It’s 10 PM. I Shouldn’t Be Eating This. But the Food Cart Called Me.

It's 10:00 PM in New York City.

I've had a long day.

I've eaten plenty.

I'm back at the hotel.

The responsible thing to do would be to drink some water, get into bed, and call it a night.

There was just one problem.

The food cart outside my hotel was calling me.

And I don't mean figuratively.

I walked outside, and I'm pretty sure I heard:

"Niel... Niiiiiel... come get some chicken and lamb over rice..."

What was I supposed to do?

Ignore it?

That would be rude.

🌃 This Is New York Street Food

The cart has exactly what you'd expect from a New York City street food cart:

Chicken over rice.

Lamb over rice.

Falafel over rice.

Gyros.

Hot dogs.

And enough other options displayed on the side of the cart to make you stand there staring at the menu much longer than necessary.

But I knew what I wanted.

Chicken and lamb over saffron rice.

Add the lettuce.

Add the tomatoes.

And absolutely give me the white sauce.

Hot sauce?

Nope.

I've learned that lesson before.

My stomach and hot sauce have a complicated relationship. Actually, that's being generous.

My stomach has clearly communicated its boundaries.

I'm respecting them.

💰 Wait... That's the Price?!

Then came the biggest surprise of the night.

The entire plate was just over $10.

In.

New. York. City.

Are you kidding me?

I was fully prepared for the guy to tell me it was $15. Maybe more.

It's 10 PM. I'm hungry. I'm in New York. He has possession of the chicken and lamb.

He has all the negotiating power.

Instead, just over ten bucks.

At that price, I happily added another 20% tip for the guy working the cart.

And somehow this gets even more ridiculous.

Earlier, I bought two bottles of Coke Zero from the hotel.

Almost $8.

Let me make sure I understand the economics here:

🥤 Two Coke Zeros from the hotel: almost $8

🍗🐑 A giant container of chicken AND lamb over saffron rice, with lettuce, tomato and white sauce from a New York City street cart: just over $10

Someone, please explain this to me.

Actually, don't.

I don't want anyone investigating and telling the food-cart guy he needs to raise his prices.

🤤 And Was It Worth Eating at 10 PM?

Look at the picture.

You already know the answer.

Chicken.

Lamb.

Saffron rice.

Lettuce.

Tomatoes.

White sauce everywhere.

No hot sauce because I would like to enjoy the rest of my trip without my digestive system filing a formal complaint.

And it is amazing.

Was eating this at 10 PM a good decision?

Nutritionally?

Probably not.

Financially?

ABSOLUTELY.

Spiritually?

I'm going with yes.

After a day of hanging out with friends and family, eating New York backyard food, missing my Broadway show because I was having too much fun, and riding through Queens at night, this feels like the appropriate ending.

Tomorrow I'll worry about responsible eating.

Tonight?

The cart called.

I answered.

And for just over $10 in New York City, I'm very glad I did.