New York far from the typical clichés
**STARBUCKS vs. GREGORYS COFFEE**
With over 200 coffee shops in Manhattan alone, Starbucks is the king of coffee. Check out the smile of her green mermaid on the paper cups held by many stressed New Yorkers. Of course, the chain born in Seattle in 1971 it's the convenient option for visitors who think coffee in America is undrinkable. This coffee version of fast food chains has a variety of drinks, coveted free Wi-Fi and toilets (although fewer and fewer).
However, true coffee lovers should skip Starbucks and seek refuge at Gregorys Coffee. It has only 15 stores on the island but in very strategic locations, a few steps from Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and Wall Street. It is not uncommon to see its founder, Greg Zamfotis, literally the face of his brand, serving in any of his establishments. His coffee comes from fair trade and instead of chain work, each drink is prepared specifically for each customer. In terms of taste and care, Gregorys Coffee is unrivaled in New York.
Coffee prepared for each client
**McDONALDS vs SHAKE SHACK**
Wherever you are in Manhattan, you'll always find a McDonald's less than six blocks away. It's not advertising, it's pure statistics. The legendary North American fast food chain gives us the peace of mind of knowing in advance what we are going to eat because we have already tried it elsewhere. But in the land of good burgers Shake Shack has revolutionized the market. You have it for almost the same price, with guaranteed top quality beef and a fun vibration warning system when your order is ready. since in 2004 was installed in the park of Madison Square Park, in front of the Flatiron , has conquered the stomach of New Yorkers. Currently has 14 restaurants in New York and the chain continues to grow with new creations, such as the chicken sandwich.
They have conquered the stomach of New Yorkers
**HOT DOG CARTS vs CRIF DOGS**
The hot dog is another New York staple. Opportunities to eat one are not lacking. Food carts can be found almost on every corner of the city that tempt us with their lights, smells and calls from their chefs. Many of these stalls serve hot dogs boiled in a 60º water bath. The problem is that after soaking for 20 minutes, the sausage loses flavor. So before ordering one ask yourself how long it has been in the water. Or better yet, try Crif Dogs , in the East Village or in Williamsburg. Not only are they freshly grilled but they have up to 19 varieties. Another advantage that street carts do not have: the East Village venue has a hidden bar behind a phone booth called PDT.
** BURGER JOINT (Le Parker Meridien) vs BURGER JOINT (Greenwich Village) **
One of New York's worst kept secrets is Burger Joint, Another excellent New York burger joint. It opened in 2002 in a corner inside the lobby of the luxurious Le Parker Meridien hotel with the aim of recovering the classic hamburger. The tiny restaurant (dive would be more appropriate) is hidden behind huge curtains that hang in the reception area. It would go unnoticed if it weren't for the smell of French fries and the long queues that form at any time of the day.
The real secret is that there is another Burger Joint, three times more spacious and without queues in Greenwich Village. Since 2013 it maintains the same exquisite elaboration of Nebraska beef burgers served without seasoning to enhance the flavor of the meat. The best way to enjoy it without the stress of those waiting for you to finish to take your seat is to avoid Le Parker Meridien and head down to the Village.
With Nebraska beef
** MAGNOLIA BAKERY vs. BILLY'S BAKERY **
Some attribute the cupcake craze to Magnolia Bakery, though Sex and the City also had a hand. The original bakery on Bleecker Street, in the heart of the West Village, opened in 1996 and appeared four years later in a scene on the famous Sarah Jessica Parker series (season three, episode five, to be exact). The expansion of this cupcake with a cake finish was unstoppable. You can still queue up for a Carrie Bradshaw feel at the original store (or at any of the five other patisseries that have been added since) but Billy's Bakery cupcakes are so much tastier . The quality is guaranteed because her founder worked at Magnolia Bakery for two years before opening her own brand in 2003. All their cakes are sweet, but without reaching hyperglycemia and you can try their three locations in Chelsea, Tribeca and Midtown decorated as in the 1940s.
This tart-finished cupcake has colonized (almost) everything
**PIZZA HUT vs. JOE'S PIZZA **
Pizza may be an Italian invention but in New York it has reached another level. With a thin dough inside and thicker around the edges and covered with raw tomato sauce and mozzarella, the margarita (or plain, as they call it here) is the most requested . If the pizza is good, it does not lack toppings. This definition outright invalidates most pizzas served by large chains like Pizza Hut or Sbarro. In this case, avoiding them is easier because they have very few establishments in New York. The best alternative is Joe's Pizza where you can buy it in slices and as many as hunger leaves you. exist three locations in the West Village, East Village and Williamsburg. Do not confuse Joe's Pizza with John's Pizzeria. Despite also having good pizzas, they are not the same.
**DUNKIN' DONUTS vs. DOUGH **
Another ubiquitous chain in Manhattan is Dunkin 'Donuts that in addition to sweetening your palate promises to wake up your day with a diluted coffee loaded with caffeine. You'll find 22 of the so-called classic donuts although they have a dozen more varieties available depending on the season. But in New York the synonym of a good donut is donut . The owner, Fanny Gerson , opened in Brooklyn in 2010 and, four years later, installed another workshop on the island, next to the Flatiron Building . They are all prepared by hand, one by one, and only with organic ingredients. Some are covered with hibiscus, dulce de leche and chocolate with caramel and salt. Whatever you buy will be freshly made right there. Can you eat with just one?