By Siddhi: 

In a city whose street life is fashioned by at least two food carts a block that serve the same snacks and fall into overwhelming mundaneness, saying that one of the most authentic meals I’ve had in the New York was from one of these carts seems absurd.

The Biryani Cart, which has been nominated for Vendy Awards and took home the People’s Choice Awards two years in a row, is situated in front of Europa Café at 46^th Street and 6^th avenue in Manhattan. Its exterior is beyond deceptive, and other than the small newspaper and magazine clippings with elite critiques fastened to its metal walls, it looks like any other food cart in the city.

The menu consist of both vegetarian/non-veg traditional and distinct regional spices and flavors of the Indian subcontinent. You can look at the offerings here:

 http://menupages.com/restaurants/biryani-cart/menu

The Kati Rolls simply dissolve in your mouth with a genuineness that I’ve never tasted anywhere but home kitchens. Hot mint habanero sauce, mango pickle, and a wide selection of curries are among the additions to choose from to make your “dining” experience even more memorable.

As someone who has never been a fan of rice, the Vegetable Biryani blew my taste buds away. I don’t think I’ve ever loved rice that much, and growing up in an Indian family that cooks traditional meals on a near daily basis, that is a huge statement to make!

The only aftermath of the Biryani Cart experience is that the “fast food” greasiness of the meal yields a necessary lounge period while the food settles in your system. But hey, for a great meal, that’s a small price to pay.

So if you find yourself in Manhattan and want to grab a quick but delicious meal, check out the Biryani Cart.

It’s cheap (four to six bucks can snag you two rolls and a filled, content stomach), it’s convenient, and it’s too good. Could you ask more of street food?