texture. (They're taking recommendations from customers, which means they'll be rolling out a chocolate flavor in the next two weeks or so!) Though the operation is still pretty small (both he and his girlfriend still have their day jobs, he's an architect), they're making their way up and expanding outward, having served the top-shelf product at Gracie Mansion just last night.

Sustainable food efforts were not lost on cart vendors, as Je and Jo decided to tote their ice cream on a bike and Rouge Tomate plans to equip its Central Park outpost with solar panels. But if there is one thing on which all food vendors from glorified slushy seller Kelvin Natural Slush Co. to "pupcake"-offering Cakes & Shakes agree, it's that carts are way less stuffy, way more fun, and not about to go away any time soon.

Here's where you can find the newcomers:

Tagged

central park

food trucks

gallery

parks department

Elyssa Goldberg

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Published Oct 10, 2026

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg

Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian

By

Robert Sietsema

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .