Hot Dog Carts in New York City

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Vincent Salerno

Two weeks ago, I did research on hot dog carts in New York City. Hot dog carts can be traced all the way back to the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. I discovered that in the 1870s, a man by the name of Charles Feltman opened up his Ocean pavilion beer garden located in Coney Island. Later on, a young employee of Charles named Nathan Handwerker opened up his own hot dog stand, and he sold his hot dogs at a cheaper price of 5 cents a hot dog. Nathan’s hot dog stand grew into a multimillion dollar business and his hot dog stand located in Coney Island continues to sell more than a million hot dogs a year. When I visit New York City, I always get a hot dog from these food carts. These boiled hot dogs are the most delicious hot dogs that I have ever eaten. Now, hot dog vendors have started to change; these vendors now sell new types of hot dogs and foods such as halal. The new type of hot dog that people in New York City are now raving about are grilled ones. Many people in New York are looking for healthier food options for themselves and their kids. This is why hot dog carts around the city are offering these new food items besides unhealthy pretzels and boiled hot dogs. The hot dog stand is a well suited symbol to represent the cuisine of New York City. The hot dog stand business has changed dramatically over the past twenty years and who knows how it will evolve and change in the near future.

Holiday Market in the Garment District

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Cheryl Manole

On Wednesday, Anna and I went into Manhattan. We went to go visit Macy’s and do some Christmas shopping. However, as we were leaving Macy’s we stumbled upon a small street market. Two blocks had a line of small booths that contained clothes and also a variety of foods. The different foods included were empanadas, macroons, and wine. In fact, there was a separate wine section that was a part of the second block. The whole market was not that busy, but the wi 917 ne sections definitely had some business.

This mo 916 dern day market reminded me of the markets we learned about in Dr.Smith’s class. Even though they do not feature the same format or foods, they are definitely a place for vendors to share their goods.

All in all, even though Anna and I just skimmed the market, the spontaneity of the market made it really fun to look through. The entirety of the market showcased the variety of New York City and how it is truly a melting pot.

Korean BBQ

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Shannon Bailey

Boka

Recently I met up with two of my friends in Manhattan. I hadn’t seen them in around three years and I thought it was time for us to get together again! We had gone to a school in Connecticut together, but when we went to different high schools we lost touch. I was a day student, and they were both boarding students from Korea. Since many of the students at the school were from different countries and had different backgrounds, I was often exposed to as much of their culture, as they were mine. Our dining hall also did what they could to accommodate such different tastes in their cooking. I became familiar with foods that I otherwise wouldn’t have known, such as kimchi. When I suggested we meet up, I let them pick the restaurant. My friends, Brian and E, decided on a place called Boka. E said that it was a very popular hangout place for NYU students, and that they served great Korean barbecue. I didn’t know what Korean barbecue was, but I agreed that if they liked it then I probably would too! It turns out that Korean barbecue is just crazy good barbecue that I highly recommend.

Delicious!

Brian and E are two friends that I had hoped to keep in touch with after graduation, and I’m so glad that we could see each other again! I’m thankful for the experiences that I had at school with them. I was able to get an understanding of other cultures from those who were from the actual countries. In a way, it prepared me for my experiences here in New York City. I’m thankful that I have a background that encouraged the introduction of new foods into my life. Without the influence that I felt there to embrace new things I don’t know if I would have such an open mind about food here in New York.

Shannon

Immigrating to the United States

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Vincent Salerno

A few weeks ago in my history class, I read a section of the book “97 Orchard” by Jane Ziegelman. The section that I read about contained information about the Rogarshevsky family, who were a Russian-Jewish family. This section of the book talks about the family’s immigration story and life for them on the Lower East Side in New York. The Rogarshevsky family immigrated to the United States from Telsh, Lithuania. Abraham and Fannie Rogarshevsky, their five children, along with an orphaned infant niece, sailed from Hamburg and reached Ellis Island on July 19, 1901. The family moved to 97 Orchard St. around 1908. Abraham was a presser in a garment factory and he was paid by the piece. Sadly, Mr. Rogarshevsky was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died the next year. Fannie took in boarders to support the family after her husband died and became the building janitor. She was not paid, but she did not have to pay rent to live in the building. The pushcart markets were essential to the Rogarshevsky Family and many other families living on the Lower East Side. Pushcarts allowed these families to buy a wide variety of familiar foods at the lowest possible prices and quantities they wanted. One of the main dishes that Jewish families (like the Rogarshevsky family) ate were vegetables in the form of soup. Some of these dishes included beet, cabbage, and carrot soups. Jewish families also used beans, onions, carrots, celery and barley to make a chewy soup known as krupnik. Life in the tenement houses could be hard for many immigrant families, but they also looked out for each other. Immigrants and their neighbors took the responsibility of feeding each other; immigrants gave gifts or food to families struck by tragedies such as death and sickness. There were many windows in these tenement apartments, so many of these families had no privacy. However, this made sure that many immigrant families watch out for the other families in the building and help those families that are in need.

After reading this section of “97 Orchard”, I was reminded about my grandmother’s immigration story to the United States. In 1948 she immigrated to the United States from Italy when she was 18 years old. I love my grandmother very much and reading about this immigrant family reminds me of what my grandmother went through when she came her. My grandmother did not have much money growing up in Italy and Italy was also a dangerous place to live in because of World War II. In hope of a better life (like the Rogarshevsky and many other immigrant families) my grandmother immigrated to the United States and she raised a family in Brooklyn, New York. My grandmother did not have a easy time in the United States; she had to work long hours in a sewing factory like Abraham Rogarshevsky and she was also paid by the piece. This reading gave me a newfound love and appreciation for these immigrants and even my own grandmother. This reading allowed me to show how strong and courageous these immigrants like my grandmother were. They came to this country in search of a new life and through hard work, many of them were able to achieve success, as well as bringing their cultures to the United States.

This is a family portrait of the Rogarshevsky family.

This is a picture of the Jewish dish known as krupnik.

The Tragic Attack on Paris

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Nicole Delengos

In my previous history class, Dr. Smith devoted the class to discussing the recent attack on Paris. Paris was recently attacked by a terrorist group called ISIS. ISIS managed to bomb small restaurants, cafes, etc., killing approximately 130 people in there mid 20’s and 30’s. These people were innocent and were just enjoying themselves on a Friday night and in a matter of seconds their world came crashing down on them. This attack has brought about a lot of questions and concerns about our safety and as to why this is all happening.

ISIS has brought a lot of panic all over the world. People are scared to leave their houses. Parents are scared to leave their kids alone due to all of these crazy things that go on in this world we live in today. Why should we be living in fear? Living in New York, i always believed I was safe but after these bombings and hearing how ordinary people like me got killed while innocently drinking coffee, seriously concerns me. It concerns me even more knowing that ISIS is now targeting us. We can not stop our lives because of what is happening, and I do not believe we can do anything because it’s in the hands of ISIS and our government. It is our governments job to protect us and keep us safe. There are some things that we can not stop because it is not in our hands, but I do believe we should be on high alert and have extra security until this issue is resolved. ISIS is succeeding in making us feel afraid and fear what’s to come with all the videos they are releasing throughout the media.

It deeply saddens me to know what our world has come down to. These attacks and bombs should not be okay. New York City has experienced a terrorist attack once before, the falling of the Twin Towers, and since that devastating day we have picked ourselves up and have become an even stronger nation. This Paris attack was a sign for us to be careful and take ISIS more seriously.

The Devastating Paris Attacks

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Olivia Silvestri

During our History class with Dr. Smith we spoke about the Paris attacks and the impact it would have on us. Many of my classmates did say that these attacks on Paris did effect their decisions on going on trains or into Manhattan. This was an obvious anwser to me because we are all young adults who are witnessing horrible acts from people who are threatening NYC.These terrorist are threatening our home and many are worried they are going to hit NYC next.

I am definatly concered about ISIS and their next attack but it is not going to stop me from living my life and going to NYC. I believe that ISIS wants people to live in fear because its a sign that they are succeeding. I do have to say my parents are nervous about me going to the city and going on the train but they also realize that you cannot be scared and stop your life because the fear of being attacked. NYC is beloved by many and should not stop being enjoyed by all who come.

I think New Yorkers should be aware of their surroundings and precautious. In all reality we don’t know if NYC is going to be attacked but I belived that everyone should just becareful and enjoy what NYC has to offer.

Dumpster Diving in NYC ?

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Olivia Silvestri

When I hear the word Dumpster I automatically think of a huge container that is filled with piles of grarbage spanning from food/drinks, to furniture and maybe even clothes. During one of our RFT-LC 13 class meetings my class and I watched a film on people called Dumpster divivers. At first I was a bit grossed out thinking that people who dont really need to be rumaging through the trash was, in order to attain perfectly fine items in the dumpster. But the more I watched the video I was actually very intreged and suprised how much good food was being thrown out for no reason.

In the video when the guy was outside on the streets and there were huge bags filled with freshly made bread it made me think of how wasteful many people are. When I saw that bag filled with loafs of bread I thought to myself, why wouldn’t these places donate their extra food to a homeless shelter or soup kitcken? I think that is these loafs of bread that are going in the garbage can be used to benefit many starving Americans.

I believe that these resturants and supermarkets should donated their extra food to charities that could use these products to support people in need. I feel instead of filing up garbage bags of food to be discarded owners of these places should drop of the excess food to places who would put these foods to good use.

Soho Loving

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Jessica Aletta

On this past Saturday the soccer team took a trip to the city. One of our coach’s friends is a singer and was playing at a bar in soho. She had a chance of getting a record deal that day but the soccer girls took up too much space that the record label people couldn’t get in! Before we even got there though, we had to walk a little bit through soho and as we were walking I was noticing the shops around. Soho is this cute part of the city that has all brand new shops that are high end. You can see how new everything is just by looking inside and window shopping.

The shops in soho are so small and are not like any big department store. When you look in the shops that barely have any options which means the clothes are going to be extremely expensive and that it is going to be high end. Soho has been going through a gentrification lately and is the new hot spot for hipsters in New York. Gentrification is when a deteriorating city is renovated and made new and attracts people that are hipsters. When you pass Soho shops you can tell exactly who their target audience is because of the mannequins that are in the window displays. The mannequins are dressed in the fashion of hipster and that attracts the type of people that live in Soho.

Also the restaurants in Soho are very modern and going through gentrification as well as the shops. We had stopped at Delicatessen a cute modern restaurant in Soho. It is a two floor restaurant with new modern decorative pieces and mirrors all around. While looking around at the different people in the restaurant you could tell the neighborhood that it was in is a home of the modern hipster who is chic and stylish. Delicatessen was a fun place for young people to hang out and get food in. The prices were not too bad which was shocking with all the shops around it.

In the early years Soho was a farmland for the Dutch West Indies Company’s freed slaves. It then in later years, 1800s, became a place for the wealthy to live in and then quickly became a place for the middle class. It was not till 1950s that Soho became a place for artists to live and that the shops succumbed to the people that lived there. But then industries started to pop up around that area driving out the artist and placing the worker class there. Now in present time Soho has gone back to its roots and become a place for artists to live again. It is now the Soho we all know of, the expensive hipster part of the city.

Delicatessen

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Kimberly Fetto

On Saturday the soccer team and coaches decided to explore the city. We all gathered at the stadium and drove over to the ferry which then took us over to the subway. We took the subway into Soho and we walked a couple of blocks until we reached this little bar with a music room in it. We walked in and sat down and waited for the music to play so we could all listen and sing along. We all started getting hungry so we decided to venture around Soho and we discovered this place called Delicatessen. It is located at 54 Prince St between Mulberry St. & Lafayette St at the crossroads of NoLIta and SoHo.

Delicatessen provided breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night meals, creating a friendly environment with unique foods to serve. The restaurant played music and was very laid back and had a comforting touch to it. The whole team ordered something different but I was in the mood for mac and cheese so that is what I got with a side of french fries. I enjoyed this restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone who goes into Soho. With it’s innovative twist on comfort food, friendly vibe, and modern yet inviting design, Delicatessen is a welcome addition to New York’s vibrant SoHo neighborhood. The meal was satisfying but I was still hungry for dessert. We all decided to leave and walk to this cupcake place next door. I got twelve mini cupcakes and shared them with my team. My team and I enjoyed exploring the city and we look forward to doing it again sometime.

Food Cues in Manhattan

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Anna Bahn

Cheryl and I ventured out into the city on Saturday, which we were planning on doing all week. On the ferry ride over, we decided to just wander through Central Park, and later enter a Broadway lottery for Matilda the musical, two things Cheryl hadn’t done yet. We walked around Central Park for about three hours, going the furthest up and back we could in that time.

We lost the lottery. That was sad, of course, and Cheryl still hasn’t seen a Broadway show (this weekend, hopefully.) But we decided to do cross another thing off of our NYC bucket list: Junior’s. People talk about Junior’s constantly, it’s the typical tourist spot. And it’s right across from the Shubert Theatre, so the second we saw it, we both said we were hungry.

Junior’s is famous for its hot chocolate and cheesecake, so can you guess what we ordered for dessert? Hot chocolate and cheesecake.

Look at all that whipped cream.

Are tourists’ hunger in New York City affected by how famous a restaurant is? There are probably thousands of restaurants in the city, but Junior’s is popular, Cheryl and I were hungry, and it was cold. In the end, it was an AMAZING choice, but it made me wonder why we made that choice. Were we actually hungry, or did we just want to live out the tourist dream?

Citizen Appetites

Blog for Learning Community 13

Category Archives: Manhattan