Vanessa's Dumpling House is a street-food stop in Chinatown, New York City.
Vanessa's on Eldridge Street has sold four dumplings for $1.50 in Manhattan's Chinatown, New York City since 1999. Pan-fried, steamed or boiled.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: The sesame pancake stuffed with beef is the off-the-menu cult order. Cash speeds up the line at lunch.
Address: 118A Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002, New York City
Uncle Gussy's cart at Park and 51st has grilled pork and chicken souvlaki for Midtown office workers in New York City since the 1970s. Tzatziki.
Try: Pork souvlaki platter
Tip: Lunch only, weekdays. The line moves fast at 12:30; the platter feeds two if you split.
Souvlaki GR opened as a cart on the High Line then grew into a brick-and-mortar in the Lower East Side, New York City. Open daily 12:00-23:00.
Try: Lamb souvlaki pita with fries
Tip: The lamb souvlaki pita with fries inside is the order. Bigger sit-down menu in the back room if you want salad too.
The Halal Guys cart at 53rd and 6th has served halal chicken and rice in Midtown New York City since 1990. At W 53rd Street and 6th Avenue New York.
Try: Chicken and rice with white sauce
Tip: The original cart sits on the southwest corner; a second cart on the southeast corner is the same kitchen. The line is shorter at the southeast.
Sammy's Halal cart on Broadway in Jackson Heights, New York City has served Bangladeshi-style biryani and grilled chicken since 2001. Open daily 10:00-22:00.
Try: Chicken biryani over rice
Tip: Cash only at the cart. Ask for extra green sauce; the bright cilantro version is the menu's hidden detail.
King Souvlaki of Astoria has grilled pork and chicken souvlaki on a Queens corner cart in New York City since 2006. Open tue-sun 12:00-22:00.
Try: Pork souvlaki pita
Tip: Order pork souvlaki on a pita, fries inside the pita. The chicken is well-cooked; the pork is the better cut.
Adel's cart sits across from the Halal Guys at 53rd and 6th in New York City. Located in Midtown. Open mon-sat 11:00-22:00. At 1221 6th Avenue.
Try: Chicken and rice with white sauce
Tip: The line is half as long as the Halal Guys for arguably the better chicken. The white sauce is tangier.
