New York is a metropolitan city that has not only an abundance of scenic sights but also a beautiful intermingling of cultures. The latter has birthed great culinary trends and exposed people to a humongous variety of flavours and food experiences. Browsing through this zesty assortment, we have picked out 23 dishes that you simply cannot afford to miss if food and especially if meat is your first love.
23 Most Popular Non-Veg Foods to Eat in New York
1. Pastrami Sandwich
A sandwich with simple ingredients, the taste of which lingers on your tongue several minutes after the last bite- this one will definitely please the latent Joey Tribbiani inside you. Boldly brined pastrami delicately placed between slices of rye bread with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and Swiss cheese works amazingly with generous layers of mayonnaise and mustard to create the perfect meaty bite that will keep you wanting for more.
2. Italian Sausages
What is better than ground pork sausages seasoned with flavour-some garlic and zingy pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and paprika? Having them on a pizza, of course! This Italian bomb of a flavour combination is the mafia of all meats. Add it to your rustic pasta dish, top it on your pizza, or brown it on a sizzling pan and make it the solo star on the plate. You won’t be disappointed either way.
3. Chicken Over Rice
Walking on New York streets, the warm, spicy aroma from a Chicken Over Rice stall will hit you in the right spot. Zesty meat, either chicken or lamb, flaunts bold flavours of lemon, oregano, and garlic and pairs with fragrant turmeric rice to make for a tempting mouthful. But that is not all. The dish is incomplete without a rollicking, tangy white sauce that ties all the flavours together and leaves your tongue fully satisfied.
4. Corn Dog
No, a vegetarian item has not sneaked into the list. Typically referred to as carnival food, Corn Dog is a street favourite. This corny meat bite is usually made from Frankfurters, which is a type of beef sausage. It is gently fried using a combination of cornmeal and flour to give it a golden-brown crust. It is served on a skewer, allowing you to explore the streets while keeping your mouth and tummy happily engaged.
5. Matzo Soup
This one is a delightful variation of dumplings with a fun cultural spin. Matzo is a type of Jewish flatbread; only this dish serves it in the form of a ball soaking a steamy bowl of delicious chicken broth. Matzo Soup features chicken breast and a variation of vegetables such as celery, carrot, and onion, along with dill and fresh garlic cloves. This warm, aromatic bowl will quickly become your favourite comfort food on a cold day.
6. Beef Brisket
Brisket, a cut of beef or veal, is a grand celebrity among barbecue meats. A smoky slab of meat grilled to tender perfection with simply salt and pepper. It is commonly served as a Texas-style sandwich with crunchy onions, pickled jalapenos, and a lavish addition of barbecue sauce. Restaurants in New York serve this glorious, meaty platter with a variety of sides, leaving much room for experimentation for the palate.
7. Eggs Benedict
If you’re looking for something comforting and yet rich on the tongue, Eggs Benedict is for you. This dish is a popular choice for brunch. English muffin halved and topped with Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and creamy Hollandaise sauce- Eggs Benedict will first treat your eyes and then leave your taste buds and stomach alike highly impressed.
8. Chicken A La King
This is a dish, without a doubt, aptly named. What could be more luxurious than cubes of chicken wrapped in a rich cream sauce with fresh vegetables, meaty mushrooms, and sherry? Chicken A La King is a lush treat that works wonders when served over noodles, rice, or simply with gently toasted bread.
9. Steak
New York loves meat. The city is full of steakhouses and restaurants that exclusively specialize in grilled meat-cuts barbecued over an open fire or simply seared over a hot pan. Filet Mignon, Rib Eye, New York Strip, Porterhouse- there are various cuts to choose from, from a quaint diner or a fancy modern restaurant.
10. Steak Diane
If you want a dramatic culinary experience, Steak Diane is the item for you. It is a pan-fried beefsteak, the “Diane” part of which is especially interesting. There is reason to believe that Diana, the Greco-Roman goddess of the hunt, inspired the making of “a la Diane” sauces, which were essentially served with game meat in the past. Steak Diane features one such sauce made from mustard, Worcestershire, cream, and cognac. The dish is flambéed right before serving, making it a capture-worthy dish.
11. Sausage & Peppers
Italian sausages sautéed with peppers, sweet onions, juicy tomatoes, and garlic- this dish is a favourite lunchtime street food with classic Italian-American flavours. Sausage and Peppers stand alone as a complete dish independently, but it is also commonly paired with pasta or served as a bread roll.
12. Corned Beef
Basically, salt-cured Beef Brisket is a type of meat popular among sandwich lovers. Corned Beef gets its name from large-grained rock salt, fondly referred to as “corns of salt.” Along with delectable sandwiches, corned beef is also used as an ingredient in multitudes of preparations.
13. Clam Chowder
A thick soup with a milk or cream base, Clam Chowder, is a rich-in-flavour seafood soup, or stew, that is too comforting for words. As though juicy, fleshy clams weren’t enough, this brothy soup does not shy away from featuring bacon and ingredients such as thyme that bombard the bowl with flavours in all the right ways.
14. Fried Calamari
Squid is what the culinary folks refer to as Calamari. Fried Calamari is such a fun dish that even those who do not fancy fried food love to munch on it. Crispy, crunchy rings of squid served with a tangy marinara sauce make for a quirky snack that you definitely should not miss out on.
15. Spaghetti & Meatballs
If you are a pop-culture geek, the chances are that you know about this one already. Featured in almost every American sitcom ever, Spaghetti and Meatballs is an extremely popular Italian-American dish, and rightly so. Al dente noodles, zingy sauce that plays with your taste buds, and tender meatballs- a simple description suffices to make people salivate.
16. Gyros & Souvlaki
If Italy has left a solid mark on New York’s culinary world, so has Greece, especially these two meat-bites. “Gyro” is Greek for “going around,” which sheds light on the cooking method while preparing this dish. Gyros are slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served as strips or slices of meat, often chicken. On the other hand, Souvlaki is a variety of kebabs that are served on a skewer.
17. Buffalo Wings
One of the most popular dishes in New York, this Chicken preparation had a rough start. Originally undesirable as an independent piece, the wings were used to make stock or soup until a humble chef in Buffalo, New York, saw the potential Chicken Wings had. Buffalo Wings feature perfectly fried chicken served with the “Buffalo Sauce” that is essentially a combination of butter, hot sauce, and a touch of honey.
18. Lobster
One of the most craved seafood items in New York is lobster. A plethora of dining rooms, cafes, and quaint food joints serve a wide variety of preparations, right from savoury lobster rolls to extravagant grilled lobster. What you must definitely try, though, is a simple, hot, red lobster cooked in a flavoursome seafood broth.
19. Fried Chicken
This dish requires no special introduction. By far, Fried Chicken is one of the most commonly known items on this list, yet it stands strong. A popular finger food, this dish can be paired with a wide selection of sauces, but nothing compares to the hot plate of crispy, golden chicken served with tangy Sriracha sauce and a slice of juicy lemon.
20. Hamburger
Hamburger is yet another dish that has a great number of variations. Fundamentally, it is simply a meat patty placed between buns of bread along with slices of fresh tomato, onion, cheese, and condiments. The magic lies in the variety of patties served in different restaurants. Pan-fried, grilled, smoked, flame-broiled- regardless of the method, you are guaranteed to enjoy every bite of a hamburger, for each technique brings its unique flavours.
21. Reuben Sandwich
Reuben sandwich is a playful alternative to the usual burger. A variety of grilled sandwiches lavishly features corned beef, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, among other ingredients. What makes this sandwich whimsical is the usage of sauerkraut, a type of fermented cabbage. Do give this sandwich a shot if you love experimenting with flavours.
22. General Tso’s Chicken
While the origin of the name of this dish remains a mystery, it is pretty obvious why people love this sweet and spicy, deep-fried chicken delicacy. Hoisin sauce, peanuts, garlic, white wine vinegar, and soy sauce bring out the flavour of chicken thighs and make this dish truly stand out. If you love bold flavours, General Tso’s Chicken is definitely for you.
23. Hot Dog
A chunky, meaty sausage between lightly toasted buns and generously sloshed ketchup or mustard— Hot Dogs are among the most popular finger foods in America, and New York has capitalized on them unabashedly. Right from street vendors to experimental food trucks and modern dining rooms, every eatery serving this American classic has found ways to recreate whole new flavor combinations that are as inviting as the traditional wurst.
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