Urbanspace Vanderbilt is like a cozier Chelsea Market. It’s the food court you go to when you don’t feel like walking around and would prefer to just grab a table with friends and eat for a bit. It’s less tourist-y and more local-hipster. It’s the place where you’ll find yourself in food heaven, but only if you aren’t the type to be intimidated by all of the options being in such a small space.
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The easiest way to eat your way through Urbanspace Vanderbilt is to bring a friend or two. This is usually important because you’re able to try more food without filling up too quickly and it’s definitely easier on your wallet. This also comes in handy because you can wait on two lines at once, or have someone constantly sitting at the table so you don’t lose your seats. Now that we’ve established the best way to do this, let’s get to the food.
Your first stop should be Mimi’s Hummus for a falafel and hummus bowl. It’s set you back roughly $9 bucks. The bowl is filled with hummus, squirted with tzatziki, drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil, and then topped with five falafel balls. It also comes with a warm pita on the side. It’s refreshing and is a great way to start your several-course meal.
Photo by Laura Vogel
#SpoonTip: Get an original pretzel from Sigmund’s to dip into the leftover hummus.
After that, you’re going to want to split up so that you can wait on different lines. Your first destination: Burgers by Hard Times Sundaes.
Photo by Laura Vogel
I suggest getting the double with the works. This will set you back around $12, but remember, you’re splitting this cost with friends. This burger with the works includes two patties, two slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, onions, and jalapenos. For roughly $2 more you can add bacon to that, but I promise you the burger doesn’t need it. It’s perfect the way it is.
Photo by Laura Vogel
Your next stop should be Delaney Chicken for the Original Chicken Sandwich. Setting you back $8, this chicken sandwich tastes like it has healing properties. The chicken is perfectly fried, juicy, tender, and crispy on the outside. The mayo and hot sauce mix add enough flavor without being too overpowering. This is the kind of sandwich that made it okay for NYC to go without Chick-Fil-A for so long.
Photo by Laura Vogel
Next on the menu are two things you just can’t leave Urbanspace Vanderbilt without trying- pizza and sushi burritos. Roberta’s pizza deserves all the applause for both taste and ability to name pizzas. You can order the “White Boy,” the “Cheesus Christ,” the “Bee Sting,” and more. I went with the White Boy, aptly named for its all white appearance due to being topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmigiano.
Photo by Laura Vogel
#ThatCheesePullTho #RIPme #instaworthy
For your sushi burrito at Hai Street Kitchen, you can choose between a few signature options. I recommend either the Flamin’ Tuna or Slammin’ Salmon, but you can also get Ho-Lee Shrimp or Hai Street Chicken. These burritos are rolled to perfection with ingredients like pickled jicama, papaya salad, and spicy mayo. The portions are actually quite large, so this is one of those times when you’ll want to definitely share with a friend. Sushi burritos just make life better.
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Now for my favorite part of Urbanspace Vanderbilt- the doughnuts. Made daily by Dough, these are some of fluffiest, freshest, most perfect doughnuts ever. The dulce de leche is topped with slivered almonds and Dough’s amazing caramel. The cafe au lait is a crunchy favorite of mine. The hibiscus is sweet and earthy. The plain glaze is simple but still amazing. The doughnuts are the best way to end any trip to Urbanspace Vanderbilt, and at $3 a pop, you might as well take some home, too.