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Reviews

When in New York, New York, Eat Here; Not There

New York, New York – the motherland of food. Although it does have its fair share of fast food locations and chains, it has an even bigger share of unique, trendy places that can seriously improve your trip into the city.

McDonald’s isn’t a thing… head to Sticky’s.

things you need for your apartment sweet cookie
Mackenzie Patel

McDonald’s is all over the place and uses plastic in their chicken nuggets, which is totally gross. At Sticky’s, the ingredients are real, and flavorful, the employees are incredibly nice, and the very unique menu offers food found no where else.

Insomnia Cookies by night, or City Cookies by Day?

cookies your new year's resolution chocolate cookie
Collette Block

Why would you want to eat warm cookies when you’re tired anyway? Why not eat beautiful, warm half pound cookies when you’re awake and are actually able to take pics of your cookies? Did you know that instagramming your food actually makes it taste better? I swear.

Chipotle is faux Mexican food. El Luchador is real Mexican food.

cinco de mayo deals tacos chicken
Cherese Shelton

Chipotle claims to use the best of the best meat and ingredients, but that is a lie. If their ingredients are so good, then why did they ever have e-coli? That’s something that you won’t have to worry about at El Luchador. Also, at El Luchador, you can have real flavorful Mexican food for lower price.

Dylan’s Candy…. bars are not meant for candy. Try Sockerbit instead.

halloween candy candy sweet
Caroline Ingalls

By the end your time at Dylan’s, you’re probably going to be racking up the big bucks, for not a whole lot of candy. Everything that Dylan’s has, Sockerbit does better.

Real people bars also have really long lines. You’re better off at Tipsy Scoop.

angry orchard beer milk
Zara Toh

When visiting New York in the summer, it’s most likely going to be either super hot, and/or humid. You’re going to want to cool off, so obviously you’ll gravitate towards a bar to grab a drink. Why do that when you can have desert and alcohol at the same time at Tipsy Scoop? Yup, that’s right. Liquor-infused ice cream.

Times Square? Go to Gansevoort Market instead.

new york
Anna Woolery

Times Square is a trap. Don’t enter it. It’s poisonous, crowded, and full of fast food. If you want amazing food, that’s not coming from overpriced chains, head straight to Gansevoort Market.

Gansevoort Market has everything from macarons, to ice cream, to burgers, empanadas, gelato, pizza, tacos, crepes, Peruvian, and poke. 

Subway is a mode of transportation – not a place to eat. Head to Katz’s Deli instead.

what a collegiate pole vaulter eats in a day sandwich bread
Jocelyn Hsu

Subway often isn’t honest about how long their sandwiches are and use mostly frozen ingredients. Why would anyone want to endure more lies and disappointment than they already experience? At Katz’s, they give you the real deal for  a great price, and will leave you far from disappointed

Forget about Dunkin Donuts. Head to Dough instead.

Mondays chocolate candy
Amelia Hitchens

Donuts. You want donuts. DunkinDonuts usually aren’t fresh, are rock solid, and are often bland tasting. With Dough, the donuts are made fresh, are extremely flavorful, and are sure to make you feel like you’re biting into a very soft cloud. I want to eat a soft cloud – not a hockey puck at Dunks. 

Whatever you may end up choosing to do, I’d like you to remember two things. First, tourist traps are usually overloaded with advertisements, and overpriced food. Second, chain restaurants are almost everywhere – you’re in New York for a reason! 

Liz is a 25-year-old freelance writer that's based in Brooklyn, New York with her foster cat, Leif. Liz has received her start in the media world at Spoon University, and has acquired over 3.8 million views on her Spoon articles alone with millions more views on her syndicated content while finding her appreciation for consuming and producing branded content. Liz also has her articles syndicated on Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and Teen Vogue in addition to having her most popular article cited by Elite Daily. Liz has also contributed to YourTango and Entrepreneur.When Liz isn't writing, Liz is probably listening to music, walking around aimlessly like the hot mess that she is, cuddling with her cat, consuming new food dishes and drinks, at an event, at therapy with her one and only therapist that she absolutely adores, at an appointment with someone from her medical team, making up random dance moves in her bedroom, or figuring out what to do with herself. Liz's favorite cheese is feta and a pet peeve of hers is when people don't use the word "simultaneously" in the right manner.To get in touch with Liz, she can be reached at itslizab@gmail.com, @astrrisk on Instagram, and on LinkedIn. Liz is always down to be invited to an event or to talk about food, booze, and mental health. Liz's pronouns are she/her/hers.Please be patient when getting in touch with Liz - she probably is unaware as to what day it is, and might be dancing for her therapist.... to the Macarena, of course.