Top 10 Ugly Vs. Yummy Street Eats
Whether the food is impeccably served, or a mess of scraps, it’s the taste that really counts.
10. Doner Kebab
You could travel to Antarctica and find a doner kebab stand. These hole-in-the-wall eateries are ubiquitous in every city across the world, which isn't surprising since every variation of lamb/falafel/pita/yogurt sauce that a doner stand could serve is guaranteed to be amazing.
The weird part is—and something I will never get over—is the thought of what you're actually being served isn't in any way inviting. The giant spit of lamb that sits out all day is shaved (shaved!!) off and the meat that falls onto to greasy surface is put into a pita for you to eat. If you've ever seen a new spit of lamb being brought into a doner kebab stand, then you also have been jolted by the reality that this whole idea is pretty unappealing. They look unlike anything one would associate with actual meat. But by the sheer principle that the smell is remarkable, the taste is incredible, and they are always around when you need them, doner kebab stands qualify as one of the best street foods to exist . . . ever.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.
Author: Dayna Evans9. Cheesesteak
Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, the home of the Phillies, and the location of Benjamin Franklin's grave. But none of that stuff really matters once you've had a Philly cheesesteak.
Undoubtedly you've seen signs in other cities like Detroit or Boston offering you a "real" Philly cheesesteak, but don't be fooled—they always get it wrong. Cheesesteaks in Philly are like politics: Everyone has an allegiance to their favorite cheesesteak place.
Though the bread, meat, and Cheese Whiz combo doesn't ever look particularly appetizing, the scent of Geno's, Pats, and Jim's can be smelled from miles away. That is enough to get you hooked. But make sure you pick your shop and stick with it because Philly is also known for its riot-inducing loyalty.
And politicians? Seriously, do not order swiss cheese on your steak-that's political suicide in Philly.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.8. Pupusas/Churros/Tacos
If it is fried, stuffed with meat, or covered in cilantro and salsa verde, I want to be a part of it. All three of these delicious treats are served on the street and in nearly every city in the world (seriously, how is that possible?).
Though the quality can vary, there is no doubt that the meal you'll eat at a fancy Latin fusion restaurant will be six times the price and a quarter of the taste than getting a $1 churro on the street.
Don't be alarmed if your taco truck sells cow tongue tacos- trust me, they're good. And don't be turned off by the open-air flipping of pupusas on a rusting, dilapidated grill.
That only means that they're made with love and care. If you're interested in the real deal of Salvadoran/Spanish/Mexican food, look no farther than your corner taco truck.
And to wash it all down? A homemade, unfussy cup of horchata.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.7. Nuts 4 Nuts
There is only one thing to say about the ever-present sweet nuts stands in New York: Don't eat them. No matter how amazing they smell and how crispy and sweet they look. Do. Not. Eat. Them.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.6. Poutine
If currywurst had a Canadian cousin made from potatoes and cheese instead of fried meat, it would be poutine. Poutine is the unfortunate-looking equivalent of Germany's favorite street dish.
French fries covered in brown, goopy sauce, and then layered with chunks of fresh cheese curds- a surefire way to make the inexperienced's stomach churn. In this case, however, poutine easily sets itself apart from currywurst because poutine is unbelievably tasty.
It's one of life's best drunk foods, an astounding accomplishment considering how gross it actually looks. But there is just something about the melty cheese curds and hot fries that make a hangover seem a little more manageable in the morning.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.5. Ice Cream
We all remember them from our youth by the distinctive melody and standard offerings, but things have changed. Yes, Mr. Softee still exists and yes, you can still get the baseball mitt ice cream with the bubblegum in the middle.
But ice cream trucks have really upped their game. These things are so full of options that you have to wonder where all the ice cream actually goes—there's even an entire truck dedicated only to ice cream sandwiches (and it's amazing).
Not to mention, the trucks themselves are tricked-out, gorgeous, and immaculately clean. Though it's hard to abandon the middle-aged guy smoking a cigarette who was invariably the driver of your childhood ice cream truck, it is definitely worth it.
From a Monday Sundae in a Nutella-lined cone to a Strawberry-Basil ice pop, cold treats have changed for the better.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.4.Fried Bugs
When I first saw Timon and Pumba eating bugs in The Lion King, I thought eating bugs seemed all right—they were colorful and cartoony and had weird oozes like candy. But that was a kids' movie.
In real life, fried bugs get eaten as a street food delicacy all over the world, except they aren't cute and multicolored like a Disney movie. They look like bugs. Bugs on sticks, bugs by the bagful, bugs with all their limbs and body parts in tact.
Adventurous eater or no, there's no avoiding that fried bugs are the most ugly, unsavory-looking street food being sold anywhere in the world.
Though I'd generally try anything once, until fried bugs look a little prettier, they definitely aren't making that list.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.3. Currywurst
I am a huge advocate of the heart-stopping effects of eating fried, fatty foods. Those foods always happen to be the best. But when it comes to currywurst, which, in theory could actually be amazing, you could go your whole life without touching it and be happy.
Does it look pleasant? No. It's a decimated sausage fried until porous and cut into unappetizing rounds, which are then covered with curry powder and, ostensibly, ketchup.
Served in a flimsy paper holder with either dried out French fries or a roll, currywurst is both ugly and unappetizing. It's . . . the wurst.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.2. Takoyaki
It would be no surprise that if someone offered you ''octopus balls'' you'd run away in horror. Then you'd spend half of your time that day wondering if these were literally the genitalia of an octopus (gross) or if they were somehow balls with octopus in them?
Luckily, the latter is the case, and though the name isn't appealing, they are unbelievably delicious. Battered and fried and brushed with mayonnaise and dried fish, they are the wet dream of fried fish eaters everywhere.
One could say they are the Japanese version of the UK's fish and chips, but better. And worse for you.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.1. The Generic ''New York'' Food Stand
There are a few varieties of food stand that everyone associates with New York City (and sometimes they're conveniently combined): the hot dog stand, the pretzel/five-dollar soda stand, and the pastry/coffee stand.
In times of unstoppable hunger, a pretzel the size of your face or a hot dog with "the works" may sound like good ideas.
They're not. No matter how little you've eaten, a dried-out Boston creme doughnut from one of many identical stands will never make you feel better.
Sure, these things look tempting- how could you come to New York without getting a real New York hot dog?- but I guarantee that everything these stands sell is at least four days old.
Tune in as we undress pop culture's most beloved obsessions. Don't miss LOVE LUST | STREET EATS and more, Tuesdays at 10p.
