lower-east-side
Yonah Schimmel's on East Houston has baked potato knishes in the Lower East Side, New York City since 1910. Wood-fired oven in the basement, retail counter on the street.
Try: Potato knish
Tip: The kasha knish is the second-pick if potato sells out. Order one with mustard and a Dr Brown's cream soda.
greenwich-village
Mamoun's on MacDougal has sold falafel sandwiches in Greenwich Village New York City since 1971. Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, shawarma; under-$10 plates, cash counter.
Try: Falafel sandwich
Tip: Open until 04:00; the bar-closing slot is the busiest. Order the falafel sandwich with hot sauce; ask for extra tahini.
east-village
Xi'an Famous Foods on St Marks Place sells hand-pulled biang biang noodles in New York City since 2005. Eight stools, fast service, lamb-and-cumin or pork ragu under $15.
Try: Spicy cumin lamb noodles
Tip: Order the spicy cumin lamb biang biang or the spicy and tingly oxtail noodles. The cold-skin noodles are summer-only.
flatiron
Shake Shack opened its first cart in Madison Square Park in New York City in 2004. Danny Meyer's burger stand; the original outdoor location with park-bench seating.
Try: ShackBurger
Tip: The line is shortest at 10:30 (breakfast) or 15:00 (post-lunch). The Concrete frozen custard is the editor pick.
woodside
Ihawan on 70th Street in Woodside Queens has run Filipino BBQ in New York City since 1987. Pork skewers, lechon kawali, silog breakfasts; under-$15 plates, family-style.
Try: Pork BBQ skewers and silog plates
Tip: The pork BBQ skewers are the lunch order. Sinigang soup is the cold-weather pick. Cash and card accepted.
flushing
Joe's Steam Rice Roll in Flushing Queens has run Cantonese steamed rice rolls in New York City since 2017. Eight fillings, two sauces, $6 to $10 plates, counter service.
Try: Rice roll wraps
Tip: The shrimp-and-scallop rice roll is the order. Cash only at the original; the second Brooklyn location takes card.